Medium ruby on the pour. Pleasant nose of ripe berries. On the palate, expresses a jammy boysenberry/blackberry with adequate tannins. We didn’t see the wine as light at all. It stood up well to blackened Caribbean Grouper with garlic, shallots and dill. Overall a very pleasant drinking experience.
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Very light red on sight. Declassified estate fruit. Mulled cranberry nose. Cherry, pommegranate. 20% NFO, 16 mo elevage. 10 % whole cluster. Palate is showing nice spice and deeper red fruit than nose.
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A bit delicate and less extracted for a Sta Rita AVA Pinot. I bought 2 at the tasting room as a club member. It's a bit overpriced for the quality. This is a label that is rising from the ashes, and I've been with them off and on starting from when it was Sanford. It's a classic name in the valley and I like to support the legends and now little guys.
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25.0 Brix @ Harvest; 14.8% ABV, 0.5g/100mL R.S., 6.8 g/liter T.A., & 3.56 pH; 3,706 cs released June 2015
N: Slightly closed; SOME CC character (I.e., berries, earth, & a certain "greenness" [almost herbaceousness]), though minimally so, the PREDOMINANT aromatics being RIPE berries
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a firming acidity which transitions into a LONG, SPICY/tangy finish with (perhaps) the BAREST hint of bitterness, though the ULT sensation is one of swtness. Though in no way "tired", I'd wait no longer should you still be cellaring any of this enjoyable wine! My VG+, poss VG+/EXC-. 91 pts ea RJonWine & WE @ $40, 88 Vinous (Galloni), and Silvers @ the '16 S.F. Chronicle & TEXSOM Int'l Wine Competitions. [As of late Feb '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 U.S. source @ $35, which, per the winery, was the original sugg retail.]
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Wonderfully pure and lifted aromas of cherries, raspberries, underbrush, and earthy minerality. Plump, juicy, racy, red fruit flavors are full of intensity, exuberance, and freshness. No hard edges whatsoever and sinfully easy to drink.
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Blend of five different vineyard sites. Including the estate site. Big, full bore Pinot Noir. 20% new. Tasty like SB that has been hung just a touch longer than ripe.
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Alma Rosa Tasting: Deep ruby color. Smells of juicy cherries, strawberries, rhubarb, clove and cola. Chewy, oily texture at 14.8% alcohol, but bright acidity and fine tannins balance it out. Tart cherries, strawberries and raspberries play with notes of cola, clove, roses and coffee. Forward and bold but vibrant.
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A nice effort at affordability by Richard and Thekla Sanford. Rather dark for a Pinot. Pronounced earthy Plum/Bing Cherry mix. Loads of cola and spice. Medium+ weight, Dry, tight finish. Reminds me of older vintages of Belle Glos Clark & Telephone but at half the price
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Really enjoyed this. Notes of red and black cherry, citrus fruit, white peach, hint of florals. A little acid and some crushed stone tie it together. Very smooth. Drinking great right now but has enough going on that I think it will be even nicer in a couple years.
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Nose doesn't reveal much but on the palate there are mid-ripe cherries, hints of citrus and cola, then a touch of acid for balance. Finish is moderate in length and fairly pleasant but dry. A very solid wine that fits all aspects of a good wine yet doesn't feel the need to dazzle in any particular area. QPR is just ok at $22, B+ effort
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5/31/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium ruby on the pour. Pleasant nose of ripe berries. On the palate, expresses a jammy boysenberry/blackberry with adequate tannins. We didn’t see the wine as light at all. It stood up well to blackened Caribbean Grouper with garlic, shallots and dill. Overall a very pleasant drinking experience.
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7/31/2018 - Joe Kane wrote:
Very light red on sight. Declassified estate fruit. Mulled cranberry nose. Cherry, pommegranate. 20% NFO, 16 mo elevage. 10 % whole cluster. Palate is showing nice spice and deeper red fruit than nose.
