What's So Great About Pinot Noir? Part I Francois Lurton

The Minstrel and Muse Wine Tour, 3rd Thursdays.  November's show: New World Pinot Noir: California (Carneros), Oregon, and Chile through the words of winemakers, and What's So Great About Pinot Noir?

Mileson Pinot Noir (Sideways): "Its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet."

Part I: Francois Lurton, 5th generation wine grower from Bordeaux. Owner, Francois Lurton SA.

Part II: Michael Richmond from Bouchaine Vineyards in the famed Carneros region of California.  He helped found the Steamboat Pinot Conference over 30 years ago, which attracted winemakers from around the world and brought them together to share experiences and knowledge to help increase quality.  He founded Acacia winery and is now head winemaker at Bouchaine.

Part III: Steve Lutz winemaker for Lenne' Estate in Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon.  He chose a vineyard site with the "worst soil in the county".  We'll find out why it's producing exceptional pinot.