WTN: 2001 Martinelli Pinot Noir California.

2001 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley California. Alcohol 15.6%. Deep red color, deep hue, beautiful dark cherry and wild strawberry nose, light spice and a bit of earth, intense pure fruit tastes with light acidity and just a bit of oak, mild, well integrated tannins, excellent balance, incredibly long finish with strong fruit, spice and earthen notes -- Janet: “This wine is just as good – maybe better – than two weeks ago. A big Pinot Noir, not my usual preference, but this one was so rich and delicious, I could forgive it anything. A wonderful wine for a Friday the Thirteenth. Great with pasta at Brooklyn Pizza. 5*.

2001 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley California. Alcohol 15.6%. Deep red color, deep hue, beautiful dark cherry and wild strawberry nose, light spice and a bit of earth, intense pure fruit tastes with light acidity and just a bit of oak, mild, well integrated tannins, excellent balance, incredibly long finish with strong fruit, spice and earthen notes -- Janet: “This wine is just as good – maybe better – than two weeks ago. A big Pinot Noir, not my usual preference, but this one was so rich and delicious, I could forgive it anything. A wonderful wine for a Friday the Thirteenth. Great with pasta at Brooklyn Pizza. 5*.

Pretty well balanced even with all that alcahol aye, Bob?

I had the opportunity to taste the 2001 Martinelli Blue Slide Ridge Pinot and I was fully prepared not to enjoy it due to high extraction, low acidity and uber alcohol in the 15.5% range. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. My experience with the BSR pretty much mirrored Bob's outing with the Rio. So much for expectation or perhaps bias is a better wors.
Redwinger

2001 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley California. Alcohol 15.6%. Deep red color, deep hue, beautiful dark cherry and wild strawberry nose, light spice and a bit of earth, intense pure fruit tastes with light acidity and just a bit of oak, mild, well integrated tannins, excellent balance, incredibly long finish with strong fruit, spice and earthen notes -- Janet: “This wine is just as good – maybe better – than two weeks ago. A big Pinot Noir, not my usual preference, but this one was so rich and delicious, I could forgive it anything. A wonderful wine for a Friday the Thirteenth. Great with pasta at Brooklyn Pizza. 5*.

You're getting easier to please as you get older. I just can't get myself to accept that type of Pinot. OVER THE TOP!!!!!!!!!

I thought so too, Lou -- but it was delicious, and I didn't notice the alcohol. Strange how I can like that and some of the much more delicate and complex Burgundies.

Well, heck, the wine you described ain't the same stuff as a classic Burgundy!

Different wine, different expectations.

Absolutely, John. Frankly, Lou is right in this sense -- it would be very, very hard to say a typical Burgundy (whatever that is) and this Martinelli have in common.

But I love the Burgundies, and like the Martinellis. Go figure.

But I love the Burgundies, and like the Martinellis. Go figure.

Interesting observation, Bob. I am the same way. I love big CA pinots like Brian Loring makes and nice elegant burgundies. As a matter of fact, a couple of weeks ago I had a 2003 1 cru from Mercurey and then a 2003 Loring Pinot (Cargasacchi) two days later. Loved them both. Had both with fresh grilled salmon. Both matched up well, but I would have to say the primier cru was a somewhat better food wine. I think that each wine has features that I really like, and I don't put any preconceptions on how a pinot should taste, just that I have to like the way it does taste and how it matches with food.