Andrew Rich Pinot Noir a Great Pinot for Price Point

One of the wines I picked up Wednesday at Vine & Table's Pick 24 Release Party wasn't part of the promotion but wow!

I bought a bottle of Andrew Rich Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. When manager Jeff Wilcox started talking about Andrew Rich it sparked a fond memory. I spent nearly two hours last April with Jesse Lange of Lange Winery. And I wrote about that experience extensively.

But I remember when I was leaving I was headed to the other side of the wine region to Carlton so I asked Jesse for recommendations. He was reluctant saying he was too busy to know much about anyone's wines. But I pressed him and he said to stop by Andrew Rich. Unfortunately, that day got away from me and I didn't make it there but I will next time.

The wine had a huge stinky Pinot nose with strong hints of the Oregon soils. I was happy just to smell the wine. But then I was surprised when I took my first, and subsequent sips, that the wine was really tight. The flavors just weren't opening up.

More than an hour and a half later, the wine did open and it was wonderful wine with definite strawberry flavors and spices. I loved it.

This wine got a 90 from Wine Advocate, Steven Tanzer, and was a Wine Spectator Daily wine pick last summer.

I found it online mostly around $27-$29. So I'm a little disappointed I paid $35 at V&T, but it sure tasted like a wine at the $40 price point.

Every time I open an Oregon Pinot Noir I come away impressed.

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Great Tasting/Buying Event on Indy's Northside

There is no better way to learn about wine and buy wine than to taste it.

Most retail wine shops have some sort of wine tasting events. Some are at the business while other tastings may be at a nearby restaurant or establishment - largely because of Indiana's insane alcohol laws.

But I attended one of the best events Wednesday I've ever enjoyed. It was at Vine and Table in Carmel. They called it their Pick 24 Party - 12 wines under $12 and 12 more under $24. The great part was they set up the tasting in their adjoining market and you could taste all the wines before buying.

They charged a very reasonable $10 tasting fee which included cheese, crackers, meatballs, etc., and a taste of as many wines as you wished.

All of the wines were scored 90 points or higher, though I admit I didn't recognize a couple of the rating sources. They discounted every wine a couple of bucks or more then offered a 3% discount on 3 bottles, 5% on 6 bottles, and 10% off on a full case.

And the selection is what made it great night. They had Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Torrontos for white wine fans. The red wines were even more plentiful with Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Carmenere, Merlot, and some fantastic blends.

It really was just a great fun. They host the tasting parties the first Wednesday of each month. You can get details on the website.

I bought several bottles with confidence knowing exactly what I was getting. What a great way to buy wine!

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Perrin & Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages Dynamite Value Wine

I'm loving the Cotes du Rhone wines the past several months. I had not had a bottle of red wine open in more than a week and was feeling the need tonight.

I opened a 2007 Perrin & Fils 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages 50 percent Grenache and 50 percent Syrah wine that I had purchased at Grapevine Cottage in Zionsville. This wine retails anywhere from $10-$15 a bottle. I found it closer to the $10 price point. Wine Spectator gave the wine 90 points. I think that's a point or two high but its hard to dislike this nice little wine!

The Perrin & Fils is a nice-balanced, rich red wine. It has the nice dark fruit flavors you'd expect from Grenache and Syrah. The wine is a reasonable 13 percent alcohol.

The nose isn't much to talk about and there isn't a lingering finish many treasure in great wine. This would make a great table or house wine. It's very drinkable, good value, and a great sipper with or without food!

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A Boxed Wine Update, No. 1

I noted in my last blog that I was trying out my first boxed wine.

I added that I had a big Chardonnay fan, my boss, going to share his opinion about the juice. This morning he gave me his impressions. He was unimpressed - not something he would buy even at $6 a bottle. But his wife didn't think it was all that bad and was okay with it.

Again, you have to consider what it is - a $6 wine. I've had a couple of small glasses since last Wednesday. The wine tastes identical to the night I opened it. Upon further review, I may have been a tad kind to the juice initially - but its not the worst Chard I've ever tasted.

My assessment after talking to the boss, tasting it a couple of more times myself - is that this is pretty good $6 Chardonnay. It will not hold up to even a good $12-$14 bottle, but it is what it is!

If you're buying grocery store Chardonnay there are only a few better than the Monthaven. If you're buying your wine by the bottle in a wine shop, this may not be for you.

Now all that being said, I have tasted other wines from boxes and a few of them were very nice. So the experiment isn't over. I'll give a couple more updates on this Chard. And I need to find a good red and repeat the same test.

Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com