Chalky nose reminiscent of a high quality pommard, though not overtly mineralky. First sniffs —> ripe red raspberry, red cherry, crushed chalk. After an hour, lush and bright, cranberry coming to play—rounding out the complete red fruit palette. After 90 mins, noticing a hint of green (potentially green pepper?) and toasted oak, even chocolate; eventually, a smattering of dried Turkish figs. Textural palate — even crunchy — red berries, almost a cooling sensation, a coulis of sorts, raspberry (haven’t been more sure of that note). After a couple hours, the layered finish is at an apex, with crashing waves of flavor reverberating across the tongue. Balance of acidic bliss brings about a nearly chewy mouthfeel. Memories of 2015 Colene Clemens Dopp Creek. Top 5 all-time Oregon PN for me, in the mix with 2017 Big Table Farm Sunnyside (hat tip to BQ for the intro to Clare) and 2017 Antikythera. Very likely the least Burgundian of that ranking.
Drank from a magnum. Drinking great but absolutely no rush to drink these. Dark cherry, blackberry, baking spice, earth/forest, truffle and mineral. Nice cool and acidity that softens with time. Medium plus body.
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The softest and most elegant wine in this flight. Lots of dry earth, soft cherries, strawberries and truffle notes. Quite shy but beautifully balanced. Fantastic Oregon Pinot! Enjoy now or within the next 8-10 years. (IG)
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I am with reviewers who score this on the high side. Decanted for an hour. This has notes of cacao, strawberry coulis, honey, and dark molasses. Lingers on the palate with roasted red pepper and grilled fat accents. Fruit and earth in balance. A very good wine.
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This is good and drinking very well. Plenty of fruit but quite a bit more austere than many California Pinots. Also a distinct spicy element at the back end which I liked.
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Reminiscent of many CA Pinots from ten years ago, before they became Syrah like. Global climate change has had a huge impact, even on the once “Burgundian like” Oregon Pinots. Very good, lots of extracted red fruits; big mouthfeel, still some lingering oak, in development. Hopefully, this will lose some of the “baby fat” with additional cellaring. Definitely upside potential.
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Pop and pour. Nice floral nose with red fruit, a touch of violets. Medium bodied. Fine grained tannins. A little more acidic than The usual BF. Slightly out of balance. Perhaps needed a several hour decant. All that not withstanding, an enjoyable bottle of wine.
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Continues to be an excellent value for world class pinot - plenty of raspberry and cherry and light spice - tannins are very fine and help the graceful finish.
Had it last summer and it was bubble gum and we did not like it. What a year can make. Much better now. Initially fresh Rainer cherries. An hour later the earthiness came out. Mushrooms. What I learned is, let it age. It will get better. The bubble gum is still there but less so. So it depends on your bubble gum ratio.
Not on the same level as the 2017, but still a great wine. This needed some air to come around. The 2017 is vibrant and fresh, this was a bit more dull. I haven't tried any of my 2018s yet. Still, this has delicious flavors and real aging potential. Great stuff. Got better as the night went on.
Day 2: This was way better on day 2. Super concentration, incredible nose, delicious fruit. Any green note from day 1 was gone. I suggest a long decant at this point, or give it some more time.
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Almost sweet, bright strawberry fruit along with nice acidity. Classic Willamette Valley earth/forest floor notes and some lavender on the finish. This benefits from an hour plus decant and to serve with a slight chill/. Not sure I get some of the "bubble gum" notes from other reviews...but that's what makes CellarTracker so interesting.
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Bright red berries, cherry and a touch of blueberry. Touch of cola and spice. Nice acidity with modest tannins. Quite enjoyable with all components seamlessly integrated, but would not say it was complex.
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Cherry on the nose with a hint of leather and chocolate. Cherry with slight strawberry in the mouth with a hint of kola and very subtle mint; nothing forward. Remarkable balance as usual. Tannin present but not at all tight or chewy. Long finish... Beaux Freres does not disappoint.
