1/9/2010 - P.Robert wrote:

Almost a dark purple through to the rim, no bricking at all. Poured into my ginormous Riedel Somm Burg glass. This stuff has a nose...blinded there is no way this is a cali pinot, its Vosne...earthy high toned red fruits underbrush and asian spice. Tart and sour cherry with strawberry with a bit of floral component. Love the spice component i find so pleasing in most VR burgs, and plenty of acid left to frame the fruit.

Just keep sticking my nose into the glass its so complex and intriguing. This is what I love about good Pinot with a little bit of age on them.....killer

12/12/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Lots of sous bois, sandalwood, damp earth, rasberry and cinnamon spice on the nose. Core of rasberry, tart and almost jolly rancher-ish but in a positive way, full of bright fruit. Fun to drink and very enjoyable.

11/4/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Very enjoyable bottle from a producer I was not familiar with. Not quite sure what the blend was but the Sangiovese shone through. Lovely dusty black fruits with plums and violet hints and a fair degree of spice. Tannins were velvety and very integrated. A pleasant surprise.

11/3/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Amazing depth, purity, sweet sappy fruit. Beautiful bottle

11/3/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

This was firing from the get go but got progressively better as the evening wore on. Such a treat on the nose, dripping black fruited profile mainly cherry, blackberry, brambles and asian spices with a lovely floral component. One of those kinds of noses that you cant keep from putting the glass in front of your face.

So balanced between fruit and acidity. Little bit of cola, sappy juicy fruit, a little loamy clay type component that adds texture and complexity. Drinking so well right now but can see this having the bones to go for a while. EXACTLY the kind of Cali Pinot that I enjoy drinking. Balance, complexity and purity. Can't ask for much more.

11/3/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Pop and poured a glass while the rest went into a decanter. Very accessible right from the get go, dark purple hue. A little smoke on the nose with blue fruits, if there was anything to detract from what is otherwise a great wine was the nose being a little reticient. This got better after being opened several hours.

I was very surprised at how integrated the flavors and tannins were already, very well balanced and showing no heat whatsoever. Blueberry pie and dusty plum and hints of cassis. With a hint of oak on the finish the drinkability factor was very high.

7/17/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Big and ripe without a doubt, but unmistakably Burgundy in a warm vintage. Not terribly complex but rather hedonistic. Out of a huge Reidel Sommelier burg glass this was really enjoyable for the occasion. Ripe dark fruited profile, with a loamy characteristic that I enjoy so much. The second 03 I've had in a week, will let the rest sleep for a while

7/21/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Next to the 89 Leroy this was a bruiser, but in a good way. Big, bold ripe fruit comes right out of the gate, cherries and berries. The aromatics kept me coming back for more with their hints at spice and earthiness. Pleasurable in a decadent sort of way even if it wasnt incredibly complex. Not a contemplative wine but rather sheer enjoyment.

7/21/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Have been in the mood for Burgundy lately and I happened to spot this in my cellar while I was pulling some other bottles. Absolutely beautiful bottle. Floral scents with violets and roses, a lovely earthy underbrush tone on the nose. Bright red toned fruit, cinnamon and spice with a cherry backbone. Just got better and betterover time. Perfect balance, luscious fruit and a long finish. Plush yet sharp. A terrific effort.

7/8/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

After a week of having virtually nothing but crappy Mexican beer I was in the mood for something special. Grilled some Flannery Hangars and opened this up. Classic Pauillac. Pencil lead and gravel with currants and dried cherries. Graceful on the palate with delicate hints of spices but a full flavor profile. Plums, chocolate with cherries and some rasberry with a hint of smoke. Well balanced in both fruit and acidity. Everything I love about mature Bordeaux and was distinctively Pichon Lalande.

6/11/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Ahh yes I love older burgundy. Lots of funky earthiness, forest floor and asian spice. The nose is worth the price of admission alone. Strawberries and cherry on the palate, still vibrant acidity but the fruit is past its prime. Still delicious to drink and the secondary characteristics outshine the lack of pronounced fruit. Perfect with the chavrie cheese tonight.

6/11/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Looking for something tonight, went for the old stand by. To be honest, this is probably my least favorite Carlisle to date. While it was pleasurable, it was jammy and one dimensional. plenty of pepper and spice with some black cherry and dried herbs. Just very simple and plain, not the "wow" I normally associate with Carlisle.

6/6/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Initially this was very reticient on the nose, unlike some of my last several bottles of this. Still fairly dark in the glass with bricking at the rim. After some air time, this was all about dried tea leaves, gravel and a hint of coffee. Dried plum and berries with a touch of leather and graphite. This is what I love about old Bordeaux. A really pleasant bottle.

6/3/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

Having had this Sunday night, I thought it would be a killer way to start and set the tone for the rest of the evening. This was a better bottle than Sunday. The nose was funky at first, I believe the term was dog crap and coffee!!! Little VA funkiness but blew off revealing that coffee mocha and vibrant fruits, blackberry and vanilla with some dark tea notes. Well structured, elegant, has the bones to go much further. Would rate this low 90's

5/26/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

99 St Innocent Seven Springs Pinot - what a gorgeous wine. This had burg all over it. Light and restrained with plenty of acidity left. Incredible nose and so elegant. Drinking beautifully right now.

5/26/2009 - P.Robert wrote:

75 Pichon Lalande - after drinking the 70 twice in the last week, thought I would check in on this one. Didnt disappoint. Gravel and dried plums, cassis and brambles. Tons of fruit still left and really enjoyable. Classic mature bordeaux. Compared to the Cabs this was a lady...graceful and lithe vs the big brawlers.

8/8/2008 - P.Robert wrote:

An amazing bottle. Shared with Simon and Dave. Right out of the bottle it was accessible, gorgeous fruit and very complex. Wish I had more than one left.

12/31/2007 - P.Robert wrote:

I had 2 bottles, one was a BRETT monster...yuck - total barnyard and band aid-ish, it was clearly a bad bottle, so I cracked the other one and it was a little hot, ok well more than a little, but the underlying fruit was good. Excellent structure but the over the top heat really took away from the experience.

12/31/2007 - P.Robert wrote:

Will go on my recollection here but this was simply a very tasty pop and pour elegant Oregon Pinot. I think we drank 4 of these over 2 adys and I have yet to be disappointed. Very floral on the nose with bright red fruit. Not the classic loamy OR taste or feel, but very delicious. After reading previous cellar tracker descriptions I am wondering what they were drinking, it was certainly not these bottles. I enjoyed the 7S more than the Freedom Hill of the same vintage.

11/21/2007 - P.Robert wrote:

Was a delicious bottle. I had the Freestone a couple weeks ago and was so impressed I went back and ordered more plus some of the McDougall. Wow on the nose, lots of earthy smells, gorgeous red fruit predominant, clove/spice, almost cinnamon...

Ripe cherries, more red fruit, pomegranate, strawberry, and tart rasberry. the tartness is refreshing, plenty of acidity, hint of smokiness on the finish which is long and strong, tannins give you a little pucker factor sweet tart style....skittles galore.

Very fruity, but well balanced, and given the site the core of red fruit shows up nicely. Refreshing, yet serious juice..I have yet to be disappointed from these guys. Could drink this all night long. I am giving the edge to the McDougall at the moment though the Freestone is very close.

Would highly recommend.