BIN905
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2009 Block Nine
Block Nine Caiden’s Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir
$25.00
The interest in Pinot Noir in North America exploded after the film Sideways glorified its near-mythical charms and rightly so; it is arguably the noblest of all red grapes. It is also finicky and difficult to grow, even in its native home in Burgundy. As such great Pinot Noir is somewhat of a rarity which in turn translates to high prices for consumers. You can find under $30 Pinot of course but most comes across as thinly veiled substitutes for the real deal.
This is where the Block Nine comes in. On a recent trip to Napa Valley I was presented with this wine, a multi-vineyard blend created by winemaker Larry Levin. If you drink California wine you have undoubtedly tasted Larry’s handiwork. He served as the chief winemaker for Dry Creek Vineyard for seventeen years and was head of winemaking at Icon Estates, a collective that includes Mondavi, Franciscan, Mt Veeder, Ravenswood, Estancia and Quintessa. His goal with Block Nine was to bring an affordable Pinot Noir to the market that would deliver more the usual offerings in this price range, and he has done just that.
The Block Nine Pinot Noir displays intense colour with vibrant aromas of strawberry, violets, black cherry and leather. It hits the palate with big blast of crushed wild strawberries, spice and a touch of minerality. It may not be Grand Cru Burgundy but it is a lovely glass Pinot Noir at a price that is almost unheard of for Pinot of this calibre. It is a perfect summer red that would go well with wild salmon, tuna, grilled pork and – as I just discovered – paella.
Available today:
Block Nine Caiden’s Vineyards 2009, $25
Geoff Last, GM
Region: California
