4/18/2024 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

These old pinots have really held up well. They are certainly softer and the fruit is not as crisp but boy I'm so surprised at how lovely they are.

1/2/2024 - Laguna Red wrote:

Amazing that this wine is still drinking reasonably well. Still has some tannins and very soft rounded raspberries and leather. Great wine for a Tuesday night.

6/11/2023 - Laguna Red wrote:

We've had several bottles of this by now, and this one was not as good as the others. It did get better with some air, but there was something about this bottle...

5/16/2022 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Still drinking really well. Stored properly, the wine still has some fruit.

5/16/2022 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Still drinking fine. Stored properly and the cork was in great shape.

9/8/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

The wine is incredible right now. Very surprised to see it drinking so well, but the wine still has impressive fruit, with cherries and raspberries showing. Structure of the wine has mellowed some which makes it so drinkable. Really happy to see this as we have a few more bottles left.

8/17/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

The wine had plenty of beautiful fruit and was great after 20 minutes of decanting.

7/25/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Drinking exceptionally well right now. Paired with Pizza from our wood fired oven. Subtle, not overly forward, but beautiful fruit. I would say this has another five years.

7/13/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Wine is really drinking well right now. Softish tanins and beautiful nose. Very enjoyable.

7/12/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Wine is drinking very well right now. Fruit has mellowed some but there’s plenty of it to enjoy.

4/25/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Wine is drinking really well. We’ve stored the bottle nicely and it’s in perfect drinking condition right now. Although not quite as good as the West Block, it’s really enjoyable.

3/23/2020 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

We’ve had this bottle since it’s release and it’s been well stored. We opened it this evening and were quite surprised at how silky smooth, and fresh the wine tasted. The fruit has mellowed a bit but it’s still there in every respect. The berries notes make this wine delicious. I’m thrilled that it’s still so good!

12/29/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Well, this was unexpected! The wine was quite beautiful out of the bottle and it seems as if it still has many years left. The tannins have mellowed some but there is still an incredible amount of structure and the fruit was outstanding. I'd been hesitating to open this one because I didn't think it would be very good. I was dead wrong.

12/29/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

The wine is drinking exceptionally well right now. Beautifully structured, the wine lingers in your mouth giving you a satisfying smile.

12/26/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

We enjoyed the wine with Christmas dinner. We decanted for about an hour before serving. The fruit is supple and balanced, and there is a special complexity about the wine that is very difficult to describe. The wine is absolutely spectacular right now and will be amazing for many years to come.

8/17/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Plenty of body and silky mouth feel. The fruit is still very present and wonderful. Surprisingly good. Drank with pizzas made on our wood fired oven.

8/11/2019 - Laguna Red wrote:

This wine continues to impress me. Great complexity, subtle, yet still has plenty of fruit.

8/12/2019 - Laguna Red wrote:

Wine still has some nice spice and is still drinking well right now. Everyone was happy as we drank after dinner on game night.

8/6/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

We drank the wine with pizzas out of our wood fired oven. It was a little old for my taste but my wife liked it. Dark fruit, smoky and somewhat muted. We did just pop and pour.

8/5/2019 - Laguna Red wrote:

Wine is drinking well right now. Perfect for grilling. The tannins have mellowed a little bit but the dark cherry and other berries come through.

8/3/2019 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Drinking really well now. Tannins have softened considerably and it’s wonderful right out of the bottle.

5/23/2018 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Popped and let sit for an hour in the bottle. I would say it needs 5-6 hours of decanting to drink now. I’m putting the other ones away for the next 4 / 5 years. The wine is tight but well structured. It’s very soft on the palette but you do get the dark cherries and leathery goodness you expect. I do think the wine is excellent and look forward to trying the next one in two years time.

5/11/2017 - Laguna Red wrote:

Definitely over the hill. If you have some, drink up.

5/8/2017 - Laguna Red wrote:

Wine seemed a bit viny for my taste. However that's what you generally get.

3/2/2017 - Laguna Red wrote:

Upon opening tasted like a super Tuscan and then it softened up quite a bit. I think it's time to drink up as I believe it only has a few years left.

2/10/2017 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Opened and let sit in the bottle for ten minutes and poured. Wine had a nice ruby color but not as dark as many of the other brunellos. Wine has nice fruit and wasn't very overpowering. In fact I might say that it was a little "flat". Overall, still went well with BBQ chicken.

