Giving this a higher score than the Giscours, to honor the opinions of my Christmas Eve guests who loved this wine. Riper and denser than typical R-Ms, but hits the mark with persistent cherry flavors and smooth finish.
This is another boom wine that grabs your attention with its full-throttled everything – nose, palate, density. Prominent blackberry aroma with oak overtones. Flavor profile of cherry liqueur with accents of Rhone-inspiring bacon, meat, and garrigue. Perhaps a tad one-dimensional and somewhat overpowering at an elegant dinner party.
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
Hits the sweet spot for me with a combination of delicious berry flavors and an Oregon “feel” from notes of forest, moss, and earth. Balanced acidity draws you in, but the length and density cause you to savor it. Actually served this at a small family Thanksgiving and it paired perfectly with the bird. Purchased at the lovely Rain Dance tasting room which I recommend visiting.
A lot going on here, although the fruit is the leading actor in this ensemble – raspberries, red and black cherries, rose petal, loamy soil. For a pinot, it’s pretty dense, but still is an easier drink than the Rhone varietals and Cabs in this lineup. An impressive tannic spine and long finish complete the package. Still going strong, but I would probably drink up. (served during the holidays but not together with the R-M, Saxum so no side-by-side comparisons).
Seemed a bit closed or even tired at first, but then opened up over time (days, that is, but who has days?). Smoky cherry and tobacco elements in the forefront.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Fragrant with scents of loamy earth and sweet kirsch. Palate is very satisfying as well with vibrant acidity and flavors of red currant and spice. Evolves over time, if the bottle lasts, to offer a sappy and lush mouthfeel and show a long spice-driven finish.
Just a classic Bordeaux that showed a lot of class and paired well with a festive Christmas Eve dinner of roasted meats. It particularly showed well on the open, with vibrant plum flavors, while over time developing sophisticated notes of tobacco and cassis. Probably my favorite of the night, although my guests seemed to like the R-M pinot the best.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
High-toned and cool, suffused with minerality that outlines a medium-bodied cherry- and cranberry-infused palate. Nice flavors but dryness perhaps detracts from the overall experience.
Italy, Trentino Alto-Adige / Veneto, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
Always a joy to return to refosco, an underrated grape. Minerals, stones, coffee, spice – lots of interesting elements in addition to delicious cherry fruit.
Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
A great new discovery for me – took a flier on it from Chambers and have no regrets (can’t source any more in fact). Zesty flavors of orange peel, bitter roots and botanicals, cherry and tobacco. Nice acidity makes you reach for more. A relative bargain at circa $25 (my score reflects QPR to a degree).
2012 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Giving this a higher score than the Giscours, to honor the opinions of my Christmas Eve guests who loved this wine. Riper and denser than typical R-Ms, but hits the mark with persistent cherry flavors and smooth finish.
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2009 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
This is another boom wine that grabs your attention with its full-throttled everything – nose, palate, density. Prominent blackberry aroma with oak overtones. Flavor profile of cherry liqueur with accents of Rhone-inspiring bacon, meat, and garrigue. Perhaps a tad one-dimensional and somewhat overpowering at an elegant dinner party.
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2015 Rain Dance Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate Reserve 93 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
Hits the sweet spot for me with a combination of delicious berry flavors and an Oregon “feel” from notes of forest, moss, and earth. Balanced acidity draws you in, but the length and density cause you to savor it. Actually served this at a small family Thanksgiving and it paired perfectly with the bird. Purchased at the lovely Rain Dance tasting room which I recommend visiting.
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2012 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 94 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
A lot going on here, although the fruit is the leading actor in this ensemble – raspberries, red and black cherries, rose petal, loamy soil. For a pinot, it’s pretty dense, but still is an easier drink than the Rhone varietals and Cabs in this lineup. An impressive tannic spine and long finish complete the package. Still going strong, but I would probably drink up. (served during the holidays but not together with the R-M, Saxum so no side-by-side comparisons).
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2015 Peay Vineyards Syrah Les Titans 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Seemed a bit closed or even tired at first, but then opened up over time (days, that is, but who has days?). Smoky cherry and tobacco elements in the forefront.
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2015 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Fragrant with scents of loamy earth and sweet kirsch. Palate is very satisfying as well with vibrant acidity and flavors of red currant and spice. Evolves over time, if the bottle lasts, to offer a sappy and lush mouthfeel and show a long spice-driven finish.
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