1997 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 87.7 points

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  2/5/2008 - Kazappa wrote: 84 Points

  This was my first Pinot Noir, so I have nothing to compare it to within this varietal. It's likely that I missed the optimal drinking window for this wine. The cork disintegrated upon opening, but smelled fine. I proceeded to pour the wine. The color had begun to fade toward brown from a nice, rich maroon. As expected, there was suspended sediment in this unfiltered wine. Initial nose was musty, akin to wet newspapers or wet leather. Swirling only intensified the smell, but after about 5 minutes, the mustiness mostly cleared, and a mildly spicy undertone appeared. Swirling again recharges the mustiness. Has me worried about the taste.
  The wine is quite dry. First impression is of ripe plum and cherries. A pleasant leather undertone is present, but with none of the mustiness that was present in the initial nose. Mid-palate, I detect cognac. This is a smooth drinking wine, with only a slight tartness that I welcomed. The finish is perhaps the most notable, with a long-lasting plum lingering on the palate. While not a complex wine, to me, it was an enjoyable departure from the more common California Power-Reds.

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  1/15/2007 - Stirling wrote: 88 Points

  Deep red colour, fading to garnet at the rim. Nice cherry/ strawberry nose. Similar flavours on the palate but much more intense with the addition of spices. A tiny bit of cola flavour could be discerned after a short while indicating oxidization. Not really a flaw, but I think this bottle is just over the hill. Had 2 over the last few years which tasted better.

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  6/18/2006 - Dale M wrote: 91 Points

  A charming and seductive nose, with sweet aromas of red currant, sage and a good dose of black licorice. Immediately appealing on the palate, with tasty wild strawberries and a taste of, well X-Mas tree for lack of a better word (pine needles anyway). Man, this is really integrated, surprisingly so. The tannins and acidity are completely integrated, keeping the wine fresh and still very much alive. Seamless finish still has some pop to it.

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