Cherry jam, it’s new world and I think WS is particularly known for being jammy but didn’t expect this. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s an incredibly smooth alcoholic juice. It’s good but not my style.
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Paired this with a 2013 Kosta Brown Koplen Single Vineyard. Reading recent reviews and upon opening I decided to pout this second as it definitely needed some time to sit in the decanter. While the KB was a fuller and more robust wine, the WS was showing extremely well. Bright red cherries with a hint of deli meats and herbs. This is really drinking nicely. It probably has more time but also ready now.
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Decanted for only 15 minutes to the first glass; 45 minutes to the second glass; and a bit over 1 hour to the last sips - which were clearly the best! Over that time the dark fruit (black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate) and the spice increased, while the earth notes held steady, and the acidity seemed to calm down and come in to balance. Did not reference my previous TN and paid the price in a slightly less enjoyable bottle. It seems that a minimum decant time of one hour is needed to allow this wine to show its best - which it should continue to do for several more years.
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PnP. Medium deep red. Nose of red fruits and spice. Lovely depth on the palate but with good acidity to balance the juiciness of the RRV fruit. A touch of citrus on the finish as well. I expect this is at or near peak at age 10 - quite lovely and not overdone.
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Decanted for 45 minutes (based on my previous TN) w/ slight sediment. The color (a clear deep purple) and the nose (dominated by dark red fruit aromas) were very similar to the 3/5/22 bottle. The additional decanter time, however, turned the flavor profile to darker red fruits - mostly dark cherry and cranberry, with a touch of blackberry. In fact, the last glass (about two hours after opening) was smoother and more integrated. There was also lots of spice, and touches of both minerality and cola. The acidity was juicy, but balancing. Should continue to be highly drinkable for the next several years, especially with good air up front.
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Pop and pour and tasted over three evenings, keeping the bottle refrigerated overnight each time. Served in stemless hotel wine glass. Dark ruby purple color. Wonderful nose of black and red berries, with a spice note and floral touch. Delicious ripe fruited intro showing depth yet retaining an inviting acidity. Easy to drink more than a sip at a time. While rich in fruit, it is not heavy nor overtly sweet. Spice notes on the finish offer another element of interest.
This has entered a good drinking window.
Quite enjoyable.
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Decanted for 20 minutes but could benefit from more decanter time - slight sediment. The color was a clear deep purple to a faded rim. The nose was dominated by dark red fruit aromas. The medium bodied palate showed these same dark red fruits - mostly dark cherry - along with a streak of bright red cherry, lots of spice, and just touches of both minerality and cola. The acidity was juicy, but balancing. Will decant our next bottle for longer. Possible that this wine could continue to develop (per srwatters TN) but should continue to be highly drinkable for the next several years.
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This wine is still improving in my opinion. Darker bing cherry just beginning to take on some baked pie notes. Still holding a nice acidity level with balance against the toasted oak. Good mineral backbone as well. Could easily go another 5-7 years.
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Drank as cocktail and with grilled scallops. Really nice high-end pinot. Good balance, depth and flavors with just enough acidity to keep it fresh. Nice drinking all night.
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8 years old. I wish I could wait that long on most of these WS Pinots. This still has the signature WS cherries, but the fruit is comparatively muted, and the result is a much more complex wine. Some forest floor notes, a hint of eucalyptus. Just a joy to drink. Our Christmas wine with a stuffed salmon entree, this could not have been much better.
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PnP. Cellared since release. Medium dark red. Intense nose of blackberry, raspberry, and plum. Quite plump on the palate but with nice acidity on the finish to balance it out. Unlike some other W-S Pinots the oak here is well integrated and not obtrusive. This wine sometimes is overly ripe and "too big" but this vintage strikes the right notes. No rush to drink but close to peak, I would think.
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Very much on par with both past stellar bottles (notes on 10/14/17 & 9/1/19). Just a fabulous domestic Pinot w/ a finesse level akin to Burgundy while still unmistakenly New World. My last bottle of this and while sad to leave it has been a great ride. 93+ points.
