Inexpensive Pinot Noir that actually looks, smells and tastes like what the label says is an all too uncommon thing. Pinot is a tough grape to grow as legions of winemakers will attest. Its popularity as a varietal causes there to be way too many poor examples on store shelves. So I’m always looking for good Pinot and I’m particularly interested in examples that are appropriate for everyday drinking. Parducci Wine Cellars recently unveiled a smaller production Pinot. I’ll take a look at it today.
The Parducci 2009 Small Lot Blend Pinot Noir was produced using select, individually vinified lots of wine. This offering is 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from both Mendocino where Parducci is based and the Sierra Foothills. All of the fruit utilized is sustainable as with all Parducci wines. Barrel aging took place over six months; 15% in new French oak and the balance in a combination of seasoned oak and Redwood tanks. 6,000 cases of this wine were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $12.
Earth, cherry, toast and rose petal aromas fill the deep nose of this 2009 Pinot Noir. The palate on this wine is gentle and layered with red fruits; cherry and strawberry are both of note. Chicory and spice emerge on the finish which has good length. This wine has soft, pliable tannins and firm acidity. This is a fine Pinot to sip on its own or better yet pair with a meal.
For $12 this is a tremendous value in Pinot Noir. It blows away most of the other examples in this price range. Most importantly it’s genuinely Pinot Noir. This would be an excellent wine to consider a case purchase of as a house wine. Parducci routinely turns out very good value wines that are emblematic of their Mendocino origins. This Pinot Noir is another in that line.