2010 Rogers Creek Pinot Noir by Garnet Vineyards

Enjoyed the Rogers Creek Pinot Noir in Searsport,

 ME Lobster pound

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I have had most of Garnet Vineyards' offerings, and really enjoy their Pinot Noirs. The prices are right, and for under $20 you can get the Carneros or Monteray ones, which are quick delicious. When their winemaker, Alison Crowe, told me about this new release - a 2010 Rogers Creek Vineyard Pinot, with a retail of $29 - I had to try it.

For anyone who enjoys Pinot Noir, they know how tough it can be to find a good one for a fair price. With names like Siduri, Kosta-Browne, and William Selyem leading the forefront of premium, expensive versions of this variety, it's refreshing to see Garnet taking a different approach and yet not sacrificing quality.

The Rogers Creek is a special Pinot. It's sourced from a single vineyard, Rogers Creek, and brings a tightly woven mashup of flavors - cherry and plum mix with black earth and hints of oak. The wine could age another year or two easily, and will no doubt become better with a little age, but it's perfectly drinkable now. The alcohol comes in at a reasonable 14.5%, so for all those high-alcohol nuts out there, don't fret. It's nowhere near as big as tthe 15.8% one from Trahan that I recently had.

This is a big bodied, full flavor Pinot for sure. But it's also very smooth, round, and expansive on the palate with a medium finish, and low/med. acidity. Not quite as food friendly as their Carneros version, but delicious nonetheless, and worth every penny - especially considering what some other winemakers sell their single vineyard Roger's Creek pinots for.

This is a limited production wine compared to their other offerings. With just over 400 cases, you can be sure it will go fast. You can find the Rogers Creek Pinot Noir at her website.