Really conflicted about this wine. On the one hand, this is not the normal flavor profile for a Pinot Noir. On the other hand, it's hard not to love the delicious plum and smoke flavors, especially given the relative lack of tannins. This was a velvety, sensuous experience. Paired exceptionally and equally well with turkey noodle soup, jerk chicken, and brown sugar ham.
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Aromas of strawberries, cassis with a mild oak fade in the glass. Good berry and cherry fruit flavors with subtle accents of oak, char and herbs finishing dry and clean with decent length. Great value
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Wow. This wine is not very good. Had a glass at a restaurant and it was completely flat, showing no fruit. I read that after opening up (45 mins - an hour) it did show better, but this left me very disappointed.
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No real sense of a varietal or place. It's just a red, rich wine that's just short of being okay. On the nose, the barn-yard thang – brettanomyces running rampant?
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For an everyday Pinot Noir at this price point, I actually really find this wine enjoyable and food-friendly. Thin to medium body, with aromas of dark berries. Sweet flavors on entry, with molasses and a little baking spice. Medium finish.
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Somewhat thin and nondescript on the palate with smoke and peat over berry on the nose with a bit much heat. The palate has some berry and smoke but again is, on the whole, nondescript. This is not terribly flawed but really is out of balance and does not have too much in the way of appealing character. With the right food would be pleasant.
Even at $10 I don't think it is a good deal; there is better Pinot out there for the price (even in Burgundy - see La Foret by Joseph Drouhin...).
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Took a while to open up and always had a very muted nose. After about 45 minutes some red fruit started to come through but pretty one dimensional. It was okay but will not get a return visit.
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Slightly sour nose with alcohol. Vague berries segue to a jammy finish. Nothing stellar, but for the price, it's a decent swill. The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Medium.
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On the plus side, this is a decent Pinot Noir for the price - it actually smells and tastes like pinot. On the negative, there is a slight syrupy taste and feel that's not pinot.
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Nose: Burg funk on the nose with some loam. Pretty cool nose for a low end offering. Palate: The funk aspects show with dark fruits. For a cheapie Pinot not bad.
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This wine really pulls me in two opposite directions. Almost everyone I know drinks several bottles every year, and enjoys it. I see it in most wine drinker's houses. I have mucho respect for the company, and know many people who work there. I don't completely dislike it, but I don't like the broken twig, tree root, cardamon flavor on the mid palate. They do some things really right. It has solid deep red color. The nose is Pinot, flowers and barnyard at the same time. They brought some creamy richness to the palate. Nice cherry and blackberry fruit. Just enough oak to round things out. Pretty well balanced and integrated. Maybe it is just me, as most Pinots in this price range taste watered down and lifeless, and I'm complaining about too much flavor! I did decant for several hours, and used proper stemware. Hope they sell a lot.
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Really bad stuff. Up front some fruit on the nose and palate but some air killed this wine and it reminded me of easter egg dye. Maybe the purple stuff. It is hard to believe a local som recommends this wine but we can't all have advanced palates.
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12/2/2014 - ellars wrote:
Really conflicted about this wine. On the one hand, this is not the normal flavor profile for a Pinot Noir. On the other hand, it's hard not to love the delicious plum and smoke flavors, especially given the relative lack of tannins. This was a velvety, sensuous experience. Paired exceptionally and equally well with turkey noodle soup, jerk chicken, and brown sugar ham.
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9/26/2014 - The Chadd wrote: 80 Points
For $10, this Pinot holds up well. But you only get a little more than what you pay for.
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3/19/2014 - shorty01 Likes this wine:
I'd never guess this to be a Pinot in a blind tasting. However, it is generous in dark cherry fruitiness, and would be a nice pizza or barbecue wine.
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1/15/2014 - Sijan Likes this wine: 85 Points
Continues to be a good value pinot noir w/ good cherry & berry fruit & enough acidity to pair well with food
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11/23/2013 - cojunbali Likes this wine: 86 Points
always a great value cali pinot. cherry, mineral and forest floor on the nose. subtle oak, cherry, mineral and some blueberry on the finish.
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10/27/2013 - akasalem wrote: 84 Points
Aromas of strawberries, cassis with a mild oak fade in the glass. Good berry and cherry fruit flavors with subtle accents of oak, char and herbs finishing dry and clean with decent length. Great value
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6/27/2013 - Kesslerc14 wrote: 83 Points
Good cheap Pinot Noir. Magnum bottle
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6/8/2013 - Bigatlwineguy wrote: 81 Points
Overly dry and sour
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5/16/2013 - GellersCellar wrote: 88 Points
Always good!
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3/30/2013 - svenya55 wrote:
Wow. This wine is not very good. Had a glass at a restaurant and it was completely flat, showing no fruit. I read that after opening up (45 mins - an hour) it did show better, but this left me very disappointed.
