This Pinot is simply beautiful. Lots of dark cherries and menthol, it is very much the earthier side of Pinot. I opened and left in the cellar for a few hours and then took it out about 2 hours before I poured it. So enjoyable. Looking forward to the last 4 bottles that I will drink over the next 2 -3 years.
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Very different from the other Alfaro Pinots I've had. Agree with GTFREEK that this edges toward Syrah. Agree with RJ that this edges towards ripe and baked. Putting this off to the side for a day or two and will try again and re-evaluate.
UPDATE: After a couple days, this had settled down into a wine that is not unpleasant. Still just barely Pinot and very different from other Alfaros, but I can't deny that it is a relatively good big wine.
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Beautiful crimson red in the glass, wonderful spice filled nose, intensely but yet restrained mocha raspberry cherry with a lengthy silken finish. This is really coming on.
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Vineyard south of Santa Cruz, 3 miles inland of Monterrey Bay. Lots of fog there. Nose on this juuumps out, this is big CA style. I might peg this as Syrah up front but then the tannins aren't there for that. Light tannins behind the fruit. Very forward in a delicious way. Dark fruit, blackberries, maybe blue fruit. Not Burgundian style. Crowd pleaser if they're looking for that style. 144 cases produced.
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(Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard) Dark cherry red color with pale meniscus; tart cherry nose; appealing, tart cherry, floral palate; medium-plus finish
(Big Basin Vineyards Pinot Noir Alfaro Family Vineyard) Barrel sample - opaque dark cherry red color; berry, cherry nose; tart cherry, tart red fruit palate with good acidity; medium finish 89-91 pts. (recently completed malo, a year or more away from bottling; Dijon 667 & 115, with some whole cluster)
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11/18/2018 - rhanke wrote: 92 Points
Slight raspberry and cheery. Likes the aroma.
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3/19/2016 - aaronfeigin Likes this wine: 92 Points
This Pinot is simply beautiful. Lots of dark cherries and menthol, it is very much the earthier side of Pinot. I opened and left in the cellar for a few hours and then took it out about 2 hours before I poured it. So enjoyable. Looking forward to the last 4 bottles that I will drink over the next 2 -3 years.
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1/26/2016 - missionpk wrote:
Very different from the other Alfaro Pinots I've had. Agree with GTFREEK that this edges toward Syrah. Agree with RJ that this edges towards ripe and baked. Putting this off to the side for a day or two and will try again and re-evaluate.
UPDATE: After a couple days, this had settled down into a wine that is not unpleasant. Still just barely Pinot and very different from other Alfaros, but I can't deny that it is a relatively good big wine.
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2/3/2014 - zinfomaniac Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful crimson red in the glass, wonderful spice filled nose, intensely but yet restrained mocha raspberry cherry with a lengthy silken finish. This is really coming on.
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6/19/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
Vineyard south of Santa Cruz, 3 miles inland of Monterrey Bay. Lots of fog there. Nose on this juuumps out, this is big CA style. I might peg this as Syrah up front but then the tannins aren't there for that. Light tannins behind the fruit. Very forward in a delicious way. Dark fruit, blackberries, maybe blue fruit. Not Burgundian style. Crowd pleaser if they're looking for that style. 144 cases produced.
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