Quite a nice wine, proving that W/S's top blends can age very well. Purchased from the winery upon release and stored in a very cool cellar ever since. Ullage was excellent and there was a bit of sediment in the bottle, but I chose not to decant. Cork required a bit of work, but no big deal. Color was excellent with no sign of old age. Possessed a nose and palate of dark red cherry and balsamic, along with some leather elements, a touch of citrus, and bit of red apple on the the finish. Maybe a touch of chocolate and something woodsy floating on the palate too. The finish was so on-point for a 18 year-old Pinot Noir. Really quite lovely.
As I recall, 2004 was a very good year for Sonoma Pinots and a rather rich vintage overall. 14.2 Percent alcohol. I am certain this vintage will make it to 20 years, if properly stored, but it isn't going to improve.
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Still holding on - lovely minerally spicy fruit but showing its age with some stewed prune type notes. Some at the table were off-put by that more than me. I found it a Burgundian mushroom forest floor note thing. Lots of fruit and minerality on the palate. Nice.
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Burgundy Al nailed it. Exactly right. Nowhere as lovely as when young, when it was IMHO profound. Still, enough acid and fruit left to go a little bit longer. Not in balance any more, but still lovely. Perhaps another note after it's been open another hour or two.
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Completely mature, this wine paired brilliantly with almost everything at a tapas joint. It is medium-minus body, with a compelling nose and somewhat short finish. In the glass, there was an interesting evolution over about an hour and a half. I agree with Burgundy Al's note re the mature red fruit and spice notes. Worthy effort.
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Popped and poured, then consumed over 3 hours. Ripe red berries throughout with some brown spice. Good concentration, slightly sweeter/ hotter finish, but otherwise well balanced. At its peak, but should drink well for a few more years as it continues slowly evolving.
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Very pretty red berry aromas and flavors with some blueberry hints. Nicely floral notes with ok spice, but still a hint of pronounced new oak. Bottle says 14.2% but there is also a hint of heat at the end that makes me think the alcohol level is higher.
Popped-and-poured, then consumed over 2 hours. Purchased from WS at release, the bottle was in perfect condition with even zero wine penetration into the cork.
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Three bottles opened for dinner party. Two were excellent, though admittedly not as dark or intense as some single vineyard PN from Williams Selyem, yet well balanced and delightful. The third bottle was clearly faded and rated closer to perhaps 86.
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Experience started sourly as the cork exploded upon opening... Had to salvage by screening & decanting. Other than that, the wine was very nice... good color, fruit, and fairly elegant finish.
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14.2% alcohol. The color has lightened to a medium cherry color, with very faint bricking at the edge of the glass. Pretty nose of black cherry, spice, and mushrooms. In the mouth, lively and balanced, with pretty red and black cherry fruit, earthy spice, mushrooms, and a floral note. Smooth and tasty, with a moderate kick of acidity and a long finish. This is drinking very well right now. A-
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Superb. Lighter in color and medium weight as far as pinots go. Cherry nose, cola flavors with almost an effervencence. Great finish. Thanks Kim and George for sharing.
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14.2% alcohol. not decanted, but i feel a half hour splash would be good. followed in the glass for 3 hours, and by the end of the night, this was a pretty good wine. i absolutely hated it the last time i tasted. initially, too much candied cola, but with air i started to see a fresh burst of black cherry mixed with some mild cola. strawberry and watermelon. it remained too sweet for me to really get super excited about; however, i have to give it some props.
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Semi opaque dark cherry color, non-filtered appearance, not as strong and knows as I'd hoped for, has elements of earthiness moderate body, good acidity, somewhat tannic tasting, a bit of a round wine if that makes any sense, some fruit and a bit of bitterness on the finish
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well, i simply did not like this wine. 14.2% alcohol, but it tasted over ripe with an undercurrent of prunes. if anybody still remembers RC cola, there was a glob of that mixed in, too. thick, muddled, syrupy. need i go on? i'll give it the kiss of death NR, but if i were assigning numbers, it would be in the 70s.
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Superb pinot noir. The cherry nose is complex and beguiling. Flavors the same with a depth and elegance you hope for. Great balance and long finish in medium-full body. Could be entering it's peak. Certainly time to enjoy now and see what another year might bring.
