Still in a beautiful place with life to give. Rich black and red fruits mingle with spice and damp earth along with big acidity. The finish is long with extremely soft and lingering tannins. Certainly evolved from where it started but delicious!
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Drank a magnum. It was fairly remarkable how much better the large format tasted compared to the 750ml bottles. We like the 750ml bottles of this En Route, but I have never experienced such a difference in taste from a magnum. Almost like a different wine. Wish we had bought more.
Over all, for the money, I was not impressed. And judging from the "drink by" year, it wasn't likely to get better. Still and all, a firm and smokey pinot.
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Acker Holiday Auction (A Voce Madison): Drank this on the heels of my second go around with the Marcassin (which at that point was singing) and so this had a hard time competing. Just very much the standard Cali Pinot which is a bit too fruit dominated with low acidity.
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This was a solid and really enjoyable wine. So much so that I'm going to enter it into my short list of mid priced, go-to Pinots, though it will take successive vintage comparisons before it earns a place next to Walter Hansel The South Slope. Having learned that this was a Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel project (interpretation: 'Napa Excess'), I was surprised both with the affordable price tag, as well as the fact that it was not overblown. Instead, though the front end was repleat with bright fruit, there was no sappy, sweetness in the balanced finish. I didn't sense any notable acidity but again, the balance was there and, with a price around $40, I wasn't looking for nor expecting anything more than a moderately enjoyable pop & pour. It delivered that and more. Looking forward to successive vintages.
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After a day in the cellar, half bottle corked, I.e., a limited amount of air, it shows better - more complexity coming out. This echoes what others said. Give it a long decant.
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Candied fruit on the nose. On the palate, fruit is dominant. Slightly unbalanced- I don't get the acidity I like with Pinot Noir. Finish is short. Some will like this. It is a more classy version of Meiomi. Just not my style.
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Big, initially intense Pinot. Started before dinner (yum), continued during burger dinner (nice), and finished after dinner with chocolate chip cookies (faded). Don't think this will get any better. Drink now.
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At first, this wine wasn't giving up much, but then after 30 minutes in the glass, it really opened up and started to strut its stuff. While a straight laced California Pinot, there is a wonderful balance between the jammy fruit and the true expression of the Pinot grape. If opening now, let it breath for 30 minutes first.
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Lovely balance and texture. Hard to imagine it's all Pinot but brings just enough nuance to retain varietal distinction. Viscous but not syrupy. Reminded me a little of Paul Hobbs RRV
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Very good drinking PN. Floral notes of spice and berries. Taste had hints of bing cherry, with leather and truffle. Not exactly what I expected from a PN, but it was really wonderful. This is not a typical Russian River PN, which is why I wasn't expecting what I drank. But very interesting, can drink alone or with food. I would recommend this, but expect the unexpected.
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Short 15 minute decant. Dark color. A really nice fruit forward "big" Pinot that is not over the top like a Meiomi. Can drink this alone of pair with Pinot friendly foods (pork, salmon, etc). Lacks that special "sophistication" you hope to find in a nice Pinot but otherwise well made and well balanced. A crowd pleaser for sure.
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Big fragrant pinot fruit nose of brambly raspberry, spices, and fleshy, plummy soft overripe berries with a dose of oak that hides behind the big fruit; mouth is soft and fairly rich, lower acid, little grip, but this is pure hedonism. Fun, fruity, but is exactly what what a forward crowd-pleasing RR PN should be.
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Impressive wine. Body is lighter and bouquet more subtle than I would've expected. Good with food but would be absolutely fine on its own. Nice stuff. Looking forward to the next one.
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Nickel & Nickel Bacchus Tasting (The Local, Minneapolis, MN): Nose: Similar saline quality like the Chard with some loam. Palate: Bright red fruits with good pop due to the acidity. An almost candied and perfumy quality present. Good stuff. 89+ points.
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Sweet Spanish grenache-like aromas of jammy berries and some alcohol. Initially very one-noted with candied flavors of slightly spicy black raspberry fruit. Distinct notes of cola emerge after some air time and adds a little depth. Very disappointing for the price.
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11/23/2023 - F_&_M Likes this wine: 92 Points
Now it's become a really great pinot noir.
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2/8/2021 - mas746 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still in a beautiful place with life to give. Rich black and red fruits mingle with spice and damp earth along with big acidity. The finish is long with extremely soft and lingering tannins. Certainly evolved from where it started but delicious!
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5/25/2020 - Vandy1983 wrote: 89 Points
Although past it’s prime, this Pinot was still smooth with spice notes evident.
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8/5/2019 - bradfriedlander Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasty. Good food wine. Taste has a touch of prunes but still is predominately strawberry. Medium mouth feel and finish.
