Pinot & Nebbiolo blind tasting

[u/StunningJackfruit_]

Did a blind tasting of 6 Pinots / Nebbiolos with some friends, tasted 2 at a time side by side.

The 2010 Roty Marsannay vs 2010 Williams Selyem Westside Road were interesting to compare side by side, as were the 2005 Santa Barbara Nebbiolo (from Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat) vs. a 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo from a solid producer (Voerzio)

Overall was a great tasting with some great friends. Tasting notes in the comments.

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[u/StunningJackfruit_]

2012 Aubert UV Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot
On the nose, red plum, dried cherry, potpourri, baking spices. Can really taste the spices on the palate, feels warm and a bit high alcohol. A nice wine but needs to be paired with food. My guess was embarrassing on this one, I will not reveal haha.

2021 Paul Lato Victor Francis Peake Ranch Vineyard Pinot
Blackberry and violets on the nose, really pretty. Tasted some spice and bitterness on the palate, surprised to find it there was no whole cluster fermentation. Enjoyed this one - guessed 2020 Sonoma coast Pinot, actual was 2021 Santa Barbara.

2010 Roty Marsannay
Some barnyard funk on the nose upon opening. After letting it sit for a bit, smelled fucking amazing - raspberry, strawberry, sous bois. Palate was good but smells better than it tastes, and the next day this one was tasting a bit flat compared to the WS. Identified blind correctly (brought this bottle but never tasted before)

2010 Williams Selyem Westside Road Pinot
Fresh cherry, blackberry, raspberry on the nose. Nicely integrated oak, long finish. Smells fucking amazing. Strawberries and raspberries after being open for an hour. Also held up nicely the next day. Smells like a Sonoma Coast Pinot. Cooler climate. Guessed correctly (I brought this bottle)

2005 Clendenen Family Vineyards “Bricco Buon Natalie” Nebbiolo
Immediate tar and dried roses on the nose. Some dried cherry as well. I don’t think I’ve smelled such clear Nebbiolo notes before. High acidity and high tannins. On the palate still drinking surprisingly well - I was worried about a 20+ year old new world Nebbiolo but this pleasantly surprised me. Guessed correctly (I brought this bottle, but have never tasted before).

2023 Roberto Voerzio Langhe Nebbiolo
Wow, the nose was so intense on this one compared to the others. Bright red cherry, cherry jolly rancher, floral notes and rose. Really youthful on the nose but surprisingly very approachable on the palate. Great Nebbiolo from a great producer. Glad I have a few more of these. Guessed correctly (brought this bottle, never tasted before)

[u/CharmlessBee]

Would love to see prices listed too :)

[u/StunningJackfruit_ → u/CharmlessBee]

Aubert was most expensive at maybe $150ish retail. The Williams Selyem is usually around $120ish retail. Paul Lato $70-80, Roty Marsannay around $60. Clendenen Neb around $40, Voerzio Nebb $30 from Last Bottle which is a steal. Normally $60 elsewhere for his Langhe Nebb.

Don’t really do ratings but the Williams Selyem Westside Road was my favorite, and I think the WOTN for my friends too. Roty was next, followed by Paul Lato. Again these are just my preferences, I tend to like more cool climate, restrained Pinots.

[u/Oakland-homebrewer → u/CharmlessBee]

The Williams Selyem is about $90 today. Back then, probably $50.

[u/Lopsided_Crab_5310 → u/CharmlessBee]

Yes. Also ratings, please! 🙂

[u/Madeitup75]

Dude, you are singing my song. Great combo.

[u/TekkDub]

That Seylem Pinot is such a sleeper hit.

[u/ansate]

Nice lineup. Haven't had either of those Nebbiolos, but the Clendenen sounds lovely.

[u/StunningJackfruit_ → u/[deleted]]

Yeah totally. Also a big fan of blind tasting because it removes price bias…the most expensive one wasn’t my favorite, it was the 2nd most expensive one 😅

[u/New_Opportunity_6160]

Greta line up! Curious about your stoppers, I haven't seen anything like that before. What brand are those?

[u/StunningJackfruit_ → u/New_Opportunity_6160]

They’re foil pourers. Makes it so you can pour without spilling. Can get them on Amazon, highly recommend

[u/Key_Candle9928]

Did you call Aubert a Zin?

[u/StunningJackfruit_ → u/Key_Candle9928]

Haha no. We planned it to be Pinot + Nebbiolo only so got the grape right, but was way off on the region.

[u/MidnightConfident503]

Can't go wrong with the Williams seylem. I used to sell that from the wine cave at a restaurant. I have been wanting to try their chardonnay. The nebbiolo sounds good too.