Popped and decanted briefly. Medium garnet color - not opaque or overly dark. “Smells like Pinot” said someone. Has that classic dark cherry chocolate nose, and on the palette. Beautiful. Super long finish. Medium alcohol. If California Pinot gets better than this, you’re splitting hairs. I can’t see this getting better. Drink up. This may deserve 100 points. I’m giving it 98.
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Mr. Browne, you have a lovely wine (ok, so a play off the song). I do absolutely believe that he has learned to master the pinot noir grape (so sad they so Kosta Browne). The mellow smooth balanced acidity and tannins make this this a really enjoyable wine, The wine has more life in the bottle, but is drinking very nice now.
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Bright fruit still happening on the nose. Palate is pretty rich, round mouthfeel, medium finish. Can probably keep going but I like the fruit where it is now.
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The most amazing Pinot noir I have ever had from California-a nose of mushrooms and truffle with fresh plowed earth and fall flowers. Palette taste follows like wise with fresh berries and unripe plums with fresh long mid-palate the has chanterelles and pine mushroom nuances. Had with grilled veal chop with mushroom risotto.
Had this same wine 5 years ago, and this one last night. Happy that I bought 2 bottles-and they tasted the same. Amazing wine!
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In a really good place right now. Decanted it for 90 minutes before drinking as part of a tasting paired with food. Was fantastic stand alone and very nice with lamb. A little sad that this was my last bottle of the original Cirq.
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A nice bright red fruit driven Pinot. Precise with high-toned cherry and strawberry flavors. Has a bit of subtle ripeness. The purity of fruit is apparent and this still presents as fresh and lively. Totally enjoyable and flawless. A beautiful wine but feel it needs to be even more scintillating at this price point. Spoiled my wife on Mother’s Day, and also spoiled myself.
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A core of refreshingly acidic red strawberries make this easy and enjoyable to drink. The fruit has integrated well over the years, and the mellowed ripeness and oak influence allows the cooking spices and herbs to shine.
This is drinking beautifully, and approaching what I believe will be the peak of this wine. The red fruit and the sweetness from the oak need a few more years to mellow out into a perfect balance for drinking standalone.
From a pairing perspective, the bright showing of fruits allowed a diversity of pairings from foie gras to bone marrow. It would probably do great with gamey meats or lamb dishes. Looking to try those when I pop my next bottle in a few years.
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Perhaps an off bottle. Decanted 2 hours. Fruit gone. Almost a chore to finish the bottle. Total disappointment. Last of 3 bottles and easily the worst one.
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This elegant and ripe Pinot is drinking beautifully right now, offering an intensity of flavor with just the right amount of restraint. Aromas of fresh strawberry, rock candy, and dried herbs. Flavors of fresh raspberry, pie cherry, and anise, with a sweet and lifted finish. 14.2% alcohol. This is the gateway for someone who likes sugar (but knows enough to say they don’t), since it has a ripeness and a sophistication that are, truth be told, probably what CA Pinot does best.
I drank this on the same night as a 2015 Rhys Family Farm, which was more light in color and body (and, cough, half the price). Still, it was surprising how the Cirq and Rhys shared several things in common, including bright fruit and fresh acidity. The Cirq offered more candied aromas, with a sweeter taste profile and finish, but it didn't present as a Russian River Valley bruiser, all strawberries and oak chips. Instead, the Cirq has impressive precision, and - for me - edged out the Rhys tonight. 94 at the moment, with upside in another year or two if the sugar calms down. If the Cirq was Summer, the Rhys was Spring - so pick your season!
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Very good pinot though I was expecting more for the price point. Balanced and clean profile. No sharp edges but not super interesting. Drink or hold few more years
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Started out strong with tart higher acid raspberry notes. Then developed more cherry and typical KB notes with air. Some chocolate and brown sugar. Tobacco and dried leaves but not funky earthy.
Delicious but overpriced now that they’re $200-$240
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Anton’s Wine Tasting Notes CIRQ Treehouse 2015 Winery: CIRQ. Varietal: Pinot Noir Area/Appellation: Russian River Valley Sonoma County California Vintage: 2015 Price: $130.00 Direct From Winery Color: Dark ruby with some black and brown tea colors. Legs: super dead slow Nose: candied cherry , boysenberry, Palate: brilliant red cherry, pomegranate, some candied cherry, Finish: layers of red and black fruits, Comments: really nice very impressive, great acidity, 5 days later still very solid with some major backbone. Pairing Suggestions: gouda, gruyere, aged cheddar, Duck, mild sausage, quail, mild pork dishes, Score in terms of Vintage: 93 Score for the Wine: 92++ Value for the Money: Excellent Date Tasted: 09/16/2020 Tasted by:ACK
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Decided to revisit this bottle six months later. I was quite disappointed in the first bottle. This second bottle was much better, black cherry and raspberry, and a very straight-lined finish. Medium to light-bodied and elegant. Lacked a "wow" factor, but good nonetheless. At this price point, I don't see much value from this bottle.
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Similar note to the Bootleggers had a few nights before. So juicy with incredible concentration of fruit. Enough complexity here to keep it from going over the top (even some cool spearmint on the finish). Definitely not going to mistaken this for Burgundy but brilliant in its own way. These keep getting better.
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Elegant pinot noir with deep color. Black cherries, plums, black raspberries, blueberries, and some earthiness. Medium bodied wine with nice complexity and a medium to long finish.
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Very subpar, no hints of cherry nor blackberries. Very light-bodied, completely lacking in structure. Did I get a bad bottle? We'll see, because I have a second bottle.
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Opened three hours decanted for one. Deep purple color clove and ripe fruit on nose. Bright red berries, really fruity with a slightly acidic finish. Tanning and alcohol longer, but in a fairly pleasing way. I’m curious to see what if anything a few more years does. Drinks well now
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Initial pull was a linear delivery of subdued red raspberry and pumice. With some air, additional notes of red and black cherry, graphite, strawberry cream, and faint bark emerged. Mid-palate remained medium, with a kiddypool depth and a primary, straight-line finish.
Currently, the overall profile here does not display nor support any flavor elongation across the palate. After two+ hours of open air, the red raspberry note dominated, washing over the other peripheral components.
There is potential upside in a couple of years, though I’m unsure of the totality of stuffing making up the would-be core of this wine, at least from the perspective of showing like a top shelf domestic Pinot Noir in the price bracket by which it exists. After you cut through all the circus show “Come one, come all; see the Great Bambini” packaging, I’m left with juice that is less enthralling in its current state. 91-92/93+? points. Try again after 2021.
Opened for 5 hours. More dialed back the the 14 but still very juicy and open. Cooling purple/blue fruit lead into more herbaceous red fruit accented with clove and currant. A mineral streak (granite) runs through the entire wine keeping light and fresh. Drinkable young but still has 5 years plus in the prime window.
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3/23/2024 - schott Likes this wine: 98 Points
Popped and decanted briefly. Medium garnet color - not opaque or overly dark. “Smells like Pinot” said someone. Has that classic dark cherry chocolate nose, and on the palette. Beautiful. Super long finish. Medium alcohol. If California Pinot gets better than this, you’re splitting hairs. I can’t see this getting better. Drink up. This may deserve 100 points. I’m giving it 98.
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8/6/2023 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mr. Browne, you have a lovely wine (ok, so a play off the song). I do absolutely believe that he has learned to master the pinot noir grape (so sad they so Kosta Browne). The mellow smooth balanced acidity and tannins make this this a really enjoyable wine, The wine has more life in the bottle, but is drinking very nice now.
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5/12/2023 - WizardNeedsFood Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bright fruit still happening on the nose. Palate is pretty rich, round mouthfeel, medium finish. Can probably keep going but I like the fruit where it is now.
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11/13/2022 - Scottlmatthews Likes this wine: 96 Points
The most amazing Pinot noir I have ever had from California-a nose of mushrooms and truffle with fresh plowed earth and fall flowers. Palette taste follows like wise with fresh berries and unripe plums with fresh long mid-palate the has chanterelles and pine mushroom nuances. Had with grilled veal chop with mushroom risotto.
Had this same wine 5 years ago, and this one last night. Happy that I bought 2 bottles-and they tasted the same. Amazing wine!
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8/26/2022 - Troon wrote: 93 Points
In a really good place right now. Decanted it for 90 minutes before drinking as part of a tasting paired with food. Was fantastic stand alone and very nice with lamb. A little sad that this was my last bottle of the original Cirq.
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6/22/2022 - gpcoleman Likes this wine: 94 Points
Two hour open before drinking. Fabulous.
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5/8/2022 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 94 Points
A nice bright red fruit driven Pinot. Precise with high-toned cherry and strawberry flavors. Has a bit of subtle ripeness. The purity of fruit is apparent and this still presents as fresh and lively. Totally enjoyable and flawless. A beautiful wine but feel it needs to be even more scintillating at this price point. Spoiled my wife on Mother’s Day, and also spoiled myself.
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4/30/2022 - SH Wu wrote: 93 Points
A core of refreshingly acidic red strawberries make this easy and enjoyable to drink. The fruit has integrated well over the years, and the mellowed ripeness and oak influence allows the cooking spices and herbs to shine.
This is drinking beautifully, and approaching what I believe will be the peak of this wine. The red fruit and the sweetness from the oak need a few more years to mellow out into a perfect balance for drinking standalone.
From a pairing perspective, the bright showing of fruits allowed a diversity of pairings from foie gras to bone marrow. It would probably do great with gamey meats or lamb dishes. Looking to try those when I pop my next bottle in a few years.
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12/25/2021 - EM_MB wrote: 88 Points
Perhaps an off bottle. Decanted 2 hours. Fruit gone. Almost a chore to finish the bottle. Total disappointment. Last of 3 bottles and easily the worst one.
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7/9/2021 - Tom Warden Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid, balanced, palatable.
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5/13/2021 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
This elegant and ripe Pinot is drinking beautifully right now, offering an intensity of flavor with just the right amount of restraint. Aromas of fresh strawberry, rock candy, and dried herbs. Flavors of fresh raspberry, pie cherry, and anise, with a sweet and lifted finish. 14.2% alcohol. This is the gateway for someone who likes sugar (but knows enough to say they don’t), since it has a ripeness and a sophistication that are, truth be told, probably what CA Pinot does best.
I drank this on the same night as a 2015 Rhys Family Farm, which was more light in color and body (and, cough, half the price). Still, it was surprising how the Cirq and Rhys shared several things in common, including bright fruit and fresh acidity. The Cirq offered more candied aromas, with a sweeter taste profile and finish, but it didn't present as a Russian River Valley bruiser, all strawberries and oak chips. Instead, the Cirq has impressive precision, and - for me - edged out the Rhys tonight. 94 at the moment, with upside in another year or two if the sugar calms down. If the Cirq was Summer, the Rhys was Spring - so pick your season!
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10/25/2020 - Winokdub wrote: 92 Points
Very good pinot though I was expecting more for the price point. Balanced and clean profile. No sharp edges but not super interesting. Drink or hold few more years
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10/4/2020 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nice bright cherry, beautiful nose, red raspberry and nicely balanced in an elegant style.
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10/4/2020 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Started out strong with tart higher acid raspberry notes. Then developed more cherry and typical KB notes with air. Some chocolate and brown sugar. Tobacco and dried leaves but not funky earthy.
Delicious but overpriced now that they’re $200-$240
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9/23/2020 - redhead6971 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Anton’s Wine Tasting Notes CIRQ Treehouse 2015
Winery: CIRQ. Varietal: Pinot Noir
Area/Appellation: Russian River Valley Sonoma County California Vintage: 2015
Price: $130.00 Direct From Winery
Color: Dark ruby with some black and brown tea colors. Legs: super dead slow
Nose: candied cherry , boysenberry,
Palate: brilliant red cherry, pomegranate, some candied cherry,
Finish: layers of red and black fruits,
Comments: really nice very impressive, great acidity,
5 days later still very solid with some major backbone.
Pairing Suggestions: gouda, gruyere, aged cheddar,
Duck, mild sausage, quail, mild pork dishes,
Score in terms of Vintage: 93
Score for the Wine: 92++
Value for the Money: Excellent
Date Tasted: 09/16/2020
Tasted by:ACK
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9/4/2020 - EM_MB wrote: 92 Points
2 hour decant. Good although lacking wow factor I’d hope for at this price point.
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5/10/2020 - GiWineDoc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big fruit. No acid. Easy to drink. Feels a bit overpriced
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12/29/2019 - lzelman Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful wine. Nice red fruits and complexity. Great balance with an awesome finish.
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8/10/2019 - Fractals888 wrote: 91 Points
Decided to revisit this bottle six months later. I was quite disappointed in the first bottle. This second bottle was much better, black cherry and raspberry, and a very straight-lined finish. Medium to light-bodied and elegant. Lacked a "wow" factor, but good nonetheless. At this price point, I don't see much value from this bottle.
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5/22/2019 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Similar note to the Bootleggers had a few nights before. So juicy with incredible concentration of fruit. Enough complexity here to keep it from going over the top (even some cool spearmint on the finish). Definitely not going to mistaken this for Burgundy but brilliant in its own way. These keep getting better.
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4/24/2019 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Elegant pinot noir with deep color. Black cherries, plums, black raspberries, blueberries, and some earthiness. Medium bodied wine with nice complexity and a medium to long finish.
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4/15/2019 - Fractals888 wrote: 87 Points
Very subpar, no hints of cherry nor blackberries. Very light-bodied, completely lacking in structure. Did I get a bad bottle? We'll see, because I have a second bottle.
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2/23/2019 - Arottenstein wrote:
Opened three hours decanted for one. Deep purple color clove and ripe fruit on nose. Bright red berries, really fruity with a slightly acidic finish. Tanning and alcohol longer, but in a fairly pleasing way. I’m curious to see what if anything a few more years does. Drinks well now
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1/27/2019 - csimm wrote: 92 Points
Initial pull was a linear delivery of subdued red raspberry and pumice. With some air, additional notes of red and black cherry, graphite, strawberry cream, and faint bark emerged. Mid-palate remained medium, with a kiddypool depth and a primary, straight-line finish.
Currently, the overall profile here does not display nor support any flavor elongation across the palate. After two+ hours of open air, the red raspberry note dominated, washing over the other peripheral components.
There is potential upside in a couple of years, though I’m unsure of the totality of stuffing making up the would-be core of this wine, at least from the perspective of showing like a top shelf domestic Pinot Noir in the price bracket by which it exists. After you cut through all the circus show “Come one, come all; see the Great Bambini” packaging, I’m left with juice that is less enthralling in its current state. 91-92/93+? points. Try again after 2021.
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11/10/2018 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 95 Points
Opened for 5 hours. More dialed back the the 14 but still very juicy and open. Cooling purple/blue fruit lead into more herbaceous red fruit accented with clove and currant. A mineral streak (granite) runs through the entire wine keeping light and fresh. Drinkable young but still has 5 years plus in the prime window.
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