This past Saturday, I met up with my good friend Brett for a couple beers at a local San Francisco bar called Zeitgeist. On a sunny day, this bar is one of my favorites. It has a huge patio, a very alternative crowd, and some killer beers on tap. After 1 hour and a pitcher later, Brett and I picked up with wife and baby, and headed to our friend David's bbq fiesta.
As we walked, Brett and I contemplated what type of alcohol we should bring with us to the party. Having had our fill of beer, we decided that nothing would work better than a couple bottles of budget wine. Given it was hot out, we had to be careful about the varietal we chose. Choose something too heavy (like a merlot) and risk being perpetually thirsty. Pick something too light, and never be satisfied. In the end, we decided the best wine for this awesome Saturday was a Pinot Noir.
The only liquor store in the vicinity was this mildly disgusting shop a few blocks away from Brett's house. At first I thought we'd never locate anything of quality, but then Brett found a wine that he swore was a budget top choice.
The wine was a Mont Pellier Pinot Noir. It retailed at this liquor store for $9.99, but Brett informed me that he had paid as little as $7 for the same bottle.
We arrived at the BBQ and before we could even say hello to the host, we had cracked open our first bottle of Mont Pellier. I gave it about 3 seconds to breath before I took my first sip. Verdict? Awesome! This Pinot was smooth, oddly refreshing, and had a very slight aftertaste. It went well with every tidbit of food that I was able to get my hands on- twice baked potatoes, artichoke dip, salt and pepper chips, chicken apple sausage, and a few others I can't seem to recollect.
This wine was so good that I can foresee this Pinot becoming a staple in my budget wine collection. And you never know, maybe the disgusting liquor store will become my new hang out!
Recommendation: Definitely Buy It
Update: Passionate and loyal reader Gunnar Ostergren found me a picture of the Mont Pellier. Thanks man!!
Do you know what vintage of the Mont Pellier Pinot you tried?
Posted by: phil | January 13, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Phil,
I think it was a 2005, but I'm not definite. I'll see if I can find it in my notes and get back to you.
Posted by: Dorian- Budget Vino | January 15, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Just curious, what do you think of the Smoking Loon Pinot Noir? I think it sells for just over $10 but I get in on sale when the local grocery drops it to $7.98. My brother-in-law introduced us to it ...
Posted by: Stacy | July 24, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I tend to not like Loon period. I feel it has a cheap alcohol taste to it. Good to hear about this Pinot though.
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