Price: $7
Maker: Bouchard Ainé & Fils, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 13%
Our Rating: 8 out of 10
Bouchard Ainé & Fils Pinossimo Pinot Noir 2005 grew in stature after some heavy breathing on its part. My initial impression was that it was very thin, even for a Pinot Noir. Eventually, the nose developed some nice raspberry and spice notes, and the flavor, although still on the light side, became more intense and rounded. We found cherry and oak with soft tannins in the finish. Our tastes run to bigger reds from bolder varietals, but for well under $10 Pinossimo Pinot Noir is worth considering by those who enjoy a lighter red.
We found this bargain in Sam’s Club for six bucks or so. Despite that prosaic retail location, Bouchard Ainé & Fils is a winery with a history dating back to 1750. They don’t seem to make a big point of this particular wine, which is no great surprise, perhaps, considering the superior vintages in their lineup.