Many thanks to the Pinot Project for being kind enough to send over a sample of the Pinot Noir.  With the undependable nature of Pinot Noir that hangs out in the under $10 range, they’re either incredibly brave, or incredibly confident.  My money is on the later, so let’s see how The Pinot Project 2014 is!

 

Sight:   A nice garnet red, flecked with hints of lilac and violet.

Smell: Cranberry, cherry, and hints of spice all jump out immediately.    Hints of mushroom and cinnamon sugar come into play.

Sip:  The body is light, and bright, as pinot noir should be.  Cranberry and cherry are again the primary flavors, but they’re a little less ripe than on the nose.  The spicy notes are stronger here, and especially lean toward clove and cinnamon.  An earthy elements comes into play as well, but isn’t pronounced.

Savor:   The ending is brief, with a good amount of cinnamon, cocoa powder, and cranberry.

As sub $10 pinot goes, The Pinot Project doesn’t do half bad.  Lean would be a good word to describe it, as the acidity is pointy, and comes into play at unexpected moments.  Still, the flavor profile here is dead on for a simple Pinot Noir, with good earthy notes and red fruit.  The flavor is pretty good for just weeknight summer grilling or an any time party.  For the price, The Pinot Project is a pretty good time in a difficult Pinot Noir $10 sub-space.

Verdict:  Cherry, Cranberry, Spice, Earthy
Rating: 80
Price: $8 [Received as a sample]
California

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