WTN: Inniskillin Reserve Series Pinot Noir 2006

Niagara Peninsula.

Medium cherry red in the glass.

Lots going on with the nose: tangy, cherry, plums, smoky, old stinky cheese.

Light to medium weight, tangy, strawberry, cherry, cranberry, a bitter streak, cinnamon, red candy apples, refreshing, slightly viscous.

With time, the wine became much tangier and the bitterness become more promient.

A mouthwatering finish with a bitter streak.

I didn't care for this wine.

Purchased at $18.25 (Canadian).

I liked the regular version that I picked up at the winery for $14 better than the reserve. Go figure.

I wonder ... could it be that they overoaked the reserve? This can sometimes be a problem with the "upper" wines in Niagara: they overdo the charred oak, and tack on a high price tag.

I haven't tried this one personally.

I wonder ... could it be that they overoaked the reserve? This can sometimes be a problem with the "upper" wines in Niagara: they overdo the charred oak, and tack on a high price tag.

I haven't tried this one personally.

Paul, I don't believe this is a fault found only in the Niagara. It seems to be a fault world wide.

I wonder ... could it be that they overoaked the reserve? This can sometimes be a problem with the "upper" wines in Niagara: they overdo the charred oak, and tack on a high price tag.

I haven't tried this one personally.

I haven't tried the '06 either. However, I have found the reserve to be a good pinot in prior vintages, much better than there basic pinot. While this is labelled "reserve", there are actually two more expensive Inniskillin Pinots - the Single Vineyard Series (Montague Vineyard), and the Founders Series. I have never found any of these wines to be over-oaked and quality does indeed seem to improve as one goes up the price ladder (though the $25 Montague has, to my taste, always provided the best QPR).

My thought here is that this could be a vintage-specific issue....2006 had lots of rain in September and October and this may have adversely affected the wine. I believe that the '07 may now be available and this should be significantly better.

Norm

2006 had lots of rain in September and October and this may have adversely affected the wine

This is what I gathered when I posted on the H of P Baco Noir. Quite a different version from what I am used to!!