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there is indeed some pink and grape bubblicious on the nose, along with tart strawcherry, a medicinal note more common to northern rhônes, some animal funk, alfalfa and muddy boot leather. also heat.
palate jumps around like a skittish muddy colt bolting through a marion berry thicket then flying thru a cherry tree, and bucking you into a pond, where floats a bit of hay soaked in moonshine.
Persistent finish of tart raspcherry, heat and edible flowers maybe.
This wine is young. Hope the marion berry and loam win the steeplechase.
The non-pinot drinkers liked it better today and tonight. No complaints—disappeared quickly—and much more going on than within and without the 45 dollar la crema sonoma coast nearby-but also more volatile.
Saved a bit in tumbler under saucer might report back.
better with food - or a drink in u.
93+ hold
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Liked this for its energy and long finish. Red fruited with medium body and nice bright finish. Not a tremendous depth of flavor or secondary notes but very tasty.
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Opened and first taste was...bubble gum! Cola. Bright sour cherries. Not in the mood for such a wine candy. So corked it back and opened a Pomerol. Now it's a day later and reopened. Still bubble gum and bright, somewhat sour cherries. Very disappointed. More like a simple bubble gum chewing air headed pinot from California, not Willamette Valley. A bit of raspberries. Very clean and bright. Did I mention bubble gum?? Have another bottle but won't open for years, hoping that there are tertiary flavors that may come out. But not holding my breath. At $50 a poor value. If you have a bottle, open it for the crowd that usually drink wine coolers. They will love it.
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Transparent, somewhat dusty, ruby red. Alcohol is nominally low, how quite evident on the nose, with some glycerine. Bright red berries behind. Very balanced, with a good acidity. A touch dry. Fairly dense. I like it, but seems to be at the expensive side.
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Not convinced that this deserves the high praises that it has received. Certainly not a great value for the money - much better can be had at this price range and even for significantly less.
Drank over 2 days. Alcohol rather evident. Somewhat tannic, quince paste, sour cherries in the mid palate, some pepper. The finish is very pleasant, long, brooding, with plums, fig jam, and some licorice. Likely to benefit from some aging.
Decanted over an hour; medium+ body, very smooth with medium finish. Fresh berries coupled with notes of wood, floral, and a touch of spice. Alcohol flavor rather noticeable. Held up well the second day.
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Opened and double-decanted, because that's just what we do these days (thanks Aubert!).
Wine is a rich crimson with a touch of purple. Looks fairly concentrated for a Pinot Noir.
Super aromatic on the nose. Bright aromas of roses, cherries, earth, and a spice hint. Really beautiful wine - a "wow" wine for both of us.
Palate, wine is sound. Medium and young tannin, medium acid, medium-high alcohol, long finish. Reflects the nose but a strong acidity on finish predominates.
Really a wonderful wine. Just delicious. Amazing now, and I bet will be even better with some bottle age. Really looking forward to cracking these over the years. Glad I'm on the subscription list!
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In a four month period this actually has come together a bit nicer. Medium plus bodied dominated by dark black/blue fruit accompanied by earth and truffle. Alcoholic in the middle and on the finish that will take time to integrate.
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Opened in the bottle for 3-4 hours. The medium to medium light body leads into a bouquet of spice, flowers and tart red fruit. These elements transition into the palate with additional length added by mixed dark fruits and earth (black truffle). Overall it gets chopped short by searing acidity and exposed alcohol (especially on the nose) and will require patience. Hold for 2-3 more years.
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Willamette Valley Weekend Visit; 5/26/2018-5/27/2018: Tasting at the winery. Surprisingly light color for BF. Intensely ripe with both sweet and savory spice. Seems simple to start, but there is an intriguing and lingering finish. Cellar at least a couple of years, best 2020-2026. 91+ point potential.
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4/27/2024 - SWHighlander Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great wine. One of my favorites from the Willamette. Red and black fruit medium acidity, medium tannins. Very well balanced.
