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view of fog over the Golden Gate Bridge on my way to the Pinot Days Grand Tasting
As I've written in my summaries on the three Pinot Days Saturday seminars, it's clear that 2008 was a rough year for Pinot in California, due to the weather and fire related challenges. Due to the early and late frosts, drought conditions and severe storms in many parts of the state, some growers' yields were greatly reduced. and it was a challenge to pick at a time not impacted by heavy rain or frost in a few places. Add to that the fires that ravaged thousands of acres in Southern California, the Central Coast, Napa and Anderson Valley, and you have the smoke effects on a lot of grapes too. Some chose to still produce wines from those areas, and to reduce the smoke effects (but also, inevitably, some of the other flavors) through reverse osmosis, while a couple of producers chose to unabashedly put out smoke tainted Pinot. And 2008 continued a trend since 2006 of picking earlier, aiming for lower alcohols and greater acidity, which is a wonderful trend in my opinion, but which also contributed to many '08s (and '07s too) being lighter bodied and higher in acid than Cali Pinots of the recent past.
A trend I'm much less thrilled about is the increasing inclusion of whole clusters in California Pinot. While there may be times when a small percentage of very ripe stems can add some complexity and/or structure to Pinot, I think there's lots less justification for adding them to Pinot as a matter of course than there is with Syrah, which can really benefit from a substantial amount of whole cluster inclusion. In this year's Pinot Days tasting, I tasted more wines than ever that were showing their stems more than their fruit--with whole cluster percentages ranging from 5 to 100%. I think a few of the wines that had a small percentage of whole clusters--from 7% up to 15%--wore them pretty well, but I really didn't appreciate the heavy greenness of those that went for 25, 50 and 100% whole cluster. It's hard to see all that stemminess integrating, especially over the relatively short potential lifetimes of many of these thinner and lighter '08s.
This year I had the benefit of not only attending the Grand Tasting, but also Friday's trade tasting (and the Saturday seminars, which I've written up separately), so I managed to taste a record (for me) 280 or so wines during the weekend events, the vast majority of them Pinots (i.e., not counting the occasional Chard, Pinot Gris and Cabernet that some producers poured alongside their Pinots). This allowed me to stray from my usual list of established and reliable producers, to try some brand new producers, as well as some older producers I knew little about. The results of this exploration were generally not good. It seems to me that there are an increasing number of small, vanity producers out there, with more money than wine sense, who have heard that Pinot is the hot grape, and so plant a bunch of it and start producing wines with the third leaf (and charging not much less than the established producers) that have little going for them. I was so shocked at the level of brett in one of these wines in particular that I actually mentioned it to the man pouring, who'd asked me what I thought of the wine, and who turned out to be the owner. He didn't know what brett was, even after I spelled it out as "brettanomyces" and told him the effect it has on wine. He said he'd have to ask his winemaker about it. Should someone who has never even heard of brett be making and selling a California Pinot? I can see a lot of good reasons (including this wine) for saying no.
The Grand Tasting was very well organized, as usual (Steven and Lisa Rigisich, and their partners, do an amazing job), although attendance was reportedly down 22% or so from the prior year. I don't know whether this is due more to the advance word on the '08 vintage, or the lingering effects of a poor economy. As a participant, I didn't mind not having to fight through big crowds around particular producers, and having plenty of room in the long Festival Hall. I also enjoyed the relatively small attendance at the trade tasting, since the small confines in which that tasting was held (and the poor acoustics) made for some crowding by the last hour or so as well as a mind-numbing din of noise.
There were quite a few Oregon producers this year, and I tried to get to all of those on hand on Friday, because of the strong press for the '08 vintage there (in contrast to California). Between the Friday and Sunday events, I still couldn't make it to all the producers I'd like to have tasted, having to omit some that I've tasted recently and usually like, like August West, Clos Pepe (although I did taste the current release at a Saturday seminar), Freeman, Halleck, Keller and Siduri. As usual, I came across some producers that I either knew nothing about or hadn't properly appreciated before, whose wines quite impressed me. The list of those finds this year included Adastra (not covered below as I mentioned them in my Saturday seminar reports), Baxter, Fess Parker, Rusack and Saxon-Browne. I was not at all surprised by the good showings from others that I was already pretty familiar with: Alma Rosa, Arcadian, Benovia, Bjornstad, Eric Kent, Etude, Fort Ross (whose '05 Reserve was my WOTW), Ladd Cellars, Mahoney, Merry Edwards, Pelerin, Pey-Marin, Pisoni, Small Vines and Sojourn. I have to honestly say, however, that I tasted many more mediocre and weak Pinots this year than at any prior Pinot Days (no doubt, in part, due to the fact that I tasted even more than usual, and strayed further off my list of usual suspects than ever before). Below are my notes on 243 wines, representing 84 producers. Thanks to the computing magic of CellarTracker, I can see that my average score for the 101 wines I tasted Friday, when I was aiming for a number of producers that I already like but hadn't tasted recently, and all the Oregon wine I could find, was 89.42 points, whereas on Sunday, when I added a number of producers I knew little or nothing about, my average score for 132 wines fell to 88.08.
There's not much growers and winemakers can do when weather sucks, and fires are raging nearby. I do hope, however, that Pinot makers who are using a lot of whole clusters will retaste and rethink that trend. I also hope the trend toward less alcohol and higher acidities continues, and is supported by more great vintages, like '05 and '07. I'm not sure what can be done about the vanity producers, other than let market forces do their job. I'm tempted to add some tough comments about a few such producers represented below, but I think I'll just let the tasting notes and low scores speak for me on those.
Alana 
- 2008 Alana Estate Pinot Noir - New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough (6/27/2010)
Cherry, black cherry nose; earthy, tart cherry, black raspberry palate with sap; medium finish (89 pts.)
Domaine Alfred - 2007 Chamisal Vineyards Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/25/2010)
Ripe berry, berry pie, boysenberry nose; ripe berry, berry pie, boysenberry palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
Alma Rosa Richard Sanford
 - 2008 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/25/2010)
Lovely, deep cherry, raspberry, baked cherry nose; tasty, plush but refined, tart cherry, raspberry palate with grip; medium finish (92 pts.)
- 2008 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/25/2010)
Refined tart cherry, raspberry nose; tasty, ripe raspberry, tart cherry palate, plush and fine; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (vines planted in 2000) (92 pts.)
Ancient Oak Arcadian Joe Davis
 - 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Deep cherry, baked cherry, berry nose; ripe cherry, baked cherry, berry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Earthy, tart black cherry, brine nose; tasty, tart red fruit, brine, tart red fruit palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Earthy, mineral nose; savory, tart red fruit, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/25/2010)
Nice floral, hibiscus, tart red fruit nose; tasty, tart red fruit, hibiscus palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2006 Arcadian Pinot Noir Jill's Cuvée - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Rosehips, hibiscus, tart red fruit nose; tasty, tart red fruit, hibiscus, rosehips palate; medium finish 92+ pts. (100% Solomon Hills fruit) (92 pts.)
Archery Summit - 2007 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Mineral, tart red fruit, tart cherry nose with green notes; tasty, tart red fruit, cranberry palate with green notes and grip; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2007 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (6/25/2010)
Green herbal, basil, camphor nose; tasty, tight, tart red fruit, mineral, herbal palate with depth; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
Baxter Phil Baxter, Jr.
 - 2007 Baxter Pinot Noir Toulouse Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Red fruit, cranberry nose; tasty, ripe cherry, cranberry palate with depth; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2007 Baxter Pinot Noir Run Dog Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Deep baked cherry, cranberry nose; tasty, tart cherry, cranberry, lively, balanced palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
- 2007 Baxter Pinot Noir Oppenlander Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/25/2010)
Deep cherry, black cherry, baked cherry nose; deep cherry, black cherry, baked cherry palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
Belle Glos - 2008 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Camphor, green notes nose; camphor, tart red fruit, cinnamon palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Taylor Lane Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Hibiscus, tart red fruit nose; hibiscus, tart red fruit, camphor palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Tart cherry, baked cherry nose; big, tart cherry, baked cherry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
Benovia - 2008 Benovia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Nice cherry, raspberry, floral nose; velvety textured, tart cherry framboise palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (7% whole cluster) (90 pts.)
- 2008 Benovia Pinot Noir Cohn Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, floaty nose; tasty, tart cherry, tart raspberry palate with French oak notes; medium finish (Fall 2010 release; 17 mos. in 50% new French oak) (91 pts.)
- 2008 Benovia Pinot Noir Bella Una - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Floral, orange, cherry nose; tasty, tart cherry, suave palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
Big Table - 2009 Big Table Farm Pinot Noir Cattrall Brothers Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (6/25/2010)
Ripe cherry, high pitched nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Big Table Farm Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (6/25/2010)
Earthy, sous bois, forest floor nose; forest floor, tart red fruit, camphor palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Big Table Farm Syrah White Hawk Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Earthy, meaty, black fruit nose; earthy, meaty, black fruit palate with depth; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
Bjornstad - 2009 Bjornstad Pinot Noir Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Light pink grapefruit, tart strawberry nose; light, crisp, tart strawberry, pink grapefruit palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2007 Bjornstad Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice, fresh lemon, floral, light pineapple nose; youthful, tart lemon, mineral, tangy palate with refreshing acidity; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
- 2008 Bjornstad Pinot Noir Sonoma County - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/27/2010)
Tart cherry, dried cherry, sandalwood nose; light bodied, dried cherry, sandalwood palate with medium acidity; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Bjornstad Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Oak, incense nose; tasty, tart red fruit, orange palate, needs 1 or 2 years; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
Boekenoogen - 2007 Boekenoogen Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Floral, dried cherry nose; tasty, dried cherry, French oak palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Boekenoogen Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Black cherry, berry, floral nose; tart black cherry palate with less acidity than the '07; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Bohemian Bouchaine - 2006 Bouchaine Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, mineral nose; tart red fruit, mineral palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- 2007 Bouchaine Pinot Noir Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Deep herbal, tart black fruit nose; herbal, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
C. Donatiello Chris Donatiello
 - 2007 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Nice tart red fruit, roses nose; solid, tart cherry, roses palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Ripe cherry, vanilla nose; ripe cherry, baked cherry palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir Block 15 Floodgate Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Ripe cherry, baked cherry nose; tasty, ripe cherry, tart red fruit palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (Dijon clone 667) (91 pts.)
Calera - 2009 Calera Pinot Noir Vin Gris - USA, California, Central Coast (6/27/2010)
Light red fruit nose; tart red fruit palate with medium acidity; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast - USA, California, Central Coast (6/27/2010)
Tart black fruits, tar nose; tart black fruit, tar palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 Calera Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan (6/27/2010)
Intriguing black fruit nose; black fruit, charcoal palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Calera Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan (6/27/2010)
Tart cherry, floral nose; tart cherry, floral, rosehips palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2002 Calera Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan (6/27/2010)
VA, mature, dried red fruit nose; dried red fruit, tobacco palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Calstar - 2007 Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Cherry, cola nose; tart cherry, cola palate; short-medium finish (82 pts.)
- 2008 Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Berry, plum nose; tart plum, berry palate; medium finish (83 pts.)
- 2006 Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir Londer Estate Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Berry nose; dull, berry palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
Cambria - 2007 Cambria Pinot Noir Clone 23 - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, sandalwood nose; odd, tart cherry palate with green notes; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2008 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/27/2010)
Cherry, oak nose; oak, cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2007 Cambria Pinot Noir Benchbreak - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/27/2010)
Herbal, tart black fruit nose; herbal, tart black fruit, camphor palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
Ca' Momi - 2008 Ca' Momi Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Tart watermelon juice, baked red fruit, oak, reduction nose; odd, tart red fruit, herbal palate with medium acidity; medium finish (78 pts.)
Caraccioli - 2007 Caraccioli Cellars Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Earthy, tart red fruit nose; red fruit, acidulated palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
Cargasacchi - 2009 Point Concepción Pinot Grigio Celestina - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Light orange pink color; nice apple, peach nose; tart apple, tart peach palate with good acidity; medium finish (1/2 in used oak, 1/2 in stainless steel) (89 pts.)
- 2007 Cargasacchi Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Tart cherry, roses nose; tart red fruit, oak palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 Cargasacchi Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/25/2010)
Nice cherry, black cherry nose; tasty, fresh, cherry, black cherry palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 Point Concepción Pinot Noir Salsipuedes - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Herbal, green, savory nose; tart red fruit, mineral palate with green notes; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
Carmel Road - 2006 Carmel Road Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Seco (6/27/2010)
Strawberry cream soda nose; tart cherry, cola palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2008 Carmel Road Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey (6/27/2010)
Carbonic maceration, camphor nose; camphor, stems, tart red fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Carr - 2008 Carr Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Three Vineyards - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Ripe cherry, red plum nose; ripe cherry, red plum, simple palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
- 2008 Carr Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Turner Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Red plum nose; red plum palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
- 2008 Carr Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Kessler-Haak Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Plum, berry nose; tart red plum palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
Cartograph - 2008 Cartograph Pinot Noir Two Pisces - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Black cherry, plum nose; earthy, black cherry, plum, tar palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2008 Cartograph Pinot Noir Split Rock - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Black cherry syrup, caramel nose; black cherry syrup, caramel palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
Chronicle - 2007 Chronicle Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Earthy, sulfite, red fruit nose; tart red fruit, cranberry, sulfur palate; medium finish (78 pts.)
- 2007 Chronicle Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Cola, cherry nose; cola, black cherry palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
Cima Collina - 2006 Cima Collina Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County (6/25/2010)
Carbonic maceration, tart red fruit nose; tart red fruit, cranberry palate; short finish (80 pts.)
- 2006 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Chula Viña - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit, oak nose; red fruit, cranberry palate; short-medium finish (82 pts.)
- 2007 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Tondré Grapefield - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Black cherry, orange nose; tart black cherry, tart raspberry palate; medium finish 85+ pts. (85 pts.)
- 2007 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Hilltop Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey (6/25/2010)
Floral, raspberry nose; raspberry, berry syrup palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Clouds Rest - 2008 Clouds Rest Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Raspberry, tart cherry, smoke nose; smoke, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (bottled 3 weeks ago) (83 pts.)
Contessa de Carneros - 2008 Contessa de Carneros Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, carbonic maceration nose; carbonic maceration, red fruit, dull palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
Dunstan Eno - 2008 Eno Wines Pinot Noir Tondré Grapefield - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Black fruit, black plum nose; black plum palate with orange acidity; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2008 Eno Wines Pinot Noir Fairview Road Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Cherry, plum nose; tasty, plum, cherry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Eno Wines Pinot Noir "The One" Fairview Road Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Plum, black fruit nose; plum, black fruit palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
Eric Kent Kent Humphrey and Colleen Teitgen
 - 2008 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Small Town - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Deep tart cherry, stems, camphor nose; tart cherry, menthol palate with green notes; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, sassafras nose; tart red fruit, sassafras palate, needs time; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Stiling Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Earthy, watermelon, tart red fruit nose; earthy, watermelon, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2009 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Small Town - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Barrel sample - earthy, hibiscus nose; tart red fruit, hibiscus, rosehips palate with medium acidity; medium finish 91-92 pts. (91 pts.)
- 2009 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Roses, tart red fruit nose; cranberry, red fruit palate with medium acidity; medium finish 90-92 pts. (90 pts.)
Esterlina - 2007 Esterlina Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Brett, earthy nose; tart red fruit, cranberry, brett palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Esterlina Pinot Noir Esterlina Estate Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice, dried red fruit, cola nose; dried cherry, sandalwood palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
Etude - 2007 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Brett nose; brett, tart cherry, mineral palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2006 Etude Pinot Noir Heirloom - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Nice, tart cherry, dried cherry, toast nose; tart cherry, toast, dried cherry, tart raspberry palate with medium acidity; medium finish (91 pts.)
Evening Land - 2008 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir The Evening Coast - USA, American (6/27/2010)
Rosehips, hyacinth nose; tart red fruit, rosehips palate; medium finish (90% Sonoma, 10% Santa Rita Hills fruit; good value at $25) (89 pts.)
- 2008 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, menthol nose; tart cranberry, stems palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir Occidental Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Stemmy, camphor nose; stemmy, green, camphor palate; medium finish (50% whole cluster) (88 pts.)
- 2007 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir Occidental Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, camphor nose; tart red fruit, cranberry, camphor palate with balance; medium finish (90 pts.)
Fess Parker - 2008 Fess Parker Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart pineapple, oak nose; pineapple, apple, lemon curd palate with good acidity; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Fess Parker Chardonnay Ashley's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Nice lemon, citrus nose; tasty, ripe lemon, citrus, lemon curd palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/27/2010)
Cherry nose; tasty, cherry, tart red fruit palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit, dried cherry nose; tart red fruit, dried cherry, caramel palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Ashley's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Nice tart red fruit, caramel nose; tart red fruit, caramel palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Pommard Clone - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Nice floral, ripe cherry, black cherry nose; floral, ripe cherry, black cherry palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Clone 115 Sta. Rita Hills - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Plush, red cherry nose with a touch of green herb plush, red cherry palate with a touch of green herb; medium-plus finish (from west and southwest facing blocks at Ashley's Vineyard; 15% whole cluster; 2/3's new oak) (92 pts.)
Fort Ross - 2006 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Symposium Fort Ross Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit, hibiscus nose; tasty, tart red fruit, hibiscus palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Symposium Fort Ross Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Pre-release - green, herbal, tart red fruit nose; poised, herbal, tart red fruit palate with green notes; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Fort Ross Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Nice tart red fruit, rosehips, roses nose; tasty, tart red fruit, cherry, roses palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
- 2005 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Reserve Fort Ross Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Nice roses, rosehips, floral nose; tasty, roses, tart raspberry, sous bois, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (94 pts.)
Fulcrum David Rossi
 - 2008 Fulcrum Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Oak, menthol, red fruit nose; menthol, pine palate with green notes; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Fulcrum Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Forest floor, oak, menthol nose; forest floor, tart cherry, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 Fulcrum Pinot Noir On Point Santa Lucia Highlands - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Menthol, tart cherry nose; menthol, tart cherry, oak palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
Gary Farrell - 2008 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Intriguing, tart cherry, oak, chocolate nose; tasty, tart cherry, caramel palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit, tart cherry nose; tasty, tart red fruit, cranberry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Reticent, tart cherry nose; tart cherry, oak, tart raspberry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
Goldeneye - 2007 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Cranberry, tart cherry nose; tight, tart cherry, raspberry palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Gowan Creek Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart cherry, sassafras, brown spice nose; tight, Asian spice, tart cherry, sassafras palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
Gundlach Bundschu Hahn - 2008 Hahn Pinot Noir Monterey County - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County (6/25/2010)
Ripe cherry, black cherry, oak nose; ripe cherry, black cherry, smoke, oak palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Hahn Pinot Noir SLH - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Tart berry, black cherry nose; tart cherry, tart raspberry, baked cherry palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
Hanzell - 2006 Hanzell Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/25/2010)
VA, tart cranberry, tart cherry nose; tart cranberry palate with grip; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
- 2007 Hanzell Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Earthy, reduction nose; very tart red fruit, stems, tobacco palate with firm tannins, needs time; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2000 Hanzell Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
From magnum - subtle caramel, ripe cherry, framboise nose; tight still, tart cherry palate with medium acidity and firm tannins; medium finish (91 pts.)
Jalama - 2007 Jalama Pinot Gris Giallo Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/27/2010)
Tart citrus, lime nose; ripe lime, green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Jalama Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/27/2010)
Earthy, mineral, tart red fruit nose; tight, mineral, palate with medium acidity and tannins; short finish (84 pts.)
- 2008 Jalama Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/27/2010)
Barrel sample - stem, camphor nose; tart red fruit, stems, camphor, forest floor palate; medium finish (20-25% whole cluster; new oak) (87 pts.)
Joseph Swan - 2006 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton View - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Light, tart orange, cola nose; tart orange, tart red fruit palate, a little oxidized; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Floral, roses, rosehips nose; light-medium bodied, tart red fruit, rosehips palate with medium acidity; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Cuvée de Trois - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Light cola, oxidized nose; orange spice, cola palate, not as oxidized as the bottle I tasted the day before; medium finish (88 pts.)
Kanzler Knightsdale - 2005 Knightsdale Pinot Noir - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/25/2010)
Soft, warm cranberry, baked cherry nose; warm cherry, cranberry palate; short-medium finish (good value at $15) (88 pts.)
- 2006 Knightsdale Pinot Noir Weibel Family Estate - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/25/2010)
Cherry, spice, cranberry nose; tasty, cherry, spice, cranberry, floral palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Ladd Cellars - 2006 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Moore Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Menthol nose with green notes; tasty, tart red fruit, cranberry palate; medium finish (25% whole cluster) (91 pts.)
- 2007 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Cuvée Abigail - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Evocative, forest floor, menthol nose; tasty, tart cherry, forest floor, mineral, menthol palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2007 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Nice pine needle, green notes nose; tart red fruit, camphor, cranberry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Menthol, pine, green notes nose; focused, tart red fruit, camphor palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
La Follette - 2008 La Follette Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Tart cherry, raspberry nose; baked cherry, rhubarb palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 La Follette Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Menthol, stemmy nose; tart cherry, menthol, stemmy palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 La Follette Pinot Noir Van der Kamp - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (6/27/2010)
Smoky nose; smoke, cranberry, char palate with green notes; medium finish (50% whole cluster; 1/3 new oak; with 5% Pinot Meunier from oldest Pinot Meunier vineyard in California) (86 pts.)
Lane Tanner Le Cadeau - 2007 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Équinoxe - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart cherry, green nose; tart cherry, rhubarb palate with balance; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Aubichon Pinot Noir Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit nose with green notes; tart red fruit, mineral palate with green notes; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Rocheux - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Green herb, red fruit nose; tart red fruit, herbs palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Côte Est - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Mineral, tart red fruit, herb nose; tart red fruit, floral, hibiscus palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Équinoxe - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Odd green herb, mint nose; green herb, red fruit, mint palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Diversite - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Earthy, green, forest floor nose; forest floor, red fruit palate with depth; medium finish (91 pts.)
Londer - 2007 Londer Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Caramel, oak, baked cherry, toast nose; ripe cherry, toast palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2007 Londer Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyards - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Toasty oak, cherry nose; tart cherry, oak palate with medium acidity; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Londer Pinot Noir Paraboll - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit, rosehips nose; creamy textured, tart red fruit, tart cherry palate with balance; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Londer Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart red fruit nose; spicy tart cherry, ripe cherry palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (777, 115 and Swan clones) (91 pts.)
Lucienne - 2007 Lucienne Pinot Noir Doctor's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Rich cherry, oak, black cherry nose; black cherry, berry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Lucienne Pinot Noir Lone Oak Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Solid raspberry, oak nose; ripe cherry, black cherry, raspberry, oak palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
Lynmar - 2008 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Freestone - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, red fruit nose; tart cherry, red fruit, black cherry palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Quail Cuvée Quail Hill Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Deep black cherry, caramel nose; deep black cherry, caramel palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir Jenkins Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Cherry compote, vanilla nose; ripe, rich, cherry compote, vanilla palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
M. Autumn - 2006 M. Autumn Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Floral, red fruit nose; tart red fruit, cranberry, floral palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 M. Autumn Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Forest floor, tart black fruit, black cherry nose; oak, tart black cherry palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
- 2008 M. Autumn Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Oak, baked cherry nose; oak, baked cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Mahoney - 2008 Fleur de California Pinot Noir Vin Gris Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Light red fruit, hibiscus nose; tart cranberry, red fruit, hibiscus, juice palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
- 2006 Mahoney Vineyards Pinot Noir Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Cranberry, red fruit nose; tasty, red fruit, cinnamon, hibiscus palate with good acidity; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2008 Fleur de California Pinot Noir Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Baked tart red fruit, cranberry nose; tart red fruit, cranberry palate with warmth; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2006 Mahoney Vineyards Pinot Noir Las Brisas Vineyard - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Hibiscus, tart red fruit nose; hibiscus, tart red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2006 Mahoney Vineyards Pinot Noir Mahoney Ranch - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/25/2010)
Herbal, tart red fruit nose; tart cranberry, red fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
Martinelli - 2007 Martinelli Pinot Noir Three Sisters Vineyard Sea Ridge Meadow - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Mineral, herbal nose; oak, ripe cherry palate; short-medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Martinelli Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Pine, green herb nose; green herb, pine, menthol palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2008 Martinelli Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Floral, hibiscus, red fruit nose; hibiscus, green herb, cinnamon palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Merry Edwards Ojai Pelerin - 2007 Pelerin Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Nice red fruit, tart cherry nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Pelerin Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Tart cherry, caramel nose; tasty, poised, tart cherry, tart red fruit, cranberry palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (75% Pisoni clone, 25% 777; 16 mos. in barrel) (91 pts.)
- 2008 Pelerin Pinot Noir Pelio - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey (6/25/2010)
Nice cranberry, raspberry nose; tasty, ripe cherry, raspberry palate with depth; medium finish (92 pts.)
Pey-Marin Jonathan Pey
 - 2007 Pey-Marin Pinot Noir Trois Filles - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Marin County (6/27/2010)
Strawberry, cherry nose; nice strawberry, cherry palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2007 Pey-Lucia Pinot Noir "Frisquet" - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Ripe raspberry, cherry nose; tasty, cherry, baked cherry palate, luscious but not over the top; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
Phillips Hill Toby Hill
 - 2008 Phillips Hill Pinot Noir Oppenlander Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino (6/27/2010)
Cherry, baked cherry, smoke nose; tasty, tart cherry palate with a touch of smoke; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Phillips Hill Pinot Noir Beeson Tree - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
1st bottle - smoke and TCA
2nd bottle - smoke, tart red fruit nose; smoke, tart red fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Pisoni - 2008 Pisoni Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Pre-release (due for Sept. 2010 release) - dark cherry red color; nice black cherry, subtle oak, sandalwood nose; tasty, black cherry, tart cherry palate with refined oak; medium finish (needs 2 to 3 years) (92 pts.)
