March 12, 2024 - Hanging on to a core of cherry fruit impressively well. Black cherries, leather, mineral.
April 21, 2021 - Dark purple in the glass, with notes of stewed cherries and kirsch on the nose. Opens with cherries, blackberries, oak, and kirsch, before transitioning to an earthy finish. This is a heavier, jammy style, reminiscent of a light syrah. Clocks in at 14.4 ABV. At 9 years old, the fruit is still prevalent and the secondary flavors are somewhat subdued. Nice balance on the sweetness versus acid keeps the wine from being flabby. I would guess that its drinking window extends another 5 years.
August 14, 2020 - Big jammy brute typical of the vintage and punches well within expectation. Not typically my style but we were having lamb luc lac and wok fried eggplant so I figured it’d pair well.
On the nose you get touches of leather, ripened red fruit, And some graham cracker.
On the palate there’s medium tannin, red bell pepper, and even touches of tobacco and a hint of spice.
If you’re a fan of warm vintage Oregon Pinot this might be the perfect expression. If you’re like me and prefer the bottlings from the cooler years, pick up half a case for those nights you want to have a rack of lamb but don’t want to reach for cab or Syrah
June 10, 2020 - Faded, no fruit. Drink up if you still have any.
January 9, 2020 - Medium dark garnet color, aromas of cedar forest and menthol. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry, a touch of plum with notes of cinnamon and spice, and nice mild acidity and soft but present tannin. Everything in nice balance, really nice wine! doesn't need any food just an easy-chair.
October 4, 2019 - Medium garnet color with aromas of wet cedar shavings, mushroom, and mild dark fruit. Started off a little flat/elegant with muted fruit flavor. Following it through a couple hours it definitely opened up and changed character. Flavors of black cherry cola and blackberry with baking spice and mocha finish, nice acidity piques the flavors just right. If you drank this and commented out of the bottle, not so much, but it's got some legs left and after 2 hours, wow! this will go for some time yet 2022? maybe a little more. Got 11 left!!
November 22, 2018 - CORKED
September 29, 2018 - Sorry this was my last bottle. I REALLY love this wine. Great Ribbon Ridge example.
May 2, 2018 - Prior bottle was just under five months ago and my notes remain consistent. When first opened, this was thinner than I recalled, less bright and less dense. But after two hours open, it had balanced out quite well and fully recalled my prior notes and by three hours, was showing quite well. Black cherry, vanilla and earth on the nose, but the vanilla is becoming more noticeable. Medium bodied with black cherry and plum upfront and a mid-body that shows a lot of roundness and good density. Tart cherry in the background along with vanilla, oak, minerals, earth and red cherry through the finish. I would drink these before year end. It won't fall apart quickly, but this is as good as this wine will show. Don't wait, enjoy this wine for what it's showing today.
March 3, 2018 - Still really like this wine. A full body Pinot for a ribbon Ridge as mentioned before. Seems like it's on the downslope and needs to be consumed though. I have one more bottle that will be popped before the end of the year.