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Bogle Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, 2004

Pinot Noir has enjoyed an increased level of popularity, at the expense of Merlot, since the movie ?Sideways? was released. It?s a versatile grape, capable of a variety of characteristics, but it?s generally considered to be a light bodied red with low acid and subtle, soft tannins. From Burgundy to Oregon, New Zealand to California, this grape is being grown world wide; even Tasmania has Pinot vines.

In honor of this wine’s love affair with cinema, I opted to sneak it into a movie along with a little food from our neighborhood Cheesecake Factory. The movie was Pirates of the
Caribbean 2 and the food was plain old chicken fingers. A friend of mine swears by the pairing of buttered popcorn with Pinot Noir, so we gave that a whirl as well. Not bad combos all around, though I think some roasted duck breast with fingerling potatoes and a pesto cream sauce would truly have been perfect.

Throughout the flick I noticed the wine?s nose had distinct hints of paper cup and dirty movie theater, but upon later inspection from a proper Riedel glass I picked up the expected floral aromatics of rose petals and lilacs. Even with 12 months in oak, the well balanced toasty flavors did nothing to overpower the deep cherry fruit. This Pinot finished surprisingly long, lingering on the palate with heavy fruit giving way to tobacco and rich leather. They wouldn?t let me smoke in the theater, but a petit demitasse cigar would have been a nice addition to the experience.

Certainly approachable, but never boring, this wine is a deal at under $20.