Medium garnet color. Nose of ripe red fruits, sweet spices, and vanilla.
Ripe fruits continue onto the palate with notes of earth, and tobacco. Indisputably Californian but very well integrated and balanced. Medium + length finish. Drinking very nicely right now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The fruit has tamed down a bit and while I thought that would be a good thing, I am not quite sure. Don't get me wrong, this is still wonderful, but it lacks a tiny bit of intrigue compared to the last bottle. Maybe the difference between a second date and a third: still fun, but a little of the luster has worn off. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Much bigger and bolder than I thought it would be. Dark color, rich deep red fruit. So big and rich that I wonder if there is not a touch of Syrah in here? Certainly a new world style of Pinot. Having said al of that, I really liked this wine. A lot. the big fruit was nicely balanced with the acidity, leading to an above average finish. Worked well with the spaghetti carbonara and on its own. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little hot. Good fruit/tannin balance, and a medium-long finish. Good value for $24. Drank with chicken; this would pair better with heavier meat (lamb, BBQ chicken).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very closed on the nose and palate after 45 minutes of decanting. Then opened up quickly showcasing earthy spice, dark raspberry and slight cola, cool air and mushroom, with a touch of peat smoke. Medium body, a little hot, good acidity, light fruit, yet still has some depth and complexity. Next bottle in 6 months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Leans more towards the earthy, cinnamon side of the varietal. Everything is in good balance, and avoids both the overly ripe and the overly tart Pinots often found in this region. Makes you reach for another glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great sipping with burgers during a magical evening with friends in which we all simply needed to decompress. The wine was a great partner in this purpose. David's comments about the wine: more earthy than fruity, but smooth across my palate; the wine remained balanced through the bottle. Jeff's comments: Ditto, and I would add that the dark cherry and black currant was deeper than I expected in a Pinot. Love, love, love this wine -- and much of that has to do with the people who made it and the people with whom I shared this bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Raspberry fruit, some reductive on the palate, a bit of a hard touch. Smokey. Just opened. Maybe it broadens? Well, after a strong shake I would say its definately your BBQ Pinot Noir for the season. Lots of stems? What is giving it that flavor?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was able to taste this close enough in time to an ABC 2007 Estate Bottled Knox Alexander PN, so I can do a comparison. This was less aromatic relative to the ABC, no spice-box effusion. Light fruit, light tannins, moderate finish. Seems not to be as ripe as the ABC from the Santa Maria Valley. Although both are more Oregonian than Cali, less ripe than typical Cali PNs, pass on this, grab the ABC, while they last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Auction Dinner - Course 6. This was the alternate pairing for the Chilean Sea Bass with Mango Salsa (for those who wanted red wine). Not a perfect pairing to be sure, but it held its own. The subtlety of flavors in the food were complimented by the layers of flavors in the wine. The wine is fruity and ripe. It is a bit reserved or restrained at the same time. A bit more earthiness than I expected, but it does draw deep from the soil of Santa Rita Hills. Nice reactions from the guests, there is much to love about this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was disappointed with this one. First day was just really closed and hard, but I resealed (It's screwcapped.) and refrigerated. Had opened a bit 2nd day and showed much better for a while, but then just fell apart before even finishing a full glass. Had a very narrow window of non-disjointedness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
19.99 as PLCB Chairman's Selection. Fine AVA for Pinot from a very good year. Medium garnet and no real nose, although drunk from bad stems at BYOB. Some light cherry with earth, cola and a degree of minerality. Would have liked a liitle more fruit. Hint of tannin. Decent, but won't run back for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clear with medium deep garnet color, Nose dominated by fruit, herbs and oak. Medium to high acid levels with medium body. Palate is in line with nose with dark cherries, herbs and hints of cola...This seemed out of balance, slightly closed, and angular. Wondering if things will come together with some bottle age or more air time. Least impressive of 5 Alma Rosa Pinots tasted at winery
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was good Pinot especially for the price. medium dark red with some bright red fruit on the nose. This tasted of red raspberries with some smokiness. Medium finish. Good QPR!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was $20 at the PLCB. Worth the price. Dark color. Nose of a bit of red cherry, oak and a bit of heat. Tannic with some heat with red fruit aspects. Wish it were a bit more complex. Screw top and 14.5% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Santa Barbara Tasting at The Wine Country in Long Beach, CA (5/30/2009)
A bit of oak and perfume on the nose. Big, extracted Pinot flavors with some oak. High "delicious" factor, but kind of a "headache" wine for me if more than one glass is consumed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fairly dark red for Pinot, pink at the edges. Cherries, Hatch chilis, mushrooms, and cellar floor funkiness on the nose. Tastes of cherries, strawberries followed by raspberry. Soft tannins, nice acid, a tiny tad on the hot side at finish. Not incredibly complex, but enough going on to be very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought this wine as I have very good memories from visiting the winery last summer. This one is considerably darker on the nose than the one tasted last year (I believe that was the 2005). Some spice and dark cherries on the nose. With air the raspberries come to the front. More opulent than elegant, yet there is an appealing coolness to it. The alcohol (14,5%) is evident but not a problem. Not very complex, but still fine for an entry level pinot. The fruit is the point here. On the palate there are more raspberries. Not the most concentrated of wines, and with surprisingly smooth tannins, but there is a nice acidic grip in the finish. Some heat and a touch of bitterness in the finish is negative, but still this is not bad for the price. The nose is best though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/9/2016 - cchow32 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium garnet color. Nose of ripe red fruits, sweet spices, and vanilla.
