Color is a purple-cranberry that fades nicely to a colorless rim. Nose is expressive right from the start with Jolly Rancher Strawberry candy, faint compost, earthiness, oak and a hint of tar/macadam. Palate really shines with acid and bright red sweet berries, almond wood, red flowers, bit of cough syrup without any viscousness - really the acid is the star; just allows the brightness to almost explode on the palate while not being detracting. Finish rides nicely with dark red berries, funkiness, acid and oak. Missing depth (but that is expected) and complexity on the palate (also expected). Drink now through 2015.
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Bottle variation? I tried the same 4 mon ago and was good on both nose & palate. This bottle was too light and no characters found at all until the end. I was disappointed and other people as well. Has it JUST past its peak??? Not worthy of $34.99. Well,,, It's almost the same as $9.99 NV(?) or wheretever-where vintage's pinot water for me.
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Popped. Effervescent hue of ruby. Cherries jubilee, mineral, light cola and spice, with a long finish and sweet palate. Round and distinctive, with a very friendly aspect. Very inviting. Drink now - 2015.
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This was either going through an awkward phase or succumbing to the smoke taint which affected a significant fraction of the North Coast in 2008; not nearly as good as the first bottle, but my last so others will have to find out.
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Medium red with salmon edges. A touch of alcohol on the nose, along with smoke and spice. Tart cherry, pepsi, some sweetness, nice acidity, but still a bit of the smoke that is so present on the nose. Medium finish.
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Full open nose of cranberry, sour cherry and minerals. Palate has medium body with plenty of tension and verve. Love the interplay of juicy fruit and cut. Smooth, medium finish. Very nice.
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This is described as largely declassified Hirsch. Much more grip than the analogous wine made by Littorai from the Anderson Valley in 2008; quite lovely fruit and intensity, as well as the known Littorai equilibrium. Should drink well for a year or two.
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Med red; sl smokey nose; nice fresh red berry/cherry fruit flavors; fast simple finish This is definitely a simple but well made wine under the difficult circumstances of the fires in 08. Drink by 2010 winter
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Mostly declassified Hirsch. Bright blue fruits. Touch of peatiness ('08 fires...). Very easy to enjoy now. Medium bodied and open. Soft tannins and gentle acid in the mouth.
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1/9/2014 - tlinch wrote: 90 Points
Color is a purple-cranberry that fades nicely to a colorless rim.
Nose is expressive right from the start with Jolly Rancher Strawberry candy, faint compost, earthiness, oak and a hint of tar/macadam.
Palate really shines with acid and bright red sweet berries, almond wood, red flowers, bit of cough syrup without any viscousness - really the acid is the star; just allows the brightness to almost explode on the palate while not being detracting.
Finish rides nicely with dark red berries, funkiness, acid and oak.
Missing depth (but that is expected) and complexity on the palate (also expected). Drink now through 2015.
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6/13/2012 - will2wine wrote: 88 Points
An impressive feat of winemaking given the difficult vintage. Makes up for a dearth of ripe fruit with an earthy texture and fine balance.
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5/4/2012 - bundydavis wrote: 92 Points
45 minute decant and this was just a beautiful pinot. Light, but still had a lot of fruit. Would definitely buy more.
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11/28/2011 - shaian wrote: 82 Points
Bottle variation? I tried the same 4 mon ago and was good on both nose & palate. This bottle was too light and no characters found at all until the end. I was disappointed and other people as well. Has it JUST past its peak???
Not worthy of $34.99. Well,,, It's almost the same as $9.99 NV(?) or wheretever-where vintage's pinot water for me.
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8/26/2011 - Muscadine wrote: 88 Points
Nice and smooth. Took a bit to open and we were worried it had gone way down hill. Prob. past it's prime, but still not bad
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3/24/2011 - Matt Scott wrote: 90 Points
Wolfgang Puck's Steakhouse Waikiki
Popped. Effervescent hue of ruby. Cherries jubilee, mineral, light cola and spice, with a long finish and sweet palate. Round and distinctive, with a very friendly aspect. Very inviting. Drink now - 2015.
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8/13/2010 - rosenst1 wrote: 87 Points
This was either going through an awkward phase or succumbing to the smoke taint which affected a significant
fraction of the North Coast in 2008; not nearly as good as the first bottle, but my last so others will have to find out.
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7/16/2010 - smphelps wrote: 86 Points
Medium red with salmon edges. A touch of alcohol on the nose, along with smoke and spice. Tart cherry, pepsi, some sweetness, nice acidity, but still a bit of the smoke that is so present on the nose. Medium finish.
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6/20/2010 - TomTom wrote:
Lot of smoke and ash on the palate, not enjoyable
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4/30/2010 - pablito wrote: 90 Points
took awhile to open, took on more weight over the course of 2 hours with beautiful cherry flavor
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4/4/2010 - ToddS Likes this wine: 89 Points
Definitely a nice easy drinker. Bright acidity to balance out the cherry and red fruits.
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3/4/2010 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
Full open nose of cranberry, sour cherry and minerals. Palate has medium body with plenty of tension and verve. Love the interplay of juicy fruit and cut. Smooth, medium finish. Very nice.
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12/27/2009 - rosenst1 wrote: 90 Points
This is described as largely declassified Hirsch. Much more grip than the analogous wine made by Littorai
from the Anderson Valley in 2008; quite lovely fruit and intensity, as well as the known Littorai equilibrium.
Should drink well for a year or two.
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11/26/2009 - vinojones wrote: 87 Points
Med red; sl smokey nose; nice fresh red berry/cherry fruit flavors; fast simple finish
This is definitely a simple but well made wine under the difficult circumstances of the fires in 08. Drink by 2010 winter
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11/24/2009 - winelovr2001 wrote: 87 Points
Good, a tad thin
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11/7/2009 - jakuda wrote:
Mostly declassified Hirsch. Bright blue fruits. Touch of peatiness ('08 fires...). Very easy to enjoy now. Medium bodied and open. Soft tannins and gentle acid in the mouth.
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6/7/2009 - jwwinec wrote:
A pretty, soft wine, showing some red fruit and green herbs. I like the style, but I keep finding some unripe notes here.
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3/17/2009 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Family Wine Makers: Min., med-bod, gd grip! Rocks! good entry level!
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