burgundy vs. pinot noir
Oct. 5, 2007
1. Patrick Size
Bourgogne
Burgundy
2004
2. Bear Boat
Russian River
Sonoma County
2005
3.Domaine Daniel Largeot
Aloxe-Corton
Burgundy
2003
4. Fort Ross
Sonoma Coast
"Symposium" Pinot Noir
2003
5. Domaine Bertagna
"Clos de la Perriere"
Vougeot 1er Cru
Burgundy
2002
6. Sea Smoke
"Southing" Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills
Santa Barbara County
2005
7. Baron de la Charriere
Corton-Renardes
Grand Cru
Burgundy
2000
8. Gary Farrell
Rochioli-Allen Vineyards
Sonoma County
2000
Bourgogne
Burgundy
2004
2. Bear Boat
Russian River
Sonoma County
2005
3.Domaine Daniel Largeot
Aloxe-Corton
Burgundy
2003
4. Fort Ross
Sonoma Coast
"Symposium" Pinot Noir
2003
5. Domaine Bertagna
"Clos de la Perriere"
Vougeot 1er Cru
Burgundy
2002
6. Sea Smoke
"Southing" Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills
Santa Barbara County
2005
7. Baron de la Charriere
Corton-Renardes
Grand Cru
Burgundy
2000
8. Gary Farrell
Rochioli-Allen Vineyards
Sonoma County
2000
Thanks to all for coming to a very interesting comparison tasting of French Burgundies vs. California Pinot
Noirs. It was fascinating to try to match the wines and to gleen the similarities and differences between all of
these pinots from vastly different regions. The "New World" wines really held their ground well when compared
to the "Old World" Burgundies. The California Pinots were intense and fruity as expected, and gave a lot of
pleasure in drinking. But there was no mistaking the complexity and balance of the French counterpart. I felt
all of the wines were superb examples, and I hope everyone enjoyed tasting these wines. Vive la difference!
Below are a list of the wines that were paired together, and in the order tasted, along with my notes and scores.
Surprisingly, I rated all pairings almost equally, but preferred the French wines by just a bit.
Noirs. It was fascinating to try to match the wines and to gleen the similarities and differences between all of
these pinots from vastly different regions. The "New World" wines really held their ground well when compared
to the "Old World" Burgundies. The California Pinots were intense and fruity as expected, and gave a lot of
pleasure in drinking. But there was no mistaking the complexity and balance of the French counterpart. I felt
all of the wines were superb examples, and I hope everyone enjoyed tasting these wines. Vive la difference!
Below are a list of the wines that were paired together, and in the order tasted, along with my notes and scores.
Surprisingly, I rated all pairings almost equally, but preferred the French wines by just a bit.
Very lite, little to no tannins, strawberry with lite dusty cocoa/earth. Very tart
and acidic in the mouth, but a fun wine.
88 points
Darker, but still light, with riper strawberry and fresh fruit nose. Hint of spice.
Easy, fruity, simple, yummy wine. Both of these were nice examples of under
$20 solid "everyday" pinots.
88 points
Wow! This was a great, classic example of a very good Burgundy. Complex,
spicy, hints of red candied fruit, and such nice balance. I loved this.
89-90 points
Dark brilliant purple; Concentrated black cherry notes with good minerality
and some obvious oak. Very silky, high alcohol, good core of black cherry, but
a bit to alcoholic and oaky. Very well made. Both of these were a big step up
from the 1st two, both from very ripe vintages.
89 points
This had a dark purple color with just a shade of ruby in it. Although the nose
was subtle with flower, spice and cherry aromas, the mouth was incredible!
Concentrated, near perfect balance, great power and expansiveness with nice
blackberry/black cherry notes. And maybe just a touch of minerals! Huge,
long delicious finish. My WOTN.
91-92 points
I wasn't sure about pairing Sea Smoke with a Vougeot, but it turns out they
both had good intensity and great balance, even though the Sea Smoke was
heftier and centered around dark, ripe berry fruit, baking spice, and oaky
notes. It was still very well balanced, and held the alcohol, oak, and fruit in
check. Great. Although the vintages of these 2 were 3 years apart, they were
both powerhouse pinots with control and balance.
91 points
Brown-ruby color, the wine looked prematurely aged. But for a weak vintage,
the wine was just perfect for consumption now. Notes of plum, saddle leather,
pot pouri, and just a hint of old strawberry jam (you know, where you dig out a
big ol' piece of strawberry). It was silky, medium bodied, and nicely softened
tannins. Not a big wine, but elegant, and well proportioned.
90 points
For a California PN also from 2000, this wine was much fresher and delicate
than I thought it would be. Obviously a light vintage, with the same 13.8% alc.
as the Corton-Renardes, the wine was about simple elegance, light bodied,
delicious strawberries, cherries, raspberries, with a hint of vanilla like in
waffles. Silky, light, dusty light tannins, with a short finish. Very nice though. It
was extremely enlightening to taste these last 2 older vintages and have them
"compete" so well together. The fruit always lasts longer in the California
wines than their French counterparts.
90 points
and acidic in the mouth, but a fun wine.
88 points
Darker, but still light, with riper strawberry and fresh fruit nose. Hint of spice.
Easy, fruity, simple, yummy wine. Both of these were nice examples of under
$20 solid "everyday" pinots.
88 points
Wow! This was a great, classic example of a very good Burgundy. Complex,
spicy, hints of red candied fruit, and such nice balance. I loved this.
89-90 points
Dark brilliant purple; Concentrated black cherry notes with good minerality
and some obvious oak. Very silky, high alcohol, good core of black cherry, but
a bit to alcoholic and oaky. Very well made. Both of these were a big step up
from the 1st two, both from very ripe vintages.
89 points
This had a dark purple color with just a shade of ruby in it. Although the nose
was subtle with flower, spice and cherry aromas, the mouth was incredible!
Concentrated, near perfect balance, great power and expansiveness with nice
blackberry/black cherry notes. And maybe just a touch of minerals! Huge,
long delicious finish. My WOTN.
91-92 points
I wasn't sure about pairing Sea Smoke with a Vougeot, but it turns out they
both had good intensity and great balance, even though the Sea Smoke was
heftier and centered around dark, ripe berry fruit, baking spice, and oaky
notes. It was still very well balanced, and held the alcohol, oak, and fruit in
check. Great. Although the vintages of these 2 were 3 years apart, they were
both powerhouse pinots with control and balance.
91 points
Brown-ruby color, the wine looked prematurely aged. But for a weak vintage,
the wine was just perfect for consumption now. Notes of plum, saddle leather,
pot pouri, and just a hint of old strawberry jam (you know, where you dig out a
big ol' piece of strawberry). It was silky, medium bodied, and nicely softened
tannins. Not a big wine, but elegant, and well proportioned.
90 points
For a California PN also from 2000, this wine was much fresher and delicate
than I thought it would be. Obviously a light vintage, with the same 13.8% alc.
as the Corton-Renardes, the wine was about simple elegance, light bodied,
delicious strawberries, cherries, raspberries, with a hint of vanilla like in
waffles. Silky, light, dusty light tannins, with a short finish. Very nice though. It
was extremely enlightening to taste these last 2 older vintages and have them
"compete" so well together. The fruit always lasts longer in the California
wines than their French counterparts.
90 points