Ripe fruits continue onto the palate with notes of earth, and tobacco. Indisputably Californian but very well integrated and balanced. Medium + length finish. Drinking very nicely right now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2015 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 90 Points
The fruit has tamed down a bit and while I thought that would be a good thing, I am not quite sure. Don't get me wrong, this is still wonderful, but it lacks a tiny bit of intrigue compared to the last bottle. Maybe the difference between a second date and a third: still fun, but a little of the luster has worn off. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/22/2013 - grantsky wrote: 87 Points
Showing more dark, dried fruit than when this wine was young. Showing some age. i would drink up in the next six months if this bottle is typical.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2013 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much bigger and bolder than I thought it would be. Dark color, rich deep red fruit. So big and rich that I wonder if there is not a touch of Syrah in here? Certainly a new world style of Pinot. Having said al of that, I really liked this wine. A lot. the big fruit was nicely balanced with the acidity, leading to an above average finish. Worked well with the spaghetti carbonara and on its own. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2012 - wendyinwlv wrote: 84 Points
Nice !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2012 - grantsky wrote: 89 Points
Similar to previous notes. Defintaley a typical St. Rita Hills Pinot. Deeper fruit than Northern regions.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2012 - topher2411 wrote: 86 Points
Just never quite came together. A disappointment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2012 - JPH104 wrote:
Deep and rugged. I love this wine - particularly for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2012 - grantsky wrote: 90 Points
Showing more vibrant fruit since last note.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2012 - Capybara562 wrote: 88 Points
A little hot. Good fruit/tannin balance, and a medium-long finish. Good value for $24. Drank with chicken; this would pair better with heavier meat (lamb, BBQ chicken).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2012 - grantsky wrote: 89 Points
Very closed on the nose and palate after 45 minutes of decanting. Then opened up quickly showcasing earthy spice, dark raspberry and slight cola, cool air and mushroom, with a touch of peat smoke. Medium body, a little hot, good acidity, light fruit, yet still has some depth and complexity. Next bottle in 6 months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2011 - chapulin wrote: 91 Points
Leans more towards the earthy, cinnamon side of the varietal. Everything is in good balance, and avoids both the overly ripe and the overly tart Pinots often found in this region. Makes you reach for another glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2011 - Danohayes wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. Much richer than the 2008 I tasted recently. Great nose, nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2011 - dwaynelm wrote: 87 Points
True varietal character but not compelling.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2011 - docjavadude wrote: 89 Points
Great sipping with burgers during a magical evening with friends in which we all simply needed to decompress. The wine was a great partner in this purpose. David's comments about the wine: more earthy than fruity, but smooth across my palate; the wine remained balanced through the bottle. Jeff's comments: Ditto, and I would add that the dark cherry and black currant was deeper than I expected in a Pinot. Love, love, love this wine -- and much of that has to do with the people who made it and the people with whom I shared this bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2011 - tommyvernieri wrote: 91 Points
Smokey and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Raspberry fruit, some reductive on the palate, a bit of a hard touch. Smokey. Just opened. Maybe it broadens? Well, after a strong shake I would say its definately your BBQ Pinot Noir for the season. Lots of stems? What is giving it that flavor?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2011 - Spookey wrote: 87 Points
Very little fruit when first opened. After two hours it came through. Rasberry and tart cherry. Nice but not great. Like the screw top.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2011 - winetennis wrote: 88 Points
Was able to taste this close enough in time to an ABC 2007 Estate Bottled Knox Alexander PN, so I can do a comparison. This was less aromatic relative to the ABC, no spice-box effusion. Light fruit, light tannins, moderate finish. Seems not to be as ripe as the ABC from the Santa Maria Valley. Although both are more Oregonian than Cali, less ripe than typical Cali PNs, pass on this, grab the ABC, while they last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2011 - docjavadude wrote: 89 Points
