Still very fresh and fruit forward after 9 years. Round and soft, with an earthy and smokey finish. Black cherry, mushroom, and a hint of black pepper. Very nice.
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I don’t naturally take to a Pinot Noir with 15% alcohol with big flavours and textures like a Shiraz, and this is no exception. However, it has impeccable balance and lovely acidity that keeps it all intact. Nice, even if not my style.
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Really nice with some extra botle age. Depth of the fruit without being sweet, coy, or overdone had integrated nicely. Dark cherry, baking spice, hint of baking cocoa. Drank over three days and it held up really well. In a good spot right now.
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A Pinot to give your average Burgundy-lover a heart attack... Opaque, intense, sweet, 15% alcohol! If there is acidity and tannin in there they're hiding well below the silky surface. In other words, a stereotypical turbocharged Californian red.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Only if you're comparing it to some Gevrey-Paragon. And that would be daft.
On its own terms this is simply irresistible, and delicious. What to eat with it? I found the best match was chocolate brownies.
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Bouquet: Fruity complex Color: Light Purple-violet Body: Medium Acids: High Tannins: Medium Balance: Well balanced Fruitiness: High Finish: Complex, long
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This was decent bottle. Had at "First Course" in Minneapolis. Went well with Red Curry Mussels and duck with sour cherry compote and sweet potato purée. Very vibrant fruit with raspberry, cherry and touch of plum. Good acidity.
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Exceptional value. Tart fruit, cherries and just a hint of earth on the nose. Medium bodied with well balanced acidity. Dances a bit on the tongue, which is a nice surprise for a sub $20 pinot noir. Medium finish.
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Restaurant - Il Forniao - 2012 (Coronado, San Diego, CA): Wife really liked this. Grapes from San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Sonoma counties. Complex. Young - still could use some aging. Went well with shrimp, mussels, and scallops with tomatoes and linguini. Tasted at Il Forniao restaurant on Coronado island. A decent price at retail $16, but overpriced at $39 restaurant price.
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Crystalline, dark cranberry with a luscious rose-colored rim. Nicely layered, almost lacquered. Medium-body. Bright red cherry, cranberry, red plum, rhubarb, and strawberry. Secondary notes of baking spice, cola, rose petal, and a hint of cardamom. Good acidity. Young and a tad raw (14.5% abv). I'd like to revisit in three-to-five years. QPR: $17.
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Earthy, dusty nose with cherry and red berry fruit and spice aromas. Light-to-mid bodied, with grip and refreshing acidity. Sweet notes of cherries, plums, blackberries, cola, dried flowers, Asian spices, and minerals on the palate. Attractive.
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10/6/2019 - SommelierSam Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still very fresh and fruit forward after 9 years. Round and soft, with an earthy and smokey finish. Black cherry, mushroom, and a hint of black pepper. Very nice.
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8/25/2018 - Lordswood wrote: 88 Points
I don’t naturally take to a Pinot Noir with 15% alcohol with big flavours and textures like a Shiraz, and this is no exception. However, it has impeccable balance and lovely acidity that keeps it all intact. Nice, even if not my style.
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11/18/2016 - njgolfer Likes this wine: 88 Points
Really nice with some extra botle age. Depth of the fruit without being sweet, coy, or overdone had integrated nicely. Dark cherry, baking spice, hint of baking cocoa. Drank over three days and it held up really well. In a good spot right now.
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3/15/2015 - WinoTim wrote: 88 Points
Similar to earlier experiences. Nice fruit forward wine.
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4/18/2014 - Duncan Likes this wine: 90 Points
A Pinot to give your average Burgundy-lover a heart attack... Opaque, intense, sweet, 15% alcohol! If there is acidity and tannin in there they're hiding well below the silky surface. In other words, a stereotypical turbocharged Californian red.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Only if you're comparing it to some Gevrey-Paragon. And that would be daft.
On its own terms this is simply irresistible, and delicious. What to eat with it? I found the best match was chocolate brownies.
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2/16/2014 - WinoTim wrote: 88 Points
Compared well with Marimar's Christina Pinot Noir
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6/20/2013 - Burgessdpilot wrote: 85 Points
Ouch. Not this bottle.
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4/28/2013 - sortiarius Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bouquet: Fruity complex
Color: Light Purple-violet
Body: Medium
Acids: High
Tannins: Medium
Balance: Well balanced
Fruitiness: High
Finish: Complex, long
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4/11/2013 - sortiarius Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bouquet: Fruity-soft
Color: Light brown-violet
Body:Light-medium
Acids: Medium
Tannins: Light
Fruitiness: Very strong
Finish: Long and complex
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3/31/2013 - jeward wrote: 88 Points
Solid Pinot. Fruit forward with flavors of atone fruit, especially cherries. Plenty of tannins and acidity to balance out the finish.
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2/2/2013 - bkrup wrote: 89 Points
This was decent bottle. Had at "First Course" in Minneapolis. Went well with Red Curry Mussels and duck with sour cherry compote and sweet potato purée. Very vibrant fruit with raspberry, cherry and touch of plum. Good acidity.
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1/16/2013 - Kelliepeterson Likes this wine: 89 Points
Exceptional value. Tart fruit, cherries and just a hint of earth on the nose. Medium bodied with well balanced acidity. Dances a bit on the tongue, which is a nice surprise for a sub $20 pinot noir. Medium finish.
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12/21/2012 - Wine Gent Likes this wine: 90 Points
Restaurant - Il Forniao - 2012 (Coronado, San Diego, CA): Wife really liked this. Grapes from San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Sonoma counties. Complex. Young - still could use some aging. Went well with shrimp, mussels, and scallops with tomatoes and linguini. Tasted at Il Forniao restaurant on Coronado island. A decent price at retail $16, but overpriced at $39 restaurant price.
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12/15/2012 - WinoTim wrote: 88 Points
Nice light fruit. Pleasing finish. Enjoyed with grilled chicken with jerk marinade.
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10/11/2012 - Burgessdpilot Likes this wine: 90 Points
wow. nice pinot i caught on closeout. nice fruit, balanced, smooth finish.
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9/7/2012 - buffyst Likes this wine: 88 Points
Crystalline, dark cranberry with a luscious rose-colored rim. Nicely layered, almost lacquered. Medium-body. Bright red cherry, cranberry, red plum, rhubarb, and strawberry. Secondary notes of baking spice, cola, rose petal, and a hint of cardamom. Good acidity. Young and a tad raw (14.5% abv). I'd like to revisit in three-to-five years. QPR: $17.
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6/6/2012 - Aneurq wrote: 87 Points
I really liked this for a Pinot Noir, it had a lot of dark fruit/berry undertones--very delicious.
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5/5/2012 - Baron Slick wrote: 88 Points
Earthy, dusty nose with cherry and red berry fruit and spice aromas. Light-to-mid bodied, with grip and refreshing acidity. Sweet notes of cherries, plums, blackberries, cola, dried flowers, Asian spices, and minerals on the palate. Attractive.
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