This is the tale of four pinots sent to the Swirl Girls for review. Two are from Russian River Valley and two from a single vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. All are made by Villa Mt. Eden. It was four wines for four women. Here’s what we thought:


2007 Villa Mount Eden Grand Reserve, Russian River Valley ($25 online)

By Libby Volgyes (Sweet)
I was excited about this pinot the moment I saw Russian River Valley, or RRV, on the label, land of famed cool weather that makes beautiful pinots. It took me far too long to get around to trying it but found it to be a pretty nice little wine.

Random facts of the day: Almost 30 percent of the RRV’s 150 square (growable) miles is devoted to pinots. What’s so special about pinots and RRV? The cool, coastal fog and cold nights combined with warm days make it the dreamscape for pinots. So anytime you see a Russian River Valley on the menu at a restaurant, you have basis to feel hopeful in the pinot.

On the nose, I picked out cherries, earth, brambles and cola. It had the characteristic smoothness and silky texture I look for in a pinot supported by light tannins. It was very pleasant and palatable.

I’ve had some 1-2 knockout pinots in this price range – coming immediately to mind is the Bouchaine from Carneros that I fell in love with here. For the suggested price of $25, I’m not sure I’d buy the Villa Mount Eden. But then again, I’m not a pinot-iac and usually don’t buy them unless my guests are fond of them. If this pinot clocked in at the $15-18 price range, I’d say grab a half-case and keep it on hand for everyday drinking and Sideways-loving guests. Also true if you see it for sale in the store or in a flash sale online. But I can’t say that I would run out and buy it at any wine store for $25. Drink it, yes. Buy it, no.

And the same wine reviewed by Jennifer Podis (Earthy)
When I opened the bottle of 2007 Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, from Russian River Valley, I saw something wine drinkers don’t want to see. The top of the cork was stained with wine. This can present a problem, because if wine has seeped between the cork and the neck of the bottle, so can oxygen, and you might be faced with a prematurely oxidized wine.

Fortunately, I didn’t detect, by nose or mouth, that the wine had been compromised.

After a half-hour of resting in my glass, the California pinot (sent to the Swirl Girls for review by the winery) opened up to a fruity aroma of strawberry and cherry. It has a soft, almost woodsy aroma; so pleasing and reminiscent of an outdoorsy kind of guy that you just might want to dab a little along your boyfriend’s neck.

The barrel aging was evident, but that oak plays a supporting role to the gentle and rich berries you get on the taste. The tannins are silky, allowing the fruit to come forward, and it’s got a drier, medium-length finish.

It’s wine to relax with – easy to drink, easy to like, easy to share. On top of that, it’s an easy match with a variety of food. The winery’s fact sheet says salmon, grilled vegetables brushed with olive oil, and artisanal cheeses (these last two being Earthy favorites!).

2007 Villa Mt Eden Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard ($23 online)

By J. Gwen Berry (Dry)

Definitely more of an Old World-style pinot, this wine had a light ruby color in the glass but slightly darker fruits on the nose. I smelled black cherry, black raspberry and a hint of cola. The nose was very aromatic and in addition to the fruit, I also got a lot of delicious earthy aromas. The smell reminded me of walking through a forest after the rain, with wet leaves underfoot. There were also some lovely baking spice aromas like cinnamon and vanilla.

On the palate, the wine displayed more of those earthy and dark berry flavors. It had a nice balance of acidity, was medium-bodied and very smooth with a long finish. Overall, I really enjoyed this wine. It was a fair price for the quality and a great match for duck breast with figs and mushrooms. My last note of the night reads, “delicious!!!”

And the same wine reviewed by Lynn Kalber (Bold)
This pinot noir has a light cherry on the nose, and a pleasing light raspberry color. On taste it produced a little cinnamon and spice, with an earthy, smooth mouthfeel. It was slightly peppery, which I enjoyed. It’s a pleasant wine with a longer finish. On the other hand, it didn’t have a distinct personality, more off-dry. I’d recommend this to those who haven’t tried pinot noirs before, because I think it’s a middle-of-the-road wine that may appeal to tentative wine drinkers.

Cheers! ~ The Swirl Girls