This wine had me completely stomped. Tasted it last weekend blindly alongside six other top Californian pinots, and this was unanimously voted as the worst of the litter. Underripe, lacking body, green.
Now I poured another glass (coravin from the same bottle), gave it a long and hard shake in my decanter, and it’s another wine entirely. The note from the winery even said «we encourage you to start drinking them young as long as you give them plenty of air» and wow did that air make all the difference.
Medium ruby. Beautiful nose, unmistakably Sonoman. Sour cherries and wild raspberries, sweet oak spice, cola, black tea, and just the slightest green tint of a rose bush branch. Concentrated fruit on the first touch, then gripping acidity puts your tongue to work, before moving into a long refined lightly tannic finish. Weightless.
My guess is that it’ll peak in 3-5 years, but this can age for a decade.
Tart cherry, wild berry, herbs, a bit of smoke, and some tea. Complex. This is a rare California pinot that appeals to me thanks to those complex flavors and a lack of bright, overly sweet fruit. Very much a winner for New World style.
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The nose was, at first, dominated by crispy, green grapes and star fruit. Second whiff revealed Pinot typicity with sour red cherry. Also some oak here, a growing cola note as well.
Palate has good freshness, round feel with somehow green fruits alongside raspberry and a long spicy finish.
Easily the best American wine I´ve had.
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Vibrant on the tongue, almost zingy. Simultaneously weightless and powerful; it has a ton of flavor for how light it feels and looks. Raspberries and flowers. As it sat, it developed some spice. The problem I have with this is I never know when to drink it. I generally like some age on my wines, but these are so lovely now, it’s almost a shame to risk waiting.
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5/2/2024 - Emil Oliver Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine had me completely stomped. Tasted it last weekend blindly alongside six other top Californian pinots, and this was unanimously voted as the worst of the litter. Underripe, lacking body, green.
Now I poured another glass (coravin from the same bottle), gave it a long and hard shake in my decanter, and it’s another wine entirely. The note from the winery even said «we encourage you to start drinking them young as long as you give them plenty of air» and wow did that air make all the difference.
Medium ruby.
Beautiful nose, unmistakably Sonoman. Sour cherries and wild raspberries, sweet oak spice, cola, black tea, and just the slightest green tint of a rose bush branch.
Concentrated fruit on the first touch, then gripping acidity puts your tongue to work, before moving into a long refined lightly tannic finish. Weightless.
My guess is that it’ll peak in 3-5 years, but this can age for a decade.
Bravo Catherine and Steve🍷🧘🏻♂️
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4/1/2024 - LiteItOnFire Does not like this wine:
Sour, tart, red and black fruit, elegant but ..
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2/21/2024 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tart cherry, wild berry, herbs, a bit of smoke, and some tea. Complex. This is a rare California pinot that appeals to me thanks to those complex flavors and a lack of bright, overly sweet fruit. Very much a winner for New World style.
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1/28/2024 - Hugo Hilde wrote: 94 Points
A mixed bag Wednesday (Tøyen, Oslo): Double decanted 2 hours prior to dinner
The nose was, at first, dominated by crispy, green grapes and star fruit. Second whiff revealed Pinot typicity with sour red cherry. Also some oak here, a growing cola note as well.
Palate has good freshness, round feel with somehow green fruits alongside raspberry and a long spicy finish.
Easily the best American wine I´ve had.
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1/11/2024 - asparagus Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good. So pinot. Long finish, refined and very classy. Loved this.
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11/23/2023 - ralstenm wrote:
Agree with Cchoukal.
Beautiful with Thanksgiving feast!
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8/6/2023 - cchoukal wrote:
Vibrant on the tongue, almost zingy. Simultaneously weightless and powerful; it has a ton of flavor for how light it feels and looks. Raspberries and flowers. As it sat, it developed some spice. The problem I have with this is I never know when to drink it. I generally like some age on my wines, but these are so lovely now, it’s almost a shame to risk waiting.
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5/15/2022 - StoneRidgeCellars Likes this wine: 97 Points
Bolder and more acidic then Cuvee Elizabeth, vibrant red and black fruits, violets, intense.
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