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A great example of how good wine is being made in the US. Bright ruby. Fresh red fruits on the nose. A ripe and lush palate. This is a very solid wine which is priced very competitively when you compared to a similar wine from burgundy. From BV
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Drank yesterday so the details are fuzzy but this wine was SO good. We savored every little sip. This is one of our favorite vineyards. Great balance between fruit and earth.
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Nose: Still the perfumy florals, cinnamin and Christmas spice as with the last bottle (notes on 10/14/17). There is also a stony minerality that is unique. Just a fabulous nose. Palate: Almost sweet cherries and raspberries in abundance with very tame tannins yet good acid levels. Finish is medium and super elegant. Good to have one more bottle left but given how soft the tannins are I think 1 to 1 1/2 years max for consumption.
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13.9% alcohol. A truly delightful, remarkable wine. Full black cherry color. Glorious bouquet of black cherry, baking spice, earth, and minerals. This is classic RRV on the nose. In the mouth, a sumptuous, velvety texture surrounds a vibrant, juicy frame full of cherry fruit, underscored by mouth-watering acidity. The joy this wine delivers on the nose and palate is difficult to express in words. A
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Blood red, with lightening at the rim. Cherries and a bit alcoholic on the nose. Some phenolic notes on the back end. The cherries predominate, especially after some time in the glass. Red raspberries and some candied orange on the finish. A touch unbalanced, and the alcohol adds a little unwelcome heat.
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2 hour slow ox. Nose: Perfumy florals with cinnamon and Christmas spice. Red fruits and minerals underneath. Fantastic nose. Palate: Rich yet balanced with solid acids and mineral levels. Bright cherry and raspberry with cassis hints and an elegant, feminine finish. Just superb.
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Great vineyard. Sour cherry and fresh evergreen on the nose. Tannins still a bit strong but fairly well integrated. Probably needs a couple of hours or a couple of years to hit its stride. Dark berry and slight must in the front with a tart finish.
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Brought to dinner at Espana w Valerie and Ryan. Opened about an hour in advance to slow ox.
Bright ruby red color. Nose was ripe and pungent, raspberry, black cherry, herbs and rose/floral. Palate was fruit forward, ripe red fruit, bing cherry, minerals, savory notes. Energetic and focused wine, sweet through the mid palate with some spice.
At the beginning of its drinking window, should continue to evolve in the bottle. Should be a 7-10 year drinking window from here. Really great stuff , score goes higher in time 93+
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Wine of the night at yet another 60th birthday dinner. Drank mostly as cocktail, and before opening 2005 Dom Perignon. This is everything you want from a high end Pinot; full, deep long flavors, fruity with enough structure to hold up and not acidic. I'd buy more of these.
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Dark ruby color. Cherry and spice on the very pleasant nose. Bright acidity and a lot of fruit on the palette. For me, this needs at least 3-5 years to settle down into something a bit more elegant and less fruit forward. Even so, it's a pleasant bottle to drink now if you like your Pinot on the younger/larger side.
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A graceful modern Pinot that is fruit-driven, but balanced by nice acidity and structure. Light burgundy in color; light in body; nose of cherry, spice, and straw. Enticing tastes of sour cherry, raspberry, and crushed rock, with a wonderfully lingering finish. Decant at least an hour, since it tastes a bit medicinal straight out of the bottle. 13.9% alcohol. Another great showing by this producer, who continues to present an impressive range of down-the-middle Pinots (i.e., not too ripe, not too thin).
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Drank this and Westside road neighbors. This was markedly better although Westside was good. Rochioli was smooth, great nose, just very enjoyable. More 2013 coming. Hope it is just as good.
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Very well done. Everyone enjoyed this wine with pan seared red snapper and avocado & fennel salad. Crushed flowers and gumballs on the nose. Cherries, nutmeg, and vanilla on the palate. Should improve in the next 5 years.
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Grabbed the wrong vintage from the cellar...argh..didn't catch it till opened. Nice classic WS Pinot but this needs a few years to really hit its stride.