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11/25/2017 - DGR Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pairs well with fried turkey and all the trimmings.
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11/23/2017 - jzebrack Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank a magnum.
It was fairly remarkable how much better the large format tasted compared to the 750ml bottles.
We like the 750ml bottles of this En Route, but I have never experienced such a difference in taste from a magnum.
Almost like a different wine.
Wish we had bought more.
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10/28/2017 - fcs@macsimsllc.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
At Bayside with Kesselmans
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9/30/2017 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pleasant now. Great balance of intense fruit and acidity. Avoids the unpleasant forward stemminess of many young California pinots.
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6/8/2017 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pleasant pinot, nothing particularly noteworthy or notable.
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4/7/2017 - phaft Likes this wine: 89 Points
Over all, for the money, I was not impressed. And judging from the "drink by" year, it wasn't likely to get better. Still and all, a firm and smokey pinot.
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4/2/2017 - Tiderunner22 wrote: 92 Points
Impressive RRV Pinot Noir at a great QPR.
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3/13/2017 - Normones wrote: 88 Points
previous vintage was so much better. 13 was hot, over the top bomb not in a good way
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2/16/2017 - jviz wrote: 91 Points
Clean, typical RRV. Very reliable and fairly priced
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2/14/2017 - sellerscellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always a very consistent, well-made pinot. Not a very good QPR, but a very nice, always delicate and feminine bottling.
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2/4/2017 - ralstenm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark berries and earthy nose. Complex palate along the lines of Burgundy pinot. Long on palate. Big alcohol. Very nice with arancini.
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1/22/2017 - dansmack Likes this wine: 93 Points
2013 is a great year for this Pinot
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1/8/2017 - Echodog wrote: 91 Points
Solid Pinot. Ruby red on rim of glass, dark fruits, absolutely delicious.
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1/4/2017 - JenVinoCO Likes this wine: 96 Points
My favorite pinot ever! Dry berries and bit of a tannic structure
Delicious nose and beautiful finish!
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12/14/2016 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Acker Holiday Auction (A Voce Madison): Drank this on the heels of my second go around with the Marcassin (which at that point was singing) and so this had a hard time competing. Just very much the standard Cali Pinot which is a bit too fruit dominated with low acidity.
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11/26/2016 - golfwine wrote: 90 Points
This was a solid and really enjoyable wine. So much so that I'm going to enter it into my short list of mid priced, go-to Pinots, though it will take successive vintage comparisons before it earns a place next to Walter Hansel The South Slope. Having learned that this was a Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel project (interpretation: 'Napa Excess'), I was surprised both with the affordable price tag, as well as the fact that it was not overblown. Instead, though the front end was repleat with bright fruit, there was no sappy, sweetness in the balanced finish. I didn't sense any notable acidity but again, the balance was there and, with a price around $40, I wasn't looking for nor expecting anything more than a moderately enjoyable pop & pour. It delivered that and more. Looking forward to successive vintages.
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11/11/2016 - jkvedar Likes this wine: 89 Points
After a day in the cellar, half bottle corked, I.e., a limited amount of air, it shows better - more complexity coming out. This echoes what others said. Give it a long decant.
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11/10/2016 - jkvedar Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Candied fruit on the nose. On the palate, fruit is dominant. Slightly unbalanced- I don't get the acidity I like with Pinot Noir. Finish is short. Some will like this. It is a more classy version of Meiomi. Just not my style.
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10/7/2016 - BillyRayValentine wrote: 87 Points
Nice fruit, no acid to balance.
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8/29/2016 - Sveta Likes this wine:
Decanted for about 30 minutes. Opened up nicely. Really enjoyed. Jammy, spicy, plum, dark cherry.
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8/19/2016 - Divebrat wrote:
Agree with others. This wine needs decanting.
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8/8/2016 - The Real SVB Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit more fruity than preferred but, still a more complex Pinot Noir than expected. Excellent match with gourmet burgers.
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8/2/2016 - F_&_M Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good wine, just not very varietally correct. I would not have guessed it a PN in a blind tasting. Great to drink though.
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7/22/2016 - franinnyc Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big, initially intense Pinot. Started before dinner (yum), continued during burger dinner (nice), and finished after dinner with chocolate chip cookies (faded). Don't think this will get any better. Drink now.
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6/28/2016 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
At first, this wine wasn't giving up much, but then after 30 minutes in the glass, it really opened up and started to strut its stuff. While a straight laced California Pinot, there is a wonderful balance between the jammy fruit and the true expression of the Pinot grape. If opening now, let it breath for 30 minutes first.
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6/28/2016 - chcook Does not like this wine:
Not my thing. Brawny w VA and alcohol. Better style for zin?
