Accompanied: Picnic fare – hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, nuts, etc.

Sealed: Plastic cork

Abv. 13.5%

Tasted: July 1, 2009

Label Description:

“Named for St. Thomas Acquinas, a revolutionary scholar in the 13th Century who used the laws of science to support his belief in the existence of the Almighty. Graceful, but seductive this Pinot Noir is laced with polished notes of cherries and berries swimming amongst supple tannins and an elusive earthiness”

RATING: Disappointed

Let me first say that I wasn’t sure what the food would be that day, and frankly, I don’t think my assessment would change anyway. I am being very generous here due to the price I paid, which was $6.98 Net / bottle for three bottles. However, at that price point (normal price is $12.99) I was willing to take a shot. 

I am usually very skeptical buying any Pinot Noir for under $10 as this varietal is tough to grow and thereby costly to produce,  and my experience has been that low cost Pinots are normally that for a reason: NWD (not worth drinking). 

Frankly, this was no exception. I found the wine to be rather boring, little body or strange color for PN, and overall lacking what I would expect in a Pinot Noir. I did not find it “seductive”, I did not find it laced with much fruit at all, and yes … the earthiness was elusive (was there any??).  Upon returning home that day … I grabbed the other two bottles and returned them to the retailer. Even at $6.98 / bottle this was not worth drinking. My opinion.