Holding off the Italian Troops

Well its been 2 weeks since my last post. I think I became a bit over wined there for a moment. Especially since I had been tasting a number of inexpensive whites and then big Washington or Italian Reds. I was looking for something different... Part of me still is. I think I am in a white wine mood lately. However I wanted to blog about a wine that maybe wasn't so inexpensive nor so readily available; something people would have to seek out only if they really were interested. With that in mind I remembered a Pinot Noir I had in the last few weeks.

Hello my name is Joel, and I have a problem, I love Pinot Noir... Okay that said what's not to like about cherries, berries, flowers, funk, and potentially chalk or rocks?!? Maybe that's a bit basic but it certainly describes the Pinot and Burgundy that I have so gone grape nutz for. Certainly its a versatile grape with a lot of different wines that wine lovers buzz (or in this case blog) about. As mentioned lately I have tasted a number of nice Italian wines but am ready for something different. Fortunately at one tasting I was offered a bonus poor of pinot noir. Immediately I knew that was the wine of the night for me. I wanted to climb down into the glass and just sit in a happy place.

What was the wine that so turned my head and still had enough power to stand up to the Italian troops?

Dusky Goose Pinot Noir 2003 - This is a full and solid bodied Pinot Noir that is athletic enough to stand up to a number of dishes and tastes. The nose was of dark ripe cherries, red berries, anise, and dark earth. I enjoyed the smell enough to be sure to sniff between each taste. In the glass I was so happy to see that perfect garnet red color clear enough to read through. Especially after a bevy of darker Italian varietals. Perhas I was colored by being preferential to Pinot over such varietals; however, I have heard how special Dusky Goose can be and this certainly proved the point. The initial taste was of semi-sweet and semi-tart dark red cherries, it moved to a more dried cherry flavor with the slight bitterness of skins in the middle. The finish wowed me with a jasmine note that eventually flowed into the anise that I smelled. Still those cherries remained throghout the whole. This wine has a wonderful and complex structure to it, and the body for a pinot was well drawn out. I asked and nearly begged for another taster's portion later just so I could sigh, smile, and dive into the deep end of an advanced Pinot Noir. Seemless layers and loads of fruit yet while off dry, this is one Pinot I hope you can find to try. I think its something special that could be served with may spring lamb dishes or that Chinook Salmon. Its not going to be common at tastings though, its very well known, well guarded, and the cost is not inexpensive at around $50 bottle.