Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate `09 $25.00 (not TJ's) ***

Picture me on a Saturday night, bathed in subtle romantic lighting, standing at a polished mahogany bar, perusing a Country Club wine list for a very, very long time. (have you stopped laughing yet???) I can't help it, I study wine lists; looking for something familiar, something that all of us would enjoy and something that's mark up does not seem like highway robbery. It took me a while to choose and it wasn't because the list was extensive (it had maybe 40 bottles on it).

When faced with a wine list that ranged from $30.00 - $290.00 per bottle, I worked through process of elimination.  It was a cold winter night.  So red was in order. This cut out half of the wine list. We were only drinking, not eating, so "heavier" wines were cut out (goodbye Cabernet and Merlot).  It was just the three of us, and seriously, I have issues with paying a 100% mark up for wine I'm cheap, so I opted for the lower prices. I was down to just choosing from a list of six wines, and I decided to pick the Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate @ $40.00.  ($25.00 average price on the web).  The Club manager uncorked the bottle, brought it, along with three glasses to our seats and we settled in for a night of comedy in a beautiful setting (one comedienne likened the club to Hogwarts).

This is a really good wine for drinking.  It is mellow, fruity and has a great smell.  It also has a hint of vanilla, which is really yummy. Predominantly it is a light fresh cherry tasting wine with undertones (or a heaviness) of fresh plum. I didn't even have a thought about decanting it, we simply chatted and sipped as we waited for the show to start. I could imagine this as being a nice wine for h'orderves as well.

What surprised me was that this was a totally different wine than the Oregon/PNW Pinot Noirs that I have been drinking lately.  I wasn't so surprised though, when I went to the Latetia Vineyard and Winery web page. This is a wine that is perfect for the setting in which I had it.  It is a Country Club wine.  Perfectly acceptable, not offensive, polite/well mannered and tastes good.  It is like the conservative date that you want to take home to Mom & Dad, when you know that Owen Roe, that red converse with a tux, single earring wearing, creative musician with a trust fund is waiting for you after cotillion to go and hear some jazz and make a 3am run to Chinatown for some noodles.

Letitia is not just a California Vineyard and Winery, they have a great website that is good for us too; with great links to wine education (recommended reading anyone?), pairings and well, all things that we should do to be responsible wine drinking adults. There is room for philosophy in wine.  I'm just glad, all writing aside, that this was a delicious wine for a fun evening.  Well done Laetitia, you were the belle of the ball at the Club. (But I'll be waking up on Owen's futon on Sunday morning)

I need to apologize for the bad quality of the pictures in this post.  K and I were talking wine and she taunted me "C'mon, review it!" What can I say, I aim to please : )  Yes, I will write a wine review on demand, and because of this, I was THAT slightly tipsy woman on the balcony trying to snap pictures with her blackberry. They didn't come out very well, but at least you get an idea of the beautiful lighting and the Hogwarts reference. 

I'll leave you with a picture of my view from the balcony: 

A very funny ventriloquist Vince Dantona and his sidekick, George.

(IMHO, they were the hit of the night!)