This wine has aged very nicely... There may well be a hint of smoke taint on the nose but there's plenty of intensity and complexity for it not to stand out. The balance in this wine is far superior to most any California Pinot I have tasted; not overblown but shows restraint and, yes, even some elegance which is exceedingly rare in California Pinot. It developed nicely in the glass for the better part of an hour. Excellent Pinot typicity. Would drink again...
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Christmas Wines w/ Family & Friends; 12/24/2014-12/28/2014: Cork was raised up just a bit, and soaked almost all the way through, so I was a bit concerned. Upon first opening it, the wine was muted and seemed tired, and I was resigned to it being a poor bottle. But I came back after three hours and gave it another shot, and things had totally changed. Turned from stale and tired to lively and floral. Dusty tannins, tart acid, red plum and currant fruit. I do get a bit of that “smoke taint” I hear about from the wildfire smoke that hit in this vintage, but other elements of the wine come out. I get some sage, pickle and dried flowers, too. Probably not the best showing, but perhaps this is as good as one can hope for. Still turned out fun.
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Garnett to orange at the rim. Cherries, smoke, little bit of earth / forest floor on the nose. Intense fresh cherry, smoke, meat on the palate. Silky mouthfeel. Medium finish; wish it were longer
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(Ici/La-Bas Pinot Noir Les Révélés Elke Vineyard) Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; smoke, tart red fruit nose; smoke taint, tart red fruit, roast pork palate; medium-plus finish (another victim of the California fires of '08; why did they bottle it though?)
7/5/2020 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine has aged very nicely...
There may well be a hint of smoke taint on the nose but there's plenty of intensity and complexity for it not to stand out.
The balance in this wine is far superior to most any California Pinot I have tasted; not overblown but shows restraint and, yes, even some elegance which is exceedingly rare in California Pinot.
It developed nicely in the glass for the better part of an hour. Excellent Pinot typicity. Would drink again...
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12/25/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 86 Points
Christmas Wines w/ Family & Friends; 12/24/2014-12/28/2014: Cork was raised up just a bit, and soaked almost all the way through, so I was a bit concerned. Upon first opening it, the wine was muted and seemed tired, and I was resigned to it being a poor bottle. But I came back after three hours and gave it another shot, and things had totally changed. Turned from stale and tired to lively and floral. Dusty tannins, tart acid, red plum and currant fruit. I do get a bit of that “smoke taint” I hear about from the wildfire smoke that hit in this vintage, but other elements of the wine come out. I get some sage, pickle and dried flowers, too. Probably not the best showing, but perhaps this is as good as one can hope for. Still turned out fun.
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11/10/2014 - mcook Likes this wine: 89 Points
Garnett to orange at the rim. Cherries, smoke, little bit of earth / forest floor on the nose. Intense fresh cherry, smoke, meat on the palate. Silky mouthfeel. Medium finish; wish it were longer
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5/21/2014 - shaffej wrote: 88 Points
Cherry bomb!
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