- 2009 Lucia Pinot Noir Lucy Rosé - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/27/2010)
Nice light cherry, red fruit nose; tart pink grapefruit, tart red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish (91 pts.)
Roots - 2007 Roots Wine Co. Pinot Noir Crosshairs Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains (6/25/2010)
Herbal, pine, tart red fruit nose; very green, pine, forest floor, earthy palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2008 Roots Wine Co. Pinot Noir Klee - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/25/2010)
Floral, forest floor nose; tart red fruit, menthol palate with green notes; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Roots Wine Co. Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (6/25/2010)
Forest floor, herbal nose; forest floor, herbal, mineral palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Roots Wine Co. Pinot Noir Leroy Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains (6/25/2010)
Mineral, herbal, menthol nose; mineral, herbal, menthol, tart red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish (90 pts.)
Rusack enologist Helen Falcone
 - 2008 Rusack Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Nice cherry, red fruit, floral nose; tasty, cherry, red fruit, floral palate with charm; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
- 2007 Rusack Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Floral, roses, tart cherry, red fruit nose; floral, roses, tart cherry, red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish (blend of 3 vineyards) (92 pts.)
- 2007 Rusack Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (6/25/2010)
Nice cherry, tart red fruit nose; poised, appealing, tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
Sand Hill - 2007 Sand Hill Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Earthy, black fruit, charcoal nose; earthy, black fruit, charcoal palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2005 Sand Hill Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice floral, dried cherry nose; maturing, dried cherry, orange palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
Saxon-Brown - 2007 Saxon-Brown Pinot Noir Parmelee-Hill - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, red fruit nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate with medium acidity; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Saxon-Brown Pinot Noir Hayfield Block Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, floral nose; tasty, tart cherry, rosehips, mineral palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
- 2008 Saxon-Brown Pinot Noir Parmelee-Hill - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Pre release (Fall 2010 release) - floral, tart red fruit, rosehips nose; floral, tart red fruit, rosehips palate with depth; medium finish (91 pts.)
- 2008 Saxon-Brown Pinot Noir Hayfield Block Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Nice tart cherry, floral nose; tasty, floral, hibiscus, tart cherry palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
Scherrer - 2006 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Deep cherry nose; baked cherry, black cherry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Ripe cherry, floral, roses nose; tasty, ripe cherry, floral, roses palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
- 2007 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Deep cherry, oak nose; tart red fruit, hibiscus palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
Domaine Serene Small Vines - 2008 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Nice tart cherry, rosehips nose; tasty, poised, tart cherry, rosehips, floral palate; medium-plus finish (6% whole cluster) (92 pts.)
- 2008 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir MK Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Nice roses, rosehips nose; tasty, elegant, rosehips, roses, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
Sojourn Erich Bradley
 - 2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Nice cherry, baked cherry, baking spice nose; cherry, baked cherry, baking spice palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Nice hibiscus, tart red fruit nose; floral, hibiscus, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Big, hibiscus, floral, baked cherry nose; hibiscus, floral, baked cherry, clove palate with depth; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
- 2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/25/2010)
Intriguing, roses, tart cherry nose; roses, tart cherry, raspberry palate; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
- 2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Pre-release - deep cherry, black cherry, baking spice nose; deep cherry, black cherry, baking spice, ripe raspberry palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (scheduled for Fall 2010 release) (91 pts.)
- 2007 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (6/25/2010)
Big, herbaceous, cassis nose; tasty, plush, cassis, herbaceous palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
- 2007 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/25/2010)
Nice cassis, mint nose; rich cassis, mint, approachable palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts. (93 pts.)
Suacci Carciere - 2008 Suacci Carciere Wines Pinot Noir Suacci Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Roses, strawberry nose; creamy textured, tart strawberry, mineral palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2006 Suacci Carciere Wines Pinot Noir Suacci Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Tart strawberry, rosehips, roses nose; ripe cherry, strawberry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Suacci Carciere Wines Pinot Noir Suacci Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/25/2010)
Nice tart strawberry, tart cherry, roses nose; tasty, tart cherry, strawberry palate, laced with caramel; medium finish (91 pts.)
Tantara - 2007 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Silacci Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Oak, red fruit nose; tart red fruit, oak palate; short-medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2008 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Baked cherry, cherry pie nose; tart cherry, baked cherry, rhubarb pie palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (6/25/2010)
Oak, red fruit nose; tart red fruit, oak, rhubarb palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2007 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Lindsay's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone (6/25/2010)
Oak, red fruit nose; tight, tart red fruit, tart strawberry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (6/25/2010)
Oak, baked cherry nose; oak, tart cherry, tart raspberry palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- 2007 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Evelyn - USA, California, Central Coast (6/25/2010)
Cherry, baked cherry nose; tasty, tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Three Sticks - 2006 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Caramel, baked cherry nose; caramel, baked cherry palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2007 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Smoky, oak nose; smoky, oak, black fruit palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Tolosa - 2007 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir Lily Gil, Pommard Edna Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/27/2010)
Cherry, oak, herbal nose; cherry, oak, herbal palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
- 2007 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir 1772 Edna Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/27/2010)
Black cherry nose; black cherry palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir Edna Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/27/2010)
Baked cherry, black fruit nose; black fruit, plum palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir Marley Anne Edna Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart berry nose; berry, plum palate; medium finish (clone 667) (87 pts.)
- 2007 Tolosa Winery Pinot Noir Beyond Edna Ranch - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (6/27/2010)
Berry, tart plum nose; berry, tart plum palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (clone 2A) (87 pts.)
Tondre TR Elliott - 2007 TR Elliott Pinot Noir Three Plumes - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Berry, black raspberry nose; berry, black raspberry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2007 TR Elliott Pinot Noir Queste - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Plum, black fruit nose; tasty, plum, black fruit palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
- 2006 TR Elliott Pinot Noir Burgonet - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart cherry, earth nose; tart cherry, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium finish (91 pts.)
Truchard - 2007 Truchard Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (6/27/2010)
Raspberry, black raspberry nose; raspberry, black cherry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
Tuck Beckstoffer - 2007 Tuck Beckstoffer Pinot Noir Semper Ellenbach - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2010)
Caramel, cherry nose; ripe cherry, black cherry, caramel oak palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Tuck Beckstoffer Pinot Noir Semper Gold Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Port-like, baked cherry nose; baked cherry, porty palate; medium finish (83 pts.)
Domaine de la Vougeraie Jean Charles Boisset
 - 2005 Domaine de la Vougeraie Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Marconnets - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru (6/27/2010)
Mineral, tart red fruit, earthy, rosehips nose; mineral, tart red fruit, earthy, rosehips palate with medium acidity; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2002 Domaine de la Vougeraie Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin (6/27/2010)
Mature, tobacco, smoke nose; mature, smoke, tobacco, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (87 pts.)
- 2003 Domaine de la Vougeraie Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (6/27/2010)
Mature, cherry, mushroom nose; maturing, tart cherry, mineral palate with grip; medium finish (88 pts.)
Waits-Mast - 2008 Waits-Mast Family Cellars Pinot Noir Amber Ridge - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Baked berry, black fruit, smoke nose; baked berry, black fruit, smoke palate; medium finish (33% new oak) (88 pts.)
- 2008 Waits-Mast Family Cellars Pinot Noir Hein Family Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/27/2010)
Tart black fruit, brett nose; smoke, tart black fruit, brett palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Waits-Mast Family Cellars Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Charcoal, black fruit nose; tart black fruit, charcoal, cherry palate with grip; medium finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Waits-Mast Family Cellars Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/27/2010)
Pre release (Fall 2010 release) - berry, black fruit nose; tart red fruit, berry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
Westwood - 2007 Westwood Pinot Noir Annadel Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Cherry, black cherry nose; cherry, black cherry palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2005 Westwood Pinot Noir Haynes Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/27/2010)
Black cherry, plum nose; black cherry, plum, tangy palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
- 2005 Westwood Pinot Noir Sonoma Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/27/2010)
Black fruit nose; tart black fruit palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
- 2003 Westwood Pinot Noir Haynes Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/27/2010)
Mature plum, baked plum nose; mature plum, baked plum, orange palate; medium finish 85+ pts. (85 pts.)
WillowBrook - 2007 Willowbrook Pinot Noir Marin County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Marin County (6/27/2010)
Corked (FLAWED)
- 2007 Willowbrook Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2010)
Chlorine, baked cherry nose; chlorine, baked cherry palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2008 Willowbrook Pinot Noir Kaufman Sunnyslope - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (6/27/2010)
Cherry, baked cherry nose; cherry, baked cherry palate; medium finish 86+ pts. (86 pts.)
- 2008 Willowbrook Pinot Noir Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Marin County (6/27/2010)
Tart red fruit nose with green notes; tart red fruit palate with green notes; medium finish (88 pts.)
Windward Woodenhead 
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