This was so awesome, starting with some brillant cranberry fruit on the nose, a supple mouthfeel of fruit well balanced with the acid. Elegant yet still full of new world swagger. After about 4+ hours in the decanter, a little solvent jumped out in front of the fruit, and it continued to slide from there over the last 2 or so hours. Still, a very enjoyable bottle.
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Translucent magenta. Strawberry basket and cinnamon spice nose. Medium to full bodied, pomegranates, bing cherries, white pepper, well integrated tannins, big acid, and a slightly fizzy medium finish. For an entry-level wine, this is really very good.
Much better than expected: the extra year or two in bottle has helped enormously. 30-60 mins decanted: Earthy nose, with fresh Pinot Noir aroma. Good, sharp acidity, with bright cherry pinot flavour, some more body than expected and forest floor, earthiness too. Not as multi-dimensional as a good burgundy, and not as zippy as a good fresh Carneros PN, but no one-trick pony either. I think this really is expressing its terroir nicely. Bright, but still less sharply acidic than the very keen 07 Zena Crown Expression 44. It also had vibrancy and flavours which completely outshone the D'Ontspille opened at the same time which, while a decent budget Pinot, was entirely unidimensional by comparison.
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Much smoother than the bottle I had last year. After an hour of air, the wine became inviting with earthy flavors prominent on the palate. The nose is largely absent and unrevealing.
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This smells like a syrah, it tastes like a syrah, and if I was told that this was a syrah...well I still don't think I'd like it.
14.3% alcohol. Smell of dates, leather, peat and wet gravel. Taste is thick and meaty with notes of what I can best describe as rhubarb and oak. Much more stiffer in structure than I would expect from a pinot. At least it doesn't come off hot?
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5/31/2015 - ccrida Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was so awesome, starting with some brillant cranberry fruit on the nose, a supple mouthfeel of fruit well balanced with the acid. Elegant yet still full of new world swagger. After about 4+ hours in the decanter, a little solvent jumped out in front of the fruit, and it continued to slide from there over the last 2 or so hours. Still, a very enjoyable bottle.
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7/29/2014 - klezman wrote:
Smoky,earthy, cherry, delicious. Great acid and balance.
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3/29/2014 - klezman wrote:
Earthy, smoky, cherry, nice balance. Nice to drink and good with food that isn't too overpowering. Nice Sonoma Coast fruit.
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3/18/2013 - merryberry Likes this wine: 91 Points
Translucent magenta. Strawberry basket and cinnamon spice nose. Medium to full bodied, pomegranates, bing cherries, white pepper, well integrated tannins, big acid, and a slightly fizzy medium finish. For an entry-level wine, this is really very good.
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3/16/2012 - richardhod Likes this wine: 90 Points
Much better than expected: the extra year or two in bottle has helped enormously. 30-60 mins decanted:
Earthy nose, with fresh Pinot Noir aroma.
Good, sharp acidity, with bright cherry pinot flavour, some more body than expected and forest floor, earthiness too. Not as multi-dimensional as a good burgundy, and not as zippy as a good fresh Carneros PN, but no one-trick pony either. I think this really is expressing its terroir nicely.
Bright, but still less sharply acidic than the very keen 07 Zena Crown Expression 44. It also had vibrancy and flavours which completely outshone the D'Ontspille opened at the same time which, while a decent budget Pinot, was entirely unidimensional by comparison.
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12/21/2011 - DuaneT wrote: 87 Points
Much smoother than the bottle I had last year. After an hour of air, the wine became inviting with earthy flavors prominent on the palate. The nose is largely absent and unrevealing.
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10/2/2011 - Surfdoc wrote: 87 Points
Med-full body. Simple black cherry flavor with a distinct smokiness. Med-long finish with nutmeg and plum flavors.
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7/20/2010 - merryberry wrote: 86 Points
Ruby red, blueberry vanilla nose, bing cherry, smooth, integrated tannins, leathery finish.
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7/14/2010 - DuaneT wrote: 83 Points
This smells like a syrah, it tastes like a syrah, and if I was told that this was a syrah...well I still don't think I'd like it.
14.3% alcohol. Smell of dates, leather, peat and wet gravel. Taste is thick and meaty with notes of what I can best describe as rhubarb and oak. Much more stiffer in structure than I would expect from a pinot. At least it doesn't come off hot?
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5/29/2010 - thunderkatt wrote: 91 Points
Seasons - paired with corn, goat cheese pizza. Fruity, tasty
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