Two good QPR Pinot Noirs

I poured at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertainment show at the DC Convention Center and was in charge of part of the Pinot Noir section. Under my "pourage" fell Kenwood, Serenity, Oreana, Stoneleigh, Hangtime and Talus.

The Kenwood was barely drinkable if you ask me, and most of the people who tasted it were disappointed. Oreana and Talus were drinkable, but way to heavy and not very representative.

The favorites among the crowd were the Stoneleigh from New Zealand, the Hangtime from Edna Valley and the Serenity (in that order).

I think I liked the Hangtime the best, followed closely by the Stoneleigh. Both were light in style, with nice acidity and soft berry scents. They both retail for around $15.99.

From a kiwi's perspective, that's excellent to hear.

[James Roscoe]

I had six pinots on Saturday and I really liked the Kenwood. I wonder if it was the same cuvee?

I had seen the Serenity at the grocery store and wondered about it. I think I probably fared better picking up the Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Reserve which I will post on later.

I had seen the Serenity at the grocery store and wondered about it. I think I probably fared better picking up the Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Reserve which I will post on later.

Looking forward to your notes, JC.

James...I don't know - when I took over the shift, the girl that had been pouring had said that people seemed to really like the Kenwood. I poured from the same bottle though, and I received less than stellar comments on it (which matched my impression). I wonder if it didn't just react badly to too much airtime? Strange...