Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/57654
REPORT Pinot BLIND WINE photos by John Curley E ven though we were tasked with tasting 15 different Pinot Noirs blind, our senses were captivated: From our focused noses and palates exploring the wines from our mystery suppliers, to the mesmerizing impact on our eyes and ears as we marveled of the pounding waves of the Pacific against the shores of Half Moon Bay, this was a feast for the senses. The classic song may suggest that Park Avenue is the place for finery, but sitting in the cozy ENO Wine Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, we couldn't have been happier to Pinot on the Ritz. Our gracious host was Ian Cauble, TOP/SOMM of the Guild of Sommeliers and Wine Director at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and we were joined by a panel of prestigious somms, wine buyers and distributors for our exclusive invitational SPEED TASTING. The Panel First, our esteemed panel blind-tasted 15 Pinot Noirs. Then, one-by-one, each brand's supplier faced the panel and revealed their brand, with five minutes to educate us on what we had tasted. The descriptive notes below were all written during the blind tasting portion of the event. Ian Cauble, our event host and Wine Director at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, led the fray. 86 / the tasting panel / march 2012 on the Ritz THE RITZ-CARLTON, HALF MOON BAY WAS A DREAM SETTING FOR OUR MOST RECENT OF THIS ALWAYS FASHIONABLE COOL-CLIMATE VARIETAL SPEED T AS TING SPEED T AS TING