12/30: I've decided to remove my score since it was so far off the other scores (82). I will score again after having another of our remaining two bottles.
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This Pinot Noir is the Tensley blend potentially across the entire Santa Rita Hills, which usually commands a lower price than the wines from single vineyards, but can also be not just affordable but a terrific best value. This version squarely falls into the best value category, with bright black cherry fruit, lively acidity, ample drying tannin, and good concentration. A very good pop and pour wine. that held up well for days after being opened.
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This time there's earthy, catsup and soy notes on the nose, and the astringency and sour cherries remain on the palate. After a few hours, this complex wine evolves into more herbal and brambly notes. O7.09.17: Typical red fruit and cola nose; however, the palate presents sharp, highly acidic, sugar-free rhubarb and a slightly off putting vegetal/green pepper note with sour cherries. Meh. This is a departure from a previous bottle that we drank in December 2016, which was more fruit forward with better balance.
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I rated this much higher than before, and I don't think it's that the wine has changed. It's that dinner was chicken cacciatore, a braise with sweet and acid tomatoes, and the food offset the acidity and minerality and bitter finish of the pinot noir. Still the candied fruit on the nose and on the palate. Alcohol may be covered by this point. I'm wondering whether the wide divergence of opinions about this pinot noir correlate with the food pairing.
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Pretty full-throttle stuff -- can definitely see why the reviews here are polarized. But on the other hand it's consistent with the Tensley house style, so there shouldn't be any surprises. Complex palate with just about everything in the red fruit spectrum, spicy cola, and soy sauce-glazed mushrooms. Nice toasty vanilla from the oak. There is the bitter/astringent harshness that others have mentioned though, which I'm guessing is alcohol burn. It's a real detractor -- this would rate at least a couple points higher otherwise. But if you don't mind some candied fruit and booziness in your pinot, you should enjoy this plenty.
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Clear garnet in the glass, nose is cola and strawberry jam, palate is astringent rather than juicy, with a bitter unpleasant finish. Nothing much to like here. Sorry I bought this one.
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Nose Earthy nose, lower on fruit than I expected on the nose. After 15 minutes, nose opens up fruit on top of the earth: Cherries and strawberry jam (though not overpowering like the vineyard specific I've had from them). Palate fits with the nose quite well -- mild earth, mild fruit. Tannins are easy going but clear and present to help balance out the fruit and acid to give the wine decent structure.
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Was very nice -- bright red berry and cherry fruit, with an earthy undertone. There’s dusty tannins and bright acidity to give it a nice structure. It’s pretty mellow, and was quite good with all the appetizers.
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Generous nose of strawberry, leather, earth. Ripe strawberry and cherry candied fruit flavors, heavily spiced with earthy mushroom notes. High acid. More impressive on the nose than palate, but still quite enjoyable. Best consumed with food.
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9/26/2021 - Swekman wrote: 92 Points
Cherries, blackberry jam, and chocolate make up the nose of this Pinot. The tannins are soft and silky and the wine has a lovely smooth finish.
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12/2/2020 - PimpDaddy2Kool Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last of the Tensley batches. Going forward Lea is owned and made by Roblar.
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1/1/2020 - samsneed Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice red fruit with a fair amount of oak and a touch of vanilla. Fantastic value,Everyone enjoyed it.
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11/22/2019 - KaTomah Likes this wine: 83 Points
Opened, decanted and consumed with pulled pork and fruit
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4/10/2019 - LeVin66 wrote: 88 Points
Lacking acidity
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1/19/2019 - jayw Likes this wine:
Perfumey nose, rich red fruit, bright acidity and a touch of minerality. Somewhat primary, but good for the price and very much a crowd pleaser.
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12/24/2018 - ImUrHuckleberry Does not like this wine:
Cloying and perfumey.
12/30: I've decided to remove my score since it was so far off the other scores (82). I will score again after having another of our remaining two bottles.
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12/22/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 92 Points
This Pinot Noir is the Tensley blend potentially across the entire Santa Rita Hills, which usually commands a lower price than the wines from single vineyards, but can also be not just affordable but a terrific best value. This version squarely falls into the best value category, with bright black cherry fruit, lively acidity, ample drying tannin, and good concentration. A very good pop and pour wine. that held up well for days after being opened.
