September 13, 2023 - quite smoky and mature(ing) with fig and toffee notes, though refreshing acidity remains. Full bodied, smells and feels like Fall - underbrush of woods, cranberry sauce made from scratch, rhubarb pie, cinnamon, vanilla, blackberry compote. Distinct lack of mushroom points to ripe California winemaking.
April 3, 2020 - In my cellar since release. 14.5% ABV. This is a translucent light to medium ruby crimson color with a floral and sweet spice nose and just a whiff of alcohol. More body than the color would indicate. Nice mouth feel and texture. Palate seems slightly smokey with red berries, cherry and bright acidity. Still plenty of life left. Long on the finish with red berries, stony minerals and vanilla dominating. Nice balance. This was really great with some grilled spice rubbed Salmon. Maybe a touch less impressive than my previous bottle 3-4 years ago.
P.S. 2 glasses left in the bottle and enjoyed 3 days later. Amazingly complex...a bit cloudy, but the no\se is to die for...game meat, menthol, cedar, strawberry compote and just a whiff of alcohol. Really delicious with some spinach and cheese ravioli.
August 17, 2017 - Magnum opened in celebration of a friends engagement! Stored in cool/stable cellar since purchase from the winery. Wine not rated for reason noted below.
My table side notes are limited made more difficult by the hosts employing pewter goblets - rather than normal stemware - at this celebration. Ugh! Consequently, any nuance of the wine is pretty much lost, but I still garnered a number of positive general impressions that have some merit.
Cork tight and intact. Color excellent. Anticipated a slightly "lighter" profile as this producer focuses more on subtly than extraction. Yet, it was a solid Pinot Noir with reasonable weight capable of aging five or more years in a 1.5l format. Nice dry cherry flavors. Tannins were well integrated. Overall, a refined wine with good profile and balance. Enjoyed by all. Very nice.
November 5, 2016 - This bottle was spectacular. Medium ruby colored, very transparent. Effusive nose with tons of cherry and earthy minerality with just a hint of vanilla. Great mouth feel, light and feathery yet weighty and chewy. Decent acidity remaining. Flavors of cherry, spice, charcoal, vanilla and pumpkin spice. Long elegant finish. This is a spectacular bottle. Balanced and feminine in nature but so delicious.
February 24, 2016 - Lots of sweet cherry fruit and some savory notes in the nose. Very good acid balance in the mouth, with nice cherry core of fruit throughout. Too much fruit to be anything but Californian, but this eschews the overblown type of pinot that seemed pervasive at the time it was vinted, in favor of lighter style that was nonetheless filled with fruit.
June 30, 2015 - Bright medium translucent ruby, with no sign of age. Nose of vanilla, cherry and herbs like thyme. Bright and lively on the palate. Fairly long aftertaste reflecting the nose. May still need some time to fully reveal itself.
July 25, 2014 - Restaurant pop and pour. On the concentrated side for a Pinot but not heavy. Smooth but still bright cherry cola and bramble. Terrific balance and fully integrated. Gained complexity through the meal. Loved it.
July 3, 2014 - So good! Brisk acidity dominates the front and end of the profile with mature spiced cherry fruits taking charge in the middle. A long finish and a juicy acidity make this so pleasurable. The nose says cherry, dusty earth and licorice and the color is bricked garnet.
March 29, 2014 - Savory with some good minerality, cherries and plums, hint of smoke.
June 4, 2012 - Good color and nose, but way too cherry cola'd for my likings. Hard to enjoy more than one glass secondary to the sweetness.