Purchased in June 2012 and aged in an off-site wine locker. Beautiful nose upon opening the bottle. Poured into a decanter. Initial taste had a soft entry with smooth texture. Long finish on the initial taste. After 30 minutes, taste has elevated and shows more fruit flavors of deep cherry with some hints of strawberry. Texture is beginning to feel full. Very enjoyable at this mid-point of the tasting. Mid-point in the tasting was approximately 1 hour after opening and decanting. Nose has become more prevalent and expressive. Taste carries for a long period at the front part of the palate. Tasting great at this point and approaching 1 1/2 hour from initial decanting. After the 1 1/2 hours, I enjoyed it with a nice tomahawk pork chop with buttered asparagus. Secondary flavors coming through. Very different kind of Pinot with a more full body compared to some light gentle bodied Pinots. Overall a fantastic Pinot and highly recommended.
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My other bottle had been flawed so this is my first tasting at home; I had it among others with Jim at Wren. Holy shit. Why have I been drinking these other dainty, flowery Pinots. I love this. Russell & Jim: bravo.
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Big sweet nose of black raspberries, plums, damp earth, American Smarties candy, some smoke, cocoa powder, and some red fruit at the end. Plums, cassis, licorice, black cherry, earth, spice, and some alcohol on the palate. Fair acidity, long finish, full-body, a little heat. Interesting wine. It's big, sweet, and cocktail-like, but there are some nice nuances that keep it interesting. It was excellent with a charred steak - that's how big this is. I would rate it higher if the alcohol wasn't as intrusive.
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Definite winner from Wren Hop. Rich, full and flavorful. Complex and crazy good. Not your Grandpa's Pinot. Full-bodied and mouth-filling. Dark berry, savory and spice. Not shy and demure- the middle linebacker of Pinot Noir!!
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Big, robust and complex with savory smells and flavors. Benefits from decanting to allow further integration. Spice box, forest floor, mushroom and ripe plums. Very intense and full bodied but not overbearing. Extremely complex and distinct.
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This is a very big pinot. Lots of red and black fruit with a fair amount of oak showing on the palate. I was hoping the oak would integrate over time but it did not.
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Wonderfully rich and hedonistic. Incredible mouthfeel and rich red and black fruit with delicious attack on the palate. Lovely bottle with full bodied delivery and persistent finish. Favorite bottle of the night. Not your grandpa's Pinot!
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Lovely, albeit big, Pinot Noir. I typically am not a fan of this style of wine, but this one goes down beautifully, even at such a young stage. WOTF that included a Kosta Brown 2009.
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Dark and slightly cloudy. Coco, cinamon, and dark berries on the nose. The mouth is absolutely huge, velvety, rich, and decadent. This wine keeps getting better, and I'm pretty sure it is a few years away from its potential. New World Pinot.
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One of the more hedonistic Pinots I have come across. Dark, rich and very complex. The adjectives that flowed after smelling and tasting included; mushroom, oysters, earthy, meaty, floral, lavender and sens sens- yes the classic licorice candy. It is more akin to Cabernet or Syrah, but does have a tell-tale Pinot funk. This is definitely a powerhouse and you must like the style to enjoy this offering. I do, and loved the mouthfilling buffet of complexity this offers.
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Very nice effort. Strong raspberry and strawberry notes. Mouthful of acid and fruit. Should mature nicely. Not overly complex. Closer to a Radio Coteau or Archery Summit than a Martinelli or Marcassin.
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A silky smooth, dense, well balanced, new world pinot. There is great depth to this wine. Raspberry and vanilla notes. I look forward to the next vintage.
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If you like big rich pinots this is one to try. It is fairly complex with a great mouth feel and finish that goes on and on. One of the better pinots I have had.
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4/9/2023 - srkool Likes this wine: 95 Points
Purchased in June 2012 and aged in an off-site wine locker. Beautiful nose upon opening the bottle. Poured into a decanter. Initial taste had a soft entry with smooth texture. Long finish on the initial taste. After 30 minutes, taste has elevated and shows more fruit flavors of deep cherry with some hints of strawberry. Texture is beginning to feel full. Very enjoyable at this mid-point of the tasting. Mid-point in the tasting was approximately 1 hour after opening and decanting. Nose has become more prevalent and expressive. Taste carries for a long period at the front part of the palate. Tasting great at this point and approaching 1 1/2 hour from initial decanting. After the 1 1/2 hours, I enjoyed it with a nice tomahawk pork chop with buttered asparagus. Secondary flavors coming through. Very different kind of Pinot with a more full body compared to some light gentle bodied Pinots. Overall a fantastic Pinot and highly recommended.