A wonderful Russian River Pinot Noir showing a clear, but deep ruby color. Dark cherry aromas with other berry fruit notes show concentrated, but airy at the same time. Additional spice notes fill it out. Medium in body, showing pure with black cherry flavors and a hint of vanilla.
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Weird. Moderately dark red color. Not much browning at all. Deep sweet red berry nose. Some slight menthol. Still kind of tight. Palate very weird. Does not taste like a PN. Very thick, rich and viscous mouthfeel. Almost has a Rhone-like nose and palate, but with a denser mouthfeel. Not sure what to make of this wine.
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Kind of over-ripe and a bit pruney, perhaps a bad bottle, certainly not worth the $62 I paid for it and paled in comparison to a K-B Kanzler which, almost ironically, was way more balanced and elegant...
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14.2% alcohol. Black cherry color. Surprisingly ripe on the nose, with black cherry, blackberry, spice, and a refreshing floral note. In the mouth, structured and elegant, not veering toward the ripeness of the nose. A light and fragrant palate of red and black cherry, unfolding layers of spicy and floral complexity that bring out the best in Westside Road. Strong acidity. Long finish that's gentle. This is a great expression of its place. Well done, if perhaps not showing quite as juicy and endearing as it did a couple years ago in its infancy. A-
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Absolutely spectacular, drinking very well right now. Intense nose of fruit, blueberries, hint of vanilla, and a perfect bit of herbal notes too. On the palate, perfectly balanced, medium-bodied. Blueberries and cherries with another hint of vanilla and an overall creaminess. This has come together very well, best bottle of pinot I've had in a while. Long finish, never lost focus.
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Drank with Sima and Kelly on the balcony at sunset. It was a spectacular pinot, better than may of WS's single vineyard varietals. We had it with chevre and they were perfect together. So much flavor, lots of fresh, ripe berries, not too dry. It was perfect for a late summer night.
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CA PINOT IN ATL: Nail polish. Varnish. Hardy said something about the smell of paint and the wooden stick they give to mix paint. This whole thing was just wrong.
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Very nice indeed. Gained balance after 1-2 hours exposure to air (not decanted). Small tongue-prickly up front, small hints of cola. Then this not entirely wonderful front-end gives way to a very nice mid and back end, tastes of small red fruits, raspberries. strawberries. The cola goes away to something smoother, silkier on the tongue. A very enjoyable wine with food, or just on its own.
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The wine was good, but not great. It seemed somewhat shut down - we found the favors to be muted. I am hoping a couple years more cellaring will make a difference. The finish was a bit hot.
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Very solid. Nothing like old style WS. But as a new world, CA style PN, very big. Fruity, but deep, dark & complex fruit. Not simple & sweet. Can use mid-term cellaring, at least 3-5 years. Might evolve with some interesting flavors and aromas, but not really sure.
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9/23/2022 - John Dunlap Likes this wine: 94 Points
Quite a nice wine, proving that W/S's top blends can age very well. Purchased from the winery upon release and stored in a very cool cellar ever since. Ullage was excellent and there was a bit of sediment in the bottle, but I chose not to decant. Cork required a bit of work, but no big deal. Color was excellent with no sign of old age. Possessed a nose and palate of dark red cherry and balsamic, along with some leather elements, a touch of citrus, and bit of red apple on the the finish. Maybe a touch of chocolate and something woodsy floating on the palate too. The finish was so on-point for a 18 year-old Pinot Noir. Really quite lovely.
As I recall, 2004 was a very good year for Sonoma Pinots and a rather rich vintage overall. 14.2 Percent alcohol. I am certain this vintage will make it to 20 years, if properly stored, but it isn't going to improve.
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3/21/2021 - danstrings Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still holding on - lovely minerally spicy fruit but showing its age with some stewed prune type notes. Some at the table were off-put by that more than me. I found it a Burgundian mushroom forest floor note thing. Lots of fruit and minerality on the palate. Nice.
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10/31/2017 - kzkpt wrote: 91 Points
Burgundy Al nailed it. Exactly right. Nowhere as lovely as when young, when it was IMHO profound. Still, enough acid and fruit left to go a little bit longer. Not in balance any more, but still lovely. Perhaps another note after it's been open another hour or two.