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12/7/2018 - jayw wrote:
Not as good as previous bottles. Much more primary, though it improved with airing.
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12/1/2018 - jayw Likes this wine:
High acid, bright red fruit and leather.
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11/22/2018 - snarfglk wrote: 88 Points
meh, OK
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11/14/2018 - snarfglk wrote: 88 Points
similar to previous bottles, good weekday drink
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11/10/2018 - snarfglk wrote: 88 Points
A little flat
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10/11/2018 - LeVin66 wrote: 89 Points
Light but pleasant
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10/6/2018 - snarfglk Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little tight day 1 but opened up nicely day 2. A good QPR PN.
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4/7/2018 - Quaffing in Colorado Likes this wine: 89 Points
This time there's earthy, catsup and soy notes on the nose, and the astringency and sour cherries remain on the palate. After a few hours, this complex wine evolves into more herbal and brambly notes. O7.09.17: Typical red fruit and cola nose; however, the palate presents sharp, highly acidic, sugar-free rhubarb and a slightly off putting vegetal/green pepper note with sour cherries. Meh. This is a departure from a previous bottle that we drank in December 2016, which was more fruit forward with better balance.
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1/28/2018 - mazik wrote: 87 Points
I rated this much higher than before, and I don't think it's that the wine has changed. It's that dinner was chicken cacciatore, a braise with sweet and acid tomatoes, and the food offset the acidity and minerality and bitter finish of the pinot noir. Still the candied fruit on the nose and on the palate. Alcohol may be covered by this point. I'm wondering whether the wide divergence of opinions about this pinot noir correlate with the food pairing.
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1/5/2018 - tomherer wrote: 90 Points
Pretty full-throttle stuff -- can definitely see why the reviews here are polarized. But on the other hand it's consistent with the Tensley house style, so there shouldn't be any surprises. Complex palate with just about everything in the red fruit spectrum, spicy cola, and soy sauce-glazed mushrooms. Nice toasty vanilla from the oak. There is the bitter/astringent harshness that others have mentioned though, which I'm guessing is alcohol burn. It's a real detractor -- this would rate at least a couple points higher otherwise. But if you don't mind some candied fruit and booziness in your pinot, you should enjoy this plenty.
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12/1/2017 - Quaffing in Colorado Likes this wine: 88 Points
Significant bottle variation. This was cherry, cola, toasty oak, and vanilla, similar to earlier bottles.
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10/12/2017 - jflexman Does not like this wine:
Bitter
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7/14/2017 - mazik Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Clear garnet in the glass, nose is cola and strawberry jam, palate is astringent rather than juicy, with a bitter unpleasant finish. Nothing much to like here. Sorry I bought this one.
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6/17/2017 - jayw Likes this wine:
This is a high acid, earthy Pinot Noir, with candied red fruit and spice on palate, and strong mushroom and earth notes on nose. Juicy and enjoyable.
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6/11/2017 - MindMuse wrote: 89 Points
Sour cherry and tart raspberry with dusty earth and light floral tones. Pretty tart on the palate, so food is advisable. 88-90
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5/25/2017 - mike.s wrote:
Nose Earthy nose, lower on fruit than I expected on the nose. After 15 minutes, nose opens up fruit on top of the earth: Cherries and strawberry jam (though not overpowering like the vineyard specific I've had from them). Palate fits with the nose quite well -- mild earth, mild fruit. Tannins are easy going but clear and present to help balance out the fruit and acid to give the wine decent structure.
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5/9/2017 - Halfeel wrote: 86 Points
I found this bottle to be a bit astringent and unbalanced. This may hopefully improve with a few more years in the cellar.
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1/31/2017 - MeToo wrote:
Was very nice -- bright red berry and cherry fruit, with an earthy undertone. There’s dusty tannins and bright acidity to give it a nice structure. It’s pretty mellow, and was quite good with all the appetizers.
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12/28/2016 - kokato Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs some time.
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12/1/2016 - jayw Likes this wine:
Generous nose of strawberry, leather, earth. Ripe strawberry and cherry candied fruit flavors, heavily spiced with earthy mushroom notes. High acid. More impressive on the nose than palate, but still quite enjoyable. Best consumed with food.
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