This 2009 pinot noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley costs $20 at Total Wine.
This pinot noir, made by the NW Wine Company, is pretty good. Smells like real pinot. Tastes like cherry. Cola. A little raspberry. On the sweet side. A little bit of that genuine pinot mushroomy spiciness. It’s on the lightest side of medium-bodied and has a pleasant, dark rose color in your glass.
BUT! it has a kind of washed-out taste. Many reviews say, “bursting with flavors of …” Kudos reserve isn’t bursting with anything. My golden-palatted friends at a recent tasting liked it at first, but soured as they tasted it more. And it tastes noticeably worse on Day 2. In conclusion:
FOR NORMAL PEOPLE: Although it’s good, I don’t think Kudos reserve is worth $20. If it were $11, I would give it a hearty recommendation. Unfortunately, it isn’t. So, I am going to say that this low-pricer (for an Oregon pinot) is:
Not recommended.
FOR PINOT NOIR LOVERS: Kudos reserve has that certain very real, Oregon pinot-ish something that the affordable California pinots are missing. It’s a little boring, but the fact is, you cannot get better Oregon pinot for much less than this $20 price point. For you pinot lovers, Kudos reserve is:
Recommended.
Very truly yours,
Sybil
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