"dei" > wrote in message
.40...
> "David Rheault" > wrote in
> :
>
> >
> > "Tom S" > wrote in message
> > om...
> >>
> >> 2001 Melville, Carrie's Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), $43. A big,
> >> generous, fruit-forward wine,
> >
> >>with enough structure to support its
> >> over-the-top (15.1%) alcohol.
> >
> > I don't doubt this is a flavorful wine, but I do have issues with wine
> > that is that high in alcohol. I know these issues have been discussed
> > before here and that the California sunshine and late harvest have a
> > lot to do with it, but I still find these alcohol levels a bit high.
> >
> >
> > dcr
> >
>
> I agree. PN at +15% (heck at +13%!) is wrong, it's just wrong...
>
> d

Here is a possible antidote:

"California produces Dolly Parton wines, but Oregon is Juliette Binoche,"
Lett says. The taste of Sunshine State pinot can often be jammy, almost
stewed-except in cooler regions such as Carneros and the Russian River
Valley, where the fruit doesn't over-ripen. By contrast, Oregon pinots show
more of the reserve and finesse of their Burgundian ancestors. Cool-climate
pinot is also higher in acidity, which makes it more
food-friendly-especially with the lighter fare (chicken, fish and
ethnic-fusion dishes) that people like these days. And it's lower in
alcohol, on average 10-12%, compared to the monster cabernets and shirazes
grown in warmer climates that can weigh in at 14% or more. "If you just want
alcohol, for God's sake have a martini," says Lett.

http://www.nataliemaclean.com/articl...rld_wines.html


dcr