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Decanted 6 hrs. Deep ruby, some cloudiness. Red fruit, hint of vanilla on big nose. Great concentration on palate, red fruit, med+ acidity, fine to medium tannins. Medium finish. Complex, but drinking disjointed. Lots of oak apparent on final sips at room temp, will need a couple years to integrate. Enjoyable now but will certainly improve.
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10/28/2023 - funderwood10 Likes this wine: 88 Points
First time trying California Pinot.
Cherry jam, it’s new world and I think WS is particularly known for being jammy but didn’t expect this. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s an incredibly smooth alcoholic juice. It’s good but not my style.
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5/24/2023 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Paired this with a 2013 Kosta Brown Koplen Single Vineyard. Reading recent reviews and upon opening I decided to pout this second as it definitely needed some time to sit in the decanter. While the KB was a fuller and more robust wine, the WS was showing extremely well. Bright red cherries with a hint of deli meats and herbs. This is really drinking nicely. It probably has more time but also ready now.
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5/11/2023 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for only 15 minutes to the first glass; 45 minutes to the second glass; and a bit over 1 hour to the last sips - which were clearly the best! Over that time the dark fruit (black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate) and the spice increased, while the earth notes held steady, and the acidity seemed to calm down and come in to balance.
Did not reference my previous TN and paid the price in a slightly less enjoyable bottle. It seems that a minimum decant time of one hour is needed to allow this wine to show its best - which it should continue to do for several more years.
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1/8/2023 - rosenst1 wrote: 93 Points
PnP. Medium deep red. Nose of red fruits and spice. Lovely depth on the palate but with good acidity to balance the juiciness of the RRV fruit. A touch of citrus on the finish as well. I expect this is at or near peak at age 10 - quite lovely and not overdone.
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9/17/2022 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for 45 minutes (based on my previous TN) w/ slight sediment. The color (a clear deep purple) and the nose (dominated by dark red fruit aromas) were very similar to the 3/5/22 bottle. The additional decanter time, however, turned the flavor profile to darker red fruits - mostly dark cherry and cranberry, with a touch of blackberry. In fact, the last glass (about two hours after opening) was smoother and more integrated. There was also lots of spice, and touches of both minerality and cola. The acidity was juicy, but balancing. Should continue to be highly drinkable for the next several years, especially with good air up front.
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4/21/2022 - t_moderne wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour and tasted over three evenings, keeping the bottle refrigerated overnight each time.
Served in stemless hotel wine glass.
Dark ruby purple color.
Wonderful nose of black and red berries, with a spice note and floral touch.
Delicious ripe fruited intro showing depth yet retaining an inviting acidity. Easy to drink more than a sip at a time. While rich in fruit, it is not heavy nor overtly sweet. Spice notes on the finish offer another element of interest.
This has entered a good drinking window.
Quite enjoyable.
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3/5/2022 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 20 minutes but could benefit from more decanter time - slight sediment. The color was a clear deep purple to a faded rim. The nose was dominated by dark red fruit aromas. The medium bodied palate showed these same dark red fruits - mostly dark cherry - along with a streak of bright red cherry, lots of spice, and just touches of both minerality and cola. The acidity was juicy, but balancing.
Will decant our next bottle for longer. Possible that this wine could continue to develop (per srwatters TN) but should continue to be highly drinkable for the next several years.
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10/29/2021 - srwatters Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is still improving in my opinion. Darker bing cherry just beginning to take on some baked pie notes. Still holding a nice acidity level with balance against the toasted oak. Good mineral backbone as well. Could easily go another 5-7 years.
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10/26/2021 - SCosgrove Likes this wine: 93 Points
Such a big Pinot, awesome.
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8/27/2021 - nicole_valencic@yahoo.com wrote:
August 2021
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7/17/2021 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine:
Not quite as good as the ‘10 we had a few weks ago but still a stand-out wine experience. I feel like this was ready to drink for sure but no rush.
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4/24/2021 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Drank as cocktail and with grilled scallops. Really nice high-end pinot. Good balance, depth and flavors with just enough acidity to keep it fresh. Nice drinking all night.
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1/1/2021 - Naso wrote: 90 Points
This is past its prime and is a little flat so drink up.