8/30/2016 - Laguna Red wrote:

Still drinkable but starting to show age. Enjoyed it with short ribs. A good Tuesday night pick.

6/24/2016 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Drinking amazingly well right now. Lots of structure, beautiful fruit. So wonderful

12/21/2015 - Laguna Red wrote:

Wine is a reasonable value. Classic Tuscany, very consistent and drinkable right now. I don't think you should hold this more than 3 more years.

11/25/2015 - Laguna Red wrote:

Nice but I've had better vintages of this wine.

11/21/2015 - Laguna Red wrote:

It's too late for this one. Cellared it well but seemed past its prime. If you have it, drink it

11/19/2015 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

The wine is still very young and has a candy like flavor to it. It does have a very silky mouthfeel and the finish is strong. We popped and poured (brought to a restaurant for dinner) and we all agreed it needed at least 2 hours in the decanter. We will try it at home when we have more time...

5/31/2015 - Laguna Red wrote:

Make sure you decant for about an hour. It's a nice Alexander Valley wine but I find it a little "green". Still, a great bottle for burger night!

4/4/2015 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Tight, tight, tight! We decanted for about 1 hour and then drank with BBQ'd New York Strips. The wine was really slow to open up but you could tell there was plenty of structure. Left in the decanter in the cellar over night and came back to it for sunset. It had really opened up with dark leathery goodness. This will be a great bottle in about 10 years. I'll hold on to the rest for another 4-5 years and then try again.

8/31/2014 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Just really love this wine. Plenty of tannins to keep this one around for several more years, yet drinks really well straight from the bottle. Best bet is to decant for 2 hours but its so good it's hard to wait! Glad we have several more bottles.

8/31/2014 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Beautiful right out of the bottle. Georgeous nose, nice berries, currants. Drinking really, really well right now.

8/16/2014 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

Drinking really well right now. Probably has at least 2 more years.

8/14/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

Drinking fantastically!!

7/1/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

This wine is drinking so well right now. Beautiful fruit, well structured, with hints of dark chocolate & leather. A wonderful wine!

7/1/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

This has to be one of the silkiest Merlot's you will ever drink. Decanted for half an hour before enjoying with burgers. The mouthfeel is truly amazing. The wine is quite balanced so it's smooth from start to finish. The fruit is subtle but it's constant throughout the taste and the finish is beautiful. In my mind, this is the perfect expression of Napa merlot. Too bad we only have one bottle left.

6/5/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

Big!!! Popped and poured. Should have waited at least an hour but couldn't. Leathery goodness with nice fruit. Will drink well for at least 10 more years. Glad we have more

4/12/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

Metallic finish. Not very complex but drinkable. It's probably worth $20 not $40. Fruit in the middle is nice but I wouldn't buy it again.

4/12/2014 - Laguna Red wrote:

This wine is done. Very flat. Some earth but too late.

12/28/2013 - Laguna Red wrote:

This wine is easily as good as one of the single blocks. Has plenty of beautiful fruit but it's mellowed with a little more age. It's much more soft and round than what I've tasted in the past. I think I'm usually drinking them too early (generally 3-4 years). I'm glad I still have a case because this I think this is the best I've tasted of the Estate.

12/8/2013 - Laguna Red wrote:

Old.

11/26/2013 - Laguna Red wrote:

Drink up. I think it's nearly done

10/11/2013 - Laguna Red wrote:

Wine continues to get better. Our friends absolutely loved this wine. In fact one of the girls commented that the wine makes her have a "winegasm" in her mouth .

10/11/2013 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

I thought it needed a few more years or at least a couple of hours in the decanter. We popped and poured. Very Rochioli but I thought it was a bit alcoholic on the finish. Lots of dark fruit and some leather. Enjoyed it but will wait a few more years before the rest is opened

10/5/2013 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

This wine is continuing to mature and is fabulous to drink right now. Classic napa fruit, well balanced with beautiful dark berries and a wonderful nose. This wine is nearly always the best in show with my friends and I.

6/8/2013 - Laguna Red Likes this wine:

If you have some left you should start drinking it. Lots of mellon on mid-palate. The wine is nice and round at this point. My only complaint is that I don't get much on the nose. It's a really nice, full Chardonnay and I'm really enjoying it right now.