The best Pinor Noir I've ever had. and a mediocre disappointment from Trader Joes

This is a $20 wine I accidentally got at a wine store tasting with my friends. I usually don't spend to the upper teens for wines, especially now that I'm a broke medical student. But retrospectively, it was well worth the splurge. I am usually not too big on Pinor Noirs - they are too fruity and light bodied for me, and not enough of the ummph. The Sean Minor Pinot might make me convert. It is light, but filled with so much juice and tingling flavors at the same time. It tickled all my pleasure-sensing tastebuds with delight. Unfortunately, it did not last. Ah well, till the next time I splurge....

Nose: fruity, strawberries, oranges, raspberry, a bit of oak. Marshmellows in the background

Tongue: juicy, silky smooth. Notes of cherry and strawberry, a bit of chocolate, a bit floral . Perfectly balanced.

Price: $20

Rating: 4.5/5 <3 <3 <3
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I read a lot of positive notes about this wine while looking up general reviews for Trader Joe's wines. Apparently, Trader Joe's received so much high demand for this wine, they had to bring it back year after year. As for me, I found it very mediocre for such hype. Maybe it's because I was drinking it right after I finished the amazing Sean Minor Pinor Noir above.  At $6.99, it paled in comparison to TJ's $4.50 Found Objects Malbec. Probably not going to buy this again.

Nose: a bit "off" (1st thing I noticed), notes of sawdust and rotting wood, backed by toffee and chocolate.

Tongue: zesty, dry, light bodied, with lingering tannins. Flavors of raspberry, dark chocolate, caramel, and hickory. Bitter aftertaste. On the acidic side, but not too overwhelmingly so.

Price: $6.99

Rating: 3/5

Adelseim Pinot Noir 2008 & Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2007

Got this wine on sale for $19.99, which is a pretty decent deal (it usually retails at around $26). This Oregon Pinot Noir has been featured in so many wine stores and has such a pretty label, I had to get it, even though Pinot Noirs are usually too fruity and unsubstantial for my taste. The Adelseim Pinot certainly lived up to the hype. It has an understated and refined elegance which sets it apart from most of the "big" wines out there. Worth the bang for the buck.

 

Nose: fruit-forward with notes of cherries and juicy, gummy grapes.  Floral undertones. Bright, lemony and sweet. Imagine fruits and nuts enrobed in a silky layer of chocolate.

 

Tongue: sweet, juicy, and succulent. Mellow tannins. Flavors of sweet berry fruits. Slightly spicy, peppery undertones. Light bodied without being watery. Graceful and refined. A tad too acidic, otherwise very well balanced.

Price: $25

Rating: 4.5/5

 

I have learned from my limited experience with American Rieslings that they are usually too sweet for me. Since this one explicitly says "dry", I decided to give it another chance. Obviously, my idea of "dry" (as in bone-dry) is far removed from a relatively dry riesling. I guess this is relatively dry compared to Pacific Rim's other Rieslings, which could have up to 9% residual sugar, whereas their Dry Riesling only has 0.75%. Sweetness aside, this wine is pretty mediocre for is lack of depth and complexity.

 

Nose: apples and pears

 

Tongue:  sweet. Fruit-forward flavors of apples and apricots. Lack acidity. Dull. A slight mineral finish

Price: $10

Rating: 2.25/5