My house Pinot Noir is subject to change occasionally when I find a new upstart willing to take on the current champ. In the past, the gold belt was worn by the likes of MacMurray Ranch and LaCrema, but for a while now it's been Longboard's Russian River 2007.
I had a small vertical tasting which compared three different Definitive Pinots including the Napa Valley, Russian River, and the Sonoma Coast. The Russian River is the best by just a nose over the Napa, but either could compete for the title of The T-Scale House Pinot.
So for this bout I've chosen the Russian River Definitive. I chilled each slightly and then opened them. Over two hours I allowed them to develop from first pour to last. On first taste, I found the Definitive "hot" - showing too much alcohol. The Longboard came out strong, but quite nice.
Both of these are very ripe, fruity, and somewhat earthy. The acidity is fairly low unlike Burgundy, but I didn't choose these to compete with the French, Oregon, or Washington Pinots. These are the big, full bodied American style bad boys that Miles in Sideways would be proud to put upon his rack.
So on second pour, the Definitive mellowed nicely. Now it shows its ripe strawberries and red cherries. The Longboard continues to delight, now mellowing as well.
The last pour had the Definitive showing its best. The Longboard continued to mellow, perhaps now too much. But at the finish, Longboard pulled out a narrow victory.
Now about price. The Longboard varies in price from my various merchants, but on average, I can get it for $25 or so. Definitive tends to be a little less at an average of $22-$23. Would I pay the extra $3? You bet!
Longboard is a big Pinot with plenty of big time fruit throughout. This will stand up to red meat or tomato-based sauces that aren't too spicy. Consider it a Pinot for cooler weather as is the Definitive. No need to give up your Pinot during the wintertime when you consume the big Russian River styles.
T-Scale - Longboard retains its title!
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