There are taste of barely overripe strawberry. A hint of raspberry. Nose invites a sip like a seductress. If only I could find more of this beautiful wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at The Range Restaurant in Santa Margarita. Despite impeccable storage, cork was dry and crumbly. The wine was fine although there were more weedy notes in the nose. Lovely pinot fruit persists with good acidity. I enjoyed it although it was not a complete hit among all tasters. I will drink my last bottle soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Retail $50. I paid $28 from an online auction. Tasted 2/19/12. Clos Pepe might be my #1 favorite single vineyard in this country. OK not might. It is my favorite site. Ah, I love me my Clos Pepe. Popped and poured. That nose, that nose. I call it eucalyptus but since I have no idea if that is really what it is, I am pretty much making crap up. But this wine has it. Great red berry fruit as well, but it seems as though this is fading a bit here. Secondary anise and a bit of smokiness. On the palate, this was a delight. A bit of leather with the fruit. Great long finish. Outstanding.
Ah, I love me my Clos Pepe. Popped and poured. That nose, that nose. I call it eucalyptus but since I have no idea if that is really what it is. But this wine has it. Great red berry fruit as well, but it seems as though this is fading a bit here. Secondary anise and a bit of smokiness. On the palate, this was a delight. A bit of leather with the fruit. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nearly 4 years since the 2007 bottle I tasted over two nights back then. Tonight's bottle was pop and pour, enjoyed over dinner with my son as he prepared to fly back to Boston on the red eye. Paired the wine with the Ahi Tuna tartare, avocado slices and toast points. During the first glass, I mentioned to my son the wine had a barnyard note, bretty-like. He agreed. When I got home tonight, I noticed I made the same comment in 2007, and I was not swayed by that note, as the bottle tonight was pulled quickly before we left. The barnyard note is not loud or offensive but instead peeks through the palate, horsey and herb-like, wrapped around plum skin, blueberry, some cherry and a fresh fruit profile. The fruit is center stage, the acid is low, not near the quality of the 2005 I had recently that was fantastic. Nothing wrong with this 2003 and you can certainly drink it now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Smoky. a little funk,smoke, roasted notes over the dense cherry nose. Very ripe fruit flavors-syrah like-but maintaining enough grace to show its pinot pedigree. Very nice with no sign of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Since we had such good luck with this wine last Thanksgiving, we decided to do it again. This bottle was excellent as well. Upon first opening, tons of peppery spice, forest floor and dark cherry on the nose. As it opened up, more dark sun baked earth and mushrooms emerged. Great supple texture, baking spice and dark cherry on the attack finishing with more beautiful dark cherry fruit on a long finish. In a great place, unlikely to improve and I will drink my remaining bottles in the next year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
the oak and alcohol are starting to muscle past the fruit - there are still some interesting aromatics and the wine has a nice texture, but I'm thinking drink sooner, rather than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty dark garnet fading to ruby at the rim Some roasted coffee, barrel room aroma on the nose - crushed berries and dried flowers Medium weight in the mouth, there is a touch of heat along with tart cherry / cranberry fruit. The wine seems a bit disjointed to me. It has a somewhat silky texture across the palate, but there's more burn on the finish. In this bottle at least, the fruit seems to be fading somewhat. Not showing its best tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little spritzy a first, but that quickly blew off to reveal and outstanding example of Santa Rita Hills Pinot. White flowers, dark earth, jasmine, hardwood forest floor, white pepper on an intoxicating nose. Still very dark in the glass with no signs of agining in appearance or on the palate. Beuatiful ripe cherry, limestone and white chocolate on the palate. Went fantastically well with food - just hitting on all pistons at the moment!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drnak alongside the 02 and 04. Bright strawberry and raspberry fruit with just a hint of funk and earthy tobacco. Nice tart cranberry fruit balalnced with sweet honey on the palate. This bottle was still drinking quite young, but finished a close second behind the 02 with the group.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wes always says that 5 years is the start of the drinking window for his pinots, and this is really rounding into form nicely. Smokey peaty forest floor, tart cranberries, nutmeg and just a little cola on the nose. Really nice blance of sweet rounded black cherry fruit and zingy acidity on the palate leading to a powerful 45 second plus finish. Still has at least another 3-4 years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dropped in the decanter an hour ago. Nose is earthy-smoky-forest floor. There is cherry and cranberry, too. Palate is so refined, yet a perfect burst of acidity is here. Red fruit just caresses the palate. Just freaking delicious right now. Solid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Reading a note on CP's website regarding this wine concerned me a bit - as I have quite a few in the cellar. Wes notes bottle variation - thought it might be time to try one. I hope the rest of the bottles don't vary from this! Clear ruby in the glass, a hint of bottle funk blows off quickly. Earth, leather, cherry and cola mingle together on the nose - in the mouth, the CP minerality frames up tart cherry flavors - the wine just has a beautiful texture in the mouth, and wraps it up with a lengthy finish. At first, I thought it might be a tad dilute on the mid palate, but then I realized, no - it's elegant Pinot Noir. This is a style of Pinot I enjoy very much - it almost seems a mixture of old and new world. Well done.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took to dinner last night @ Studio with the Dr Mrs. Showed a nice amount of weight, measured against black cherry, strawberry, earthy notes and some minerality. I sensed an odd note running through the wine so I shared it with the wine somellier, Troy. I thought it might be a hint of brett, something beyond earthy. He didn't get the note. Will try again tomorrow night, as I saved about 4 ounces, and revisit a final TN.
Finishing the wine this evening, I can form now a complete picture. The streak of earthiness I mistook in the wine last night is a truffle/mushroom note--there is no brett here. The wine shows a medium thick core of juicy black cherry and strawberry fruit, with a hint of zippy cranberry as the acidity shows through the fruit. Probably even a note of green apple, which is not something I would think of showing through an SRH wine, but there's a note of it here. The finishing minerality allows this wine to really show yet another dimension and affirms for me why year after year I continue to add this wine to my cellar. Real nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
WOTN at a recent wine tasting. Cherries on the nose, fruit forward effort that was quite balanced. An excellent effort that was a crowd-pleaser with a long silky finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Stunning wine, yet the acidity indicated plenty of room for cellaring. Bright strawberry fruit, medium/light in color, silky mouthfeel. Not overpowering, very balanced. Glad I have a couple left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted 2006-01-30&31 Dark cherry red, clear. Big cooked fruit profile and some volatile acidity on the nose; some earthiness and minerality. On palate, some sensations of smoke and fruit; oakiness and some bitterness; moderate alcohol and tannins; dominated by tart and sharp acidity, putting the wine clearly out of balance for its structural components. Will try it again tomorrow. Next try, after 24 h (but had pumped out the air before putting it to bed for the night): Much better tonight. Appearance and nose are identical, but the sharp, unpleasant tartness has been toned down; balance is better. Tasted with a spicy Chinese-French fusion dish, and it was great. I like the wine with the right food to counterbalance its extreme fruity flavour profile; not a vino di meditazione for me. Wish I had a few more to sample over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed at off-line in Boca. Very closed. Unfortunately we did not decant and it did not show as well as usual. Significant sediment in the bottle as well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Yankee's vs. A's Tailgate Part (Oakland): Tthe controversial wine of the Pinot line-up. This was big and a bruiser for a pinot. Still very young some felt it would be better in 5 years and others felt it wouldn't materialize in time and the fruit would dry out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Young,but drinking nicely now and should improve over next 3-7 years. Excellent concentration and intensity...medium ruby color with dark berries, cherries, and a hint of cranberry. fairly well balanced fruit with modest acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
10/5/2015 - doug4747 Likes this wine: 92 Points
There are taste of barely overripe strawberry. A hint of raspberry. Nose invites a sip like a seductress. If only I could find more of this beautiful wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2013 - larrybbaldwin Likes this wine: 87 Points
Opened at The Range Restaurant in Santa Margarita. Despite impeccable storage, cork was dry and crumbly. The wine was fine although there were more weedy notes in the nose. Lovely pinot fruit persists with good acidity. I enjoyed it although it was not a complete hit among all tasters. I will drink my last bottle soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2012 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
Retail $50. I paid $28 from an online auction. Tasted 2/19/12. Clos Pepe might be my #1 favorite single vineyard in this country. OK not might. It is my favorite site. Ah, I love me my Clos Pepe. Popped and poured. That nose, that nose. I call it eucalyptus but since I have no idea if that is really what it is, I am pretty much making crap up. But this wine has it. Great red berry fruit as well, but it seems as though this is fading a bit here. Secondary anise and a bit of smokiness. On the palate, this was a delight. A bit of leather with the fruit. Great long finish. Outstanding.
* http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2012 - The Drunken Cyclist wrote: 92 Points
Ah, I love me my Clos Pepe. Popped and poured. That nose, that nose. I call it eucalyptus but since I have no idea if that is really what it is. But this wine has it. Great red berry fruit as well, but it seems as though this is fading a bit here. Secondary anise and a bit of smokiness. On the palate, this was a delight. A bit of leather with the fruit. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2011 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Nearly 4 years since the 2007 bottle I tasted over two nights back then. Tonight's bottle was pop and pour, enjoyed over dinner with my son as he prepared to fly back to Boston on the red eye. Paired the wine with the Ahi Tuna tartare, avocado slices and toast points. During the first glass, I mentioned to my son the wine had a barnyard note, bretty-like. He agreed. When I got home tonight, I noticed I made the same comment in 2007, and I was not swayed by that note, as the bottle tonight was pulled quickly before we left. The barnyard note is not loud or offensive but instead peeks through the palate, horsey and herb-like, wrapped around plum skin, blueberry, some cherry and a fresh fruit profile. The fruit is center stage, the acid is low, not near the quality of the 2005 I had recently that was fantastic. Nothing wrong with this 2003 and you can certainly drink it now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2010 - larrybbaldwin wrote: 89 Points
Smoky. a little funk,smoke, roasted notes over the dense cherry nose. Very ripe fruit flavors-syrah like-but maintaining enough grace to show its pinot pedigree. Very nice with no sign of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2010 - HFA wrote: 93 Points
Tasted the VS 2003. Blackberry nose. Tons of acid. Excellent fruit. Lots of life. Too young? Very concentrated. Another 8 years in cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2009 - jreis wrote:
Since we had such good luck with this wine last Thanksgiving, we decided to do it again. This bottle was excellent as well. Upon first opening, tons of peppery spice, forest floor and dark cherry on the nose. As it opened up, more dark sun baked earth and mushrooms emerged. Great supple texture, baking spice and dark cherry on the attack finishing with more beautiful dark cherry fruit on a long finish. In a great place, unlikely to improve and I will drink my remaining bottles in the next year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2009 - Jaytee wrote:
the oak and alcohol are starting to muscle past the fruit - there are still some interesting aromatics and the wine has a nice texture, but I'm thinking drink sooner, rather than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2009 - Jaytee wrote:
Pretty dark garnet fading to ruby at the rim
Some roasted coffee, barrel room aroma on the nose - crushed berries and dried flowers
Medium weight in the mouth, there is a touch of heat along with tart cherry / cranberry fruit. The wine seems a bit disjointed to me. It has a somewhat silky texture across the palate, but there's more burn on the finish.
In this bottle at least, the fruit seems to be fading somewhat. Not showing its best tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2008 - jreis wrote:
A little spritzy a first, but that quickly blew off to reveal and outstanding example of Santa Rita Hills Pinot. White flowers, dark earth, jasmine, hardwood forest floor, white pepper on an intoxicating nose. Still very dark in the glass with no signs of agining in appearance or on the palate. Beuatiful ripe cherry, limestone and white chocolate on the palate. Went fantastically well with food - just hitting on all pistons at the moment!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2008 - jreis wrote:
Drnak alongside the 02 and 04. Bright strawberry and raspberry fruit with just a hint of funk and earthy tobacco. Nice tart cranberry fruit balalnced with sweet honey on the palate. This bottle was still drinking quite young, but finished a close second behind the 02 with the group.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2008 - jreis wrote:
Wes always says that 5 years is the start of the drinking window for his pinots, and this is really rounding into form nicely. Smokey peaty forest floor, tart cranberries, nutmeg and just a little cola on the nose. Really nice blance of sweet rounded black cherry fruit and zingy acidity on the palate leading to a powerful 45 second plus finish. Still has at least another 3-4 years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2008 - decaturwinedude wrote: 92 Points
Dropped in the decanter an hour ago. Nose is earthy-smoky-forest floor. There is cherry and cranberry, too. Palate is so refined, yet a perfect burst of acidity is here. Red fruit just caresses the palate. Just freaking delicious right now. Solid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2008 - Jaytee wrote:
Reading a note on CP's website regarding this wine concerned me a bit - as I have quite a few in the cellar. Wes notes bottle variation - thought it might be time to try one.
