Decanted. Let bottle stand up for a while (quite a lot of fine sediment). Opened up nicely in 1 hr. Nose: very good 8/10. Forest floor, hints of vanilla, fig newton. Palate: 9/10. Medium body. Polished, elegant. Cherry. Balanced acidity, tannin, and sweetness. Finish: 8/10. Price: 10/10 ($70, 2022). Enjoyment: 10/10. So good now. Would buy again: Solid yes. Last of 3 bottles.
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Opened an hour and a half prior to dinner - really should have decanted. The nose was red fruit and mocha. The palate was cherry, plum, hints of mocha and baking spices. Finish was moderate to long.
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Very ripe rich aromas or dark cherry, forest floor, and notable alcoholic sweetness. At over 14% alcohol, this is a big bold ripe CA Pinot that will please most cab drinkers. After the primary fruit flavors, there are hints of mocha and candied fruits on the palate with a notable vanilla sweetness from the oak. Cherry, sassafras flavors are luscious, and rich in the ripe CA style that is great CA Pinot.
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Opened an hour and a half prior to dinner - really should have decanted. The nose was red fruit and mocha. The palate was cherry, plum, hints of mocha and baking spices. Finish was moderate to long. Served with oven roasted salmon and sauteed Swiss Chard.
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Consumed at a local restaurant without decanting. Once again I am perplexed by Wine Spectator's tasting notes. I found this wine to be liquid silk with none of the nuances expressed in Mr. Laube's interpretation. Please read AG or RP's reviews for authenticity. Instead of the reviews, I "read" WS for the photos.
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Can't really complain, other than the fact that at this price I expected more....a bit thin. I think the 2012 vintage for Pinots, in general, was not a great year.
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Well balanced and silky texture -- fuller finish than Paul Hobbs' 2013 Russian River Valley pinot noir (which we drank at the same time). Bigger bodied, more full.
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Well balanced and lively with red and blue Pinot fruit, finishing with some clove and vanilla notes. New World in style but extremely well played. If this had some earthiness it would be almost perfect - maybe that will come with more age.
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My first PH Pinot and all I can say is wow! Light strawberry and red fruits on the nose, a smooth, elegant mouthfeel with red fruit and a hint of spice on the palate. Just a baby right now that I'm looking forward to having over the next several years. Tasty!
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12/3/2023 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very ready, trending to over-ripe. Full bodied with distinctive black cherry on the palate. Drink soon.
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1/13/2023 - AlexPS Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted. Let bottle stand up for a while (quite a lot of fine sediment). Opened up nicely in 1 hr. Nose: very good 8/10. Forest floor, hints of vanilla, fig newton. Palate: 9/10. Medium body. Polished, elegant. Cherry. Balanced acidity, tannin, and sweetness. Finish: 8/10. Price: 10/10 ($70, 2022). Enjoyment: 10/10. So good now. Would buy again: Solid yes. Last of 3 bottles.
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1/30/2022 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is ready now. Depth of fruit and intense cherry on the palate. Good acidity, and can stand up to hearty dishes.
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12/24/2021 - mba4g wrote:
Christmas Eve 2021
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10/9/2021 - Thief Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich sweet black cherry. High alcohol and at the more assertive end of the pinot spectrum. Delicious.
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1/7/2021 - markcic wrote: 92 Points
Opened an hour and a half prior to dinner - really should have decanted. The nose was red fruit and mocha. The palate was cherry, plum, hints of mocha and baking spices. Finish was moderate to long.
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12/18/2020 - Thief Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very ripe rich aromas or dark cherry, forest floor, and notable alcoholic sweetness. At over 14% alcohol, this is a big bold ripe CA Pinot that will please most cab drinkers. After the primary fruit flavors, there are hints of mocha and candied fruits on the palate with a notable vanilla sweetness from the oak. Cherry, sassafras flavors are luscious, and rich in the ripe CA style that is great CA Pinot.
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8/11/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened an hour and a half prior to dinner - really should have decanted. The nose was red fruit and mocha. The palate was cherry, plum, hints of mocha and baking spices. Finish was moderate to long. Served with oven roasted salmon and sauteed Swiss Chard.
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4/1/2020 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
I think Paul Hobbs really gets Pinot. This is a bit better than his basic
Russian River Pinot.
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10/15/2019 - zkolkin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic. Drinking beautifully right now with smooth, bright red fruit flavors.
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9/17/2019 - SMZ wrote: 93 Points
Much better than the first bottle...drinking beautifully, even the second night.
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3/3/2019 - oenophilemoose wrote: 94 Points
Consumed at a local restaurant without decanting. Once again I am perplexed by Wine Spectator's tasting notes. I found this wine to be liquid silk with none of the nuances expressed in Mr. Laube's interpretation. Please read AG or RP's reviews for authenticity. Instead of the reviews, I "read" WS for the photos.
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3/29/2018 - SMZ wrote: 91 Points
Can't really complain, other than the fact that at this price I expected more....a bit thin. I think the 2012 vintage for Pinots, in general, was not a great year.
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10/30/2017 - SMZ wrote: 92 Points
It was a bit thin as the last reviewer said, but still flavorful and well balanced. I would drink in the next year.
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10/28/2017 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 89 Points
Deep purple color and Pinot esque flavors but thin and watered down. Decanting only helped thin it out further.
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5/22/2015 - kimpossible Likes this wine: 91 Points
Well balanced and silky texture -- fuller finish than Paul Hobbs' 2013 Russian River Valley pinot noir (which we drank at the same time). Bigger bodied, more full.
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2/15/2015 - Beauchad wrote: 92 Points
Well balanced and lively with red and blue Pinot fruit, finishing with some clove and vanilla notes. New World in style but extremely well played. If this had some earthiness it would be almost perfect - maybe that will come with more age.
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1/18/2015 - T.O.Wineaux Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first PH Pinot and all I can say is wow! Light strawberry and red fruits on the nose, a smooth, elegant mouthfeel with red fruit and a hint of spice on the palate. Just a baby right now that I'm looking forward to having over the next several years. Tasty!
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1/7/2015 - webbaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
I really like the Paul Hobbs pinots, nice balance between the fruit and the minerality. Enjoyable & refreshing. Somewhat overpriced.
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12/9/2014 - webbaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not a big pinot noir drinker, but I really like the Paul Hobbs offering. Nice balance between the fruit and the minerality. Enjoyable & refreshing.
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