July 23, 2022 - Chez Christy - getting the band back together - Brian/Jen, Pat/Arantza (Oxford, Maryland): Fun to share this wine with the group, doing a detour into Oregon wine was a nice add to the range of wines. Double decanted back into the bottle. Had this open pre dinner for a taste, with appetizer course as well.
Notes from 2020:"Bright ruby color, translucent. Nose showing dark raspberry, cherry cola, spice, dried flowers. Smooth and polished palate shows bright red fruits, red licorice, minerals, floral pastille. Red fruits, cherry candy persist through the mid palate. Medium weight, medium/long finish..."
The decant gave this a chance to evolve more than last showing. From memory, the wine seemed to have more depth than last showing. Still evolving, in a great spot now. Should have a long arc in front of it. Crowd loved this one...
March 25, 2022 - One hour double decant. Deep hazy rosy ruby color. Bing cherry, slate, grapefruit, and powdered sugar on the nose. Smooth, dry, glossy palate, with fine acidity. Firm, low intensity tannins on the longish finish. This is drinking beautifully at the moment.
January 30, 2022 - Was really good.
November 1, 2021 - We both agree that this is as tasted 6-1/2 months ago... a delicious bottle capable of holding here an additional couple of years.
September 2, 2021 - Flawed and unrated... not so subtly corked.
August 18, 2021 - Fruit, red and blue, herbal notes, spice, complex, smooth tannins. A-
April 15, 2021 - Spicy, elegant red berry nose, none of those green or Asian tea notes here. Berries become cherries on the palate, beautifully balanced with a long finish devoid of extractive thickness or heaviness. A very welcome treat, this is wonderful now and will be delicious for 2-3 more years, though perfect tonight with pork tenderloin.
November 7, 2020 - First bottle of the Yamhill-Carlton from this vintage, bottles bought at release. PnP, drank most over 2 hours with a splash for the next day...
Bright ruby color, translucent. Nose showing dark raspberry, cherry cola, spice, dried flowers. Smooth and polished palate shows bright red fruits, red licorice, minerals, floral pastille. Red fruits, cherry candy persist through the mid palate. Medium weight, medium/long finish.
While young, this is in a great spot. Classically Oregon profile, great vintage and great vintner. This is their entry level wine...reliably good and worth buying every year if you can. Great showing...
August 18, 2020 - BTF Y-C PN usually spicier than WV, and this is a soft and lush version without being heavy, thick or flabby. Gains presence and becomes layered with aeration. Tonight impresses me as a restrained syrah-lover's OR pinot, a wonderful standalone near-term drinker also EXCELLENT with mildly robust or smoky food.
June 6, 2020 - Almost one year after last bottle, this is still truly an amazing Pinot. If you get the chance, take the opportunity to go do a tasting at Big Table Farm. Brian is an incredibly talented winemaker and doing amazing things with his property.