Fleming’s Bottle Wars—Who Won Best Pinot Noir?

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalProv Wine Writer

As part of its annual ‘Month of Discovery’, Fleming’s Prime Steak and Wine Bar is rolling out a series of interesting wine tastings. At the first event, this past Friday, participants filled a private dining room for an intimate tasting of 8 Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon, divided into four head-to-head battles. All of the wines were selected from Fleming’s famous wine list, which includes an impressive selection of more than 100 wines by the glass.

And the winner is...

While opinions varied across the room, the clear overall winner at my table was the 2008 Three Saints Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley. This elegant unfiltered Pinot had an intriguingly savory nose. On the palate the wine was soft and velvety with a depth of complex flavors ranging from sour cherries and various ripe red fruits. It also displayed a lot of those earthy undertones that made me think of a well made Burgundy. I had two runner-up’s; the 2010 Meiomi Pinot Noir from Belle Glos and the 2009 Migration Pinot Noir from Duckhorn. Both deep and flavorful wines, but a lot fuller and more fruit forward, lacking some of the earthiness I enjoy in Pinot Noir.

The event was a lot of fun and very reasonably priced at only $25 per ticket. I highly recommend any wine lover attend one of this month’s Friday battles. On the 14th it is California against South America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. On the 21st it is the ‘Old World’ against the ‘New World’, while on the last event, September 28th, it is ‘Premium Wines’ against ‘Value Wines’. For more information and to make reservations call 401-933-5000 or visit www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com

Steffen Rasch CSW is ready to answer any wine-related questions, comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to email him at srasch@golocalprov.com. And as always, don’t forget to follow GoLocalProv’s Wine Cellar on Facebook and sign up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.

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