Review of the 2006 Sangiacomo Pinot noir by Tandem
Review of the Tandem 2006 Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard
by Haydn S. Adams | Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog
Appellation: Sonoma Coast (not Carneros!), California
ALC: 13.9% (with 0.056% residual sugar)
You can buy this wine at: tandemwinery.com
Retail price: $48
Haydn gives it: 93pts
Ahh the Pinot Noir. The most delicate of the grapes, it’s been the obsession of new wine fanboys ever since that movie-that-shall-not-be-named hailed the Pinot as what was in the King’s Chalice. And so every vineyard with a grapes throw of a Pinot-producing region started planting it. What was left was a ton of average Pinots. Yet, this is not the case of the 2006 Pinot Noir by Tandem. Great growing regions, mixed with good clones equals good wine.
Upon first whiff, the hallmark characteristics shine forth, with bright cherries and a little bit of plums. Smooth on the nose, it is very aromatic. In addition, it is clearly evident that this is going to be a new-world Pinot. No horse hair or wet leather here. A complex tannin structure follows up on the mid-palate with the fruit continuing all the way through this wine.
The only real drawback is the alcohol is a bit more pronounced than I wish it was, as it finished a bit hot, even though the ALC is 13.9% (still high for French Pinot standards). That being said, it is a minor irritation on an overall very strong wine. Overall, this a very well-built and great-structured wine.
While most Pinots are destined to go with food, I could easily see myself sipping on this wine on it’s own. But if you’re looking for a bit of food to pair it with, I recommend either a turkey dish or some sort of game hen, as the medium weight to this wine will balance out the two quite nicely.
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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com
