2008 TALBOTT PINOT NOIR SLEEPY HOLLOW VINEYARD, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, MONTEREY COUNTY, CA
15.1% abv. Burgundy color with some transparency. Very fruity, bordering on jammy, but I like this wine. I'm pretty certain I purchased it at the tasting room on a trip to CA in October 2010 so I must have liked it then too. It exhibits rich berry flavor and a hint of cherry cola (an attribute I usually find to be negative but not in this instance) in a viscous liquid. I would rate this as very good (high 80's) in my estimation. The high alcohol percentage is subdued by the fruitiness. Not everyone's preferred style but probably representative of the SLH AVA.
2006 YAMHILL VALLEY VINEYARDS ESTATE PINOT NOIR, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OR. 13.9% abv. Screwcap closure. Purple/crimson color with slight transparency. Initial olfactory impression was dark plum flesh. On the palate, plum was intermingled with herbs and Asian spices. Light to medium body. My thought is that this wine would pair better with ham than with salmon. I found this very inviting and would rate it in the 90-92 range. I may include this or a Domaine Serene Evenstad in a church fundraiser tasting Feb. 11.