How Old is Your Pinot?
We pulled some older Pinot Noir from the library this weekend for a vertical tasting, and I have to say I had quite a surprise. Now, normally, this variety should be consumed within 10 years. A more specific generalization would be from 2-8, according to The Oxford Companion to Wine (thanks again, Mr. Kennedy). However, here was this 91 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir–fifteen years old–that’s still drinkable and quite interesting. Cherry, cola, and coffee jumped out at me as I tasted a bit at work. Then later, I took the remainder to some friends’ for a lovely outdoor dinner from the grill. The Pinot went especially well with fettucine cooked with bacon, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Side note: Also tried a 95, which I found to have too much acidity and a fairly vegetal nose.
91 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir food pairing
….Farley Walker
March 19th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I always like that cherry and cola flavor, although I don’t encounter it very often. There was a 2003 Hahn pinot noir that had those characteristics. Sara and I enjoyed it very much.
March 19th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Thanks for sharing the bottle and brightening up our horrible Saturday. It was a pleasure to have your laughter in the house.
March 19th, 2007 at 11:47 am
ahhh - I see the wise Oxford references have already begun! That was a great idea bringing those pinots over to have with dinner. When I was tasting them earlier in the day I wondered several times what they would taste like with some good food. I wonder if the 2001 will go that long…
March 19th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Well, if laughter is the best medicine and wine is good for the heart, you should have me around more often…
Bryon, you may have noticed I’m very interested in (ok, a bit obsessed with) food and wine pairing. That pasta was a great one, though I also liked the shrimp with the margarita.
March 19th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
“I took the remainder to some friends’ for a lovely outdoor dinner from the grill. The Pinot went especially well with fettucine cooked with bacon, tomatoes, and mushrooms.”
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Wow you hang out in some fancy circles. Last time I hung out with buds we were playing Gears of War and drinking Jack and Cokes out of old Walmart food court brand plastic cups.