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12/18/2016 - jhieb Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious. Perfect birthday bottle.
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1/16/2015 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 95 Points
My other bottle had been flawed so this is my first tasting at home; I had it among others with Jim at Wren. Holy shit. Why have I been drinking these other dainty, flowery Pinots. I love this. Russell & Jim: bravo.
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1/4/2015 - jhieb Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine has softened a little, but it is still a massive Pinot. What blew me away is the velvety texture. Remarkable stuff.
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10/5/2014 - rmh66 wrote: 91 Points
Big sweet nose of black raspberries, plums, damp earth, American Smarties candy, some smoke, cocoa powder, and some red fruit at the end. Plums, cassis, licorice, black cherry, earth, spice, and some alcohol on the palate. Fair acidity, long finish, full-body, a little heat. Interesting wine. It's big, sweet, and cocktail-like, but there are some nice nuances that keep it interesting. It was excellent with a charred steak - that's how big this is. I would rate it higher if the alcohol wasn't as intrusive.
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2/8/2014 - yaCellar wrote: flawed
My bottle was heavily corked. What a disappointment!
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1/15/2014 - bjr11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Absolutely fantastic, drinking perfectly, well balanced fruit and finish
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1/11/2014 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Definite winner from Wren Hop. Rich, full and flavorful. Complex and crazy good. Not your Grandpa's Pinot. Full-bodied and mouth-filling. Dark berry, savory and spice. Not shy and demure- the middle linebacker of Pinot Noir!!
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12/8/2013 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big, robust and complex with savory smells and flavors. Benefits from decanting to allow further integration. Spice box, forest floor, mushroom and ripe plums. Very intense and full bodied but not overbearing. Extremely complex and distinct.
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7/29/2013 - cellar.dweller wrote: 90 Points
This is a very big pinot. Lots of red and black fruit with a fair amount of oak showing on the palate. I was hoping the oak would integrate over time but it did not.
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5/17/2013 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderfully rich and hedonistic. Incredible mouthfeel and rich red and black fruit with delicious attack on the palate. Lovely bottle with full bodied delivery and persistent finish. Favorite bottle of the night. Not your grandpa's Pinot!
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5/1/2013 - Simoncino wrote: 93 Points
Lovely, albeit big, Pinot Noir. I typically am not a fan of this style of wine, but this one goes down beautifully, even at such a young stage. WOTF that included a Kosta Brown 2009.
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4/9/2013 - jhieb Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark and slightly cloudy. Coco, cinamon, and dark berries on the nose. The mouth is absolutely huge, velvety, rich, and decadent. This wine keeps getting better, and I'm pretty sure it is a few years away from its potential. New World Pinot.
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2/11/2013 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 93 Points
One of the more hedonistic Pinots I have come across. Dark, rich and very complex. The adjectives that flowed after smelling and tasting included; mushroom, oysters, earthy, meaty, floral, lavender and sens sens- yes the classic licorice candy. It is more akin to Cabernet or Syrah, but does have a tell-tale Pinot funk. This is definitely a powerhouse and you must like the style to enjoy this offering. I do, and loved the mouthfilling buffet of complexity this offers.
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9/13/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 91 Points
California Wine Country with Jill for our 30th's; 9/9/2012-9/15/2012 (California): Taste with Victoria Bevan at the winery.
Funky, lighter body. Cranberry, raspberry, ocean breeze. Nice funky and damp earth. Palate is richer.
Awesome mid palate. Structure and forceful but still lighter. Masculine.
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8/11/2012 - RAD2626 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice effort. Strong raspberry and strawberry notes. Mouthful of acid and fruit. Should mature nicely. Not overly complex. Closer to a Radio Coteau or Archery Summit than a Martinelli or Marcassin.
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6/30/2012 - jhieb wrote: 93 Points
A silky smooth, dense, well balanced, new world pinot. There is great depth to this wine. Raspberry and vanilla notes. I look forward to the next vintage.
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12/18/2011 - kanab ram wrote:
Consistent with the first two notes but wanted to add it is also incredibly balanced for its youth. One of the best pinots of 2011 for me.
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7/18/2011 - winopops3 wrote: 95 Points
If you like big rich pinots this is one to try. It is fairly complex with a great mouth feel and finish that goes on and on. One of the better pinots I have had.
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5/29/2011 - jhieb wrote: 94 Points
Fantastic. Heavy, dense, and complex. Definitely a new world Pinot.
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