Black fruit and caramel up front, rounder core on soft tannin, finishes well with a little lick of acidity. Four years later and I still would call this California if tasted blind. I have a soft spot for Penner as theirs was my first Oregon Pinot, and really enjoy their wines, while acknowledging that this doesn't taste like that... tasted next to a 2013 Westrey, this wine was much bigger, rounder and less nuanced, as I believe it would compare to most Willamette pinots even while acknowledging the difference in vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opens with aromas of black cherry, cola, cardamom, touch of cinnamon. Beautifully smooth and integrated palate attacks with black and blue fruit flavors and transitions seamlessly to a lingering brown sugar and baking spice finish. Alcohol is held nicely in check for a warm vintage. Acidity is med-plus, tannins med, complexity med to med-plus, finish med. Always a fan of this one, excellent QPR. Handled the thick cut pork chops quite well!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a big Pinot but somehow it doesn't come across as a brute. Wild cherries, damp soil, and a touch of game highlight the nose. Tight and full bodied, with plump and succulent New World fruit. It settles down nicely, and develops a savory streak of brown sugar restraint. It works out well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour. Slightly less polished with more earth tones than the 2015. Dark fruit, tart raspberry, herbs, smoke, damp wood and wet soil. A slight game note rings in on the finish. Highly acidic still with at least a few years until the peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
this was my favorite PN for years, indeed the one that made me decide to drink this grape. It started downhill in 2013 and the 2014 made me stop buying it: too sweet and simple, boring and tiresome. I have not bought any for months, but am tempted to try the 2015, since at total wine the price of $37 - 10% is appealing.
edit in 2019: the price for the 2015 is down to $30, but still not selling, for a reason, boring and simply sweet. the 2016 is the same. I asked my wife to compare it to the rex hill jacob hart vineyard we had last night, and she preferred the rex, which of course is almost double the price. but you can't fault an accurate palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Restaurant purchase with Sweet Breads. Nice, quite dark and intense. I see varying views of this wine based on style, but I like this fuller, smokey , earthy approach. Does need some time to come together fully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ripe cherry, cherry pits, roasted orange peel, toasted wood ash, black licorice nib, sucrose all flavor pixie stix dust. After another 20 sips. Spontaneous reaction. Fxxx that Wine is good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing earthy and jammy notes that reminds me of thanksgiving pies of all varieties. Cranberry and pomegranate fruits with cinnamon, clove and a touch of vanilla bean on the palate. Very smooth and a heavier, bolder Pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Disappointing one dimensional yet still tasty Pinot - opened into blueberry and muted oak and vanilla with some earth and dark fruit but no structure to hold together an already thin wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE frt met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat unravels itself by the LONG, very slightly spicy, somewhat astringent finish. NEEDS a yr, prob 2, then drinking for the ff'ing 2+. 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson. [As of mid Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $39.90]
Note: Also tasted on 4/1 & 6/24/17.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
* appearance: medium ruby * aromas: nicely perfumed with cherry, strawberry, black tea dried leaves, sage, cedar, hint of smoke * palate: lively, balanced, red fruit * structure: medium body, medium tannins, firm acidity, 14.3% alcohol * finish: medium length with subtle, velvety tannins * winemaking: blend of multiple vineyards aged 10 months in 26% new French oak * pairing: Kelly's Penne Arrabiata with Mushrooms and Sausage * price: $48
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dusty black and red fruit. Baking spices and vanilla in the middle, lush mouthfeel, with some black tea and decent tannic chew on the finish. Big and bold and almost out of balance and towards California Pinot when tasted next to the 2013, Really evocative of what was a very hot year in Oregon. Also, yum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (very, VERY slightly hot?) quickly met by mid palate pucker, this at least somewhat resolving by the LONG, finely, yet ultimately sweetly tannic finish. NEEDS 2 yrs or so, & this vendor's $31.95 is one of the best prices in a CROWDED wine-searcher field! 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
P: MF body; SWTISH frt (threshold R.S.?) met by a very slightly puckerish/bitterish components, this pretty much resolving by the LONG, VERY slightly bitter finish. A fairly seamless "big" P.N., I'd give this through '17 to come together, then drink into '21 min -- assuming the swtness doesn't become an issue. VERY nicely done in the style, & a potential value @ the tasted, now out of stock, $31.95. [However, as of early Feb '19 wine-searcher still shows several U.S. sources from $35-$45.] 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A blend of "left over" barrels from the estates plethora of single vineyard Pinot Noir from across the valley. Aromas show cherry, strawberry and blackberry fruits with a touch of purple fruits that come with a nice touch of spice, tea, mineral and earth. Fresh and lively on the palate with flavors of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, plum and blackberry that show a blend of white and black pepper, black tea, slate and mineral and a brambly note that echoes through the finish. Overall a great showing and a decent price point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3.5 Red cherry and raspberry steeped in chai tea with a hint of anise. Barrel influence provides a sweet vanilla aromatic finish. Lean in weight, the mid-palate fall short from the high-standard set by this winery. Delightful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/19/2021 - oropeza Likes this wine:
Black fruit and caramel up front, rounder core on soft tannin, finishes well with a little lick of acidity. Four years later and I still would call this California if tasted blind. I have a soft spot for Penner as theirs was my first Oregon Pinot, and really enjoy their wines, while acknowledging that this doesn't taste like that... tasted next to a 2013 Westrey, this wine was much bigger, rounder and less nuanced, as I believe it would compare to most Willamette pinots even while acknowledging the difference in vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2021 - Richkniles Likes this wine:
God Pinot flavor
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2020 - Bozekt wrote: 92 Points
Opens with aromas of black cherry, cola, cardamom, touch of cinnamon. Beautifully smooth and integrated palate attacks with black and blue fruit flavors and transitions seamlessly to a lingering brown sugar and baking spice finish. Alcohol is held nicely in check for a warm vintage. Acidity is med-plus, tannins med, complexity med to med-plus, finish med. Always a fan of this one, excellent QPR. Handled the thick cut pork chops quite well!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2019 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
This is a big Pinot but somehow it doesn't come across as a brute. Wild cherries, damp soil, and a touch of game highlight the nose. Tight and full bodied, with plump and succulent New World fruit. It settles down nicely, and develops a savory streak of brown sugar restraint. It works out well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2019 - khmark7 wrote:
Much too ripe. Very Californian, and although well assembled it doesn't showcase Pinot Noir from Oregon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2018 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. Slightly less polished with more earth tones than the 2015. Dark fruit, tart raspberry, herbs, smoke, damp wood and wet soil. A slight game note rings in on the finish. Highly acidic still with at least a few years until the peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2018 - mathwonk wrote:
this was my favorite PN for years, indeed the one that made me decide to drink this grape. It started downhill in 2013 and the 2014 made me stop buying it: too sweet and simple, boring and tiresome. I have not bought any for months, but am tempted to try the 2015, since at total wine the price of $37 - 10% is appealing.
edit in 2019: the price for the 2015 is down to $30, but still not selling, for a reason, boring and simply sweet. the 2016 is the same. I asked my wife to compare it to the rex hill jacob hart vineyard we had last night, and she preferred the rex, which of course is almost double the price. but you can't fault an accurate palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2018 - DB Lawton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Restaurant purchase with Sweet Breads. Nice, quite dark and intense. I see varying views of this wine based on style, but I like this fuller, smokey , earthy approach. Does need some time to come together fully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2018 - viniferous wrote: flawed
Corked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2018 - tshelton12 wrote: 91 Points
Pomegranate, cherry and earthy notes. Burgundian-esq. Elegant and layered. Opened up nicely after some time. Very good wine at the rice point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2017 - MickPegg Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ripe cherry, cherry pits, roasted orange peel, toasted wood ash, black licorice nib, sucrose all flavor pixie stix dust. After another 20 sips. Spontaneous reaction. Fxxx that Wine is good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2017 - Amishdesai93 Likes this wine:
