How are they?
At $20-ish, we like the Pinot. We like it a lot, in fact. But at $40-ish, the blend is tough to get excited about. (Disclosure: these wines were received as press samples.)
2008 Waterstone Pinot Noir Carneros $22
Distinctive; the nose delivers spice, smoke, interest, and intriguing cherry bomb fruit with vanilla and fast oak streaks. From first taste the palate lets you know it's going to be tough to put down. All the aromatic qualities carry through to the palate in technicolor. A rocking price from a grooving Carneros Pinot. Bargain!
2007 Waterstone Study In Blue Cab/Syrah Blend $40
Extremely polished texture. Refined, but not subtle. Fruit core is balanced with enough highbrow notes of spice to hold your attention, but it never (even after a day open) loosens up. Nice, but pricey for what it is. And I'm not entirely convinced that these two grapes belong together in these proportions, regardless of who bottles it.
