March 11, 2020 - In a good spot now for pop and pour but faded after about an hour and a half. Drink now and hurry.
October 16, 2019 - MAGA theme night at Maison Dakota. Aired in bottle few hours before. Drank in Gabriel Standart.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of sweet mildly decaying earth with autumn leaves, cola, dark spice, indistinct ripe red fruits. Developed.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), totally integrated medium tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet cola, dark spice, ripe red plum, sweet red cherries, brown leaves earth. Medium finish.
Very good quality. Though clearly this is in its twilight years. Drink up before it's too late. Distinct New World trying to be Old World kind of Pinot. Does a somewhat decent job though you can't hide the terroir.
Fruit from the Nielson Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley AVA which is in California's Central Coast AVA.
This bottle I drank is labelled "Nielson Vineyard". Interestingly, I note that there are labels posted online where the ABC bottle label is "Nielsen Vineyard". Anyone care to shed some light on this? Feel free to comment.
January 12, 2018 - I'm amazed at how relatively youthful the fruit is since I last tasted this. Fragrant dried raspberry with hints of cherry, the secondary notes of ash, autumn leaves, and leather have become more pronounced, but better integrated. Lush and perfumed, this is a warm and inviting wine that really hits every part of the palate with precision. Remarkably well balanced, this is going to be around for a few years yet.
May 26, 2016 - Absolutely stunning. Fresh strawberry and cherry with some nice baking spices that evolved to be a little darker and earthier with time in the glass. Best about 45 minutes after opening. Lots of depth and layers. Went great with some smoked chicken and saffron rice. Kudos to you Mr. Clendenen.
April 24, 2016 - terrific wine with lovely integrated fruit. a steal around 30-40 bucks at the tasting room.
March 28, 2016 - Wonderfully Burgundian with lots of savoury red fruits and heaps of autumnal earthiness with a good dose of spice. Tannin and acidity still very balanced, fruit is elegant and pure while also having a certain succulence. Extemely long finish. This has some legs left.
January 23, 2016 - Pop and pour. Clear medium ruby color. Aromas, nicely secondary, of vanilla, anise and pressed flowers, along with fig fruit. Vivid notes of spicy fig fruit on the palate, with seamless secondary layers of potpourri spice and flowery depth- very well melded. Rich mid-palate with totally integrated acid, finishing with silky tannins and good overall length. Excellent.
September 30, 2015 - BurgundIan in nature with its restraint , a good thing. Plenty of fruit emerges after aeration
Enjoyable now but will hold. A-
3 years later still a graceful wine
Grade of A.
December 14, 2014 - Bright and lovely. I enjoyed this very much.
November 24, 2012 - Very similar to the last note. Nice, dry balanced pinot, but not lacking some sappy fruit either. Better day 2?