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10/16/2017 - MartyL Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with Burgundy Al's note from Sep. 2016.
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7/12/2017 - mats13 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Completely mature, this wine paired brilliantly with almost everything at a tapas joint. It is medium-minus body, with a compelling nose and somewhat short finish. In the glass, there was an interesting evolution over about an hour and a half. I agree with Burgundy Al's note re the mature red fruit and spice notes. Worthy effort.
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12/19/2016 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:
tart red berry fruit, tannins are integrated, medium length finish. Seems at a good stage now.
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9/7/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured, then consumed over 3 hours. Ripe red berries throughout with some brown spice. Good concentration, slightly sweeter/ hotter finish, but otherwise well balanced. At its peak, but should drink well for a few more years as it continues slowly evolving.
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3/21/2016 - Knicksfan wrote: 91 Points
Nice and tasty but I think its peaked.
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10/10/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Very pretty red berry aromas and flavors with some blueberry hints. Nicely floral notes with ok spice, but still a hint of pronounced new oak. Bottle says 14.2% but there is also a hint of heat at the end that makes me think the alcohol level is higher.
Popped-and-poured, then consumed over 2 hours. Purchased from WS at release, the bottle was in perfect condition with even zero wine penetration into the cork.
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10/27/2013 - Didman wrote: 90 Points
Three bottles opened for dinner party. Two were excellent, though admittedly not as dark or intense as some single vineyard PN from Williams Selyem, yet well balanced and delightful. The third bottle was clearly faded and rated closer to perhaps 86.
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6/21/2013 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
Just OK. Disappointing for the price and reputation.
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4/10/2013 - Peech wrote: 89 Points
red fruits, ripe, dried herbs and eucalyptus on the nose. Still concentrated and somewhat tannic. This was OK but not a great wine.
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2/17/2013 - bh4buffs Likes this wine: 88 Points
Experience started sourly as the cork exploded upon opening... Had to salvage by screening & decanting. Other than that, the wine was very nice... good color, fruit, and fairly elegant finish.
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8/18/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
14.2% alcohol. The color has lightened to a medium cherry color, with very faint bricking at the edge of the glass. Pretty nose of black cherry, spice, and mushrooms. In the mouth, lively and balanced, with pretty red and black cherry fruit, earthy spice, mushrooms, and a floral note. Smooth and tasty, with a moderate kick of acidity and a long finish. This is drinking very well right now. A-
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5/30/2012 - Sizeola wrote: 93 Points
Strawberry, dried flowers, lovely, long finish. Worth the wait.
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2/25/2012 - KSWinegeek wrote: 93 Points
Superb. Lighter in color and medium weight as far as pinots go. Cherry nose, cola flavors with almost an effervencence. Great finish. Thanks Kim and George for sharing.
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12/18/2011 - blaine wrote:
Excellent, drinking well right now, better than another bottle a year ago. Enjoy this over the next year or two.
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10/2/2011 - jeff nowak wrote: 90 Points
14.2% alcohol. not decanted, but i feel a half hour splash would be good. followed in the glass for 3 hours, and by the end of the night, this was a pretty good wine. i absolutely hated it the last time i tasted. initially, too much candied cola, but with air i started to see a fresh burst of black cherry mixed with some mild cola. strawberry and watermelon. it remained too sweet for me to really get super excited about; however, i have to give it some props.
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2/7/2011 - mike1234 wrote: 88 Points
Semi opaque dark cherry color, non-filtered appearance, not as strong and knows as I'd hoped for, has elements of earthiness moderate body, good acidity, somewhat tannic tasting, a bit of a round wine if that makes any sense, some fruit and a bit of bitterness on the finish
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12/19/2010 - jeff nowak wrote:
well, i simply did not like this wine. 14.2% alcohol, but it tasted over ripe with an undercurrent of prunes. if anybody still remembers RC cola, there was a glob of that mixed in, too. thick, muddled, syrupy. need i go on? i'll give it the kiss of death NR, but if i were assigning numbers, it would be in the 70s.
