There are many layers of flavors to this well crafted Pinot Noir. The pallet showcases strawberry, cherry, blueberry, chalk, stone minerals, sage, and a pinch of tea. The finish is medium plus with a good balance of acid, tannin, and alcohol. Well done!
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Nice pinot with prominent slightly tart cherry notes reminiscent of a volley. Some heat on the finish detracts slightly as noted by others. Maybe wait a couple of years. to see if it dissipates.
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I must have timed this wine wrong. On day 1 it was tight and a bit green. on day 2 there was an unpleasant petrol smell. I had left it in the decanter overnight. Will seal up the last glass and see what tomorrow brings.
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A Coravin 60 days ago, now opened. Red Wild berries and a lot, forrest and some fresh herbs. Very Good balance, but still on the Young side and a fruit bomb.
With chicken stuffed with garlic, lemon, onion, tarragon. OK match, but a chardonnay from NW is a better choice.
16-18c, Burgundy glas, air appx 1-3h. Too Young to rate, but it will be a 92+ in 3-6y.
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Beautiful. Perfumed bouquet, delicious and complex on the palate. Red fruits, some fully ripe, some less ripe. Earthy tones. Flowers. Medium body. Best American pinot I've had this year. Decanted ~4 hours.
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The Southing is medium ruby in color with medium intensity aromas of black cherry and oak. On the palate, dark cherries, blackberry, violet and forest floor. This medium bodied wine is complex and classy with polished tannins. Definitely needs to be decanted.
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This was a fine choice to start the new year. Typical red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry) are heavily weighted by blackberry, black cherry, and smoke flavors. Real depth and complexity. Reminds me in particular of the aftertaste of blackberry seeds. Super by itself pre-dinner, it also perfectly complemented our new year's pork chops, black-eyed peas, and greens. Drinking great right now and doesn't need age to impress.
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Very nice nose of primary fruits. Some oak on the palate as expected for the vintage. Medium concentration and structure. It does have a Smokey salty toast to this wine as per the name!
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- Garnet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of raspberry, strawberry and black currant with a medium body. Juicy texture with a medium finish - Excellent bottle of wine. Lots of red fruit in this wine.
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PnP Brought to Chef Colicchio's restaraunt Craft for anniversary dinner (corkage). Opened up beautifully in the glass, nose a full bouquet of flowers, red fruit. Bright acidity, thin-velvet mouthfeel. Drinking wonderfully now, but I think it will be even better in a few years. Will cellar the rest of my allocation until 2023 at least.
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I dipped into this as a young wine and I am just happy that I have more.
PnP and let it decant in the glass. Straight away the nose was pronounced with bright red fruits and spices. The palate was soft but plenty of tannin structure. Really nice cherry & strawberry with flavors of raspberry candy hints of clove and oak spices. Decently balanced and drinking very well!
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Dark fruit aroma (black currant, blackberry) with notes of cola and vanilla. Vibrant ripe blueberry flavor with notes of blackberry seeds and some spicy black cherry too. More of a stewed fruit character on the finish with notes of spice and vanilla. Very smooth and complex — perfect weight and texture. Very yummy! This will cruise in the cellar but is drinking great now.
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PnP, consumed over Asian flavours. Mineral yet rounded. Fruit came through and more medium bodied than expected, though prefer that too. A nice Pinot and fair value.
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My last Southing was 2012. It had a beautiful nose, ethereal, elegant fruit on the palate and was a true standout. 2018 is high SLC 14.5% abv, fruit forward and lacking acid and finesse.
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I don’t have a large wine budget so when my Dad recommended this and I saw the sale price at $80, I was reluctant to buy. My wife is a huge pinot noir fan so figured I’ll take the plunge. On the nose I experienced some smoke, red cherry, strawberry. Color was an inviting ruby. On the palate I tasted all kinds of red fruit, along with some earthy/mineral tones. The finish was medium for me. Lots of complexity and this wine does a nice dance between being both dry enough for those that lean that way and sweet enough for those that prefer that style. This is by far the best Pinot Noir I’ve ever tasted. Only other higher end Pinot Noirs (for me) I’ve had are Paul Hobbs and Kosta Browne and this is FAR superior.