I hope the rest of the bottles don't vary from this!
Clear ruby in the glass, a hint of bottle funk blows off quickly. Earth, leather, cherry and cola mingle together on the nose - in the mouth, the CP minerality frames up tart cherry flavors - the wine just has a beautiful texture in the mouth, and wraps it up with a lengthy finish. At first, I thought it might be a tad dilute on the mid palate, but then I realized, no - it's elegant Pinot Noir.
This is a style of Pinot I enjoy very much - it almost seems a mixture of old and new world.
Well done.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2007 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Took to dinner last night @ Studio with the Dr Mrs. Showed a nice amount of weight, measured against black cherry, strawberry, earthy notes and some minerality. I sensed an odd note running through the wine so I shared it with the wine somellier, Troy. I thought it might be a hint of brett, something beyond earthy. He didn't get the note. Will try again tomorrow night, as I saved about 4 ounces, and revisit a final TN.
Finishing the wine this evening, I can form now a complete picture. The streak of earthiness I mistook in the wine last night is a truffle/mushroom note--there is no brett here. The wine shows a medium thick core of juicy black cherry and strawberry fruit, with a hint of zippy cranberry as the acidity shows through the fruit. Probably even a note of green apple, which is not something I would think of showing through an SRH wine, but there's a note of it here. The finishing minerality allows this wine to really show yet another dimension and affirms for me why year after year I continue to add this wine to my cellar. Real nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2007 - gunnm wrote: 93 Points
WOTN at a recent wine tasting. Cherries on the nose, fruit forward effort that was quite balanced. An excellent effort that was a crowd-pleaser with a long silky finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2006 - Scott Butler wrote: 94 Points
Stunning wine, yet the acidity indicated plenty of room for cellaring. Bright strawberry fruit, medium/light in color, silky mouthfeel. Not overpowering, very balanced. Glad I have a couple left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2006 - Barbara B wrote:
Tasted 2006-01-30&31
Dark cherry red, clear. Big cooked fruit profile and some volatile acidity on the nose; some earthiness and minerality. On palate, some sensations of smoke and fruit; oakiness and some bitterness; moderate alcohol and tannins; dominated by tart and sharp acidity, putting the wine clearly out of balance for its structural components. Will try it again tomorrow. Next try, after 24 h (but had pumped out the air before putting it to bed for the night): Much better tonight. Appearance and nose are identical, but the sharp, unpleasant tartness has been toned down; balance is better. Tasted with a spicy Chinese-French fusion dish, and it was great. I like the wine with the right food to counterbalance its extreme fruity flavour profile; not a vino di meditazione for me. Wish I had a few more to sample over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2005 - Florida Keys Girl wrote:
Consumed at off-line in Boca. Very closed. Unfortunately we did not decant and it did not show as well as usual. Significant sediment in the bottle as well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2005 - wvisser wrote: 91 Points
bright strawberry; lovely vibrant pinot nose; good spice; lovely mid-palate, with bright acidity and long finish. Very nice restrained pinot
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2005 - jamiekutch wrote:
Yankee's vs. A's Tailgate Part (Oakland): Tthe controversial wine of the Pinot line-up. This was big and a bruiser for a pinot. Still very young some felt it would be better in 5 years and others felt it wouldn't materialize in time and the fruit would dry out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2005 - Ddog wrote: 90 Points
Young,but drinking nicely now and should improve over next 3-7 years. Excellent concentration and intensity...medium ruby color with dark berries, cherries, and a hint of cranberry. fairly well balanced fruit with modest acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2004 - kstoddard wrote: 90 Points
Barrel Sample
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment