Comments on Viva la Wino!: Lane Tanner "Block 4" Pinot Noir 2008

Thanks for the tip. I've seen the Block 2 at m...

2010-06-30T10:39:53.234-07:00

Thanks for the tip. I've seen the Block 2 at my TJ's, just haven't sprung for it. The thing is, I'm mostly more interested in other stuff...I don't really know why, but when I think about what to drink for 20$, I almost never think domestic Pinot...anyways, you've at least made me think about trying the Block 2. I don't know that I will, but I might give it a whirl, just to check it out.

Thanks for the tasting note. I've tasted the ...

2010-06-30T10:31:52.083-07:00

Thanks for the tasting note. I've tasted the Block 2 and the Block 4 (TJs has both still) and they're distinctly different.

Block 4 has, for me, more clean pinot fruit, higher acidity, and some earthiness but it's all about the red berries (pomegrantes, cherries, whatever). It's more Burgundy and less California in style with the higher acidity. For my taste, I would expect to enjoy this more than the Block 2, but it turns out I don't. Oh, and the block 4 tastes like newer vines (I've no idea); this might be one of the reasons it doesn't have so much complexity.

The block 2 is almost a completely different style. Very Cal pinot, all about the velvety texture, smoky aromas from the oak. It's a much more sensual wine, and I expect will please more people. It has some depth and complexity, but the fruit is a little in the background. Less acidity, more generous mouthfeel.

So, they're both $20. The block 4 is a solid, well-made California pinot with interest and some complexity and a good QPR. But the block 2 makes you feel like you're drinking a much more expensive wine. If you'd paid $30-$40 for it, you'd still probably think it was a decent wine. At $20, it's a steal, and a pleasure to drink.

The only reason I brought the Baudry up really is ...

2010-01-11T12:53:17.733-08:00

The only reason I brought the Baudry up really is that I thought the fruit component of both wines was similar in a lot of ways, plus, I think it's probably the wine that I've been most excited about in a long while.

I use the term "Pinot funk" as a loose way of saying spice, floral, earth, mushroom, soy sauce, and all those umami related smells all wrapped together. I completely agree that the nose made the wine. I get that a lot with wine actually, where I think that the nose smells better than the wine ends up tasting, or the palette kind of is a let-down vs. the nose. Wet dogs and chemicals--ouch--but so true. I don't know that I've had a TJ's wine north of 7 or 8 dollars that I didn't want to dump out--except for this one. Thanks for the tip!

Baudry Grezeaux smokes it all right. That was one...

2010-01-11T12:31:37.724-08:00

Baudry Grezeaux smokes it all right. That was one of the first wines I had in '10, but will probably be one of the best of the year. Where Block 4 is a Good QPR for me, Grezeaux will definitely be Excellent QPR.

I think what was most compelling was the nose of the Block 4--it had everything you and Sara smelled, but all at once for me. Most TJ's offerings smell of chemicals and wet dogs, so it made me very happy. There was a Baudry-like transparency, albeit not the same depth/completeness.