If you like California Pinot, this is a very good deal at the $12 or so that I paid for it. It’s definitely crafted with a quality that is nearly impossible to find at that price.
Nose is somewhat muted. Perhaps it was once more vibrant and has settled down with bottle age. A bit of cooked red and black fruit and some thyme/herbs.
The palate is soft with a level of extraction and sweetness that I find in just about all CA pinots that I’ve drunk to date. This makes it a little tricky to pair with food, but on the plus side it gives the wine a pleasingly plump mouthfeel. The mid palate falls a little short, but the finish is respectable, with a touch of heat mixed in there.
All in all I’m not a fan of the sweetness and the middling amount of acid. This wine is unapologetically new world, so if that’s you’re thing then it will be enjoyable.
If you have any of this around, it’s certainly time to drink up.
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Wow. Wasn't sure what I was getting when this showed up at my Trader Joe's. I'm familiar with Bouchaine (have visited the winery) so bought a bunch of this immediately, but uncorked a bottle with some trepidation. Were they unloading a bad year? On opening, I was relieved to find it was a typical Carneros pinot; but then, after getting a couple hours of air, this transformed into a complex, wonderful wine. Could use a touch more acidity for my tastes, but if you see this at TJ's, don't hesitate to snatch it up.
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1/25/2018 - cjsadler wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking very well, judging by this bottle at least— doesn’t seem to be any rush.
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1/23/2018 - OregonLoafer wrote: 87 Points
If you like California Pinot, this is a very good deal at the $12 or so that I paid for it. It’s definitely crafted with a quality that is nearly impossible to find at that price.
Nose is somewhat muted. Perhaps it was once more vibrant and has settled down with bottle age. A bit of cooked red and black fruit and some thyme/herbs.
The palate is soft with a level of extraction and sweetness that I find in just about all CA pinots that I’ve drunk to date. This makes it a little tricky to pair with food, but on the plus side it gives the wine a pleasingly plump mouthfeel. The mid palate falls a little short, but the finish is respectable, with a touch of heat mixed in there.
All in all I’m not a fan of the sweetness and the middling amount of acid. This wine is unapologetically new world, so if that’s you’re thing then it will be enjoyable.
If you have any of this around, it’s certainly time to drink up.
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5/28/2016 - cjsadler wrote: 91 Points
Wow. Wasn't sure what I was getting when this showed up at my Trader Joe's. I'm familiar with Bouchaine (have visited the winery) so bought a bunch of this immediately, but uncorked a bottle with some trepidation. Were they unloading a bad year? On opening, I was relieved to find it was a typical Carneros pinot; but then, after getting a couple hours of air, this transformed into a complex, wonderful wine. Could use a touch more acidity for my tastes, but if you see this at TJ's, don't hesitate to snatch it up.
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