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6/20/2018 - tonepad Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit delicate and less extracted for a Sta Rita AVA Pinot. I bought 2 at the tasting room as a club member. It's a bit overpriced for the quality. This is a label that is rising from the ashes, and I've been with them off and on starting from when it was Sanford. It's a classic name in the valley and I like to support the legends and now little guys.
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5/23/2018 - GiGi82 Does not like this wine:
Waited too long to drink ir
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4/3/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
25.0 Brix @ Harvest; 14.8% ABV, 0.5g/100mL R.S., 6.8 g/liter T.A., & 3.56 pH; 3,706 cs released June 2015
N: Slightly closed; SOME CC character (I.e., berries, earth, & a certain "greenness" [almost herbaceousness]), though minimally so, the PREDOMINANT aromatics being RIPE berries
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a firming acidity which transitions into a LONG, SPICY/tangy finish with (perhaps) the BAREST hint of bitterness, though the ULT sensation is one of swtness. Though in no way "tired", I'd wait no longer should you still be cellaring any of this enjoyable wine! My VG+, poss VG+/EXC-. 91 pts ea RJonWine & WE @ $40, 88 Vinous (Galloni), and Silvers @ the '16 S.F. Chronicle & TEXSOM Int'l Wine Competitions. [As of late Feb '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 U.S. source @ $35, which, per the winery, was the original sugg retail.]
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11/1/2017 - 3661Wine wrote:
Ok wine - nothing spectacular. Medium bodied, some deep fruits
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3/23/2017 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Wonderfully pure and lifted aromas of cherries, raspberries, underbrush, and earthy minerality. Plump, juicy, racy, red fruit flavors are full of intensity, exuberance, and freshness. No hard edges whatsoever and sinfully easy to drink.
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3/7/2017 - skiwine wrote: 83 Points
Disappointing. Flat. Dry/Gritty. Fruit did not come out in this. Not at all what I would have expected from this wine.
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1/23/2017 - jmcmchi wrote: 88 Points
Big california bouquet - spice and touch of oak
Sweet softness initially with strawberry developing into cherry; fair amount of bitter cherry tannins on finish
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9/21/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Blend of five different vineyard sites. Including the estate site. Big, full bore Pinot Noir. 20% new. Tasty like SB that has been hung just a touch longer than ripe.
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5/12/2016 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 88 Points
Alma Rosa Tasting: Deep ruby color. Smells of juicy cherries, strawberries, rhubarb, clove and cola. Chewy, oily texture at 14.8% alcohol, but bright acidity and fine tannins balance it out. Tart cherries, strawberries and raspberries play with notes of cola, clove, roses and coffee. Forward and bold but vibrant.
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3/11/2016 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice effort at affordability by Richard and Thekla Sanford.
Rather dark for a Pinot. Pronounced earthy Plum/Bing Cherry mix.
Loads of cola and spice.
Medium+ weight, Dry, tight finish.
Reminds me of older vintages of Belle Glos Clark & Telephone but at half the price
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1/8/2016 - jmcmchi wrote:
Initial hamminess turning earthy on nose
Lots od cherry, tannins soft but consistent with nose
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11/24/2015 - Shaun Mondavi wrote: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this. Notes of red and black cherry, citrus fruit, white peach, hint of florals. A little acid and some crushed stone tie it together. Very smooth. Drinking great right now but has enough going on that I think it will be even nicer in a couple years.
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10/2/2015 - TK Mastres wrote: 89 Points
Nose doesn't reveal much but on the palate there are mid-ripe cherries, hints of citrus and cola, then a touch of acid for balance. Finish is moderate in length and fairly pleasant but dry. A very solid wine that fits all aspects of a good wine yet doesn't feel the need to dazzle in any particular area. QPR is just ok at $22, B+ effort
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8/30/2015 - jemccray64 wrote: 92 Points
Earth, candied fruit and licorice on the nose. Supple tannins, red berries, Orange peel, and a long finish
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