2008 Chasseur Pinot Noir Joyce
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2008 Pinot Noir Joyce exhibits some reductiveness on the nose, but that blows off with extended aeration. Sweet aromas of raspberries, black cherries and earth are followed by a wine with excellent texture, abundant red fruits in the mouth and a cool climate, refreshing, medium-bodied style. It should drink well for 5-6+ years. Chasseur is a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist, and a fine one at that. What follows is not the entire portfolio, but it is a relatively comprehensive look at four Chardonnays and then a bevy of Pinot Noirs from both the 2008 and 2009 vintages. I was able to taste eight already bottled 2009 Pinot Noirs and nine 2008s. The 2008s include several generic bottles such as the Russian River and Sonoma Coast offerings. The single vineyard Pinot Noirs primarily come from Russian River sites with the Joyce from the Sonoma Coast. The alcohol levels range from a low of 14% to a high of 15%, and production levels are modest with several in the 75-125 case range. Tel. (707) 829-1941
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep red. High-pitched red berries and flowers on the nose, with complicating notes of star anise and rhubarb. Tangy, finely etched red fruit flavors are given a firm edge by bitter cherry pit and pick up an exotic candied floral quality with air. Impressively precise and light on its feet, but at the same time very concentrated. A deeper note of blackberry arrives on the long, sappy, focused finish. This could be enjoyed now with a couple hours of aeration.