WineSmith Cellars Pinot Noir

Tasting notes & discussion 76

24 HOUR SALE
Typically $40/bottle from WineSmith
Vintage 2008, incorporating grapes from Sonoma, Anderson, and Marin County
AbV 13.5%, pH 3.73, TA 5.7 g/L
Sold by WineSmith Cellars, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About WineSmith Cellars
Founded in 1993 by Clark Smith, WineSmith Cellars has been focused on exploring Eurocentric wines in ways outside the mainstream. Preferring to create long-term relationships with many different vineyards, WineSmith sources from committed growers rather than run its own vineyard. Clark Smith is an expert in Cabernet Franc, with over 20 vintages from multiple locations. Some of the most notable aspects of Smith’s wines are their longevity, balance, and “understated soulfulness.” In addition, the wines are often aged prior to being released.

The Sideways Sommelier

TASTING NOTES:
“We discovered that a special crossflow filter called an ultrafilter could harvest the high tannin in these wines as a concentrate we could sell for beefing up weak reds, leaving us with aromatically wonderful Pinot Noir …combines classic lavender and strawberry aromatics with soulful tertiary aromas of truffle oil and Asian spice which linger infinitely. Initially quite low in alcohol, its time in barrel elevated it to 13.5% through preferential evaporation of water in our dry California cellar.” (Pinot Noir Blend)

TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help make conversation over this wine:
2004’s Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen, follows a depressed teacher and his ridiculous, soon-to-be-married friend on their trip through wine country. In the film, Giamatti’s character Miles Raymond denigrates Merlot while praising Pinot Noir. Somewhat depressingly, Merlot sales decreased by 2% following the film’s release, although Pinot Noir’s increased 16%.

DRINK IT FROM/WITH (conventional option):
Standard red glass, with “roast duck, quail or an elderly cheese.”

OR (really-going-with-the-theme option):
With a nice merlot as well. Wine parity, people.

Who's buying this?

How are you buying your bottles?

Did Sideways (2004) influence your wine habits at all in its wake?

Of course not.

Of course not.
Maybe a little.

Maybe a little.
It might've turned me onto Pinot Noir or off of Merlot...

It might've turned me onto Pinot Noir or off of Merlot...
Never heard of it.

Never heard of it.
Other (Comments)

Other (Comments)

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