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Strawberry, forest floor, oak, vanilla, floral nose. Very aromatic. Medium body, smooth tannins, high alcohol, but balanced with high acidity. Red fruit palate with minerals and earthy qualities. Brilliant from start to finish. Only knock is the alcohol level.
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Interesting scores and comments among these few notes. My bottle tonight is freakishly compelling: nose has a lot of charred wood and burnt paper, but also a lot of black cherry syrup, pink bubblegum, and a terrific oyster shell, “marine fog” aroma. An assault on the senses, clearly New World (although it reminds me of Laurent and Leroy) and pretty exciting. This is Wonder Woman pinot: soft but richly textured, beautifully fragrant and deceptively powerful. Jasmine and violet incense. A long cinnamon and black cherry finish, and superb as an expression of its clay soil, salty terroir, perfectly ripe red plum and strawberry fruit, and really sexy deliciousity. I finished the bottle with a bowl of wagyu and kimchee fried rice before I knew what hit me. 7 or 8 years of terrific drinking ahead.
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Pop and poured as I was curious to see how the 2018 will evolve.
Pale ruby, clear, nose of strawberry and mint, baking spices, clove with underlying notes of sage and menthol.
The fruit is pretty subdued right now, which is different from their older fruit driven style. After some time in the glass notes of underripe cherries and cola began to show.
Despite being 14.5% ABV, the body is on the lighter side for Sea Smoke.
This should be drinking really well in a couple of years.
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The other guy clearly reviewed Ten and not Southing because at best this is passable but confusing. Like my prior experiences these are strange wines that I would describe as rustic Syrah like with bright Pinot Noir fruit. This one is borderline harsh with stewed/musty/overly sweet red fruit, and an unpleasant pine sap element. No structure and little acid. In past tastings I believed these to be off bottles but now we are at a trend. Though not in love with critic scores there’s a reason they don’t let them taste here.
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1/20/2024 - Harbthewineguy Likes this wine: 94 Points
There are many layers of flavors to this well crafted Pinot Noir. The pallet showcases strawberry, cherry, blueberry, chalk, stone minerals, sage, and a pinch of tea. The finish is medium plus with a good balance of acid, tannin, and alcohol. Well done!
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11/26/2023 - cobalt2 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I liked it but certainly not wowed. Seems to be lacking complexity , acid and deep flavors that have seen with priors..
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11/18/2023 - Topper wrote: 91 Points
Nice pinot with prominent slightly tart cherry notes reminiscent of a volley. Some heat on the finish detracts slightly as noted by others. Maybe wait a couple of years. to see if it dissipates.
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9/17/2023 - SL_Wine wrote: 87 Points
Herbs, muted fruit. Hot on the finish. Alcohol very noticeable especially on 2nd day
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3/19/2023 - Gen NY wrote: 89 Points
I must have timed this wine wrong. On day 1 it was tight and a bit green. on day 2 there was an unpleasant petrol smell. I had left it in the decanter overnight. Will seal up the last glass and see what tomorrow brings.
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2/14/2023 - nicholasagonzales Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent wine. Still a little young. Great blackberry and cherry on the nose. Excellent balance. Great acidity.
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12/29/2022 - RBurgundy99 wrote:
Decent, but drank well below its price-point and was closed off over 3 hours. Likely far too young, so my bad perhaps.
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11/21/2022 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Soyeux et souple.
Des cerises et des épices avec
un peu de noyau.
Belle longueur en finale.
Bien aimé.
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10/2/2022 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is drinking really well. Smooth tannins and rich black cherry and milk chocolate flavors. A slight herbal eucalyptus aroma.
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9/27/2022 - pcfordham11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
- silky but had some layered structure
- Red fruit licorice
- Cinnamon and black pepper
- Somewhat long finish
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9/3/2022 - culater Likes this wine: 91 Points
A Coravin 60 days ago, now opened. Red Wild berries and a lot, forrest and some fresh herbs. Very Good balance, but still on the Young side and a fruit bomb.
With chicken stuffed with garlic, lemon, onion, tarragon. OK match, but a chardonnay from NW is a better choice.
16-18c, Burgundy glas, air appx 1-3h.
Too Young to rate, but it will be a 92+ in 3-6y.
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8/19/2022 - Tonythefish wrote: 92 Points
See prior notes Dash paired well with grilled tuna steak
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8/14/2022 - JustOneMoreGlass Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful. Perfumed bouquet, delicious and complex on the palate. Red fruits, some fully ripe, some less ripe. Earthy tones. Flowers. Medium body. Best American pinot I've had this year. Decanted ~4 hours.
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7/10/2022 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 93 Points
The Southing is medium ruby in color with medium intensity aromas of black cherry and oak. On the palate, dark cherries, blackberry, violet and forest floor. This medium bodied wine is complex and classy with polished tannins. Definitely needs to be decanted.
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7/7/2022 - Mark310 wrote:
Lovely. Sharon says 8 out of 10.
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7/1/2022 - culater Likes this wine:
A sipp by Coravin. Very young, lots of everything and need 2-3 y. Will try the bottle in 2 months and see. Hi quality and I cannot rate it yet.
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5/30/2022 - Tonythefish wrote: 91 Points
Very enjoyable and balanced. Paired nicely with baked chicken. Medium red color, ample fruits and nice finish of bright cherry
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4/2/2022 - OenoEd wrote: 94 Points
See my note of January 2021; consistent bottle here.
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1/1/2022 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was a fine choice to start the new year. Typical red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry) are heavily weighted by blackberry, black cherry, and smoke flavors. Real depth and complexity. Reminds me in particular of the aftertaste of blackberry seeds. Super by itself pre-dinner, it also perfectly complemented our new year's pork chops, black-eyed peas, and greens. Drinking great right now and doesn't need age to impress.
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1/1/2022 - LB88 wrote: 91 Points
Very nice nose of primary fruits. Some oak on the palate as expected for the vintage. Medium concentration and structure. It does have a Smokey salty toast to this wine as per the name!
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12/25/2021 - JRoman23 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Such a great Pinot. Lovely fruit, nice acidity for its age, as many vintages before, only gonna get better. Drank with Fred Pam Donna
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12/10/2021 - starkravingmad Likes this wine: 93 Points
party favorite
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11/25/2021 - Marc S wrote: 93 Points
- Garnet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of raspberry, strawberry and black currant with a medium body. Juicy texture with a medium finish - Excellent bottle of wine. Lots of red fruit in this wine.
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11/11/2021 - MrTunaDavis Likes this wine: 94 Points
PnP
Brought to Chef Colicchio's restaraunt Craft for anniversary dinner (corkage).
Opened up beautifully in the glass, nose a full bouquet of flowers, red fruit. Bright acidity, thin-velvet mouthfeel. Drinking wonderfully now, but I think it will be even better in a few years. Will cellar the rest of my allocation until 2023 at least.
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9/26/2021 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I dipped into this as a young wine and I am just happy that I have more.
PnP and let it decant in the glass. Straight away the nose was pronounced with bright red fruits and spices. The palate was soft but plenty of tannin structure. Really nice cherry & strawberry with flavors of raspberry candy hints of clove and oak spices. Decently balanced and drinking very well!
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9/25/2021 - Wine_Poobah Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark fruit aroma (black currant, blackberry) with notes of cola and vanilla. Vibrant ripe blueberry flavor with notes of blackberry seeds and some spicy black cherry too. More of a stewed fruit character on the finish with notes of spice and vanilla. Very smooth and complex — perfect weight and texture. Very yummy! This will cruise in the cellar but is drinking great now.
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9/5/2021 - Kavine Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP, consumed over Asian flavours. Mineral yet rounded. Fruit came through and more medium bodied than expected, though prefer that too. A nice Pinot and fair value.
