After an out-of-the-blue St. Patrick's Day call from my old friend, Kevin Shannon, who used to be the national sales guy for Saintsbury, I decided to pop this relic, fully expecting it to be shot. Not so quick! It decanted cleanly even though I had not stood it up and the color was remarkably young looking. Bright garnet, clear at the rim with just a touch of brick dust. The nose shows some sweet spice, sandalwood, juniper, and cloves. Light, a bit tart on entry, quite harmonious, feminine, delicate but not at all fragile with very pretty flavors of red berries, sweet spice and a hint of vanilla. Very fresh and lively, I had to keep going back for another look at the bottle to be sure the wine was that old. As Clive Coates used to say "bags of vigour." What a nice surprise! Drink now through 1012.
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Old note from 1994, where 17/20 is a nice score. Medium color intensity. pink rim. Good varietal character: cherry fruit, plum, developing complexity. Good tannin structure. Fairly long finish with oak and animal aromas on finish.
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10/24/2021 - gblacave wrote: 94 Points
Wow - perfectly mature and a great example of mature, warmer climate CA pinot. Great depth and balance.
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3/17/2008 - jfagan wrote: 91 Points
After an out-of-the-blue St. Patrick's Day call from my old friend, Kevin Shannon, who used to be the national sales guy for Saintsbury, I decided to pop this relic, fully expecting it to be shot. Not so quick! It decanted cleanly even though I had not stood it up and the color was remarkably young looking. Bright garnet, clear at the rim with just a touch of brick dust. The nose shows some sweet spice, sandalwood, juniper, and cloves. Light, a bit tart on entry, quite harmonious, feminine, delicate but not at all fragile with very pretty flavors of red berries, sweet spice and a hint of vanilla. Very fresh and lively, I had to keep going back for another look at the bottle to be sure the wine was that old. As Clive Coates used to say "bags of vigour." What a nice surprise! Drink now through 1012.
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3/10/1994 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 85 Points
Old note from 1994, where 17/20 is a nice score.
Medium color intensity. pink rim.
Good varietal character: cherry fruit, plum, developing complexity.
Good tannin structure. Fairly long finish with oak and animal aromas on finish.
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10/1/1992 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pinot Noir Tasting (Prima, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nice, forward fruit, smokey nose, great taste, lovely, rich, complex.
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