The Sunday Morning Sommelier: Mark West Pinot Noir
Aug 15th, 2010
Name: Mark West Pinot Noir –Vintage 2008-
Alcohol content: 13.8%
Price: $11.99
Description per label: Mark West Winery specializes in Pinot Noir- Sourced primarily from coastal appellations, these vineyards provide grapes of aromatics and flavors…blah, blah, blah… rich in texture with a lingering finish and versatile enough to compliment about any cuisine (food).
Review: To me, the name Mark West conjures up images of the silly Batman of the sixties portrayed by the great Adam West. I find the portrayal of a middle-aged, ambiguously gay bat enthusiast who is heroically bound to the younger, more flamboyant costumed crime fighter worthy of a chuckle from time to time. In seemingly every episode, the dynamic duo would slide down a fire station pole, hop in an oddly modified muscle car and pursue slap fights with heavily made-up goofballs and other oddities. Although the two West’s are probably not related, Mark West is a competent vintner of Pinot Noir nonetheless.
At the $10 price point this varietal stands nose-to-nose with most wines in the $25 and up range. The aroma is that of an earthy cherry cola. The taste is medium-bodied with subtle hints of pepper, vanilla and black fruit. The finish is a little spicy but manages to remain smooth on the backside. The bottle looks budget chic, and the alcohol content is spot on making this a great entertainment wine. In summation, my sophisticated palate rates the inexpensive blend a frugal 7.5 landing on my Cheap Champ recommended list.
Suggested pairings: Sliced tenderloin, rocky mountain oysters and celebrating 3 o’clock.
Related Posts
Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment