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9/8/2010 - dino_mike wrote: 93 Points
Superb pinot noir. The cherry nose is complex and beguiling. Flavors the same with a depth and elegance you hope for. Great balance and long finish in medium-full body. Could be entering it's peak. Certainly time to enjoy now and see what another year might bring.
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8/14/2010 - Tom_B wrote: 94 Points
A wonderful Russian River Pinot Noir showing a clear, but deep ruby color. Dark cherry aromas with other berry fruit notes show concentrated, but airy at the same time. Additional spice notes fill it out. Medium in body, showing pure with black cherry flavors and a hint of vanilla.
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4/30/2010 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Weird. Moderately dark red color. Not much browning at all. Deep sweet red berry nose. Some slight menthol. Still kind of tight. Palate very weird. Does not taste like a PN. Very thick, rich and viscous mouthfeel. Almost has a Rhone-like nose and palate, but with a denser mouthfeel. Not sure what to make of this wine.
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3/21/2010 - davidspieker wrote: 89 Points
Black cherry cola, vanilla, and lavender aromas. Tart cherry and minerals on the palate with plenty of acidity. Nice lingering finish.
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3/21/2010 - jbposell wrote:
Kind of over-ripe and a bit pruney, perhaps a bad bottle, certainly not worth the $62 I paid for it and paled in comparison to a K-B Kanzler which, almost ironically, was way more balanced and elegant...
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11/29/2009 - gutt22 wrote:
14.2% alcohol. Black cherry color. Surprisingly ripe on the nose, with black cherry, blackberry, spice, and a refreshing floral note. In the mouth, structured and elegant, not veering toward the ripeness of the nose. A light and fragrant palate of red and black cherry, unfolding layers of spicy and floral complexity that bring out the best in Westside Road. Strong acidity. Long finish that's gentle. This is a great expression of its place. Well done, if perhaps not showing quite as juicy and endearing as it did a couple years ago in its infancy. A-
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5/29/2009 - brianngibson wrote: 91 Points
Luxurious cherry, blueberry, and vanilla nose. Wonderful bottle drinking brilliantly right now.
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9/27/2008 - blaine wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely spectacular, drinking very well right now. Intense nose of fruit, blueberries, hint of vanilla, and a perfect bit of herbal notes too. On the palate, perfectly balanced, medium-bodied. Blueberries and cherries with another hint of vanilla and an overall creaminess. This has come together very well, best bottle of pinot I've had in a while. Long finish, never lost focus.
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8/22/2008 - robinstj wrote: 93 Points
Drank with Sima and Kelly on the balcony at sunset. It was a spectacular pinot, better than may of WS's single vineyard varietals. We had it with chevre and they were perfect together. So much flavor, lots of fresh, ripe berries, not too dry. It was perfect for a late summer night.
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5/19/2008 - decaturwinedude wrote:
CA PINOT IN ATL: Nail polish. Varnish. Hardy said something about the smell of paint and the wooden stick they give to mix paint. This whole thing was just wrong.
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4/19/2008 - Gfritzh wrote: 91 Points
A fine, elegant Pinot Noir with well balance fruit, tannis and acidity. This wine is at its prime and should remain so for a couple of years.
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11/23/2007 - YQUEM90 wrote:
Very nice indeed. Gained balance after 1-2 hours exposure to air (not decanted). Small tongue-prickly up front, small hints of cola. Then this not entirely wonderful front-end gives way to a very nice mid and back end, tastes of small red fruits, raspberries. strawberries. The cola goes away to something smoother, silkier on the tongue. A very enjoyable wine with food, or just on its own.
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11/14/2007 - Deadhead wrote: 89 Points
The wine was good, but not great. It seemed somewhat shut down - we found the favors to be muted. I am hoping a couple years more cellaring will make a difference. The finish was a bit hot.
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11/17/2006 - 32lakeviewwine wrote: 92 Points
Outstanding, fruity and well balance. Great with any food. I wish I had more.
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8/24/2006 - tmay wrote: 90 Points
Cherry, cola nose. Balanced, spice and a little tart.
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6/16/2006 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Very solid. Nothing like old style WS. But as a new world, CA style PN, very big. Fruity, but deep, dark & complex fruit. Not simple & sweet. Can use mid-term cellaring, at least 3-5 years. Might evolve with some interesting flavors and aromas, but not really sure.
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