Lush, forward dark freshly picked cherry nose, followed by same on palate. My first impression was overly fruit forward. But, with about an hour of air, a bit more earth emerged creating a nicely balanced flavor profile with mouth puckering acidity.
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Chateau Biawak Chapter 9: SONOMAvatar - The way of water (Chateau Biawak, Singapore): 14.5% ABV. produced from 100% Dijon clone 777. Clone 777 tends to be earthier with medium sized clusters and berries. 95% destemmed grapes with whole clusters on the remainder. 5-day cold soak followed by a 10-day fermentation, with 3 times daily punch downs (pigéage). 1 year in 60% new Francois Freres barrels and 40% one-year old barrels. 2016 was the first year after a 3-year drought. The abundance of winter rain increased berry size and increased the yields.
Rich, deep and powerful, yet with restraint and balance. Cherry, raspberry fruit, cola notes, underlying savoury and saline edge, citrus peel character. My favourite from the lineup.
photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CohsY0zhLrM/
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Super depth and concentration - this is a beauty, not just in the tasty, sophisticated flavors but in the depth and layers. No hurry to drink bottles of this, but dang it’s good now!
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This pinot has come into its own, taking on a bit more old world character and darker fruit than the bottle I tried last year. It has developed the mushroom and wet leaf of the 2014 vintage that captivated me and put Hansel wines on my annual purchase list. No rush to drink, but certainly at or near full potential. A joy to drink.
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Lovely and balanced. Seemed best after 2hr of air. Burgundian nose, where there seemed to be some woody notes along the typical/classic fruit tones, and some minty character as well. Round and light mouthfeel, but still well-structured; and a longer finish than I would have expected. Really nice bottle — if I had another I’d wait another couple years
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Quite dark for PInot Noir, nose of some what ripe red fruits, smoke or smoked meat, some barch an vanilla. M+ body, taste of dark red fruits, some taste i cant place, like lemon peel but not as natural
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Ripe red aromas on the nose. Raspberry, strawberries. A touch of minerality aswell. Welcomming and present. Good mouth feel, smooth tannins. Mainly primary fruit. Lovely now, perhaps even better in a year or two
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I recently had the 2016 WH North Slope and so was curious to try this for comparison. I’d give the edge to the South Slope as a bit more restrained and balanced. Still clear new world style for a Pinot.
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Started out kind of flat - muted aromatics and non-descript entry. I had declared that it was past its prime...then, it blossomed into at least a shadow of its former self. Bottom line: I like this friggin wine!
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Always enjoyable, though it might be towards the end of its optimal drinking window. Definitely doesn’t have another 7 years in it. Enjoy for the holidays.
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Hopefully not a sign that the wine has peaked. This bottle was noticeably thin, with the same alluring briary fruit aromatics but a mid-ripe entry that lacked structure and faded considerably by the end of the mid-palate. Chilling further did elevate the acid impression and so, that might have been the issue. Will definitely drink the next bottles colder.
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Really, really like this wine! My last bottle and although I had 6 more bottles ordered, I had to pull the plug, due to th Covid-19 economic uncertainty. As soon as we come out if this, I’m recalling those bottles...if still available.
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Ok, I absolutely love this wine! It’s got great intrigue; is a crowed pleaser; and, has everything I look for in a go-to pour. Savory/Salinity, restrained fruit with a savory/smoky edge, mid-level acidity (I actually like slightly brighter wines) and a balanced richness that’s persistently compelling. I’ve now had more bottles and vintages of this Pinot than any other and so, I can make an informed attestatiom that I could easily declare this my “if I could only have one wine for the rest of my life” wine. Not “phenomenal” or “extraordinary” by any means (scores in the mid-high 90’s are reserved for those) but abundantly enjoyable, satisfying and reliable and so, worth the 1-2 extra points I gave it this time.
Young but delicious now. Great aroma - comes out of the glass to greet you. Great lingering flavor mid-palate. This will only will get better from here but I’d be happy to drink this one early, like right now. Very, very enjoyable.
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Cherry, red berry notes but a bit oaky. Sulpher on the nose but no taste of it. Need time for oak to intergrate. Seems to get better 1 hour later. Not for me but Cousin Pudge drank it up.
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Open 24hrs. very dark crimson. Strong cherry and raspberry fruit nose with a hint of something green (not stems, more like leafy gamay). Rich, deep and powerful wine. Smokey with dark fruits and concentrated cherry flavours at the core. A plush concentrated style that I like very much. Needs a few years for the oak to integrate.
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7/15/2023 - shorty01 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lush, forward dark freshly picked cherry nose, followed by same on palate. My first impression was overly fruit forward. But, with about an hour of air, a bit more earth emerged creating a nicely balanced flavor profile with mouth puckering acidity.
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2/4/2023 - glimmervoid wrote:
Chateau Biawak Chapter 9: SONOMAvatar - The way of water (Chateau Biawak, Singapore): 14.5% ABV. produced from 100% Dijon clone 777. Clone 777 tends to be earthier with medium sized clusters and berries. 95% destemmed grapes with whole clusters on the remainder. 5-day cold soak followed by a 10-day fermentation, with 3 times daily punch downs (pigéage). 1 year in 60% new Francois Freres barrels and 40% one-year old barrels. 2016 was the first year after a 3-year drought. The abundance of winter rain increased berry size and increased the yields.
Rich, deep and powerful, yet with restraint and balance. Cherry, raspberry fruit, cola notes, underlying savoury and saline edge, citrus peel character. My favourite from the lineup.
photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CohsY0zhLrM/
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1/28/2023 - kabert Likes this wine: 93 Points
Super depth and concentration - this is a beauty, not just in the tasty, sophisticated flavors but in the depth and layers. No hurry to drink bottles of this, but dang it’s good now!
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8/16/2022 - Mr. Brisket Likes this wine: 93 Points
This pinot has come into its own, taking on a bit more old world character and darker fruit than the bottle I tried last year. It has developed the mushroom and wet leaf of the 2014 vintage that captivated me and put Hansel wines on my annual purchase list. No rush to drink, but certainly at or near full potential. A joy to drink.
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6/12/2022 - DVill Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely and balanced. Seemed best after 2hr of air. Burgundian nose, where there seemed to be some woody notes along the typical/classic fruit tones, and some minty character as well. Round and light mouthfeel, but still well-structured; and a longer finish than I would have expected. Really nice bottle — if I had another I’d wait another couple years
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4/10/2022 - A_rytter wrote:
Quite dark for PInot Noir, nose of some what ripe red fruits, smoke or smoked meat, some barch an vanilla. M+ body, taste of dark red fruits, some taste i cant place, like lemon peel but not as natural
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3/15/2022 - Jannickelf wrote: 91 Points
Ripe red aromas on the nose. Raspberry, strawberries. A touch of minerality aswell. Welcomming and present.
Good mouth feel, smooth tannins. Mainly primary fruit. Lovely now, perhaps even better in a year or two
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6/4/2021 - Miceri Likes this wine: 94 Points
Medium red; lovely floral raspberry nose; nice raspberry, lovely intense taste, sweet with good body and acidity
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4/28/2021 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I recently had the 2016 WH North Slope and so was curious to try this for comparison. I’d give the edge to the South Slope as a bit more restrained and balanced. Still clear new world style for a Pinot.
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1/29/2021 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cherries, violets, firm medium bodied, balanced, sweet tannins. Beautiful and getting better.
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11/30/2020 - golfwine wrote: 90 Points
Started out kind of flat - muted aromatics and non-descript entry. I had declared that it was past its prime...then, it blossomed into at least a shadow of its former self. Bottom line: I like this friggin wine!
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11/3/2020 - golfwine wrote: 90 Points
Always enjoyable, though it might be towards the end of its optimal drinking window. Definitely doesn’t have another 7 years in it. Enjoy for the holidays.
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9/4/2020 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Balanced, fruity, enjoyable !
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8/25/2020 - FiggySmalls Likes this wine:
Fantastic wine, but tannin and extraction are both VERY present. I intend to hold
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8/19/2020 - golfwine wrote: 89 Points
Hopefully not a sign that the wine has peaked. This bottle was noticeably thin, with the same alluring briary fruit aromatics but a mid-ripe entry that lacked structure and faded considerably by the end of the mid-palate. Chilling further did elevate the acid impression and so, that might have been the issue. Will definitely drink the next bottles colder.
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8/8/2020 - Geoff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just delightful fruit, acidity, balance, purity. Very enjoyable.
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8/3/2020 - golfwine wrote: 91 Points
Never Disappoints!
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6/13/2020 - A_rytter wrote:
Dark for pinot. Slightly underripe cherry, sweet spices, cinnamon, cedar or indian sweet cussine. Medium body, round, sweet
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5/15/2020 - Brettola Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great wine
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4/18/2020 - golfwine wrote: 91 Points
Really, really like this wine! My last bottle and although I had 6 more bottles ordered, I had to pull the plug, due to th Covid-19 economic uncertainty. As soon as we come out if this, I’m recalling those bottles...if still available.
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3/21/2020 - golfwine wrote: 91 Points
Just Great!..Juice.
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2/13/2020 - TIPSY2 wrote:
Wonderful
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2/7/2020 - golfwine wrote: 92 Points
Ok, I absolutely love this wine! It’s got great intrigue; is a crowed pleaser; and, has everything I look for in a go-to pour. Savory/Salinity, restrained fruit with a savory/smoky edge, mid-level acidity (I actually like slightly brighter wines) and a balanced richness that’s persistently compelling. I’ve now had more bottles and vintages of this Pinot than any other and so, I can make an informed attestatiom that I could easily declare this my “if I could only have one wine for the rest of my life” wine. Not “phenomenal” or “extraordinary” by any means (scores in the mid-high 90’s are reserved for those) but abundantly enjoyable, satisfying and reliable and so, worth the 1-2 extra points I gave it this time.
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12/13/2019 - golfwine wrote: 91 Points
A Solid Crowd-pleaser!
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11/30/2019 - jpmo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Young but delicious now. Great aroma - comes out of the glass to greet you. Great lingering flavor mid-palate. This will only will get better from here but I’d be happy to drink this one early, like right now. Very, very enjoyable.
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10/7/2019 - buymoreredsdrinkmorewhites Likes this wine:
Cherry, red berry notes but a bit oaky. Sulpher on the nose but no taste of it. Need time for oak to intergrate. Seems to get better 1 hour later. Not for me but Cousin Pudge drank it up.
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8/17/2019 - Somm David T Likes this wine: 92 Points
I will only say one of the very best CA Pinot Noirs for the money!!! Just buy it. Especially, the Cahill.
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7/29/2019 - gouldcampbell77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Open 24hrs. very dark crimson. Strong cherry and raspberry fruit nose with a hint of something green (not stems, more like leafy gamay). Rich, deep and powerful wine. Smokey with dark fruits and concentrated cherry flavours at the core. A plush concentrated style that I like very much. Needs a few years for the oak to integrate.
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