Thirsty Thursday: 2010 Veramonte “Ritual” Pinot Noir
Refreshing as it has been to spend the past few weeks sampling the many new beers available to me, my liver demands a balance of libations…meaning I haven’t neglected in consuming a fair amount of wines and spirits that weren’t available to us in Wyoming.
While reacquainting my palate with many of the great wine regions around the world, varietals, and styles I recently found myself imbibing in multiple glasses of the 2010 Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir.
Ever since the movie “Sideways” and the ensuing masses clamoring for Pinot Noir, finding reasonably priced bottles of the varietal has been somewhat tricky. Often the best value Pinot Noirs come from non-domestically produced New World wineries and the Veramonte is just that.
Sourced from vineyards in the Chile’s Casablanca Valley, a mere 21 miles from the cool air of the Pacific Ocean, the Ritual is a round and assertive Pinot Noir that still brings the softness in flavors and texture expected from the varietal. While lovers of more Burgundian styles of Pinot Noir might feel this wine a little too empowered for their tastes, those who dabble in big reds will find nothing egregious about this gem from South America.
Here is my complete review:
2010 Veramonte “Ritual” Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile)
Dark ruby red in color, the Ritual’s nose is dusky with black cherry, the lightness of red fruits, and cedar. Offering a balance of tannins and acidity, the palate is round and expansive with an assertive raspberry flavor along with tobacco and spice notes. The wine’s essence lingers pleasantly on an extended off-dry finish. Decanting recommending.
Retails around $20
And for your enjoyment a clip from Sideways…
Copyright © sports-glutton.com, 2010-2012. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from sports-glutton.com is strictly prohibited.
I must say that Burgundy wines have always been my favourite among red wines. I like both the generous ones as well as the elegant, lighter ones. I have recently had a pleasure to taste some German Pinot Noir wines and they were surprisingly good (but not cheap). I wonder how a Chiliean Pinot Noir would taste… Thank you for one more discovery in the wine world.
My pleasure Sissi. It’s been a while since a delved into German PN, but I recall having the some reaction as you concerning the price. a little too step for what you get.
I love Pinot Noir’s.. this one sounds lovely and I don’t mind a more robust red.. I’ll look for it, the label makes it easy!
Definitely not a bad use of 20 bucks. Hope you can find some up in your neck of the woods!
Ooooh, this is one I would like….a lot. I’ve actually had a lot of success in finding wines I like when I look beyond the normal places toward those ‘non-domestically produced New World wineries.’ Jotting myself a note on this one, thanks!
My pleasure Christiane!
Will put this at the top of my list of rapidly dwindling treats. Thanks, Jed!
You got it and hope you survived the storm!
I was just in Casablanca Valley! Love the big, leathery Chilean Carmeneres best, but their Pinots are great, drinkable wines to serve people.
Deciding between a Carmenere or PN would be a difficult one for me.
I loved that movie, Sideways. So funny. Those guys are like The Odd Couple. I like Pinot (probably a bit too much) but find if you want a good bottle you have to pay quite a bit. There’s not such thing as a good cheap Pinot. And I didnt’ know you used to run an events company! I worked part-time for an events company. They would call me in when they had a big project on the go and needed another pair of hands. I loved the work and yes, it gives you some great ideas for hosting your own events xx
Doing events was a tremendous amount of fun, but fun thing was I’d usually need an hour or so to decompress from “smiling” for hours on end.
That’s quite reasonable. Great tasting notes too. I might have to try getting into the reds this winter; lightly falling snow, a warm wood fire in fireplace, cream coloured cashmere and a nice goblet of a full bodied red…I can get into that!
Have a great weekend
You torture me with having a fireplace….it’s one of those things that I have a hard time living without. Nothing better than a big fire in the winter.
I’ve just added this to my Binny’s shopping list. (I checked and they have it in stock.) I’ve a couple friends that love pinot and they should really enjoy this. Thanks, Jed.
Let me know what you think.
After the week I have had, I would gladly sample a couple of bottles of this.
Mandy
Have a great weekend Jed.
If I could I’d send a few your way.