Originally Posted by
bhrubin
I think Shea and Beaux Freres are nice pinot noirs, but IMO merely solid chardonnays that lack punch. The pinot noirs have nice fruit and bouquet on the nose (much more strawberry than I get from Sonoma), but they aren't terribly complex for me. (For me, complexity is a dance on my tongue, giving multiple sensations at the same time; for others, it likely can be different.) I also have not often liked either beyond 5-6 years of bottle age as much as I've liked others (or ours)...but it's been about a year since I last tried one. They remind me of younger and simpler Sonoma Coast versions of Williams Selyem.
You know, I really wish I had a good palate (also: a nice singing voice). My palate is adequate, but I frequently feel like I'm missing the next level of the wine experience.
Strawberry is a really excellent description of the main fruit on the nose of the Shea I had last night.
What are some pinot noirs that exhibit the complexity you're referring to? I'll keep an eye out. Or are these only Burgundies?