2008 Bear Print Pinot Noir

OK. A history lesson here: the front of the bottle proclaims this message: "The first Bear Flag was created by William L. Todd, a nephew of Mary Todd, the wife of Abraham Lincoln. The bear was designed to be a symbol of strength and unyielding resistance." History lesson over. Not sure what this has to do with wine, but I'll roll with it.

I have to start by saying that this wine contains a 14% alcohol content. That's pretty good, considering this wine is under $10. It's really, really pretty in the glass, too. Like a dark rose wine. It smelled like blueberries when I was uncorking the bottle. I don't smell blueberries anymore, but I got that hint in the beginning.

In the glass, I smell fresh, field-ripe strawberries and a little bacon. That's pretty complex for a cheap wine, I think. And impressive - I've tasted wines that smelled far less impressive at a much higher price point. (Check out my other blog, Wine Diary, for more details.) It takes a minute for the legs to form down the side of the glass, but they do, meaning that this is a fairly heavy-bodied wine.

This wine tastes exactly as it smells. I really feel like I swallowed a piece of bacon topped with a slice - just a slice - of strawberry. It has a long, bacon-flavored finish. It's wild. I've never tasted such a complex wine at such an inexpensive price point. See, this is why I'm beginning to love pinot noir. When I get a cabernet, I know what to expect. When I get a petit verdot, I know what to expect. When I get a shiraz or a malbec or a tempranillo, I know (roughly) what to expect. Pinot noir? I learn something new with every new bottle.

I adore this wine. I didn't have high expectations for it, but I am in love. I bought this bottle at Stew Leonard's, but readers, ask for it. Look for it, ask for it, make it your own. As long as you like bacon, you won't be sorry.

Cheers!
Kate