July 23, 2023 - Really nice, ruby red, more popping red cherry than brooding black cherry (the Rhys); on the slightly more ripe/alcoholic style than Rhys, but excellent character, really went well with the coconut curry meat dish. at Best in the Park BBQ. EWG
May 28, 2023 - Retail $50 What can I say? Another fantastic bottle that is holding up incredibly well. What a magnificent vineyard from which Wes Hagen crafted some unbelievable wines. 95 Points.
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December 30, 2022 - Retail $50. Agglomerated stopper. Over my notes that cross a dozen vintages and at least as many years, I have repeated my adoration for both the Clos Pepe Estate Winery and the vineyard itself. I have also expressed my dismay over the demise of the former which occurred almost a decade ago. I realize with every bottle I open, I am a step closer to never having the opportunity to savor the wine again, but allowing the wine to expire without being admired is certainly the bigger crime. Based on my notes, I loved the last bottle of this 2011, but this iteration might even be better. Lovely, albeit delicately subtle, cherry with just a hint of earth and a touch of red rose petal on the nose. The palate is pure Clos Pepe: rich yet sublime, tart yet sweet, complex yet joyous. To me, Clos Pepe will always be at or near the apex of Central Coast Pinot and this only confirms that stance.
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August 10, 2022 - Velvety mouthfeel, succulent cherry fruit, and a lovely elegance. Only drawback is it lacks a bit of acidity. Not the masterpiece that the '09 is, but eminently drinkable and still excellent.
May 29, 2021 - Tasted against the '09 and the '05. This was clearly the most youthful of the bunch, with a zingy edge, more primary fruit, and oaky mocha notes.
December 18, 2020 - To my surprise, I found a bottle I didn't know I had of this pinot. Just awesome as usual. Really miss this winery and their estate pinot bottling. This is such a pure beam of red pinot fruit in a silky, medium bodied package. Balanced with really nice supporting structure and a long lively finish. Wish I had more!
November 24, 2020 - Consistent with prior notes. Sad song made better with time! Thanks, Wes!
October 4, 2020 - Retail $50. I have waxed (hopefully poetically at least once) about my admiration for Clos Pepe and winemaker Wes Hagen. Slightly less often, I have lamented the demise of the winery, which I will not go into yet again here. While I still have a grand total of 6 cases from the Clos, with each bottle, the universe shrinks. I opened this bottle as my Eagles were battling the 49ers on Sunday Night Football and had pulled ahead of the team from the Bay. As a typical Eagles fan, I was sure that my team would blow it and I would retire for the evening once again dismayed, disappointed, and disgruntled. To ease my pain, I pulled this from the cellar. Whoa. And then another. We had tried a bottle nearly a year ago at Thanksgiving, and it was stellar. This bottle? Likely better. Gorgeous red berry fruit, eucalyptus, subtle black pepper, and perhaps some sage on the nose. Yowza. The palate is even more incredible with a wave of fruit, depth, perfectly balanced acidity, and a finish that lasted until the last failed pass attempt by the 49ers that ended the game. While I was happy that the Eagles won, this wine (almost) rendered the final score irrelevant. thedrunkencyclist.com
September 1, 2020 - Keeps getting better with age. Dark, inky (red, not purple) color. Cola, black cherry and eucalyptus on the nose. Baked cherry pie, cola and asian spice on the palate. Round, but in that SRH sun-soaked style, a bit on the syrupy side. Big Cali PN! Tannins nicely integrated at this point, leaving a silky finish. Just a few more to go. Miss you, Wes.
May 11, 2020 - My last of 7 bottles enjoyed over the past 7 years. It seems like the fruit has subsided a bit giving way to some more secondary, rustic notes. I got eucalyptus and a bit of additional herbs along with some cherry fruit. Drinking very well and will for several more years