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5/13/2016 - Bruce 1er wrote: 93 Points
Earthy bouquet. Excellent fruit (dark cherries) with mushrooms and forest floor notes. Full-bodied. Showed complexity after being open several hours.
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4/29/2016 - jviz wrote: 92 Points
Lovely balance and texture. Hard to imagine it's all Pinot but brings just enough nuance to retain varietal distinction. Viscous but not syrupy. Reminded me a little of Paul Hobbs RRV
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4/17/2016 - dac2849 Likes this wine: 90 Points
appearance - garnet color, clear at edge, good body/legs, reflective - 3
aroma - fruit bomb, cherry & berry, oak/vanilla, slight hot/alc - 5
taste - cherry & red/black fruit, oak, slight tannin - 5.5
aftertaste - mid finish w/ cherry and berry continued flavor, slight oak - 2.5
overall - great balance & fruit flavor throughout - 2
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4/3/2016 - kylerogers wrote: 93 Points
Nose: Rich Bing cherries, milk chocolate, sweet mint, sweet leather, smoked meats,
Palate: Bing cherries, black cherries, moist cigar box
Notes:
Once again proving why this is not only one of my favorite Pinots, but one of my favorite wines.
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3/20/2016 - Echodog Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good drinking PN. Floral notes of spice and berries. Taste had hints of bing cherry, with leather and truffle. Not exactly what I expected from a PN, but it was really wonderful. This is not a typical Russian River PN, which is why I wasn't expecting what I drank. But very interesting, can drink alone or with food. I would recommend this, but expect the unexpected.
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3/10/2016 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Short 15 minute decant. Dark color. A really nice fruit forward "big" Pinot that is not over the top like a Meiomi. Can drink this alone of pair with Pinot friendly foods (pork, salmon, etc). Lacks that special "sophistication" you hope to find in a nice Pinot but otherwise well made and well balanced. A crowd pleaser for sure.
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3/6/2016 - dansmack Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great Pinot
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2/16/2016 - Yoderbj Likes this wine:
Enjoyable Pinot from the Russian river valley.
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2/6/2016 - Tiderunner22 wrote: 93 Points
Exceptional value at $32. Paired well with BBQ filet and lobster tail but drinks well alone.
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1/8/2016 - partylikeakennedy wrote: 91 Points
Classic Pinot nose but with deeper dimension. Palate is rich and complex, lots of cherry and apricot and cantaloupe. Long finish.
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1/3/2016 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Big fragrant pinot fruit nose of brambly raspberry, spices, and fleshy, plummy soft overripe berries with a dose of oak that hides behind the big fruit; mouth is soft and fairly rich, lower acid, little grip, but this is pure hedonism. Fun, fruity, but is exactly what what a forward crowd-pleasing RR PN should be.
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1/2/2016 - Afliss wrote: 91 Points
Impressive wine. Body is lighter and bouquet more subtle than I would've expected. Good with food but would be absolutely fine on its own. Nice stuff. Looking forward to the next one.
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12/20/2015 - dansmack Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great Pinot, had with Salmon. Did not decant - wish I did as it opened up wonderfully with a little time.
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12/13/2015 - dansmack Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great Pinot, awesome mouth feel - takes about 30 min to truly open up. Complex flavors.
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11/16/2015 - travispete wrote:
Excellent, great nose, elegant Pinot
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11/9/2015 - dansmack Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great value for pricing
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9/17/2015 - Mattshank wrote: 89 Points
Nickel & Nickel Bacchus Tasting (The Local, Minneapolis, MN): Nose: Similar saline quality like the Chard with some loam. Palate: Bright red fruits with good pop due to the acidity. An almost candied and perfumy quality present. Good stuff. 89+ points.
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7/18/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 90 Points
Sweet spice and cherry note - well made if a little young and unsettled. Medium bodied and fairly light on the finish
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7/2/2015 - Jobu wrote: 91 Points
Fruit forward cherries with a nice spiciness.
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5/25/2015 - kylerogers wrote: 91 Points
2013 EnRoute Pinot Noir
Les Pommiers
Nose: Bright, lush cherries - almost a brandied cherry smell. mulling spices, smoked meats, a little coffee.
Palate: Black cherry, raspberries, leather.
Still one of my favorite Pinot Noirs. Deep flavors, layered, complex, and just friggin delicious.
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4/30/2015 - soyhead Does not like this wine:
nose - stewed plum, candied cherry
mouth - barrel spice predominates, then i get bland cherry and plummy flavors. uninspiring
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4/26/2015 - Al Doughty Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Sweet Spanish grenache-like aromas of jammy berries and some alcohol. Initially very one-noted with candied flavors of slightly spicy black raspberry fruit. Distinct notes of cola emerge after some air time and adds a little depth. Very disappointing for the price.
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