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1/27/2024 - ash_then_chase Likes this wine: 94 Points
Chalky nose reminiscent of a high quality pommard, though not overtly mineralky. First sniffs —> ripe red raspberry, red cherry, crushed chalk. After an hour, lush and bright, cranberry coming to play—rounding out the complete red fruit palette. After 90 mins, noticing a hint of green (potentially green pepper?) and toasted oak, even chocolate; eventually, a smattering of dried Turkish figs. Textural palate — even crunchy — red berries, almost a cooling sensation, a coulis of sorts, raspberry (haven’t been more sure of that note). After a couple hours, the layered finish is at an apex, with crashing waves of flavor reverberating across the tongue. Balance of acidic bliss brings about a nearly chewy mouthfeel. Memories of 2015 Colene Clemens Dopp Creek. Top 5 all-time Oregon PN for me, in the mix with 2017 Big Table Farm Sunnyside (hat tip to BQ for the intro to Clare) and 2017 Antikythera. Very likely the least Burgundian of that ranking.
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1/22/2024 - ddingley Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Bold fruit, silky texture, nicely balanced with earthiness and smooth tannins and long finish
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12/24/2023 - jkwoodward Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent fruit and earth together. Lovely nose of mushroom and crushed berries. Really nice.
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10/12/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 95 Points
Drank from a magnum. Drinking great but absolutely no rush to drink these. Dark cherry, blackberry, baking spice, earth/forest, truffle and mineral. Nice cool and acidity that softens with time. Medium plus body.
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8/7/2023 - DrZett wrote: 93 Points
The softest and most elegant wine in this flight. Lots of dry earth, soft cherries, strawberries and truffle notes. Quite shy but beautifully balanced. Fantastic Oregon Pinot! Enjoy now or within the next 8-10 years. (IG)
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6/24/2023 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 95 Points
I am with reviewers who score this on the high side. Decanted for an hour. This has notes of cacao, strawberry coulis, honey, and dark molasses. Lingers on the palate with roasted red pepper and grilled fat accents. Fruit and earth in balance. A very good wine.
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4/23/2023 - Vargasjavi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Some ripe strarberries with a bit of spice. No rough edges, just solid all around. I wish it would’ve expressed more uniqueness though…
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4/21/2023 - bubbachumps wrote: 92 Points
Nice wine but nothing special
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3/18/2023 - CRUSHER Likes this wine: 95 Points
top level Oregon pinot. excellent
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1/21/2023 - Puligny33 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is good and drinking very well. Plenty of fruit but quite a bit more austere than many California Pinots. Also a distinct spicy element at the back end which I liked.
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12/18/2022 - BHP1994 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well right now.
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10/27/2022 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 95 Points
consistent with notes of 10/1/2021
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8/10/2022 - Geoff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Aging well and smooth with lilting notes of red and darker fruit. Balanced with fine tannins. Beautiful wine.
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7/1/2022 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 95 Points
consistent with notes of 10/1/2021
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5/30/2022 - popasq Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent, surprising fruit.
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5/27/2022 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
Reminiscent of many CA Pinots from ten years ago, before they became Syrah like. Global climate change has had a huge impact, even on the once “Burgundian like” Oregon Pinots. Very good, lots of extracted red fruits; big mouthfeel, still some lingering oak, in development. Hopefully, this will lose some of the “baby fat” with additional cellaring. Definitely upside potential.
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5/12/2022 - Geoff Likes this wine: 90 Points
Noticeable green note on the finish.
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10/16/2021 - Geoff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pop and pour. Nice floral nose with red fruit, a touch of violets. Medium bodied. Fine grained tannins. A little more acidic than The usual BF. Slightly out of balance. Perhaps needed a several hour decant. All that not withstanding, an enjoyable bottle of wine.
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10/11/2021 - stinkycook Likes this wine:
Delicious. Very little sediment. No need to decant. If you have one, pop one.
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10/1/2021 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 95 Points
Continues to be an excellent value for world class pinot - plenty of raspberry and cherry and light spice - tannins are very fine and help the graceful finish.
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9/15/2021 - mark2eye wrote: 92 Points
Big red fruit and funk on the entry. Baking spice and jam follows on the palate, touch of acid. A bit too fruit forward for me.
