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Pinot Days 2011 - San Francisco, CA
Fort Mason Center - Festival Pavilion, San Francisco, CA
Tasted June 18, 2011 by rentmp3 with 1,166 views
Flight 1 - Aeshna (7 notes)
Red
2007 Aeshna Wines Pinot Noir Split Rock Vineyard
88 points
Beautiful honey/floraled nose, sweet, a little too much oak, unbalanced, needs some time.
Red
2008 Aeshna Wines Pinot Noir Split Rock Vineyard
90 points
Spice, black cherries, grippy tannins, tasty. 90-91
Red
2008 Aeshna Wines Pinot Noir Two Pisces
88 points
Manure, red & black cherries, spice, bit too oaky, nice tannins. 88-89
Red
2009 Aeshna Wines Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard
89 points
Spice, black cherries, chewy tannins, oak, more in balance than the Two Pisces.
Red
2009 Aeshna Wines Pinot Noir Doctor's Vineyard
90 points
Floral, fresh, vibrant red fruit, lush, smooth, pretty. 90+
Red
2008 Adastra Pinot Noir
90 points
Creamy mouthfeel, black cherry, a bit too much oak, very dark, spicy, good structure, needs more time. 90+
Red
2007 Adastra Pinot Noir Proximus
91 points
Spice, black cherries, huge wine, tight tannins, super long finish, needs more time. 91+
Flight 2 - Alma Rosa (2 notes)
Red
2008 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
89 points
Spice, black cherries, grippy tannins, needs more time. 89+
Red
2008 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard
88 points
Nice spice, black cherries, slightly bitter tannins.
Flight 3 - Amalie Robert (3 notes)
Red
2007 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir Vintage Debut
Oaky, smooth, good acidity, but had a strange off-taste to it. Flawed bottle? Didn't score.
Red
2008 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir Vintage Debut
88 points
Red cherry, some spice, fairly short finish, slightly bitter tannins, young, tight.
Red
2006 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir Dijon Clones
91 points
Stinky barnyard nose, red cherries, little oaky vanilla, explosive finish. Really well done. 91+
Flight 4 - Ampelos (3 notes)
Red
2006 Ampelos Pinot Noir Rho
87 points
Red cherries, spice, bitter, sharp tannins, medium acidity, out of balance.
Red
2007 Ampelos Pinot Noir Lambda
89 points
Honey, floral, red fruit profile, nice tannins, good finish, good acidity. 89+
Red
2008 Ampelos Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard
87 points
Black cherries, sharp acidity, slightly bitter, a tad hollow.
Flight 5 - Archery Summit (2 notes)
Red
2009 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée
90 points
Barnyard++, black cherry, more Old World, smooth tannins, some oak on the finish. Still very young and tight, needs more time. 90+
Red
2009 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Arcus Estate
91 points
Barnyard, dark berries, grippy tannins, very very tight, needs a lot more time. 91+
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Flight 6 - August West (6 notes)
Red
2006 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard
85 points
Red cherries, smoke, hot, little thin. 85-86
Red
2006 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
87 points
Cloves, sweet, short finish, medium acidity. 87-88
Red
2008 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard
89 points
Cherries, cloves, good acid, medium finish.
Red
2008 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
87 points
Cherries, baking spice, medium acidity, slightly hollow
Red
2009 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard
89 points
Tight on nose, great acidity, black cherry, good tannins, medium finish.
Red
2009 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
90 points
earth, sweet, good tannins, black cherries, great finish. 90+
Flight 7 - Clos Pepe (1 note)
Red
2009 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir Vigneron Select
91 points
Vibrant red cherry, strawberry, medium body, medium-plus finish, very nice. 91+
Flight 8 - Cloud's Rest (3 notes)
Red
2008 Clouds Rest Pinot Noir Femme Fatale
90 points
Black cherry, dark berries, grippy tannins, fairly low acidity, great finish, very tight, still way too young. 90+
Red
2007 Clouds Rest Pinot Noir Limited Release
91 points
Barnyard, a hint of green, great acidity, smooth, medium-long finish. 91-92
Red
2006 Clouds Rest Pinot Noir
91 points
Strawberries, red cherries, creamy mouthfeel, oaky vanilla, good acidity, very nice. 91+
Flight 9 - Domaine de la Vougeraie (1 note)
Red
2008 Domaine de la Vougeraie Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes
88 points
Espresso, coffee bean, great acidity, light style, barnyard, delicate, elegant. 88-89
Flight 10 - Donum Estate (4 notes)
Red
2008 Donum Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
91 points
Beautiful nose, very floral and honeyed. Mix of dark and red fruits on the palate. Creamy mouthfeel, good tannins, really nice wine. 91-92
Red
2008 Donum Pinot Noir Carneros
92 points
Very fresh, red fruits, brilliant nose, nicely integrated oak, very tight and needs more time. Beautiful effort. 92+
Red
2008 Donum Pinot Noir West Slope Carneros
93 points
Sweeter style than the '08 RRV or '08 Carneros. Floral/honeyed nose, mix of red and black berries, creamy mouthfeel, smooth, great balance. Stunning wine. 93+
White
2008 Donum Chardonnay Carneros
89 points
lemon meringue, slight oaked but not the buttery, oaky style, good acidity.
