Just wanted to share this…. Here’s a winery (Jovino) we did not visit while we were in Oregon, but the price of this Pinot Noir falls into our “value” definition nicely at $20. The esteemed host of the Thunder Show, Gary Vaynerchuk, says it’s pretty good, so we may give it a try if we can find it on the shelves here locally. If you have tried it already, please let us know what you thought by commenting.
Link to the story by Gary: http://winelibrary.com/emails/jovino091208.html
haven’t tried or seen Jovino yet but will keep a lookout. We have recently tried 2 other Oregon value Pinots, 1 good and 1 not so good:
Soirée Oregon Pinot Noir ($16- Whole Foods): Perhaps we needed to let this one breath but we were not impressed. A bit harsh and unlike the typical elegant Oregon Pinots
Vin Dillon Oregon Pinot Noir ($22 – Whole Foods). Ok, so this is technically not a value wine at $22. But it is fabulous. Very smooth and with a subtle hint of spice that reminds me on a zin
Very good. I am going to look for some of these. I also sent you guys a link to a recent video of some lower-end Oregon wines that Gary Vaynerchuk was reviewing. The problem is, it really seems to be hit-or-miss on the Pinot’s below $30.
I have also noticed that many wineries oak-up their Pinot too much, possibly in an attempt to “cross-over” California wine drinkers to their wine. I tend to like to old world Burgundian style of pure Pinot in color and fruit flavors.
So, when you say the Vin Dillon was like Zin, I want to think you mean it was “big” in tannins and possibly inkier than your traditional Pinot… is that true?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIs3d1ZM3oU
Don’t recall the color of Vin Dillon, just the spice reminded me of a zin. It was very smooth.
Speaking of value zin’s, if you like the lighter, almost candy-like types then middle Cali (Monterey/Paso) seems to produce decent ones. The label escapes me now but we picked up a $16 or so of that type from Whole foods recently. If memory serves, it has a pic of a red wolf. I’ll look for it next time, as well as some other recent suggestions.