Opened to enjoy on Mariona's 1st birthday. Yummy wine, medium weight fruit. Not as juicy as previous bottle but this seemed more mature and settled. Thoroughly enjoyed by all. Wish I had more.
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Another great bottle - almost exactly the same as prior bottles. Dominated by dark, rich berry and cherry fruit, spice and earth. There is also some oak and herbs in the mix. Rich, coating mouth feel with excellent balance. A long finish with just slightly drying tannins at the end. Just slightly on the acidic side of perfect balance. Complex and big, but not heavy. Continues to be one of my favorite pinots.
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Same as last bottle. Full of dark, rich fruit with some earth and spice. Very flavorful with a medium body and multiple layers. Medium-long, fruity and just slightly acidic finish. Based on the richness, it is definitely a Cali pinot, but the dark flavors and earthiness reminds me of an Oregon pinot (or perhaps even a Burgundy?). Remains one of my favorite wines.
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Wow! - was this ever good. Drank alongside a Windy Oaks cuvee and a Ketcham RRV -- and the Arista blew the others away. This is a full-throttle pinot with lots of dark berry, earth and spice aromas. Medium bodied with multiple layers of black and red fruit, earth and spice. At the same time both rich and elegant, smooth and powerful, and fruity and earthy. An absolutely wonderful pinot that is drinking perfectly right now. One of the best pinots I have had in the past year.
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Black cherry and blackberry, a little bit of alcohol heat, some tartness. Didn't really get as much earthiness or spice as I expected, but maybe I'm imposing a Russian River bias on an Anderson Valley wine. Short finish. Good with duck risotto, though. Looking through my notes I seem to have liked the '03 better.
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This was lots of yum and I can finally use the descriptor "juicy". Did not have that funky Pinot nose that I like, just fruit. Pop and pour. Was wonderful with roast beef and lovely to sip afterwards. I will hold my remaining bottle for at least another year though.
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Upon tasting this wine, an intriguing floral nose of violets, rose petals and blackberry jam fills the senses. The mouth is rich and full of dark chocolate. Black tea gently wraps around concentrated flavors of blackberries and raspberry jam. A smooth, lingering mid-palate seamlessly leads to a subtle toastieness and a luscious mixed berry finish.
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10/20/2019 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Splash decanted. Excellent.
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10/4/2009 - BonnieM wrote:
Opened to enjoy on Mariona's 1st birthday. Yummy wine, medium weight fruit. Not as juicy as previous bottle but this seemed more mature and settled. Thoroughly enjoyed by all. Wish I had more.
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7/31/2009 - rickspicks wrote: 94 Points
Another great bottle - almost exactly the same as prior bottles. Dominated by dark, rich berry and cherry fruit, spice and earth. There is also some oak and herbs in the mix. Rich, coating mouth feel with excellent balance. A long finish with just slightly drying tannins at the end. Just slightly on the acidic side of perfect balance. Complex and big, but not heavy. Continues to be one of my favorite pinots.
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5/9/2009 - rickspicks wrote: 94 Points
Same as last bottle. Full of dark, rich fruit with some earth and spice. Very flavorful with a medium body and multiple layers. Medium-long, fruity and just slightly acidic finish. Based on the richness, it is definitely a Cali pinot, but the dark flavors and earthiness reminds me of an Oregon pinot (or perhaps even a Burgundy?). Remains one of my favorite wines.
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2/25/2009 - rickspicks wrote: 94 Points
Wow! - was this ever good. Drank alongside a Windy Oaks cuvee and a Ketcham RRV -- and the Arista blew the others away. This is a full-throttle pinot with lots of dark berry, earth and spice aromas. Medium bodied with multiple layers of black and red fruit, earth and spice. At the same time both rich and elegant, smooth and powerful, and fruity and earthy. An absolutely wonderful pinot that is drinking perfectly right now. One of the best pinots I have had in the past year.
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11/16/2008 - thefos wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 15 mins. Very robust and earthy for a pinot, with a little bit of spice to it. Ate with a mushroom strudel and asparagus and paired well.
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9/28/2008 - underwds wrote:
Black cherry and blackberry, a little bit of alcohol heat, some tartness. Didn't really get as much earthiness or spice as I expected, but maybe I'm imposing a Russian River bias on an Anderson Valley wine. Short finish. Good with duck risotto, though. Looking through my notes I seem to have liked the '03 better.
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4/5/2008 - BonnieM wrote:
This was lots of yum and I can finally use the descriptor "juicy". Did not have that funky Pinot nose that I like, just fruit. Pop and pour. Was wonderful with roast beef and lovely to sip afterwards. I will hold my remaining bottle for at least another year though.
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1/6/2008 - 2loyal wrote: 90 Points
Pretty cherry fruit, and nice complexity. Just not entire "my style".
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9/30/2007 - Winetree wrote:
Upon tasting this wine, an intriguing floral nose of violets, rose petals and blackberry jam fills the senses. The mouth is rich and full of dark chocolate. Black tea gently wraps around concentrated flavors of blackberries and raspberry jam. A smooth, lingering mid-palate seamlessly leads to a subtle toastieness and a luscious mixed berry finish.
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2/18/2007 - Winetex wrote: 88 Points
VinoCellar.com 4th Anniversary Celebration (Wineries and John Ash Restaurant, Santa Rosa, CA): Tasted at the winery as part of the VinoCellar.com 4th Annual Celebration. More earthy than the other Pinots tasted. The winemaker indicated that he thought the sweet spot for drinking this wine was 5-7 years post vintage. Somewhat more classic Pinot style.
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