#357 Three Blind Pinots

Another small blind tasting, comprising of three Pinot Noirs.  I knew what the wines were but hadn't a clue which glass they were in.  The specs were simple.  All wines were from the 2006 vintage.  There were two top Pinots from America and a Burgundian wine that was at least £20 cheaper than the Americans.  I was looking for two things, firstly which I liked the most, but secondly, would the French wine stand out?

Wine 1
Soft light cherry with a wonderfully light, fresh strawberry and raspberry aroma.  Some parma violets comes through with a little bit of crisp, tart raspberry.  It has a lovely, dusty note at first, then a bit of alcohol, before settling down to a spicy, crisp berry fruit and crunchy, red apple flavour.  A dark note on the finish, with rather lovely balance and a lot of old worldy fruit.  I think this is the Volnay as it really does scream old world. 8.5/10

Wine 2
A bigger aroma, lots of richer, sweeter fruit.  Some stewing raspberries and just the slightest hint of stewing rhubarb too.  A much fuller, and creamier texture.  There is a dark, blackcurrant flavour, mixed with lighter, red fruit flavours.  Crisp cranberry comes through with some tasty spice.  The alcohol isn't as noticeable, and it is super clean.  I think this is the Thackrey as I feel it has a little bit of the funky, fun element that I see in his Pleiades.  8/10 

Wine 3
The aroma, is fuller than wine 1 with a darker berry fruit.  A touch of mint comes through as well with a lovely savoury note as well.  This is a much better balance between the first two.  A bit more full sweet fruit with some dusty, twiggy like flavours.  A raspy palate, a touch high acid, but it then settles to reveal delicious savoury notes.  I think this is the Flowers, as it is a more traditional wine but with a warmer new world nudge. 9/10

Results
Wine 1 - 2006 Flowers Andreen - Gale Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Wine 2 - 2006 Sean Thackrey Andromeda Pinot Noir, Marin County
Wine 3 - 2006 Volnay Domaine Michel Lafarge, Burgundy

Firstly, I'm impressed with the Volnay from Domaine Michel Lafarge.  The wine is £35 per bottle and it severely over delivers on quality.  However, it did have a bigger slightly sweeter nose, which confused me as to its origin.  The Andromeda from Sean Thackrey was lovely, and definitely showed as American - which is good - and it has a fun, complex flavour.  Finally the Flowers, is Burgundy!  Quite simply, this wine smells, tastes and is Burgundy except in where it comes from.  The problem is, if you say it is Burgundy, and is getting beaten by a wine, from Burgundy, that is nearly £30 cheaper, it doesn't offer good value for money!