Community Tasting Notes 6

• RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 points

  January 11, 2019 - Prior bottle was almost a month ago and based on how that bottle showed, I figured it was better not to wait, but this bottle actually showed slightly better than the one from December 2018. Black raspberry, black cherry and earth on the nose. Medium bodied with a mix of black and red cherry upfront, more roundness through the middle and light spices, tannins and mineral notes towards the back and through the finish. While the prior bottle had some flat spots and lacked complexity and balance at times, this bottle seemed more complete. The fruit and structure notes worked quite well together and while this might not have taken the steps forward I'd hoped over the additional cellar time, it was a clear step above the 2012 Stony Terrace from earlier this week. Should be able to hold this level for at least a year, but I'd drink this sooner rather than later to not take any risks.

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• RGCM Gananda wrote: 90 points

  December 15, 2018 - Prior bottle was just over 13 months ago and unfortunately (like the Stony Terrace from last night) this wine also may be just a bit past peak. Earthy and stemmy black raspberry on the nose. Medium bodied with black and red raspberry upfront. Not as much complexity as the prior bottle and mid-body seemed a fall a bit flat. Recovers a bit towards the backside with some nicely tart notes, some acidity and lingering tart black cherry qualities. Mineral notes, spices, vanilla and still a touch of heat on the finish.
  
  I may have badly misjudged all of these 2012 Black Kite wines when I last tried them in Fall 2017. What I saw as future potential may have actually been peak or even just past it. As compared to prior vintages, 2012 may have been simply too fruit forward and made in too "hot" a style to age. Six years simply isn't old for CA pinot noir, but it does not seem to have worked out here. I have one bottle left and like the Stony Terrace, I will probably open it in early 2019 to get the most out of it as possible and confirm these notes.

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• StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 91 points

  March 1, 2018 - Nose that has elements of damp earth and spices. Tart dark cherry on the front end followed by raspberry/allspice flavors.
  Because this is on the heavier, highly extracted side of the spectrum for a Pinot I had no problem pairing it with beef stew.

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• RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 points

  November 3, 2017 - Black cherry, raspberry and earthiness on the nose. Drunk over the course of nearly five hours, this wine continued to improve with the additional time, especially in terms of balance and integration. Between medium and full bodied (14.9% ABV) and shows mix of black cherry and black raspberry upfront with lots of intensity and depth. Glad I waited almost three years from when I purchased these to open my first bottle as this wine was clearly more fruit forward and perhaps even hot a few years ago, but is trending in exactly the right direction. Mid-body has richness and depth with just the slightest touch of heat that's clearly blending in quite well with the fruit and overall structure of the wine. Round and balanced finishing notes with light stone qualities, lingering vanilla and integrated spices. In another 12-18 months, this could be really impressive if it continues along its present trajectory. Next bottle for me will likely be July 2018.

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• dougfbs Likes this wine: 92 points

  May 29, 2017 - This wine is ready and wonderful.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2012
• Type Red
• Producer Black Kite
• Varietal Pinot Noir
• Designation Redwoods' Edge
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion North Coast
• Appellation Anderson Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 45 (25%)
• Consumed 135 (75%)

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