I have been drinking this vintage for about 2 years now and it has been great. It was my go to pinot for the price if i want a mid week wine. I must say it's on the down side now. It has lost some of it's luster and if you have any left i would drink it up. I will definitely keep buying the newer vintages because it's a great pinot for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So a foray into Cali Pinot this week.... On nose: smoke , oak and cherry pits. On palate: all above notes, with bramble, cloves and damp earth, " trying" to chime in... I say this because the 14.5% alcohol swamps the fruit and other notes with its persistence....clearly a very hot Summer in this region, in this vintage perhaps specifically.......more a cool climate Pinot Noir, New Zealand PN and Burgundy fan....over 20 years, I have found only ONE Cali Pinot that hit the mark for me....a 2004 Hanzell tasted back in 2010....and there you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine never ceases to amaze us - the price versus the quality (QPR) and how early the drinking window opens. Had it with whole chicken in the smoker and sides, and what a great pairing! (grilled salmon, also). This is just past 4 years and is in an ideal drinking window. 100% varietally correct; fruit is neither too robust or timid, everything balanced. Have to rate this as one of the best red wines for the money, year in and year out.
Really nice wine regardless of the price , found this at Costco, was a bit shocked at how good it was, ran back and bought the remaining 2017s. Not a delicate flower if that is your thing, Has some good structure, sturdiness, a bit of smoke and good concentration. I am wondering if it will improve with a little cellar time?
How can they produce a Pinot that tastes this good for $14? Nothing fancy, just really good juice. Smells and tastes like Pinot Noir. Great weeknight wine!
Good for $14. Hard to find decent Pinot Noir at this price point. Earthy notes with smoke and red cherries. Early in the drinking window…should be good for 3 to 5 years.
Pinot rond avec un nez charmeur. Sur des arômes de fumer, de fruit rouge confiture et de boisé Vin facile d’approche, sans prétention a un prix raisonnable.
This has lots of (attractive) oak, smoke, sweet candy red fruit, Quite full in the mouth. The California sunshine makes for a much splashier pinot experience. Pleasant, but not the elegance and prettiness of lighter versions I'm more accustomed to.
Retail $25. This is now the third bottle of this wine I've tried that I had originally for my Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and it continues to impress. While this bottle is slightly lower (at least in score) than the other two, but still similar notes.
Retail $25. While this lists at 25 bucks, it is available in most markets for under twenty bucks. Last year at this time, for my Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, I found this delightful. I still do. A Classic New World Pinot nose here: plenty of fresh red and black cherry, eucalyptus, and touches of spice and earth. Yum. The palate more than holds up to the nose with luscious fruit, balancing acidity, and a marvelous finish. Gangbusters. Outstanding.
Agree with The D.C. note...for 17.99 it is the best sub 20$ pinot I've had in a long time. Will buy more. RRV characteristics...strong nose with long finish....spice picks up after 30 minutes. Really good.
The Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir (My House, Houston, TX): Retail $20. A Classic New World Pinot nose here: plenty of fresh red and black cherry, eucalyptus, and touches of spice and earth. Yum. The palate more than holds up to the nose with luscious fruit, balancing acidity, and a marvelous finish. Gangbusters. Excellent. 94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
Clear pale ruby; clean medium plus nose of red cherry jam, moist soil, toast and baking spices; dry; medium plus acidity; medium minus tannins; high alcohol; medium plus body; medium plus flavour intensity; palate has fruit payoff and addition of coffee; medium plus finish; drink now; a serviceable Pinot
Garnet; cherries, wild strawberries, barnyard, soil, ripe apples, black licorice; ripe sour cherry, earthy, savoury, light-medium body, good acidity, slightly astringent, soft tannins, decent finish Fragrant nose of cherries and strawberries with a hint of sweaty gym clothes. Flavour didn't follow however as it was somewhat lean. Still good for the midweek.
4/13/2023 - BHwine wrote: 86 Points
I have been drinking this vintage for about 2 years now and it has been great. It was my go to pinot for the price if i want a mid week wine. I must say it's on the down side now. It has lost some of it's luster and if you have any left i would drink it up. I will definitely keep buying the newer vintages because it's a great pinot for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2023 - Chardawnay wrote:
Yum!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2023 - Turtlerider Likes this wine:
Having with salmon tonight…
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2022 - Pontifax wrote: 87 Points
So a foray into Cali Pinot this week....
On nose: smoke , oak and cherry pits.