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7/24/2021 - happytom Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had it last summer and it was bubble gum and we did not like it. What a year can make. Much better now. Initially fresh Rainer cherries. An hour later the earthiness came out. Mushrooms. What I learned is, let it age. It will get better. The bubble gum is still there but less so. So it depends on your bubble gum ratio.
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4/18/2021 - trumpet60201 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not on the same level as the 2017, but still a great wine. This needed some air to come around. The 2017 is vibrant and fresh, this was a bit more dull. I haven't tried any of my 2018s yet. Still, this has delicious flavors and real aging potential. Great stuff. Got better as the night went on.
Day 2: This was way better on day 2. Super concentration, incredible nose, delicious fruit. Any green note from day 1 was gone. I suggest a long decant at this point, or give it some more time.
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4/16/2021 - tak4 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and let sit for an hour before tasting.
Wine is a purple ruby color with some clarity at the edges.
On nose, baking spice, strawberry, touch of citrus, and some red apple. Just beautiful.
On palate, wine is sound. Touch of smoke, moderately soft tannins, good solid acid core. Fully dry. Fruit comes out on the palate. Exquisite balance.
Oh man this is a great wine. I love this stuff. Consistently one of, if not the, favorite wine in this house.
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2/19/2021 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Almost sweet, bright strawberry fruit along with nice acidity. Classic Willamette Valley earth/forest floor notes and some lavender on the finish. This benefits from an hour plus decant and to serve with a slight chill/. Not sure I get some of the "bubble gum" notes from other reviews...but that's what makes CellarTracker so interesting.
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2/4/2021 - Oddlight Does not like this wine: 70 Points
Smells like artifcially flavored bubble gum. Horrid. Gak.
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2/1/2021 - ralaspech wrote: 91 Points
Bright red berries, cherry and a touch of blueberry. Touch of cola and spice. Nice acidity with modest tannins. Quite enjoyable with all components seamlessly integrated, but would not say it was complex.
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12/31/2020 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
Grwst wine that's drinking in its window now. Warm baking spice, earth, dried berries. Medium plus acidity. Medium bodied.
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10/31/2020 - tak4 Likes this wine:
Quick note: excellent wine but I believe it's at an in-between age - if you have these, I'd recommend a few more years before consuming in earnest.
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8/18/2020 - adon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cherry on the nose with a hint of leather and chocolate. Cherry with slight strawberry in the mouth with a hint of kola and very subtle mint; nothing forward. Remarkable balance as usual. Tannin present but not at all tight or chewy. Long finish... Beaux Freres does not disappoint.
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8/16/2020 - jdtonic Likes this wine: 93 Points
translucent reddish purple
there is indeed some pink and grape bubblicious on the nose, along with tart strawcherry, a medicinal note more common to northern rhônes, some animal funk, alfalfa and muddy boot leather. also heat.
palate jumps around like a skittish muddy colt bolting through a marion berry thicket then flying thru a cherry tree, and bucking you into a pond, where floats a bit of hay soaked in moonshine.
Persistent finish of tart raspcherry, heat and edible flowers maybe.
This wine is young.
Hope the marion berry and loam win the steeplechase.
The non-pinot drinkers liked it better today and tonight. No complaints—disappeared quickly—and much more going on than within and without the 45 dollar la crema sonoma coast nearby-but also more volatile.
Saved a bit in tumbler under saucer might report back.
better with food - or a drink in u.
93+
hold
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7/24/2020 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Liked this for its energy and long finish. Red fruited with medium body and nice bright finish. Not a tremendous depth of flavor or secondary notes but very tasty.
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6/27/2020 - wolfonthehill Likes this wine: 94 Points
Near perfection.
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6/21/2020 - happytom Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Opened and first taste was...bubble gum! Cola. Bright sour cherries. Not in the mood for such a wine candy. So corked it back and opened a Pomerol. Now it's a day later and reopened. Still bubble gum and bright, somewhat sour cherries. Very disappointed. More like a simple bubble gum chewing air headed pinot from California, not Willamette Valley. A bit of raspberries. Very clean and bright. Did I mention bubble gum?? Have another bottle but won't open for years, hoping that there are tertiary flavors that may come out. But not holding my breath. At $50 a poor value. If you have a bottle, open it for the crowd that usually drink wine coolers. They will love it.
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4/4/2020 - Neras Likes this wine: 92 Points
Transparent, somewhat dusty, ruby red. Alcohol is nominally low, how quite evident on the nose, with some glycerine. Bright red berries behind. Very balanced, with a good acidity. A touch dry. Fairly dense. I like it, but seems to be at the expensive side.
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2/29/2020 - Aris1a wrote: 89 Points
Not convinced that this deserves the high praises that it has received. Certainly not a great value for the money - much better can be had at this price range and even for significantly less.
Drank over 2 days. Alcohol rather evident. Somewhat tannic, quince paste, sour cherries in the mid palate, some pepper. The finish is very pleasant, long, brooding, with plums, fig jam, and some licorice. Likely to benefit from some aging.
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2/2/2020 - tmvedelago Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted over an hour; medium+ body, very smooth with medium finish. Fresh berries coupled with notes of wood, floral, and a touch of spice. Alcohol flavor rather noticeable. Held up well the second day.
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12/17/2019 - kr522 wrote: 87 Points
Not as good as I was hoping...felt a bit simple, lacking dimension. A bit tangy on the finish
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9/18/2019 - 1964vintage wrote: 93 Points
A really good and well-made wine. Just not sure its worth the tariff.
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6/29/2019 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Drank over several months from Coravin. Bright cherry and cranberry. Wonderful earthiness, savoriness, dried mushroom on the palette. Really tasty.
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4/18/2019 - tak4 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Celebration wine for accepted offer on new home!
Opened and double-decanted, because that's just what we do these days (thanks Aubert!).
Wine is a rich crimson with a touch of purple. Looks fairly concentrated for a Pinot Noir.
Super aromatic on the nose. Bright aromas of roses, cherries, earth, and a spice hint. Really beautiful wine - a "wow" wine for both of us.
Palate, wine is sound. Medium and young tannin, medium acid, medium-high alcohol, long finish. Reflects the nose but a strong acidity on finish predominates.
Really a wonderful wine. Just delicious. Amazing now, and I bet will be even better with some bottle age. Really looking forward to cracking these over the years. Glad I'm on the subscription list!
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2/19/2019 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 94 Points
In a four month period this actually has come together a bit nicer. Medium plus bodied dominated by dark black/blue fruit accompanied by earth and truffle. Alcoholic in the middle and on the finish that will take time to integrate.
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10/21/2018 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 Points
Opened in the bottle for 3-4 hours. The medium to medium light body leads into a bouquet of spice, flowers and tart red fruit. These elements transition into the palate with additional length added by mixed dark fruits and earth (black truffle). Overall it gets chopped short by searing acidity and exposed alcohol (especially on the nose) and will require patience. Hold for 2-3 more years.
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9/19/2018 - dbraen wrote: 96 Points
pop and pour, outstanding
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9/1/2018 - Bathtub58 wrote: 88 Points
No nose. Mouth gripping tannins. A bit too much alcohol.
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8/6/2018 - wolfonthehill Likes this wine: 94 Points
Impeccable. Needs 90+ minutes of air.
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6/3/2018 - steve.smoral@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Light body, earthy, not big on the tongue, really opened up after about 30 minutes of decanting, not high in tannins, well balanced.
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5/27/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Willamette Valley Weekend Visit; 5/26/2018-5/27/2018: Tasting at the winery. Surprisingly light color for BF. Intensely ripe with both sweet and savory spice. Seems simple to start, but there is an intriguing and lingering finish. Cellar at least a couple of years, best 2020-2026. 91+ point potential.
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4/1/2018 - adon Likes this wine: 91 Points
bit of spice, balance is exceptional, this taste is early.
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