September 22, 2023 - Retail $65. I was in the midst of a quick (?) inventory of my cellar and I "found" way too many bottles "missing". But there is almost always a bright side and this was it: this bottle was nowhere to be found in my records, and therefore was a "free" bottle. Hallelujah! Well, Clos Pepe is hallowed ground to me and Siduri is a brand that lured me into this whole "wine thing" so I felt like I was playing with house money. And I was. Dark in the glass--much darker than any Pinot should aspire to be with dark, almost stewed blackberry and cassis fruit. Again, strange for a Pinot. But Clos Pepe is no ordinary vineyard and Adam Lee is no hum-drum winemaker. Rich, layered, and tart, this wine, while by no means "huge" is certainly "big" with intense fruit and an incredible depth. Yes, this is a 16-year-old Pinot and yes, this is certainly on the "big" side of the variety. But it is also incredibly well-balanced and tasty. Bravo to both Adam and Wes.
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July 11, 2020 - This wine is still going strong, still big fruit forward Pinot that stole the show at a 4 bottle Pinot tasting. I had expected some softening, but this 13 year old Pinot isn’t giving up anything at this point. 93
January 6, 2018 - Retail $65. Siduri? Big fan. Clos Pepe? Huge fan. This wine? Whoa. Dark cherry and earth dominate the nose with hints of eucalyptus and sage. Whoa. On the palate this is a fruity Pinot lover’s delight: rich fruit, great tartness, and just the right amount of earth. This will never be confused with an Old World Pinot, but holy cow, it’s good. 93. thedrunkencyclist.com
October 23, 2017 - Whoa. While the last bottle I had of this exhibited some stewed characteristics, absolutely none of that here. Big juicy red fruit on the nose and the palate with that characteristic Siduri balance. Yes, this is on the bigger side of Pinot, even a decade out, but when it is balanced, it can be a beautiful wine. thedrunkencyclist.com
June 24, 2017 - I have a special place in my hear for both Siduri and Clos Pepe. I have met both Adam Lee of Siduri and Wes Hagen of Clos Peep on numerous occasions (including one where we were all making pizza on the Clos Pepe patio), so I am perhaps a bit biased. While I think the Clos Pepe label is the best iteration of the vineyard, Siduri is a clos (pun intended) second). Great, rich (and slightly stewed) fruit serves as a welcome, with intense flavors and depth on th e mid-palate. The finish is admirable and long. Whoa. thedrunkencyclist.com
January 7, 2017 - For its age this wine is still amazing. Fruit forward, well structured and still has lots of great flavor. Classic Clos Pepe.
August 4, 2016 - Warning: This is not a delicate Pinot!
Color is pretty deep red and the nose has a nice bouquet of ripe dark fruit, wet oak and a hint of wet hay. In the mouth it's very full body, medium dry with big flavors. Not complex and it actually made me think more syrah than pinot! Jammy fruit of sweet cherry, plum, and raspberry/cranberry. Long finish with some black pepper on the back end.
An absolute joy all around! Not super complex but the note it hits is marvelous.
June 18, 2016 - My last bottle. beautiful plum nose, spice and dust in the bouquet.this wine really had another 5 years in front of it. Tannic albeit soft in the finish, good balance. Still plenty of acid to carry the fruit
June 21, 2015 - Popped and poured. Really enjoyable. Nicely balanced.
December 24, 2014 - Still nice color and good backbone. Could last at least 2 more years. Still plenty of fruit. Well integrated now very complex nose and taste. Very full body, more of the over extracted Cali pinot style which detracts from the rating.
Typical red fruits and terroir of Sta. Rita. What is different in this Clos pepe is the smoke and bacon undertones. Matched perfectly to christmas ham.