10/30/2021 - dfresh wrote:

Parker got this right. As close to a perfect wine as I’ve ever had. Bouquet is perfume, floral, blueberry, black tea, fig, soy sauce, baking spice notes and inviting. The pallet is refined and seductive but not in a fruit forward way; far from it; structured and complex; soft yet powerful; tight yet forgiving; delicate yet concentrated. Finish is long and inviting. It is like watching a close game, riveting and enjoyable. Highest wine score I’ve ever given.

3/10/2023 - dfresh wrote:

As close to a perfect wine as I’ve had in a while. The nose is not described in bouquet but rather in emotion…it is brooding. The flavor profile is rich and unctuous. Even oily. The mouthful is thick and gritty. Deep, dark black fruit and oh did I mention this wine is perfectly balanced and has a sensational finish. Long long long.

1/29/2022 - dfresh wrote:

As good as any wine in recent memory. Seductive, structured rich, and balanced. Loads of cassis, chocolate and some savory, black tea notes. Dry but round mouthfeel Majestic finish.

11/8/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Surprisingly youthful and expressive but definitely in a prime drinking window. Fully integrated tannins combine with vibrant acidity along with expressive notes of chocolate cake and black tea make for a beautiful mouthfeel, flavor profile and extra long finish.

1/8/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Highest rating I've ever given. Deftly balanced, seductive elegant and generous yet reserved. Leaves you wanting more. Does anyone find the 2008 to be inconsistent? I got too much oak on the last bottle.

2/17/2019 - dfresh wrote:

Rose petal, perfume and stone bouquet. Dominated by cassis, lively tannins and plush mouthfeel. Astonishing balance throughout. Ultra structured and sleek. Secondary flavors coming through. Mega-long finish. In the prime drinking window. One for the ages.

1/29/2011 - dfresh wrote:

Needed two hours decanting to achieve optimal drinking. I could go on and on about a lot of aspects of this pinnacle of wines but three aspects stand out to me. First, the wine is massive and brooding and could be confused with a much younger wine. Second, the balance is perfect and I've never had a wine that was so seamless. Including structure, nose, pallet, finish, acidity, tannins. Finally, the finish is multi-layered and continues for well over one minute. So glad I finally tried the 82 vintage, was not disappointed.

2/18/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Cloudy. Initially upon opening received a lot of vanilla and oak. That burned off after an hour. Rich deep bouquet of plums, molasses, sweet and sour sauce, orange peel, currant and bacon fat. Impeccable balance; no dominant alcohol, tannin or acid components. Immediately on mouthfeel is a chewy, massive, concentrated, structured wine that is dominated by sour red fruit and rich dark currant notes. A wine of contrasts in that I'm getting tart and sweet fruit flavors. Long finish, easily 60 seconds, with tingling sensation on tongue throughout. In my opinion, this wine is in the tenderloin of the drinking window.

4/8/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Wow. This wine is complete and showing exquisitely. First it's bouquet is sweet and fragrant, not a hint of alcohol or oak. The mouthfeel is round and structured with fine integrated tannins that presents cola, loads and loads of black slightly tart fruit it---blueberry pie, blackberry, tea and a tad of soy sauce. Mega long finish. No herbal, all fruit, all perfectly balanced.

1/17/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Wet stone, chocolate and deep dark cassis bouquet. Mouthfeel is plush, round, focused and inviting. As the wine moves into the mid-pallete it starts showing off some hoison sauce, cola, asian spice, mineral, and vanilla notes. The well integrated fine tannins give the wine enough structure to boot but what shines through is the the deft, finesse, soft, subtle texture which all come together in near perfect balanced wine making this a a multi-layered complex titan. Finish is true to the rest of the wine.

8/1/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Bouquet of toffee, cassis and wet polished rocks. Fine dirty integrated tannins add to impeccable mouthfeel. Black tea, Asian spice and cola notes. Finish isn't awe-inspiring but the overall balance, refinement, focus and elegance is unprecedented. Drinking window is now and this wine is iconic.

10/24/2015 - dfresh wrote:

This is a beauty and the drink window is now. This is not a powerful wine. It is restrained and elegant. The first impression on front pallet is exotic. Blueberry, coffee cake with vanilla ice cream and coffee on the bouquet. Ultra refined tannins provide superb structured mouthfeel and notes of black tea, hoisin sauce, cassis and black berry come through on mid pallet. Finish is pleasant and the balance of this wine is beyond reproach.

2/25/2018 - dfresh wrote:

Serious wine, powerful, concentrated and bold.

9/30/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Perfect timing...In its drinking window now. Balanced, finely integrated tannins, round mouth feel, rich fruit notes along with chocolate....and don't forget the long finish.

10/30/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Drinking window is now. Fragrant, balanced, not showing too much alcohol or extracted flavors; a beauty.

11/12/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Seductive rich dark fruits dominate bouquet. Game and spice notes mesh with young but integrated tannins followed by seductive dark fruit. Mega long finish that is tantalizing and unforgettable.

9/14/2014 - dfresh wrote:

Perfume and dried rose petal bouquet. Strawberry and bright red cherry notes with some bramble and minerals. Enough mouthfeel and weight to give it structure and significance. This is a ridiculous wine a winner.

2/1/2013 - dfresh wrote:

Highest rating I've ever given out on CT. This wine is showing itself now. Firm structure, elegant, rose pedals and plenty of lip smackin' grape jelly on the pallete and a long, long finish. Reminds me of a toned down Penfolds Grange.

4/16/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Pleasantly surprised how approachable this wine is at this stage. The tannins are sweet and soft, not drying, and the mouthfeel is round and plush. Not overwhelming juice, but nice blackberry, cassis and dust. Nice vanilla and caramel notes but not over oaked or over alcoholed. Medium to long finish.

4/26/2018 - dfresh wrote:

Incredibly rich, inviting and intense yet tight and structured. This is great and will become exceptional. Bouquet is knock you socks off with deep dark sweet fruit primarily cassis. Flavor notes consist of powdered chocolate, crumb cake and sweet Asian spices. Pleased how inviting this wine was at this early age. Decanted two hours.

3/4/2012 - dfresh wrote:

Certainly, previous CT scores on this wine are not in the least bit exaggerated. This wine was a knock-out; ultra refined, racy and yet deep, dark and brooding. Loads of tobacco and tar---reminiscent of Quilceda Creek. Finish never ends. Let it breath for 2-3 hours for best results.

1/27/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Earthy, fruity bouquet. Deep, rich and unforgettable mouthfeel. Flavor notes consistent from prior tastings. Loads of cola, chocolate, baking/Asian spice, strawberry bramble and plumb. There are no extracted flavors, no egregious oak treatment, no excessive tannins. You are drinking pure fruit. Mega long finsish.

4/26/2014 - dfresh wrote:

Along with rose bush and cherry cola there is some Asian notes, Asian spice and soy sauce. Coupled with a hint of vanilla this beauty is ultra juicy and complex pinot.

3/29/2014 - dfresh wrote:

The drinking window is right now. So austere, balanced and structured. Brambly blueberries and pencil lead. Nice long finish. Delightful.

2/14/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Rich bouquet of lemon tort and grahm cracker pie crust. Butterscotch, lemon and rose hip notes. Incredible finish. What a delight.

5/31/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Rich, plush mouthfeel, multiple layers of flavor, and overall complex yet approachable. Sensual and enticing, plenty of deep tropical fruits with a tad of bright, crisp acidity and citrus notes. Long finish.

6/12/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Gold yellow. Perfume, stone and cooking spice bouquet with a tad of sulfur. Round mouthfeel and alluring acidity make you want more. Notes of Asian spice, crumb cake, minerals and lychee nuts. Delightful. Complex. Long finish.

1/14/2018 - dfresh wrote:

Complex wine. Strawberry and strawberry bramble bush make a rustic yet approachable wine that begs for you to go back for another swig. Classic Burgundian with an edge towards austerity and reserved red fruits coupled with tons of wet rocks and minerals. A hint of orange peel and lilac. Lots of acidity leaves pallet refreshed not tired. Tannins hold up to acids making it perfectly balanced.

2/26/2014 - dfresh wrote:

Sensational. But only after one hour breathing. All about the fruit; no signs of oak, vanilla, brown sugar. Normally I like modest notes of vanilla but I appreciate this wine for being true to the vineyard. Tart bright strawberries and cherries dominate. Super focused and structured body. Balanced. Medium to long finish.

9/21/2014 - dfresh Likes this wine:

Definitely a statement wine. Deep and dark in the glass but a nice steely viscosity on palette; perfect combination of big fruit and elegance, plush and minerality.

11/30/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Showing nicely with savory earthy aromas paired with toasted vanilla , crumb cake and soy sauce flavor notes. Mouthfeel is somewhat chewy and immediately taunts you with impulses to go back for more. Balanced, elegant and rich. Mega long finish.

11/5/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Gorgeous bouquet of coffee cake and strawberry bramble. Super fine tannins, loads of tart strawberry and cranberry notes, and just a touch of brown sugar make up flavor profile. Ultra balanced, long finish, all in all a delicate, floral yet expressive and powerful wine.

5/19/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Bouquet of lemon mist and cake mix. Invites you to drink. Front pallet is tart with green apple, lychee nut and minerals coating the mid pallet to a long and balanced finish. What a wine!

11/12/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Young and expressive. Opened up immediately. Abundant dark and red fruits. Rich and seductive.

8/4/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Another great showing. Expressions of tartness that I associate with bright acidity, will check other notes for consistency.

6/24/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Wonderful bouquet of rich, dark, sweet fruit with a nice balance of menthol, coffee, vanilla and alcohol. The real excitement takes place on the pallet. The mouthfeel is round and thick; mouth is coated by chewy dusty tannins. Notes of dried herbs, wintergreen, bright red fruit and chocolate. 30 second finish.

3/31/2013 - dfresh wrote:

This wine is in its prime right now and I can't imagine too much more benefit from additional aging. Mesmerizing aromas and a deep rich palette.

3/5/2011 - dfresh wrote:

Massive, opulent, and extracted. Drink alone, too good to drink with food.

1/17/2021 - dfresh wrote:

Massive and expressive in mouth and throughout experience. Dark fruit, primarily cassis, and coarse tannins. A winner.

3/4/2012 - dfresh wrote:

The most balanced and structured brunello I've ever had. Such well integrated and refined tannins...and luscious fruit. Much lighter color than I'm used to with Brunello, almost like a Barolo in color. But certainly not lacking power or punch. Bravo.

1/23/2012 - dfresh wrote:

Amazing.

1/15/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Aromas of wet earth, candied red berries and spice cake. Notes of plumb, forest floor and orange peel. Ultra fine micro tannins are drying and offer a medium mouth feel. You can imagine the contrast when you experience a firm powerful and structured wine.

3/31/2015 - dfresh wrote:

Orange peel and dark cherry bouquet. Notes of cherry and chocolate coated candy orange. Round, plush, grippy, chewy tannins. Drinking well right now.

3/26/2017 - dfresh wrote:

Nutty and savory. A beautiful, dry champagne.

4/25/2013 - dfresh wrote:

This wine is a little alcoholic on the bouquet but that is where the weaknesses stop. It is tart and refreshing with more layers, complexity and bright acidity than most any zinfandel. Far from jammy, flabby and oaky. Instead I get focused, but tart fruit, and some bright minerality. The finish is the best aspect, where the balance shows and the layers go on and on.

8/14/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Gorgeous bouquet of ripe cranberries, minerals and wet soil. Fresh, zippy, lively and tart in mouth; taste buds come to life; lengthy finish. Acidity makes mouth water. Leaves you wanting another sip.

9/3/2012 - dfresh wrote:

Modest bouqet but impressive mouthfeel and ripe berry and dust pallet.

8/20/2011 - dfresh wrote:

Best bottle of Biale Zin and as a wine club member I've had at least a dozen different bottlings.

12/14/2013 - dfresh wrote:

Slightly darker and more full body than some other banner Oregon pinots.

1/31/2016 - dfresh wrote:

Positively within drinking window. Polished fine tannins. Perfectly balanced with flavor notes of wet stone, graphite, and chocolate. Medium plus finish.