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8/30/2021 - AB16 wrote: 89 Points
My last Southing was 2012. It had a beautiful nose, ethereal, elegant fruit on the palate and was a true standout. 2018 is high SLC 14.5% abv, fruit forward and lacking acid and finesse.
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5/30/2021 - CubFan4Life Likes this wine: 98 Points
I don’t have a large wine budget so when my Dad recommended this and I saw the sale price at $80, I was reluctant to buy. My wife is a huge pinot noir fan so figured I’ll take the plunge. On the nose I experienced some smoke, red cherry, strawberry. Color was an inviting ruby. On the palate I tasted all kinds of red fruit, along with some earthy/mineral tones. The finish was medium for me. Lots of complexity and this wine does a nice dance between being both dry enough for those that lean that way and sweet enough for those that prefer that style. This is by far the best Pinot Noir I’ve ever tasted. Only other higher end Pinot Noirs (for me) I’ve had are Paul Hobbs and Kosta Browne and this is FAR superior.
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5/13/2021 - IrvineCellar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Strawberry, forest floor, oak, vanilla, floral nose. Very aromatic. Medium body, smooth tannins, high alcohol, but balanced with high acidity. Red fruit palate with minerals and earthy qualities. Brilliant from start to finish. Only knock is the alcohol level.
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4/26/2021 - Emit wrote: 100 Points
Best pinot
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4/25/2021 - VAVintner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Strawberry/Cherry fruit. Nice acid and medium firm tanins provide for long finish
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2/26/2021 - Stemidoc Likes this wine: 96 Points
Worth every penny
Light, berries but low etoh content
Erica liked too
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2/13/2021 - Michael_D Likes this wine: 90 Points
Definitely lives up to its namesake. Non-typical nose. Smoky tones and red fruit. Smooth tannin presence. Strong finish. Buy again.
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1/25/2021 - OenoEd Likes this wine: 94 Points
Interesting scores and comments among these few notes. My bottle tonight is freakishly compelling: nose has a lot of charred wood and burnt paper, but also a lot of black cherry syrup, pink bubblegum, and a terrific oyster shell, “marine fog” aroma. An assault on the senses, clearly New World (although it reminds me of Laurent and Leroy) and pretty exciting. This is Wonder Woman pinot: soft but richly textured, beautifully fragrant and deceptively powerful. Jasmine and violet incense. A long cinnamon and black cherry finish, and superb as an expression of its clay soil, salty terroir, perfectly ripe red plum and strawberry fruit, and really sexy deliciousity. I finished the bottle with a bowl of wagyu and kimchee fried rice before I knew what hit me. 7 or 8 years of terrific drinking ahead.
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12/13/2020 - Hojun-na-Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pop and poured as I was curious to see how the 2018 will evolve.
Pale ruby, clear, nose of strawberry and mint, baking spices, clove with underlying notes of sage and menthol.
The fruit is pretty subdued right now, which is different from their older fruit driven style. After some time in the glass notes of underripe cherries and cola began to show.
Despite being 14.5% ABV, the body is on the lighter side for Sea Smoke.
This should be drinking really well in a couple of years.
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11/19/2020 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 86 Points
The other guy clearly reviewed Ten and not Southing because at best this is passable but confusing. Like my prior experiences these are strange wines that I would describe as rustic Syrah like with bright Pinot Noir fruit. This one is borderline harsh with stewed/musty/overly sweet red fruit, and an unpleasant pine sap element. No structure and little acid. In past tastings I believed these to be off bottles but now we are at a trend. Though not in love with critic scores there’s a reason they don’t let them taste here.
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11/8/2020 - Sonoma-W Likes this wine: 92 Points
Our first southing from 2018. A bit lighter style than prior vintages -- still comes through with Sea Smoke fruit
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10/10/2020 - danielolson06 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic - A beautiful Pinot with great balance and acidity to it. So happy with the continued quality of their wine program.
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