Community Tasting Notes 17

• bml207 Likes this wine:

  December 28, 2022 - Double decanted to remove some mostly fine sediment immediately prior to drinking (from Grassl Cru). Slightly hazy with some bricking to clear rim. Earthy notes on the nose with some florals and fruit in the background. Initially the acidity comes to the front with fine structure and cherry in the background. After being open several hours the overwhelming acidity seems to recede and the red fruit notes come into their own. The acidity certainly remains as the fruit notes are on the sour side, not seeming sweet. Earthy notes pervade. Ends with winter spice notes and increasing citrusy acid notes. A very delicate, complex wine.

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• ChateauShiny Likes this wine: 94 points

  September 10, 2022 - Cloudy medium garnet in color with a clear rim. Don’t try to PnP this – it needs some time to air. Nose reminds me of the Sonoma coast on a wet and damp spring morning. Decomposing forest leaves and pine needles, wet leather, sour cherries, preserved currants, cocoa, and a hint of white pepper. Easy drinking, medium light bodied, fully integrated tannins, and perfect Pinot acidity. Palate of preserved and fresh cherries, raspberries, a bit of cranberry, a bit of red currant, decomposing pine needles, leather, a bit of cocoa. Fully integrated tannins bring in more cocoa. Long sour cherry and pine needle finish.
  
  This is on the end of the drinking profile that I like. I think a few years younger would have been perfect for me. If I had more, I would be drinking these up. Absolutely fantastic.

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• Biskuit Likes this wine: 93 points

  April 28, 2022 - 93 Points
  This is rather fantastic - second bottle of Ladd I've tried and I'm hooked. Deep ruby color, a touch of bricking showing its age. Nose makes me think something on the heavier side of Burgundy, earthy, mushroom, dark fruit in the background, a touch of tar in a pleasant way, a hint of leather, a bit of clove. Sipping brings forth its Russian River-ness, the fruit jumps to the front, still dark cherry, supple, but now the acidity comes out as well, especially into the long tart cherry finish. Really a stunning, contemplative but eminently enjoyable pinot. (thank you BerserkeyDay)

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• bg3034 wrote: 89 points

  October 25, 2020 - PnP through Nuance Wine Finer. Brick red color. Tart cherry on the nose. On the palate, tart red fruit, a little cherry cola. Probably on the downside. 89pts. Aloha!

  Comment

• Counselor Chris wrote: 94 points

  July 22, 2020 - This was a truly exciting example of mature Russian River Valley pinot. The wine is a slightly hazy light red with a clear rim. Aromas of tart wild berries still on the bush. The initial impression showcases brisk red cherry and raspberry, which are tasty yet fall comfortably short of any overt sensation of sugar or candy. The fruit gives way to lovely fall baking spices, cinnamon and dried leaves. Citrus peel acids are high on the finish, and get higher as the bottle develops. The fruit gets more brisk as the bottle develops, too.
  
  The closest comp I can give might be Williams Selyem pinots from the RRV of around the same age, except that the acids are higher on this wine, and the fruit has a bit less sweetness to it.
  
  I really enjoyed this wine, from the first pour to the last. It would be a great ringer in with some much pricier RRV or Burgundy bottles.

  2 people found this helpful Comment

Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2008
• Type Red
• Producer Ladd Cellars
• Varietal Pinot Noir
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sonoma County
• Appellation Russian River Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 15 (15%)
• Consumed 82 (85%)

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