On palate: all above notes, with bramble, cloves and damp earth, " trying" to chime in...
I say this because the 14.5% alcohol swamps the fruit and other notes with its persistence....clearly a very hot Summer in this region, in this vintage perhaps specifically.......more a cool climate Pinot Noir, New Zealand PN and Burgundy fan....over 20 years, I have found only ONE Cali Pinot that hit the mark for me....a 2004 Hanzell tasted back in 2010....and there you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2022 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine never ceases to amaze us - the price versus the quality (QPR) and how early the drinking window opens. Had it with whole chicken in the smoker and sides, and what a great pairing! (grilled salmon, also). This is just past 4 years and is in an ideal drinking window. 100% varietally correct; fruit is neither too robust or timid, everything balanced.
Have to rate this as one of the best red wines for the money, year in and year out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/14/2021 - Billybobbillybob2 wrote: 90 Points
Really nice wine regardless of the price , found this at Costco, was a bit shocked at how good it was, ran back and bought the remaining 2017s. Not a delicate flower if that is your thing, Has some good structure, sturdiness, a bit of smoke and good concentration. I am wondering if it will improve with a little cellar time?
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
10/5/2021 - bluehorseshoe Likes this wine: 90 Points
How can they produce a Pinot that tastes this good for $14? Nothing fancy, just really good juice. Smells and tastes like Pinot Noir. Great weeknight wine!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/22/2021 - bluehorseshoe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beautiful crimson color. Clear and shimmering in the glass. Great nose and rich mouthfeel. Outstanding QPR at $14.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/28/2021 - bluehorseshoe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good for $14. Hard to find decent Pinot Noir at this price point. Earthy notes with smoke and red cherries. Early in the drinking window…should be good for 3 to 5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/25/2021 - flussier Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pinot rond avec un nez charmeur. Sur des arômes de fumer, de fruit rouge confiture et de boisé Vin facile d’approche, sans prétention a un prix raisonnable.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/25/2021 - Jzizzle Likes this wine: 89 Points
This has lots of (attractive) oak, smoke, sweet candy red fruit, Quite full in the mouth. The California sunshine makes for a much splashier pinot experience. Pleasant, but not the elegance and prettiness of lighter versions I'm more accustomed to.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/8/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 Points
Retail $25. This is now the third bottle of this wine I've tried that I had originally for my Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and it continues to impress. While this bottle is slightly lower (at least in score) than the other two, but still similar notes.
http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/5/2021 - PBC-PZ Wine Does not like this wine:
Slightly bitter after taste. Not as nice as Meiomi.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
Retail $25. While this lists at 25 bucks, it is available in most markets for under twenty bucks. Last year at this time, for my Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, I found this delightful. I still do. A Classic New World Pinot nose here: plenty of fresh red and black cherry, eucalyptus, and touches of spice and earth. Yum. The palate more than holds up to the nose with luscious fruit, balancing acidity, and a marvelous finish. Gangbusters. Outstanding.
http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
1/16/2021 - Worldb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Agree with The D.C. note...for 17.99 it is the best sub 20$ pinot I've had in a long time. Will buy more. RRV characteristics...strong nose with long finish....spice picks up after 30 minutes. Really good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/4/2021 - davesmith1957 wrote: 88 Points
No big deal. We paid $15 for this bottle and it tastes like a $15 pinot. Definitely a Pinot but not sophisticated or refined.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/24/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
The Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir (My House, Houston, TX): Retail $20. A Classic New World Pinot nose here: plenty of fresh red and black cherry, eucalyptus, and touches of spice and earth. Yum. The palate more than holds up to the nose with luscious fruit, balancing acidity, and a marvelous finish. Gangbusters. Excellent. 94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/7/2020 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Clear pale ruby; clean medium plus nose of red cherry jam, moist soil, toast and baking spices; dry; medium plus acidity; medium minus tannins; high alcohol; medium plus body; medium plus flavour intensity; palate has fruit payoff and addition of coffee; medium plus finish; drink now; a serviceable Pinot
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/1/2020 - ColinR Likes this wine: 87 Points
Garnet; cherries, wild strawberries, barnyard, soil, ripe apples, black licorice; ripe sour cherry, earthy, savoury, light-medium body, good acidity, slightly astringent, soft tannins, decent finish
Fragrant nose of cherries and strawberries with a hint of sweaty gym clothes. Flavour didn't follow however as it was somewhat lean. Still good for the midweek.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)