September 30, 2016 - Expected more from a 2006
November 9, 2013 - A little past prime. It was a little thin to other vintages I've tasted. Overall a nice wine after about an hour opened
August 22, 2012 - Watery, tasteless. Past it's prime?
March 19, 2012 - Solid 89. It is not a 90, despite my wishes to make it so. Carneros, oh why have you forsaken me? I had high hopes that this one would be a 90. It was actually held to the CORRECT maturity date. Popped tonight with a chicken florentine pasta. This wine was decanted as the initial waft out of the bottle revealed next to nothing and the initial pour into a shot glass revealed a little red cherry but just about NOTHING else. Upon 30 minutes of decanting, the wine was barely showing. Whaaa? Yes, barely showing. The wine was unidimensional at first, but the fruit that was there? Some currant, blackberry pie, and some dark chocolate, currant, but as the wine did settle... wait, did I taste mulberry or some other brambleberry? Sour cherry? Yes, I think I did, and after ANOTHER 30 minutes and after the food was long gone, this wine was kicking into full gear and was just starting to announce its presence. I fear that everyone else didn't decant this...and they missed out on a lot. Earth note started to announce its presence after about 45 minutes to 60 minutes of decanting. Finished with some rather elegant tannins that held the flavor of brambleberry pie and chocolate until the next taste. Man, what a wonderful Pinot Noir for a rainy Monday night. Drink now - this one will go through 2012 but no more.
July 30, 2011 - This bottle was void of fruit.
July 29, 2011 - Light+ ruby, clear with a brownish hue. Herbaceous nose, wet leaves, pinot stink, jambon cru, some red berries, the fruit tones are subdued, white pepper, alcohol heat (13.5%) clear on the nose. Dry, medium acidity, low tannins, Butterscotch (malo?), caramel, red cherries and ditto berries, strawberries, pepper. Fruit aromas more defined on the palate than on the nose. Medium body, encompassing mouth feel, well defined and focussed. Medium 6-8 sec sweet finish, well integrated and balanced, yet very 1-dimensional. Well crafted wine but lacks character and spine, no intrigue. Reminds me of the 'generic' limpid NZ pinot. How many more of these do we need?
Value/money = 6
March 18, 2010 - I am not a big Pinot drinker (check the record), and this is certainly not a great example of the genre, but I found myself contemplating about drinking more Pinot Noir, so something good was happening. I found it more weighty than many I have had, with cherry and plum flavors with reasonable tannins. I may regret this post after some l Burgundies are consumed, but for now a reasonable wine.
January 23, 2010 - This is an completely acceptable iteration of Pinot Noir. The nose and taste won't make you ruminate, cogitate and hmmm and hahh over it but it's a great quaffer with some good home cooked food, Chicken Paprika in my case (my wife says it's her best yet!).
October 25, 2009 - Better than our last bottle of this. Slightly sweet sour cherry with a nice mineral streak on the midpalate. Not bad.
October 21, 2009 - cough , spit , choke. tasted watery, very unexciting. Bought one bottle to taste and thank goodness I did not by more.