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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.8 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 72 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by z_willus_d on 8/25/2019 & rated 92 points: Screw-top. I'm revisiting this wine after eight and a half years, and what memory I have of it suggests it hasn't much changed other than taking on a smoother ride, like it got the Cadillac suspension upgrade. I'm realizing now, after reading Keith's note, that the "vodka greyhound cocktail" component I noted before, and which remains today, is better described by his passage on Cola. The bitters are interesting to say the least, and the sensation of hard liquor isn't off putting the way one might think, references to wine heat, lack of balance, and such. The light, red fruits on the nose follow to a tensive palate that's split between sweet, pure cherry/strawberry juices with florals and the grapefruit, vodka, black-tea, and yes, cola bean imbued second act. (1205 views) | | | Tasted by La Cave d'Argent on 6/15/2019 & rated 91 points: This beautifully structured Pinot was tasted in single-blind fashion. Medium red/garnet in color, it offers an intense aromatic profile of smoky red bramble fruits, strawberries, Asian spices and ganache. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic, softly tannic and without noticeable alcohol (13.2%), it delivers flavors mirroring the nose. The wine's oak component is complementary, accenting but not dominating the fruit. Long and silky-textured on the back end, this is clearly in its prime. Well-cellared bottles should continue to show nicely for another 3-4 years. Drink now-2023. (1251 views) | | | Tasted by gutt22 on 9/14/2015: 13.2% alcohol. Red cherry color. Very pretty, elegant nose of red cherry, flowers, and spice. In the mouth, linear and precise, with lightly tart cherry fruit, which packs a really nice wallop, and complex notes of roses and baking spice. Strong acidity and a smooth, lenghty finish. This still has plenty of life left, at least 5-7 years. A- (2278 views) | | | Tasted by mhauser on 12/31/2014: Pinkish red, with a hint of brown, but clear. Still a nice, light nose on this wine, with strawberry, anise, ginger scents. A lot of acidity, and a decent amount of tannin. Thin on the palate, though that seems to be the style of the OGV. The fruit is coming thru with some air, but the acidity still dominates, with sour cherry and savory meats. Moderate finish. Not sure if this wine is past its prime or shut down, but it's no longer young. Would be better with food at this point. (2438 views) | | | Tasted by Keith Levenberg on 2/14/2014 & rated 95 points: Still a beautiful bottle of California pinot noir, and still young, too. This was my last bottle of three - I should have bought more, as this is such a satisfying wine I could be happy drinking it every day. It is suave and supple and polished like an orb, with a thin, feminine figure but plenty of sappy fruit to give it a rich presence just the same. Along with the beautifully pure black-tinged fruit is a nice snap of something that, for the first time ever, makes me wonder whether "cola" might really be typical of Russian River Valley pinot noir and not just typical of overripe pinot noir, like most Russian River Valley pinot noirs other than Inman. There really is something vaguely cola-like about this, but not in the sense that it tastes like Cherry Coke (like, you know, most RRVs), but rather it has that pleasantly bitter taste of cola nuts and spices and other stuff that would go into cola before it just becomes sweet soda syrup. That's also the main thing that distinguishes this vintage vis-a-vis the '06 and '07, which were just as beautiful but more focused on the fruit. (11062 views) | | | Tasted by Spl232 on 1/10/2014 & rated 88 points: past it's peak window, drinking a little flat, but still a favorite RRV pinot for me. (2573 views) | | | Tasted by trifecta on 2/10/2013 & rated 89 points: Light in color, light aromas of red cherry and a bit of funk. Maybe mushroom/forest floor. On the palate very delicate. Not a typical RRV fruit bomb style Pinot. Medium acidity. Noted would go well with food, but didn't have the chance for a pairing. I don't agree that this wine is fading, but rather it is a lighter style that's strength is in it's subtlety. With the screw top closure and the structure of this wine I would bet it would go at least another decade. (2988 views) | | | Tasted by mhauser on 11/16/2012: Pleasant but thin on the palate at this point. Not much fruit or body left. Not bad at all, but a bit past its prime (2072 views) | | | Tasted by smahk on 4/17/2012 & rated 87 points: Color: Pale Ruby, very light, translucent
Nose: Hint of strawberry and vanilla
Taste: A dash of spice, essence of strawberry and a bit of vanilla.
This wine is thin, with faded fruit and a very almost bland taste. It doesn't offend, but doesn't add anything either. Someone commented it tasted like red water. Drink up if you have these - fading fast. (2375 views) | | | Tasted by gutt22 on 4/1/2012: 13.2% alcohol. This has come along nicely. Light red color. Fragrant nose of red cherry, notable floral accents, and good spice and earth. In the mouth, this is distinctly feminine and light, yet packs a delicious, well-concentrated punch of red cherry fruit that marries delightfully well with the floral and earth notes. Good acidity leads to a caressing, gentle, yet persistent finish. A- (1976 views) | | | Tasted by subir on 2/22/2012 & rated 93 points: Drinking beautifully at the moment. This was just unscrew and pour, no decanting. Light clear ruby in the glass, a beautiful thing to look at. Wonderfully effusive nose of cherry, spices, cedar and a hint of forest floor and sage. The nose is what makes this wine. Light body with bright acidity. 45-60 second finish. (1936 views) | | | Tasted by dmatley on 12/20/2011 & rated 91 points: A light, feminine pinot...the perfect antidote after a KB binge. Translucent raspberry in the glass. Dried roses/cherry/raspberry. Very elegant with a touch of spice on the finish. Just a very pretty, pretty, albeit a bit simple, pinot at its peak. (1871 views) | | | Tasted by Grape_ape on 2/22/2011: Popped and poured. this was not nearly as good as a bottle I had 1 year ago that I purchased directly at the winery (this bottle being purchased more recently from Cinderella Wine.com). While the bottle I had last year was restrained, elegant and feminine, this was kind of thin and lifeless, fruit had faded considerably, and was less vibrant.. I'm wondering how these CW bottles were stored all these years... but on the otherhand, perhaps an extra year had a big impact on the wine... iI suspect its time to drink up if you have them... (2273 views) | | | Tasted by z_willus_d on 2/1/2011 & rated 90 points: PnP to glass with a few minutes to warm and aerate some. Nice dirty raspberry color and correctly translucent. As I had hoped, this wine has lovely floral components adorning its bouquet. These flowers mesh with orange zest to make a very bright and zippy experience. Undercurrents of raspberry and vanilla with red cherry stir beneath the fresh perfume. Now on the palate this has a feminine touch, gliding lightly along; but not so much silky as it is crunchy and fresh, like water bound orange pulp and raspberry flesh and raw cranberries cracking open under the bite through a porous velveteen teabag. This is extremely light bodied and almost bashful at points. The alcohol never spikes but you get a taste of it in a vodka greyhound cocktail kind of way at times. Underpowered concentration and a little bereft of depth, this Pinot does find a way to strip away all the superfluous elements more typical of its varietal realm -- the oak, heavy vanilla, heavy fruits and alcohol heat -- what remains strikes me as true and substantiating of its source. Just a little bit of earth and rocks show in the nice, clean finish -- this is a floral, bright and lite fruit play; little in the way of obvious tannins, but good acid structure. This was very, very quaffable, and I am glad to have more as I"m sure this will continue to drink well for a while yet. (2657 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 2/1/2011 & rated 92 points: Super smooth and sexy bottle of pinot - perhaps just a bit richer than prior bottles. Red berries, spice, flowers and minerals on the palate. Elegant and slightly feminine with terrific balance, good acidity and a medium to long fruity finish. Everything seems like it fits together just right - probably at its peak right now. (2388 views) | | | Tasted by pete s. on 1/16/2011 & rated 90 points: Nice RRV pinot that seems to be in its prime. Very light ruby color. Dried rose petal, dusty oak, strawberries and cherries on the nose. Bright red fruit on the palate with med-acid and fine-grained, balanced tannins. The dusty, fruit notes linger on the finish. I don't have a whole lot of experience with properly aged Pinot, but I thought this was solid for less than $30. (2403 views) | | | Tasted by corkscrews on 12/22/2010 & rated 90 points: A nose of cherry and dusty spice, medium ruby in color. A smooth, medium bodied Pinot, cranberry, cherries, dusty spice, at it’s peak or a bit past, a good Pinot Noir. (2505 views) | | | Tasted by flyinburrito on 12/15/2010 & rated 91 points: Light ruby, semi-translucent cranberry color. tight, even a bit unyielding, classic RRV pinot nose hinting at rich sour cherry, violets and some pinot funk. nice balance, great acidity. tastes like the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness. nice follow through on the mid palate but I was hoping for just a bit more richness. very nice and made in an elegant, true, pinot style. (2612 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 11/25/2010 & rated 92 points: Another great bottle. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, this looks lightweight and has a perfumed nose of rose petals, stawberry and spice, but packs a punch of flavors that match the nose, but are very deep and flavorful. I love the elegance combined with the rich flavors. (2787 views) | | | Tasted by blondon on 10/29/2010: Popped and poured, enjoyed with a dinner of pan seared opah cooked with garlic, ginger and lime and shrimp cooked with garlic, olive oil and champagne. Nice ruby red color. Nose and taste of red raspberries, graham cracker, clove. Very well balanced, nicely acidic, added weight and depth as it opened. A very nice wine which is improving each year. (3156 views) | | | Tasted by gutt22 on 4/5/2010: 13.2% alcohol. Opened one hour before serving but not decanted. This is coming along fairly slowly. A wine built to age, with a light cherry color, clear at the rim of the glass. Beautiful, refined aromatics of red cherry, black cherry, flowers, and minerals unfold in the glass, revealing the distinctly feminine character of the wine. In the mouth, caressing and positively graceful, with pure if slightly restrained cherry fruit, a touch of spice, distinct minerals and floral notes, and bright acidity. Long finish. This has some upside and will be better with another year or two in bottle. A- (3092 views) | | | Tasted by Grape_ape on 2/6/2010 & rated 92 points: Screw top finish, 13.2% ABV. Decanted about 30 mins before consumption. Strikingly light garnet color, very clear with a coppery rim, clear at the edge. Nose has red fruit, cherry, strawberry, with an earthy pinot funk and some spice. Palate is similar to the nose, red berries, forest floor, some baking spice. This hints at fruity RRV california pinot, letting you know the fruit is there and where it came from, but at the same time is very elegant, feminine and restrained. Really quite nice, and well done. (3243 views) | | | Tasted by tederf on 12/25/2009 & rated 92 points: My last 2005. Notes consistent with the others - but a bit smoother now. I think this was the favorite Pinot of the evening. Great mouthfeel and a bit of smoky finish. Berries and spices. (3299 views) | | | Tasted by subir on 11/15/2009 & rated 89 points: Bouquet was bit muted today, didn't rise to prior occasions (but I did pop and pour). Color, acidity and mouth-feel still light and pleasant as always. (3526 views) | | | Tasted by Ali on 11/15/2009 & rated 92 points: very ripe, but not jammy at all. Well balance with red fruits and a smokey finish. Wish I had more (3528 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2007, IWC Issue #132
(Inman Family Wines Pinot Noir Olivet Grange Vineyard Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Inman Family Producer websitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountyRussian River Valley Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia |
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