ruby in color, cherry on the nose. Clear red fruit on the palate, with medium body and noticeable tannin. medium to high acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2017 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Amazing earthy and jammy notes that reminds me of thanksgiving pies of all varieties. Cranberry and pomegranate fruits with cinnamon, clove and a touch of vanilla bean on the palate. Very smooth and a heavier, bolder Pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2017 - Breaktheory Likes this wine: 87 Points
Disappointing one dimensional yet still tasty Pinot - opened into blueberry and muted oak and vanilla with some earth and dark fruit but no structure to hold together an already thin wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [2 Whts & 6 Reds] from 10/06/17 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: RIPE, jammy, wild straws
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE frt met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat unravels itself by the LONG, very slightly spicy, somewhat astringent finish. NEEDS a yr, prob 2, then drinking for the ff'ing 2+. 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson. [As of mid Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $39.90]
Note: Also tasted on 4/1 & 6/24/17.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2017 - Peter Kleban Does not like this wine:
Oaky, heavy, and slightly sweet. Good length but I didn't care for the style or flavor. Not my kind of PN. Disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/19/2017 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 91 Points
* appearance: medium ruby
* aromas: nicely perfumed with cherry, strawberry, black tea dried leaves, sage, cedar, hint of smoke
* palate: lively, balanced, red fruit
* structure: medium body, medium tannins, firm acidity, 14.3% alcohol
* finish: medium length with subtle, velvety tannins
* winemaking: blend of multiple vineyards aged 10 months in 26% new French oak
* pairing: Kelly's Penne Arrabiata with Mushrooms and Sausage
* price: $48
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2017 - All Is Whale wrote:
Good (strong) nose of dark fruit and gas (dunno which one just v. gassy).
Tastes the same except sweet (too sweet she says).
If there wasnt such a thing as whiskey I might like this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2017 - oropeza Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dusty black and red fruit. Baking spices and vanilla in the middle, lush mouthfeel, with some black tea and decent tannic chew on the finish. Big and bold and almost out of balance and towards California Pinot when tasted next to the 2013, Really evocative of what was a very hot year in Oregon. Also, yum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
OR & CA Pinots (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Fairly fragrant jam & flowers
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (very, VERY slightly hot?) quickly met by mid palate pucker, this at least somewhat resolving by the LONG, finely, yet ultimately sweetly tannic finish. NEEDS 2 yrs or so, & this vendor's $31.95 is one of the best prices in a CROWDED wine-searcher field! 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [2 Whts & 6 Reds] from 03/31/17: N: FRAGRANT cherries bolstering straws; Jamminess as well?
P: MF body; SWTISH frt (threshold R.S.?) met by a very slightly puckerish/bitterish components, this pretty much resolving by the LONG, VERY slightly bitter finish. A fairly seamless "big" P.N., I'd give this through '17 to come together, then drink into '21 min -- assuming the swtness doesn't become an issue. VERY nicely done in the style, & a potential value @ the tasted, now out of stock, $31.95. [However, as of early Feb '19 wine-searcher still shows several U.S. sources from $35-$45.] 92 pts Suckling, 91 Vinous (Raynolds), 90 ea WA & WS, 89 WE @ $45, and 15.5/20 Jancis Robinson.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2017 - Niccolo Donzella wrote: 90 Points
Black cherry and leather with a long finish - beautifully made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2016 - bjamesclark wrote: 90 Points
A blend of "left over" barrels from the estates plethora of single vineyard Pinot Noir from across the valley.
Aromas show cherry, strawberry and blackberry fruits with a touch of purple fruits that come with a nice touch of spice, tea, mineral and earth.
Fresh and lively on the palate with flavors of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, plum and blackberry that show a blend of white and black pepper, black tea, slate and mineral and a brambly note that echoes through the finish.
Overall a great showing and a decent price point.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2016 - Motz wrote: 88 Points
Made in the crowd-pleasing style. Juicy and likely versatile with food. Very good acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2016 - macker100 wrote: 90 Points
375ml. Cherry cola and flowers on nose. Solid Oregon pinot with smooth tannins and good depth of cherries. Lots of minerals on finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2016 - wagonwine wrote:
3.5 Red cherry and raspberry steeped in chai tea with a hint of anise. Barrel influence provides a sweet vanilla aromatic finish. Lean in weight, the mid-palate fall short from the high-standard set by this winery. Delightful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment