Vanderbilt Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

7.23.24 : Biltmore estate tasting - Good nice on back on tongue

Getting straight into the material, just before Christmas my spouse and I were able to travel to Asheville, NC to see the beautiful Biltmore mansion. This was my first time seeing the home, much less seeing it decorated in all its Christmas splendor, so to truly make the most of the experience we ate at the connecting Stable Café. We dined on filet mignon and North Carolina trout, and paired the entrees with a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir by Biltmore’s Vanderbilt Reserve. Although the pinot grape varietal may not be my first choice, this red wine packed enough flavor to fill the entire Russian River. On the nose you can really pick up on the oak and vanilla aromas, indicating this wine was barrel-stored. The bigger body may not be indicative of the traditional pinot grape, but the silky cherry and herbal notes are certainly familiar.

Smokey on the nose with a nice French vanilla finish to it. Really good.