Cheap Pinot!! and No. 9

Finally, a good, cheap Pinot Noir!!!

We have several wines by Villa Mount Eden at the shop, and this is the first one I've tried, though Josh heartily recommends their Cabernet ($14.99). The 2001 "California" Pinot (sourced from all over, apparently) is very light, incredibly easy-drinking, yet still has a personality. The nose is bright and full of tart berries (cranberry!!). On the palate, it is smooth as silk, with more lovely berriness and black cherry. Not much earth or spice, so if it's complexity you're looking for, well, you'll have to pay more, to be honest. But this makes a great everyday wine. It's $11.99, which in the world of Pinots, is pretty cheap.



Last night I got to try some of the '02 Marquis Phillips No. 9 Shiraz - wow!!!! Gorgeous, dark intense color, lush smells of deep dark fruit. The coolest thing about this wine was its finish - a little slap of white pepper that you never smelled/tasted coming!!! really fun. Very indulgent. I think it retails for about $34-$40, and is becomming hard to find. I hate quoting "scores," but if you must know, it got a 96 from Robert Parker. I'd give it about a 93, personally.