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12/27/2020 - Beezc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful wine. No reason to wait.
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12/25/2020 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 94 Points
8 years old. I wish I could wait that long on most of these WS Pinots. This still has the signature WS cherries, but the fruit is comparatively muted, and the result is a much more complex wine. Some forest floor notes, a hint of eucalyptus. Just a joy to drink. Our Christmas wine with a stuffed salmon entree, this could not have been much better.
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9/25/2020 - rosenst1 wrote: 93 Points
PnP. Cellared since release. Medium dark red. Intense nose of blackberry, raspberry, and plum. Quite plump on the palate but with nice acidity on the finish to balance it out. Unlike some other W-S Pinots the oak here is well integrated and not obtrusive. This wine sometimes is overly ripe and "too big" but this vintage strikes the right notes. No rush to drink but close to peak, I would think.
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8/23/2020 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
Very much on par with both past stellar bottles (notes on 10/14/17 & 9/1/19). Just a fabulous domestic Pinot w/ a finesse level akin to Burgundy while still unmistakenly New World. My last bottle of this and while sad to leave it has been a great ride. 93+ points.
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8/16/2020 - _water.into.wine_ Likes this wine: 94 Points
A great example of how good wine is being made in the US. Bright ruby. Fresh red fruits on the nose. A ripe and lush palate. This is a very solid wine which is priced very competitively when you compared to a similar wine from burgundy. From BV
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5/10/2020 - TheFoodieTraveler Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Love WS but prefer their Sonoma or cool climate wines. Just too cherry cola for me
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10/3/2019 - theharve wrote: 95 Points
great fruit, perfect balance, one of the best WS wines I have ever tasted.
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9/24/2019 - Sheldog Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank yesterday so the details are fuzzy but this wine was SO good. We savored every little sip. This is one of our favorite vineyards. Great balance between fruit and earth.
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9/1/2019 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
Nose: Still the perfumy florals, cinnamin and Christmas spice as with the last bottle (notes on 10/14/17). There is also a stony minerality that is unique. Just a fabulous nose. Palate: Almost sweet cherries and raspberries in abundance with very tame tannins yet good acid levels. Finish is medium and super elegant. Good to have one more bottle left but given how soft the tannins are I think 1 to 1 1/2 years max for consumption.
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8/5/2019 - gutt22 Likes this wine:
13.9% alcohol. A truly delightful, remarkable wine. Full black cherry color. Glorious bouquet of black cherry, baking spice, earth, and minerals. This is classic RRV on the nose. In the mouth, a sumptuous, velvety texture surrounds a vibrant, juicy frame full of cherry fruit, underscored by mouth-watering acidity. The joy this wine delivers on the nose and palate is difficult to express in words. A
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7/6/2019 - PDavisMarble wrote: 90 Points
Blood red, with lightening at the rim. Cherries and a bit alcoholic on the nose. Some phenolic notes on the back end. The cherries predominate, especially after some time in the glass. Red raspberries and some candied orange on the finish. A touch unbalanced, and the alcohol adds a little unwelcome heat.
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6/21/2019 - Castle Peak wrote: 93 Points
Really good.
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4/21/2019 - Topsoil Likes this wine: 94 Points
PNP and immediately greeted with vibrant (but not too sweet) cherry and red raspberry with a black tea finish. Great pinot with aging potential.
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3/8/2019 - azwinegroup Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aged well, excellent pinot noir.
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2/13/2019 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
deep and rich wild mixed berry; warm RRV California style with lush mouth feel
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2/6/2019 - Alph Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fresh and lively. Cherry Raspberry acid highly perfumed. Went down so smooth.
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12/15/2018 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 93 Points
Absolutely lovely. Bright cherry, good acid, amazing nose. An outstanding CA-style Pinot.
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6/2/2018 - wendyinwlv wrote:
This had the smell of wet newspaper, thought it might blow off but never got any better, must have been corked
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4/27/2018 - BoulderWine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Took to Valette. Fantastic wine. Pretty color and aromas, smooth and delicious. Unfortunately, my last bottle.