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3/15/2013 - FrugalGlug Does not like this wine: 82 Points
No real sense of a varietal or place. It's just a red, rich wine that's just short of being okay. On the nose, the barn-yard thang – brettanomyces running rampant?
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3/10/2013 - dsjutah Likes this wine: 83 Points
For an everyday Pinot Noir at this price point, I actually really find this wine enjoyable and food-friendly. Thin to medium body, with aromas of dark berries. Sweet flavors on entry, with molasses and a little baking spice. Medium finish.
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2/27/2013 - daviddepoy wrote:
annie
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2/16/2013 - Rossodio wrote: 80 Points
Somewhat thin and nondescript on the palate with smoke and peat over berry on the nose with a bit much heat. The palate has some berry and smoke but again is, on the whole, nondescript. This is not terribly flawed but really is out of balance and does not have too much in the way of appealing character. With the right food would be pleasant.
Even at $10 I don't think it is a good deal; there is better Pinot out there for the price (even in Burgundy - see La Foret by Joseph Drouhin...).
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2/12/2013 - rmgambrel Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Took a while to open up and always had a very muted nose. After about 45 minutes some red fruit started to come through but pretty one dimensional. It was okay but will not get a return visit.
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1/6/2013 - csnash22 wrote: 84 Points
But of smoke on the nose. Red fruit and berry flavors with soft tannins. Good value at the price point.
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1/4/2013 - SEA2012 Likes this wine: 80 Points
Slightly sour nose with alcohol. Vague berries segue to a jammy finish. Nothing stellar, but for the price, it's a decent swill.
The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Medium.
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12/15/2012 - ProfPaul Likes this wine:
On the plus side, this is a decent Pinot Noir for the price - it actually smells and tastes like pinot. On the negative, there is a slight syrupy taste and feel that's not pinot.
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12/3/2012 - Kesslerc14 wrote: 82 Points
Pinot on the nose. Not very complex flavors. Could do worse for 9 bucks though
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12/2/2012 - Pirate Dog wrote: 70 Points
Flat and sour.
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11/24/2012 - Insipidness wrote: 75 Points
Not a terrible Pinot Noir but there are better options at this price point. Slight vinegar odor on the nose and in the finish.
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11/18/2012 - jdjhearn wrote: 75 Points
pleasant aroma
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11/17/2012 - WinePT wrote: 85 Points
Continues to be a good QPR.
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10/29/2012 - Mattshank wrote: 87 Points
Nose: Burg funk on the nose with some loam. Pretty cool nose for a low end offering. Palate: The funk aspects show with dark fruits. For a cheapie Pinot not bad.
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10/21/2012 - Vervelb wrote: 85 Points
Nose is Pinot, but weird wood mid-palate mars an otherwise balanced wine, good with food and decent value.
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10/1/2012 - fireman4 wrote:
Okay flavors. Strong grape taste on start. Tastes a little better after an hour or so. Nothing special though.
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8/21/2012 - Tim Heaton Does not like this wine:
(sadly) consistent tn's. A cheapo party wine that I could not manage more than a few sips and swirls.
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6/16/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 86 Points
This wine really pulls me in two opposite directions. Almost everyone I know drinks several bottles every year, and enjoys it. I see it in most wine drinker's houses. I have mucho respect for the company, and know many people who work there. I don't completely dislike it, but I don't like the broken twig, tree root, cardamon flavor on the mid palate. They do some things really right. It has solid deep red color. The nose is Pinot, flowers and barnyard at the same time. They brought some creamy richness to the palate. Nice cherry and blackberry fruit. Just enough oak to round things out. Pretty well balanced and integrated. Maybe it is just me, as most Pinots in this price range taste watered down and lifeless, and I'm complaining about too much flavor! I did decant for several hours, and used proper stemware. Hope they sell a lot.
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5/19/2012 - Tim Heaton Does not like this wine:
what Dan said. Short, simple, barely quaffable. Little to no resemblance to any Pinot Noir based wine I can recall.
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4/7/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 77 Points
Really bad stuff. Up front some fruit on the nose and palate but some air killed this wine and it reminded me of easter egg dye. Maybe the purple stuff. It is hard to believe a local som recommends this wine but we can't all have advanced palates.
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4/6/2012 - DanTheRhoneFan wrote: 84 Points
Nothing special but not bad either. Very simple taste. Very smooth.. no tannins to speak of. Not a lot of finish. Drinkable but forgettable.
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2/21/2012 - sipnwine Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Wouldn't purchase this again, much better wines to be had at this price
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1/17/2012 - Arkiefoodie wrote: 85 Points
Potent nose of mushroom and vague orange. Lovely mellow and smooth mouth. No tannin. Great everyday wine to pair with cheese or meat.
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