Gérard Bertrand 2012 "Reserve Speciale" Pinot Noir Pays d'Oc ($13.99)
Clear, dark ruby, almost inky at the core, transparent purple at the edge. Delicious cherry-berry aroma, pure fruit but not over the top. Dry red fruit comes through on the palate, laced up with subtle whiffs of warm spice, food-friendly acidity, and a distinct but palatable edge of astringent tannins. First-rate food wine; its 13% alcohol is ideal for table use or even sipping as an aperitif. U.S.importer: USA Wine West LLC, Sausalito, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2014)FOOD MATCH: Pinot Noir's versatility makes it a match with a wide range of fare, from rare beef to Thanksgiving turkey. It's also a natural match with mushrooms. It went beautifully for us with a deeply flavored mushroom risotto made with brown crimini mushrooms and reconstituted dried porcinis.
WHEN TO DRINK: It will certainly hold up for a year or two, but it might be wiser to enjoy it over the next year or so while its fresh, simple fruit is so delicious, rather than waiting out the acceptable astringency in hope of a less certain future. Nah. Drink up and enjoy. And buy the next and following vintages.
VALUE: Wine-Searcher.com reports a $13 U.S. average retail price, with retailers reporting a range from $10.99 to $15.94. It's really a good buy anywhere in the lower to middle teens.
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Gerar ... g_site=WLP
WEB LINK:
The tiny QR code on the back of the bottle will lead you to this informative page about the winery and its wines.
http://www.gerard-bertrand.com/en/reser ... inot-noir/
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
I picked up this wine at the Whole Foods Wine Shop.
You can also check prices and find vendors for Gerard Bertrand Pinot Noir on Wine-Searcher.com.
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Gerar ... g_site=WLP
Oyster Bay 2012 Marlborough Pinot Noir ($14.99)
Garnet with a clear edge. Good Pinot aromas, red berry and "tomato skin." Bright, fresh fruit flavor shaped by zippy acidity and soft but perceptible tannins. A moderate 13% alcohol level makes it a natural at the dinner table, where it enhances the dining experience without overwhelming the fare. Like most New Zealand wines, it's packaged with a sturdy modern screw cap to keep it fresh. U.S. importer: Oyster Bay Wines USA Inc, NYC. (Nov. 27, 2014)FOOD MATCH: Did I mention that Pinot Noir is versatile with food? I can hardly imagine a better choice with Thanksgiving or any traditional winter holiday banquet. The Oyster Bay worked and played well with everything on a lavish Thanksgiving buffet table, from light and dark turkey meat to dressing, vegetable dishes, a curry, even an old-school green bean casserole.
WHEN TO DRINK: Fresh and clean, fruity and straightforward, this will keep well under its screw cap, but I wouldn't cellar it or expect it to evolve. Drink up and enjoy!
VALUE: My local $15 retail price is in line with Wine-Searcher.com's reported $16 average retail. Dozens of venues offer it around $15, so it may be worth shopping online if your local shops can't match this price.
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Oyste ... g_site=WLP
WEB LINK:
This page on the winery website sets up a collection of 53 reviews of Oyster Bay Pinot Noir for you to browse.
http://www.oysterbaywines.com/reviews/w ... pinot-noir
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Locate vendors and check prices for Oyster Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir on Wine-Searcher.com.
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Oyste ... g_site=WLP
My bottle came from the local Whole Foods Wine Shop.