Parducci, Small Lot Pinot Noir, Mendocino County

Light brickish color. Little nose. No evidence of oak. Has an overripe flavor that indicates to me that the grapes came from the warmer reaches of Mendocino County — e.g., Potter Valley rather than Anderson Valley. Acceptable swill for the $8 I paid, but I would not buy any more.

One of 3 favorites from 8 of the 2011s. Very smooth and fruit driven slightly more acid than tannins.

Fleming's Walnut Creek Fifty Tastes One Night. Next wine tasted was another light pinot color in the glass, nose of blackberry fruit hint of cherry and tea leaves, more of the same on the palate, better than the Etude Lyric by far but that is not saying much, light/medium body and a light/medium finish.

aroma - minty, vanilla; taste - smooth, but dilute; easy, but not complex

#Snochi Wines : Another strong showing from this wine. Fresh, crisp, with cherry cola and strawberry. Brisk, some herbal undertones coming out with age, some nice vanilla and caramel notes, but subtle. For the price, it can't really be outdone. A crowd of seven people, and all enjoyed it.

Aromas of soft red berry fruit and a touch of hedgerow. Nice silky mouthfeel with red berries to the front and then hints of toffee and white pepper. Not a long finish but a pleasant one.

Tasted after it had been open for a day. Still going strong. Really crisp, with strawberry, red apple peel and some sweet caramel and spice. Impressive.

Nice mouth feel at the front, but not much berry flavor.

Nice drinking wine. This wine started out very clean, fresh and fruity and actually got slightly better throughout the night. Good Pinot Noir characteristics.

Parducci Tasting (Ukiah, CA) : I rarely recommend $14 Pinot Noirs. Well, here's one. Light cranberry color is the first good sign. On the nose, strawberry jam mixes with rhubarb and subtle pepper. Fine tannins, crisp acid, a light and tangy approach. Strawberry and raspberry fruit with notes of vanilla and caramel. It's not the most complex Pinot, but it does what it does very well. Harmonious and crowd-pleasing, it seems everyone at the tasting enjoyed this wine.

An elegant linger with a punch of depth. This is something interesting. Herbaceous, fruity, like if Mario's enemy (piranha plants) were actually kind and intoxicating. An unremarkable nose, but nothing unpleasant. Great value, and very worthy at that.

- Crimsom color with medium forming legs and aromas of tobacco. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of raspberry with a light/medium body. Smooth texture with a short finish.

Light bodied transparent red pinot. Tasty with hints of spice. A surprisingly good drinker for the price.

Ripe black fruit aromas with a fair amount of oak spice. Same black cherry and blackberry flavors, ripe but not hot. Good balance for its price.