Flight 11 - Dutton-Goldfield (1 note)
Red
2009 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Fox Den
85 points
Tart cherry, very light style, a bit hollow, short finish, high acidity.
Flight 12 - Eric Kent (6 notes)
Red
2009 Sarapo Family Wines Pinot Noir Natalia
85 points
Pretty strawberry, red cherry, oak, creamy mouthfeel, a little bitter, thin. 85-86
Red
2009 Sarapo Family Wines Pinot Noir Donato Lot 4
87 points
Darker fruit profile than the '09 Natalia, creamy mouthfeel, a bit oaky, slightly bitter.
Red
2009 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Small Town
87 points
Red cherry, spice, lighter style pinot, creamy mouthfeel, short finish. 87-88
Red
2009 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie
89 points
Red berries, creamy mouthfeel, hint of green, pretty, good tannins, medium finish. 89-90
Red
2009 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Stiling Vineyard
89 points
Sweeter style pinot than his others that we tasted. A bit metallic, darker fruit profile, good tannins, medium finish. 89+
Red
2010 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Stiling Vineyard
Barrel sample so didn't rate. Not complete and probably too premature to be showing this yet. Red cherry profile, oak stands out too much, a hint of brett on the nose.
Flight 13 - Expression 44º (3 notes)
Red
2009 Expression Pinot Noir 44° Eola - Amity Hills
90 points
Dark berries, baking spice, good tannins, slightly bitter and metallic, very young. 90+
Red
2006 Expression Pinot Noir 44° Willakia
89 points
Baking spice, savory, earthy, black cherry, ok tannins. 89-90
Flight 14 - Foxen (2 notes)
Red
2009 Foxen Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
90 points
Sweet, baking spice, vibrant red berries, creamy mouthfeel, drainking really well now. 90+
Red
2009 Foxen Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard
91 points
Spicier than the '09 SM Valley, black cherries, delicious, great tannins, balanced. 91+
Flight 15 - Furthermore (3 notes)
Red
2008 Furthermore Pinot Noir Amber Ridge
90 points
Fairly sweeter style. Some nice spice and black cherries on the nose and palate. Decent acidity, medium finish, decent wine.
Red
2008 Furthermore Pinot Noir Bohemian Vineyard
91 points
Earthy, Burgundian style, spice, black cherry, great finish. 91+
Red
Flight 16 - JK Carriere (3 notes)
Rosé
2010 J. K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir
88 points
Light orangey-pink color. Great nose of citrus and strawberries. On the palate, lemon peel, strawberries, creamy mouthfeel, great acidity, but falls a bit flat on the finish.
Red
2009 J. K. Carriere Pinot Noir Provocateur
89 points
Forest floor, barnyard, green, dark cherries, spice, little too much oak for my taste, decent acidity, short finish.
Red
2008 J. K. Carriere Pinot Noir
90 points
Black cherries, some spice, a little earth, great acidity, very smooth, very well balanced. 90-91
Flight 17 - Joseph Swan (3 notes)
Red
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Saralee's Vineyard
87 points
Red cherries, spice, a little hollow.
Red
2009 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Cuvée de Trois
89 points
Barnyard, black cherries, good tannins, nicely balanced. 89-90
Red
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton View
89 points
Black cherries, chewy slightly bitter tannins, medium finish.
Flight 18 - Keefer Ranch (2 notes)
Red
2008 Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard
87 points
Spice, red berries, short finish, a tad hollow.
Red
2009 Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard
90 points
Nose was a bit closed and a little hot. Black cherries on the palate with grippy tannins. Needs more time. 90+
Flight 19 - Kosta Browne (1 note)
Red
2008 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard
92 points
Ripe, prunes, chalky, red cherries, great tannins, huge pinot. 92+
Flight 20 - Ladd (5 notes)
Red
2008 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
88 points
Savory, earthy, black cherries, slightly odd pinot, medium finish. 88+
Red
2008 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
87 points
Spice, red berries, medium acidity, ok tannins.
Red
2008 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Cuvée Abigail
88 points
Floral, harsh tannins, slightly hot, little oak.
Red
Red
2008 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir Moore Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley
88 points
Barnyard, sweeter style and bigger than the other Ladd pinots tasted, nice oak, light nose. 88-89
Flight 21 - Le Cadeau (1 note)
Red
2007 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Diversite
88 points
Baking spice, vanilla, creamy mouthfeel, slightly bitter, good acidity. 88-89
Flight 22 - Loring Wine Company (6 notes)
Red
2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard
89 points
Ripe, black cherries, good tannins, concentrated. 89+
Red
2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard
87 points
Red cherry, little hollow, short finish. Doesn't do it for me
Red
2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard
90 points
Spice, red raspberries, long finish, grippy tannins. 90+
Red
2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard
88 points
Spice, black cherries, oak, supple tannins, slightly unbalanced. 88-89
Red
2008 Loring Wine Company Divergence
80 points
Awful. Green, stewed, raisiny. This is one bizarre wine that smells almost dessert-like. Hedonistic, indulgent, over-the-top, unpleasant. The worst thing I tasted at Pinot Days this year? Possibly.
