In the glass it was lighter in color than many California Pinot Noir which is a good thing. Spicy/cherry cola nose. Nice Pinot fruit and well balanced an the palate. May be at it's peak now although I think it will age nicely for at least for the next 2-3 years. I wish I had more.
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I bought a case of these from Trader Joe's a few years ago for $10 a bottle and stashed a couple in the cellar to see what would happen. I'm not sure it got better but certainly more interesting. Still had decent fruit, classic Sonoma Coast profile, but picked up some earthiness and spice. I'll wait another three years before opening the next bottle.
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This is the best value pinot noir I've ever found, at Trader Joe's no less. Absolutely true to varietal with Sonoma Coast red cherry and strawberry palate, balanced acidity, slightly earthy nose, silky smooth tannins. I worked on a case all too quickly, but saved two bottles to see what happens in a few years.
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Really nice wine. Understated and elegant. Cherry and strawberry, with a little spice. Nice complexity, nuances, and length. Just tastes real rather than manufactured.
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Really great wine. Big nose of red fruits. Excellent balance and complexity. Very smooth and understated, but long and complex at the same time. Very enjoyable.
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It's only 20-30% opaque which bodes well for it behaving like a Pinot Noir. On the nose I get ample fruit, herbal tea, and a tangy (signature?) California Pinot Noir note.
On the palate it's classic domestic Pinot Noir with strawberry flavors, silky smooth texture, and hardly any tannic bite. Doesn't get overly fruity but it's satisfyingly flavorful.
Bottom line: This is legit Pinot Noir for $9.99. The only thing lacking is acidity and perhaps some minerality. But it scores points for what it *doesn't* have: I didn't detect any off-putting aromas or flavors.
Well done and a value at $9.99.
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Good little Pinot that tastes more expensive than the price. Not gamy, musty, or overdone like many low-cost Pinots, but surprisingly balanced (all of this taking into account the less than $10 price). Nice for a pop and pour or hamburger. Like one of the other tasters commented, I think it's probably not 100% Pinot. Good though.
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(14.5%) Loads of orange rind, currant and cranberries on the nose. Medium to full bodied on the palate with juicy blueberry fruit and more orange rind flavors along the edges. The mouth feel is smooth and creamy showing just a bit of heat from the barrel. The finish is short but pleasant and lingers on warmly. Given the big fruit and big style (what I call “Pinot on Steroids” which I think I lifted from @RobertDwyer) I suspect this one is getting some help from another varietal or two. A nice wine for sure but I prefer the Picket Fence which I felt was a bit more varietally correct (and it’s a buck cheaper). That said if that weren’t available I’d probably be grabbing some more of this one.
8/3/2019 - SonomaCoaster wrote: 92 Points
Still great! Worth the wait. Classic Sonoma Coast profile, secondary aromas, silky smooth finish.
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2/12/2017 - Burrloin Likes this wine: 89 Points
In the glass it was lighter in color than many California Pinot Noir which is a good thing. Spicy/cherry cola nose. Nice Pinot fruit and well balanced an the palate. May be at it's peak now although I think it will age nicely for at least for the next 2-3 years. I wish I had more.
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3/1/2015 - SonomaCoaster wrote: 90 Points
I bought a case of these from Trader Joe's a few years ago for $10 a bottle and stashed a couple in the cellar to see what would happen. I'm not sure it got better but certainly more interesting. Still had decent fruit, classic Sonoma Coast profile, but picked up some earthiness and spice. I'll wait another three years before opening the next bottle.
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11/11/2013 - Coleman wrote: 88 Points
Lithe with finesse, great delicate Pinot. Understated strawberry and blueberry, true and pure. 88.5
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5/27/2013 - Coleman wrote: 88 Points
Strawberry, plum, bing cherry. Nice finesse wine.
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4/14/2013 - Coleman wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine, with strawberry and plum. Does not overpower you, but has nice finesse.
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3/1/2013 - rfbrese Likes this wine: 85 Points
Light halo, a little alcohol on the nose. Plum up front, more cherry and blackberry on the finish. Smooth and good every day dinner wine.
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1/23/2013 - Coleman wrote: 87 Points
Strawberry, cherry, decent complexity.
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1/18/2013 - PIntag wrote: 83 Points
Tasted over 2 days. Prominent oak, slightly bitter, and candied CA pinot fruit. Not a style that I enjoy very much, but drinkable.
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11/26/2012 - SonomaCoaster Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is the best value pinot noir I've ever found, at Trader Joe's no less. Absolutely true to varietal with Sonoma Coast red cherry and strawberry palate, balanced acidity, slightly earthy nose, silky smooth tannins. I worked on a case all too quickly, but saved two bottles to see what happens in a few years.
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11/17/2012 - Coleman wrote: 86 Points
Not as good as previous bottles. Cherry, strawberry, and rhubarb. However, there was a definite sour tinge to it.
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11/8/2012 - Coleman wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine, cherry, strawberry, and a little rhubarb. Gaines complexity with air.
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10/27/2012 - Coleman wrote: 89 Points
Really nice wine. Understated and elegant. Cherry and strawberry, with a little spice. Nice complexity, nuances, and length. Just tastes real rather than manufactured.
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10/9/2012 - Coleman wrote: 89 Points
Very nice wine, which improves with air. Cherry and strawberry, well balanced and good complexity. A pleasure to drink.
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3/11/2012 - Coleman wrote: 90 Points
Really great wine. Big nose of red fruits. Excellent balance and complexity. Very smooth and understated, but long and complex at the same time. Very enjoyable.
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5/12/2011 - RobertDwyer wrote: 87 Points
My bottle lists the ABV at 13.8%.
It's only 20-30% opaque which bodes well for it behaving like a Pinot Noir. On the nose I get ample fruit, herbal tea, and a tangy (signature?) California Pinot Noir note.
On the palate it's classic domestic Pinot Noir with strawberry flavors, silky smooth texture, and hardly any tannic bite. Doesn't get overly fruity but it's satisfyingly flavorful.
Bottom line: This is legit Pinot Noir for $9.99. The only thing lacking is acidity and perhaps some minerality. But it scores points for what it *doesn't* have: I didn't detect any off-putting aromas or flavors.
Well done and a value at $9.99.
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3/9/2011 - garywa wrote: 86 Points
A little musty on the nose, lighter fruit, bright
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2/3/2011 - jupiter33 wrote: 86 Points
Jason (below) got the profile down. Nice for the price.
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12/7/2010 - vegasrenie wrote: 85 Points
Good little Pinot that tastes more expensive than the price. Not gamy, musty, or overdone like many low-cost Pinots, but surprisingly balanced (all of this taking into account the less than $10 price). Nice for a pop and pour or hamburger. Like one of the other tasters commented, I think it's probably not 100% Pinot. Good though.
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11/29/2010 - Jason Rzutkiewicz wrote: 86 Points
(14.5%) Loads of orange rind, currant and cranberries on the nose. Medium to full bodied on the palate with juicy blueberry fruit and more orange rind flavors along the edges. The mouth feel is smooth and creamy showing just a bit of heat from the barrel. The finish is short but pleasant and lingers on warmly. Given the big fruit and big style (what I call “Pinot on Steroids” which I think I lifted from @RobertDwyer) I suspect this one is getting some help from another varietal or two. A nice wine for sure but I prefer the Picket Fence which I felt was a bit more varietally correct (and it’s a buck cheaper). That said if that weren’t available I’d probably be grabbing some more of this one.
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11/13/2010 - Chili wrote: 83 Points
Very concentrated musty quality with earthy fruit mutations
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