August 28, 2022 - Medium red garnet in color with ever-so-slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruits aromas of cherries, blueberries & dark plums with overtones of exotic spice notes of nutmeg & cloves, earthy/dusty & some floral notes, cherry-cola, herbs, minerals & a touch of vanilla in the background. Medium bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of sweet cherries, strawberries & plums with spice notes of nutmeg & cloves, cocoa, cola, minerals & a slight hint of vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present & at 12 years of age, it may be close to or at its peak of development.
March 16, 2022 - Still drinking beautifully — at PNP, rather full-bodied, with lovely rose and strawberry notes, with some raspberry, earth and tartness on the finish. On day two, the delicate berry fruit had become heavier, with more of a dark fruit and earthy note. Not as enjoyable/Pinot-like; wish I had saved some though to try on day three.
November 29, 2020 - Decant this wine hours before serving, reduces the smoky node and allows the full depth of the fruit to be experienced. Very consistent smooth flavor of fruit and forest throughout, long finish.
October 7, 2020 - Lovely, sweet; black raspberry; creme brûlée; sugary.
January 11, 2017 - Tasted again a few days later...Just not my cup of tea...Still very dark and heavy...No sublties I normally appreciate in the Pinot grape.
January 5, 2017 - Pnp...if this was blind I would not have said Pinot. Dark, black and heavy mouth feel..2 glasses, will she how it evolves...
November 23, 2016 - Dark red cherry and plum. A very good pinot.
June 12, 2016 - This score is based on personal preference, but what others love about this wine is lately what I can't stand about domestic pinot. The punch of ripe Russian River fruit initially gives it sense of place, but after that this fruit bomb could be from anywhere on the west coast. If your idea of good pinot is overripe, flabby, without acid and exposed to a heavy dose of new toasty vanilla wood, this is for you. This wine is undoubtedly built for California Cab drinkers. Tannins on this are far from integrated, and can use at least two years, so maybe that's part of my problem.
The Drew Family Wines Fog-Eater we opened next to this completely outclassed it. Neutral oak and unique deep-end flavors developed flavors with low sugar and strong acidity
May 29, 2016 - A pinot drinking at its peak. Truly wish I had hidden a case.
January 1, 2016 - Fantastic wine. Rich fruit aroma. Cherry, vanilla, fruit balanced with smooth tannins. Long delicious finish. This is really coming around and I like it a lot.