Red
2009 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rancho la Viña Vineyard
92 points
This is a big boy. Black cherries, very ripe, smooth, delicious. 92-93
Flight 23 - Mahoney Vineyards (1 note)
Red
2007 Mahoney Vineyards Pinot Noir Mahoney Ranch
88 points
Red cherries, tart, little hot, medium finish.
Flight 24 - Manu (1 note)
Red
2009 Manu Pinot Noir
88 points
Very different style of pinot. The spice profile was less baking spice and more black pepper. Black cherries. Reminded me of a New World syrah but not quite as big. 88+
Flight 25 - Native9 (1 note)
Red
2008 native9 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard
87 points
Tobacco, red cherry, bitter tannins, chalky, good length, unbalanced.
Flight 26 - Papapietro Perry (2 notes)
Red
2008 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Peters Vineyard
89 points
Spice, black cherries, sweet, vanilla cream. 89+
Red
2008 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Leras Family Vineyards
90 points
Strawberry, red cherry, nice balance. 90-91
Flight 27 - Pelerin (3 notes)
Red
Red
2008 Pelerin Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
91 points
Fruity, floral, great tannins, red fruit profile, really nice. 91-92
Red
2009 Pelerin Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
91 points
Cranberry, red cherry, grippy tannins, little oak. 91+
Flight 28 - ROAR (2 notes)
Red
2009 Roar Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
89 points
Good spice, red cherry profile, creamy mouthfeel, medium finish. 89-90
Red
2009 Roar Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard
91 points
I think this showed better than the '09 Rosella's; light fruity nose, black cherries, long finish, nicely balanced. 91+
Flight 29 - Roessler (3 notes)
Now in partnership with Hall Wines.
Red
2008 Roessler Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard
90 points
Pretty nose, floral and honeyed. Black cherries on the palate, very well balanced, really nice wine. 90+
Red
2008 Roessler Pinot Noir Laurelwood District
91 points
Red fruit profile, big tannins, nicely balanced, hint of oak, beautiful acidity. 91+
Red
2009 Roessler Pinot Noir Bluejay
91 points
Sweetest of the 3 Roesslers tasted (compared with '08 Gap's Crown & '08 Laurelwood); red cherries, grippy tannins, very tight, needs more time. 91-92
Flight 30 - Scherrer (1 note)
Red
2008 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast
91 points
Sweet, black cherries, little oak, long finish, mineral. 91+
Flight 31 - Siduri (1 note)
Red
2009 Siduri Pinot Noir Clone 943 Sierra Mar Vineyard
91 points
Red cherries, anise, very smooth, medium finish. 91-92
Flight 32 - Sojourn (3 notes)
Red
2009 Sojourn Pinot Noir Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast
91 points
Strawberries, red cherries, spice, very tasty, well balanced. Beautiful wine.
Red
2009 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard
92 points
Red & black fruit profiles, little oak, very smooth, well balanced, beautiful. 92+
Red
2009 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast
92 points
Spice, red cherries, very ripe, huge wine, needs more time. 92-93
Flight 33 - Sokol Blosser (3 notes)
Red
2008 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
88 points
Really smokey, ash, black cherry, oak, slightly bitter.
Red
2008 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée Dundee Hills
89 points
Tons of earth, black cherry, creamy mouthfeel, bitter tannins.
Rosé
2010 Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
88 points
Lemon, strawberry, tart, nice acidity, creamy mouthfeel. 88+
Flight 34 - Talisman (1 note)
Red
2007 Talisman Pinot Noir Dijon Clone Red Dog Vineyard
90 points
Bright, red berries, slightly too much oak, long finish, pretty. 90+
Flight 35 - Testarossa (2 notes)
Red
2009 Testarossa Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County
87 points
Red cherries, creamy mouthfeel, good acidity, slightly bitter, little hollow, uninspiring.
Red
2009 Testarossa Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands
89 points
Red cherries, a little hot, medium finish, good tannins. 89+
Flight 36 - Torii Mor (2 notes)
Red
2007 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Olson Estate Vineyard
88 points
Red fruit profile, stinky, earthy, oak, tight and needs more time.
Red
2008 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Select
89 points
Bretty, black cherry, creamy mouthfeel, a bit too much oak, long finish. 89+
Flight 37 - Wind Gap (1 note)
Red
2009 Wind Gap Wines Pinot Noir Gap's Crown & Griffin's Lair
89 points
Chalky, black cherries, tobacco, really odd. 100% whole cluster and not surprising. Unlike any other pinot at the tasting. 89-90
Flight 38 - Windy Oaks (1 note)
Red
2008 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir Proprietor's Reserve Schultze Family Vineyard
90 points
stewed raisins, prunes, black cherries, chalky minerality, good tannins. 90-91
Flight 39 - ZD (2 notes)
Red
2009 ZD Wines Pinot Noir Carneros
89 points
Sweet, creamy vanilla, red berries, quite smooth, hint of bitterness.
Red