Earthy Pinot Quest

I consumed a Failla Hirsch Sonoma Coast Pinot 2009 a few months back and fell in love with--not the fruit-- but the fabulous earthy, forest floor aromas and taste that dominated this wine. Unfortunately it was a $70.00 wine marked down to $50 which is why I bought it. There are probably more wines like this for less than $50 and I would like to try them. Can anyone suggest a Pinot Noir from anywhere with this deep earthy characteristic?

the fabulous earthy, forest floor aromas and taste that dominated this wine.

I don't know this wine, but I often think of 'earthy, forest floor' as being an indication of tannin, stem inclusion, or brett. Which obviously points in very different directions for what to pursue.

But if you're after tannic stemmy wines, young Chandon de Briailles is usually a good bet and under $50. (At least that's the first example from the pinot noir that I tend to drink)

Tannic and bretty might lead you towards Gouges or Maume, although I haven't had recent vintages and they may be making the wines softer now and cleaner now?

[David M. Bueker]

Chandon de Briailles is hte first producer that came to mind for me as well.

Gouge being more approachable is a relative proposition. The wines are still rather backwards, just not quite as brutal as they used to be.

No idea on Maume. Have not seen their wines around in over 10 years.

I would suggest Rhys, as they do some stem inclusion, but the wines are both very hard to find and very expensive.

If you liked the Failla Hirsch, why not try the Hirsch Vineyards Bohan Dillon. Same source of the fruit but only about a $35 bottle. I had the 2008 recently and really liked it although my wife did note the smoke. The 2011 has just been released and I know that the 2008 is still available in DC.

Thanks guys. I'll look for the Chandon and Hirsch.

Don't have any producers off the top of my head, but the Pinots that come from the Loire, Friuli, and the AltoAdige
tend to be on the earthy side.
Tom

[Jenise]

Jim, a very earthy California pinot that has been showing up at my Costco almost every year is Talbott Logan 'Sleepy Hollow Vineyard'. It way overperforms for the price, which was $17ish last time it showed up. I buy and hang onto a few bottles every year just to pair with roasted beet salads.

Don't have any producers off the top of my head, but the Pinots that come from the Loire, Friuli, and the AltoAdige
tend to be on the earthy side.
Tom

I'll second that, especially the Loire, which I know better. Although those wines might be a far cry from the lusher CA in the original post. Will see how broad Jim's palate can swing!

Every PN I've had from New Zealand has had that pugent earthiness at some level.

And, furthermore....if you like that earthy/loamy/forest-floor character and it doesn't have to be PinotNoir...
you might try Loire CabFranc and from Austria/Hungary, Blaufrankisch/Kekfrancos and StLaurent.
Also Schiava from the AltoPiedmonte and AltoAdige.
Tom