Auction Dinner - Course 6. This was the alternate pairing for the Chilean Sea Bass with Mango Salsa (for those who wanted red wine). Not a perfect pairing to be sure, but it held its own. The subtlety of flavors in the food were complimented by the layers of flavors in the wine. The wine is fruity and ripe. It is a bit reserved or restrained at the same time. A bit more earthiness than I expected, but it does draw deep from the soil of Santa Rita Hills. Nice reactions from the guests, there is much to love about this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2010 - Winokdub wrote: 90 Points
Pretty full bodied pinot. Had with t day dinner and it was great. Has a few rough edges but fruit and overall complexity and finish are all very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2010 - czarny wrote: 89 Points
Nice garnet color, fruity nose, cherry and raspberry flavors, slightly earthy, medium finish. Excellent wine for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2010 - MindMuse wrote: 81 Points
I was disappointed with this one. First day was just really closed and hard, but I resealed (It's screwcapped.) and refrigerated. Had opened a bit 2nd day and showed much better for a while, but then just fell apart before even finishing a full glass. Had a very narrow window of non-disjointedness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2010 - brianofthevine wrote: 89 Points
Red cherry and strawberry. Earthy component. Nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2010 - cos82 wrote: 85 Points
19.99 as PLCB Chairman's Selection. Fine AVA for Pinot from a very good year. Medium garnet and no real nose, although drunk from bad stems at BYOB. Some light cherry with earth, cola and a degree of minerality. Would have liked a liitle more fruit. Hint of tannin. Decent, but won't run back for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2010 - t_moderne wrote: 87 Points
Nice light cherry cola flavors; a bit of earth and mushrooms. Tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2010 - profiler54 wrote: 85 Points
Clear with medium deep garnet color, Nose dominated by fruit, herbs and oak. Medium to high acid levels with medium body. Palate is in line with nose with dark cherries, herbs and hints of cola...This seemed out of balance, slightly closed, and angular. Wondering if things will come together with some bottle age or more air time. Least impressive of 5 Alma Rosa Pinots tasted at winery
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2010 - emf wrote:
This was good Pinot especially for the price. medium dark red with some bright red fruit on the nose. This tasted of red raspberries with some smokiness. Medium finish. Good QPR!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2010 - tederf wrote: 87 Points
This was $20 at the PLCB. Worth the price. Dark color. Nose of a bit of red cherry, oak and a bit of heat. Tannic with some heat with red fruit aspects. Wish it were a bit more complex. Screw top and 14.5% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2010 - jwells wrote: 89 Points
Really liked this wine. Dark red color, light-medium body. Rasberry and earthy flavors. The finish is somewhat tannic and acidic with a touch of heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2009 - PIntag wrote: 87 Points
Santa Barbara Tasting at The Wine Country in Long Beach, CA (5/30/2009)
A bit of oak and perfume on the nose. Big, extracted Pinot flavors with some oak. High "delicious" factor, but kind of a "headache" wine for me if more than one glass is consumed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2009 - jeremy_ross wrote: 89 Points
Fairly dark red for Pinot, pink at the edges. Cherries, Hatch chilis, mushrooms, and cellar floor funkiness on the nose. Tastes of cherries, strawberries followed by raspberry. Soft tannins, nice acid, a tiny tad on the hot side at finish. Not incredibly complex, but enough going on to be very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2008 - abbulf wrote:
Bought this wine as I have very good memories from visiting the winery last summer. This one is considerably darker on the nose than the one tasted last year (I believe that was the 2005). Some spice and dark cherries on the nose. With air the raspberries come to the front. More opulent than elegant, yet there is an appealing coolness to it. The alcohol (14,5%) is evident but not a problem. Not very complex, but still fine for an entry level pinot. The fruit is the point here. On the palate there are more raspberries. Not the most concentrated of wines, and with surprisingly smooth tannins, but there is a nice acidic grip in the finish. Some heat and a touch of bitterness in the finish is negative, but still this is not bad for the price. The nose is best though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment