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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 220 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Inforred on 10/23/2023 & rated 93 points: I suspected this to be well past prime, but was pleasantly surprised at its freshness. Reddish purple color with almost no hint of brown. Nose was dark red fruit, perhaps a hint of rose petal and clove. Flavors of berry, cherry, with soft tannins and a medium finish. Certainly ready to drink. (274 views) | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 8/26/2023 flawed bottle: See note for 2005 "Ten". (623 views) | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 8/26/2023 flawed bottle: See 2005 "Ten" note. (340 views) | | | Tasted by kosta on 1/23/2022: Fruit is waning, but pretty nose and intense red cherry flavors with backbone showing. (1969 views) | | | Tasted by spineguy on 10/30/2021 & rated 90 points: Brought to a Cali Pinot tasting. Bigger then 25 other wines, some much younger. Darker red crushed fruit and graphite on nose. Not very approachable when popped. Actually had to place in decanter for 30 minutes then much improved. Perhaps needs more time in cellar or... (2092 views) | | | Tasted by davudvl on 8/24/2021 & rated 91 points: Tasty (2058 views) | | | Tasted by Tim2 on 3/16/2021 & rated 90 points: Opened with two grand cru burgundies as an hommage to Steve Spurrier. Didn’t quite make his point but didn’t start a Trojan war (2400 views) | | | Tasted by msuwine on 1/27/2021 & rated 87 points: This is the third aged Sea Smoke Ten Pinot that I've opened in the last month (after buying them recently direct from the winery)... and it’s the third wine that has been, um, not good. I hate to say a winery batted 0/3, but I would also hate to have anyone else waste their money like I wasted mine. The 2010 and 2009 were “meh” wines, and the 2007 is the worst of the bunch. This isn’t rich, but it isn’t elegant either. It is simple, sweet, and candied - and altogether unimpressive.
Light cherry in color and medium in body, the wine offers subdued aromas of cranberry, candied walnuts, and menthol. Straightforward flavors of sour cherry, raspberry, rock candy, and anise, with a sweet and wispy finish. (Think an entry-level Bourgogne, with the sugar - and the price - turned up.) I remember fondly a Sea Smoke wine appearing in Sideways, but this wine - unlike that movie - just doesn't hold up. 14.5% alcohol. (3981 views) | | | Tasted by Callybrian on 12/10/2020 & rated 88 points: PNP. Good earthy notes on the palate and nose but some major tannins really held this back from being great. Will try again sometime after decanting for a while. (1384 views) | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 1/31/2020: Popped, poured and dumped. Even though this bottle had been properly stored and there was no leakage, the cork completely disintegrated on removal. I understand this winery has changed its ways from the mid-00's vintages and it needed to. Too much alcohol and showy (Oak! Fruit!) profile early in a wine's life can lead to disappointment if the bottles are held to age; that's obviously what happened here. (1840 views) | | | Tasted by grafstrb on 11/16/2019: -- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple hours non-blind over approx. one hour --
Stewed red fruits. Baked red fruits. Tasted a bit oxidized or heat damaged, but neither should have been the case. Others at the table did like it, whereas I found it off-putting. Markedly different than a bottle three years ago ... has this turned that quickly? I've one remaing bottle, and it just got moved near the front of the Drink Soon line. Gut impression score for this bottle: low to mid. 70s. (2112 views) | | | Tasted by ARiverofPisoni on 4/21/2019 & rated 94 points: Opened at the table, poured an hr later. Really beautiful glass of wine. Held up way better than the 07 Southing I opened last year that had been stored side by side at ideal 55. (1955 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 3/30/2019 & rated 96 points: Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke! Last of the 2007 Ten's. (1962 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 12/29/2018 & rated 97 points: Continues to drink beautifully! Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke! (1941 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 3/10/2018 & rated 96 points: Simply delicious pinot! A classic Sea Smoke! (2515 views) | | | Tasted by Jack on 11/28/2017: Elevated acid was out of balance when first opened but began to settle after an hour. 89. Only had a glass. The next night it’s drinking beautifully. 95 (2929 views) | | | Tasted by Tudz Drkl on 11/4/2017: Started with a very light nose of smoke and sour cherry. In the mouth it is very structured with brisk acidity and plenty of complexity. Very enjoyable. (2172 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 10/21/2017 & rated 95 points: Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with elegant black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish.
Simply delicious pinot! (2709 views) | | | Tasted by PVJC on 8/10/2017 & rated 91 points: Good but not great, was expecting more. A bit rough & a bit sour. (2658 views) | | | Tasted by Deepdrop on 3/26/2017 & rated 94 points: Delightful Pinot in its prime. Deep, rich and balanced with cherries, spice and a touch of minerality. Beautiful deep pure Pinot Noir nose. Long finish with a bit of tangy cranberry lingering. (2953 views) | | | Tasted by dontime on 11/24/2016: Just outstanding. If scoring 94-96. (3201 views) | | | Tasted by ChiTownWine on 10/14/2016: Bad cork. Discarded wine. (3190 views) | | | Tasted by grafstrb on 7/22/2016 & rated 89 points: -- decanted for 1 hour before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind for a couple hours --
NOSE: tight; faintly red-fruited; a touch fumey; cherry pie; apple liqueur.
BODY: some sediment present; dark garnet color of medium-deep depth with slight bricking throughout; medium bodied.
TASTE: purple fruited; some prune; smooth; low to moderate oak; medium acidity; somewhat heavy for a Pinot Noir; macerated/baked cherry; 14.5% alc.; Drink Now or Hold --- for my preferences, it's a Hold.
50, 5 11, 16, 7 = 89
Ashley's gut impression score: 89 (3263 views) | | | Tasted by leadpencil on 7/22/2016 & rated 92 points: Ruby brick red. Medium to full bodied. Cherry, anise, macerized cherry compote. Drink up. (3254 views) | | | Tasted by Deadhead on 7/16/2016 & rated 93 points: No notes. Yummy. (2506 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, November/December 2009, IWC Issue #147
(Sea Smoke Cellars Pinot Noir Ten Santa Rita Hills) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Sea Smoke Producer website.
At Sea Smoke we believe that the vineyard is the wine. For this reason, we produce Pinot Noir grown exclusively on our estate vineyard in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County, California. We focus on the meticulous management of each vine to achieve ideal vine balance and very low yields, while incorporating sustainable, environmentally sound farming practices. Each of our ten clones of Pinot Noir is hand harvested, and individual vineyard block/clone combinations are kept in separate lots throughout the winemaking process, enabling us to develop an intimate knowledge of the way Sea Smoke vineyard expresses itself. These individual lots form the basis of a complex flavor palette from which final blending decisions are made. This results in wines of exceptional complexity and grace - each one, we believe, a reflection of the unique terroir of our estate vineyard. We hope you agree, and we welcome your comments.
2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten Sea Smoke Winemaker Notes: A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with notes of cola and dark cherry reduction, then lavender, cardamom, fresh plums and a suggestion of fine tea leaves. Firm, mature tannins—evidence of the 2007 Ten’s ageability—are followed by a long, velvety finish.
WINEMAKING: We sorted clusters in the vineyard and then gently de-stemmed following an evening in our cold room. We removed all ‘jack stems’ on the sorting table. Musts were cold soaked in open-top fermenters for one to four days, then inoculated with cultured yeasts to begin slow fermentation. Each tank was manually punched down one to three times per day, with a total maceration time of sixteen to twenty-eight days. Upon completion of primary fermentation and maceration, all free run wine was transferred to tank for settling. We pressed at extremely low pressure (0.08 bars) to avoid extracting bitterness from the seeds. After settling overnight both free-run and press wines were racked to barrels.
CHARACTER: A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with notes of cola and dark cherry reduction, then lavender, cardamom, fresh plums and a suggestion of fine tea leaves. Firm, mature tannins—evidence of the 2007 Ten’s ageability—are followed by a long, velvety finish.
APPELLATION Santa Rita Hills; COMPOSITION 100% Pinot Noir; (Ten Clones, from which the wine takes its name); VINEYARD SOURCE Exclusively Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard; ALCOHOL 14.5% by volume; PH 3.41; TOTAL ACIDITY 0.7g/100ml; BARREL AGING 16 months; OAK PROFILE 100% new French oak; RELEASE DATE October 2009; SUGGESTED RETAIL 80 U.S. dollars.
Pinot 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 Central Coasthttp://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html
http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/
http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm
Central Coast AVA Wikipedia |
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