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12/14/2017 - daved Likes this wine: 90 Points
a little young. tart after pnp but improved gradually. Sitting on the rest for another couple of years.
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10/14/2017 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
2 hour slow ox. Nose: Perfumy florals with cinnamon and Christmas spice. Red fruits and minerals underneath. Fantastic nose. Palate: Rich yet balanced with solid acids and mineral levels. Bright cherry and raspberry with cassis hints and an elegant, feminine finish. Just superb.
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8/18/2017 - globalflyer wrote: 94 Points
Great vineyard. Sour cherry and fresh evergreen on the nose. Tannins still a bit strong but fairly well integrated. Probably needs a couple of hours or a couple of years to hit its stride. Dark berry and slight must in the front with a tart finish.
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6/3/2017 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
Brought to dinner at Espana w Valerie and Ryan. Opened about an hour in advance to slow ox.
Bright ruby red color. Nose was ripe and pungent, raspberry, black cherry, herbs and rose/floral. Palate was fruit forward, ripe red fruit, bing cherry, minerals, savory notes. Energetic and focused wine, sweet through the mid palate with some spice.
At the beginning of its drinking window, should continue to evolve in the bottle. Should be a 7-10 year drinking window from here. Really great stuff , score goes higher in time 93+
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4/21/2017 - robertek wrote: 92 Points
Lot's of very fresh and vibrant fruit but elegant in style. A very positive surprise.
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3/25/2017 - SMZ wrote: 91 Points
Expected a lot more from this famed single vineyard. Not materially different from the WS Sonoma Coast and RRV Pinots.
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3/11/2017 - levinml wrote: 95 Points
Wine of the night at yet another 60th birthday dinner. Drank mostly as cocktail, and before opening 2005 Dom Perignon. This is everything you want from a high end Pinot; full, deep long flavors, fruity with enough structure to hold up and not acidic. I'd buy more of these.
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2/23/2017 - ocwineo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent wine big and well balanced-justifies the price for sure-more time in the cellar for this guy as it will only get better
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6/17/2016 - H2OMansLibrary Likes this wine:
Dark ruby color. Cherry and spice on the very pleasant nose. Bright acidity and a lot of fruit on the palette. For me, this needs at least 3-5 years to settle down into something a bit more elegant and less fruit forward. Even so, it's a pleasant bottle to drink now if you like your Pinot on the younger/larger side.
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11/23/2015 - msuwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
A graceful modern Pinot that is fruit-driven, but balanced by nice acidity and structure. Light burgundy in color; light in body; nose of cherry, spice, and straw. Enticing tastes of sour cherry, raspberry, and crushed rock, with a wonderfully lingering finish. Decant at least an hour, since it tastes a bit medicinal straight out of the bottle. 13.9% alcohol. Another great showing by this producer, who continues to present an impressive range of down-the-middle Pinots (i.e., not too ripe, not too thin).
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10/13/2015 - Hoffmnron Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank this and Westside road neighbors. This was markedly better although Westside was good. Rochioli was smooth, great nose, just very enjoyable. More 2013 coming. Hope it is just as good.
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8/1/2015 - JDani Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very well done. Everyone enjoyed this wine with pan seared red snapper and avocado & fennel salad. Crushed flowers and gumballs on the nose. Cherries, nutmeg, and vanilla on the palate. Should improve in the next 5 years.
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2/22/2015 - haldolugr wrote: 89 Points
Grabbed the wrong vintage from the cellar...argh..didn't catch it till opened. Nice classic WS Pinot but this needs a few years to really hit its stride.
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1/3/2015 - Chris D Likes this wine:
Decanted 6 hrs. Deep ruby, some cloudiness. Red fruit, hint of vanilla on big nose. Great concentration on palate, red fruit, med+ acidity, fine to medium tannins. Medium finish. Complex, but drinking disjointed. Lots of oak apparent on final sips at room temp, will need a couple years to integrate. Enjoyable now but will certainly improve.
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12/27/2014 - theodore3 Likes this wine: 93 Points
everyone enjoyed this wine
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