Fairly typical if rather big-boned Sta. Rita Hills pinot noir, which at 11 years of age is not yet over the hill. I don't recall buying this bottle, but somehow it's not surprising that it's made by Tensley ... like their syrah, this is a fruit-forward yet structured wine that's reasonable value for those looking for this style. It's not the last or even first word in subtlety or restraint, but it does offer ample aromas and flavors of black cherry and lavender soap.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Relatively rare for a Pinot Noir, opaque with an inch pour. Richly perfumed black cherry, blackberry, and lavender. Enters the mouth supremely juicy, lushly textured, refreshingly acidic, and deliciously fruity. The swallow exposes an undertow of drying tannin. Wonderful straight from the just opened bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet to crimson, medium legs. Aromas of cranberry, cherry, light toast, clove and cinnamon; on the palate, cranberry and spices are more distinct. Medium body, linear texture, medium to a bit longer finish. Acidity is medium, with noticeable fruit tannins and less pronounced wood tannins. A balanced, varietally correct Pinot Noir. Enjoyable. At $25, though, QPR is clearly below average. Drink now or within 1 year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely deep royal purple color, with endearing aromas of lilac, purple raspberry, and black cherry. Luxuriantly silky, lush, juicy, and caressing in the mouth, with refreshing acidity, smooth tannin, and delicious fruit. Superb with food after food, while being completely satisfying by itself. Drinks great straight from the just opened bottle, and will remain fully enjoyable anytime in the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Significantly better over the past year. Good cherry/strawberry fruit with smooth tannins. Spicy finish that lingers in your mouth. Same wine, much more interesting to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I am a fan of sta. Rita Pinot, but the cola flavors in this wine are out of balance. Medium ruby brilliant appearance. Lots of cola on the nose and a bit candied by the second day. A whiff of minerality, but no earth tones. Nice juicy mouth feel, velvety and powerful. Cherry fruit, tart acid, strong tannins-nice structure, a hint of minerality. A long sweet, more balanced finish than the nose. Not my style of Pinot, nothing Burgundian about this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good not great. After a two hour decant, there are still over active tannins, sour cherry fruit with earth tones and smoke. Normally love Lea Pinot's...am hoping this wine needs more time to settle down and get to a good place.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine hits every cylinder of seductive Pinot Noir at its California best. Very inviting purple color. Fragrant black fruit that streams out of the glass. Rich, deep, and delicious black cherry fruit that fills the mouth, is buoyed by ample acidity and tannins, caressed by a silky texture, and endures throughout an aftertaste minutes long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was really lean and green with 1st opened which I really liked. After decanting for a bit it has more earthy fruit, baking spices but sitll some forest floor and a finish that lingered nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark ruby, bordering on purple in color, this wine shows intense aromatics of cherry, raspberry, smoke and spice on the nose. The mouth feel brought a silky, smooth texture, framing the red fruits. The finish was medium in length and brought an unexpected burn, leaving this taster wondering if the abv was higher than the 13.7% as stated on the label.
Purchased for a nicely discounted price of $21US, this is a well made wine that is fairly big in style. It paired well with hard cheeses and charcuterie tonight. Recommended with meat, not fish. Also, the heat of the alcohol throws this wine a little of out balance but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark ruby, bordering on purple in color, this wine shows intense aromatics of cherry, raspberry, smoke and spice on the nose. The mouth feel brought a silky, smooth texture, framing the red fruits. The finish was medium in length and brought an unexpected burn, leaving this taster wondering if the abv was higher than the 13.7% as stated on the label.
Purchased for a nicely discounted price of $21US, this is a well made wine that is fairly big in style. It steamrolled over my GF and my salmon dinners tonight. Recommended with meat, not fish. Also, the heat of the alcohol throws this wine a little of out balance but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/17/2023 - ParisWino wrote: 89 Points
Fairly typical if rather big-boned Sta. Rita Hills pinot noir, which at 11 years of age is not yet over the hill. I don't recall buying this bottle, but somehow it's not surprising that it's made by Tensley ... like their syrah, this is a fruit-forward yet structured wine that's reasonable value for those looking for this style. It's not the last or even first word in subtlety or restraint, but it does offer ample aromas and flavors of black cherry and lavender soap.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2019 - Raddle Likes this wine: 94 Points
Classic cherry flavor
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
Relatively rare for a Pinot Noir, opaque with an inch pour. Richly perfumed black cherry, blackberry, and lavender. Enters the mouth supremely juicy, lushly textured, refreshingly acidic, and deliciously fruity. The swallow exposes an undertow of drying tannin. Wonderful straight from the just opened bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2017 - ISOPinot Likes this wine: 86 Points
Garnet to crimson, medium legs. Aromas of cranberry, cherry, light toast, clove and cinnamon; on the palate, cranberry and spices are more distinct. Medium body, linear texture, medium to a bit longer finish. Acidity is medium, with noticeable fruit tannins and less pronounced wood tannins. A balanced, varietally correct Pinot Noir. Enjoyable. At $25, though, QPR is clearly below average. Drink now or within 1 year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2017 - jackaroo Likes this wine: 92 Points
A ready to drink full bodied Pinot Noir. Would go well with any richly flavored dish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2017 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
Lovely deep royal purple color, with endearing aromas of lilac, purple raspberry, and black cherry. Luxuriantly silky, lush, juicy, and caressing in the mouth, with refreshing acidity, smooth tannin, and delicious fruit. Superb with food after food, while being completely satisfying by itself. Drinks great straight from the just opened bottle, and will remain fully enjoyable anytime in the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2016 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Significantly better over the past year. Good cherry/strawberry fruit with smooth tannins. Spicy finish that lingers in your mouth. Same wine, much more interesting to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2016 - hosscrow wrote: 88 Points
I am a fan of sta. Rita Pinot, but the cola flavors in this wine are out of balance. Medium ruby brilliant appearance. Lots of cola on the nose and a bit candied by the second day. A whiff of minerality, but no earth tones. Nice juicy mouth feel, velvety and powerful. Cherry fruit, tart acid, strong tannins-nice structure, a hint of minerality. A long sweet, more balanced finish than the nose. Not my style of Pinot, nothing Burgundian about this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2015 - pmk wrote: 92 Points
very highly extracted fruit, soft palate, long finish, nice supple tannins at end. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2015 - Schiffy wrote: 87 Points
Good not great. After a two hour decant, there are still over active tannins, sour cherry fruit with earth tones and smoke. Normally love Lea Pinot's...am hoping this wine needs more time to settle down and get to a good place.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2015 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points
This wine hits every cylinder of seductive Pinot Noir at its California best. Very inviting purple color. Fragrant black fruit that streams out of the glass. Rich, deep, and delicious black cherry fruit that fills the mouth, is buoyed by ample acidity and tannins, caressed by a silky texture, and endures throughout an aftertaste minutes long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2014 - bajayngo wrote:
Was really lean and green with 1st opened which I really liked. After decanting for a bit it has more earthy fruit, baking spices but sitll some forest floor and a finish that lingered nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2014 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark ruby, bordering on purple in color, this wine shows intense aromatics of cherry, raspberry, smoke and spice on the nose. The mouth feel brought a silky, smooth texture, framing the red fruits. The finish was medium in length and brought an unexpected burn, leaving this taster wondering if the abv was higher than the 13.7% as stated on the label.
Purchased for a nicely discounted price of $21US, this is a well made wine that is fairly big in style. It paired well with hard cheeses and charcuterie tonight. Recommended with meat, not fish. Also, the heat of the alcohol throws this wine a little of out balance but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2014 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark ruby, bordering on purple in color, this wine shows intense aromatics of cherry, raspberry, smoke and spice on the nose. The mouth feel brought a silky, smooth texture, framing the red fruits. The finish was medium in length and brought an unexpected burn, leaving this taster wondering if the abv was higher than the 13.7% as stated on the label.
Purchased for a nicely discounted price of $21US, this is a well made wine that is fairly big in style. It steamrolled over my GF and my salmon dinners tonight. Recommended with meat, not fish. Also, the heat of the alcohol throws this wine a little of out balance but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2014 - Votefordennis Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pretty good, needs more time in cellar, sweetness and tannins aren't integrated
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment