Pinot Noir Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

I went to the Pinot Noir Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on Friday evening. It had been awhile since I had attended a Pappas wine event so I was looking forward to meeting some friends up there. As usual, it was a sold out event so it was quite crowded in the tasting room. Master Sommelier Drew Hendricks was on hand to oversee the tasting and pour the Grand Cru Burgundy.
For me, this evening was more of a social occasion with the opportunity for gathering more sensory impressions rather than a focused tasting, so I didn't take any photos or formal notes, I just scratched out a couple of general impressions on a few of the wines.

The lineup for the evening:

NV Paul Bara "Grand Rose" Grand Cru a Bouzy Brut Champagne - Yummy
2009 Novy Family Winery Blanc de Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley - crisp & clean
2009 Spatburgunder Rose August Kesseler, Rheingau
2008 De Ponte Cellars Estate, Dundee Hills
2008 Beaux Freres "The Beaux Freres Vineyard", Ribbon Ridge
2009 Brick House "Cuvee du Tonnelier", Ribbon Ridge - very floral, VIOLETS
2009 Loring Wine Company "Rosella's Vineyard", Monterey County
2009 Auteur, Sonoma Coast - good
2009 Relic Wines "Avion Vineyard", Sonoma Mountain - good
2006 Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine Francois Bertheau, Burgundy - a little thin
2001 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes, Domaine Dujac, Burgundy - very good
2004 Morey-Saint Denis, Domaine Gerard Raphet, Burgundy - very basic
2007 Chassagne-Montrachet V.V., Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils, Burgundy
2003 Volnay "Vendanges Selectionnees", Domaine Michel Lafarge, Burgundy - tight & tannic
2006 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru, Domaine de La Pousse d' Or, Burgundy - very nice, complex aromas, lighter weight

As expected, the selection of wines was fantastic for showing the many styles of Pinot Noir and the servers at each table were very knowledgeable about each of the wines they were pouring. The snacks and passed hors d' oeuvres were all delicious. As it says right under their name, they are "known for quality". I would highly recommend the wine events at Pappas Bros Steakhouse.

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