April 16, 2017 - Garnet/orange center with watery, pink rim. Red-fruited nose of raspberry and cherry as well as faint orange blossom and a wisp of smoke. Tart, cranberry profile with black tea and a touch of bitterness initially, but the bitterness dissipated with air while the fruit seemed to brighten. Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity. Overall, this was a solid, if not spectacular, example of a Californian pinot noir that lasted 10 years and is still drinking well.
March 12, 2013 - Purple/red color with a violet rim. The expressive nose is red-fruited with hints of root beer and white pepper. Cherry and raspberry with some sharp notes initially, but the sharp notes receded with air and morph into earthy flavors. Moderate acidity and medium-bodied with a short, earthy finish. Overall, the nose is lovely, but the palate did not deliver. With air, this wine opened up to show more depth and nuance.
August 31, 2012 - Bright cherry fruit, typical of Sonoma, with wonderful white pepper notes. We needed to decant the wine, because the cork deteriorated. However, it really opened up this winner from Benovia and allowed the complexity of the wine to come through. I enjoyed it with my visiting sister in law. Terrific on it's own!!
February 22, 2012 - Medium dark ruby color; a little opaque due to being unfiltered and unfined. Aromas of cherry, some raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate, spice, oak. Decent fruit in the mouth; pleasant to drink. This time I get a long, lingering finish. A tad better than when last tasted a few months ago.
October 7, 2011 - Lightish on the rim; ruby color. Nose of cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, spice and oak. Not big or complex fruit in the mouth, but decent. A finish on the back palate of medium duration. The nose is the best part of this wine. Overall, a pleasant wine.
January 28, 2011 - Very nice. Been almost two years since my last taste and the extra time definitely helped bring this wine together. Glad I saved a few!
December 4, 2010 - Pretty, darkish ruby with hints of deep violet. On the nose, a kiss of sweet dough, cassis, some sear of alcohol. On the palate, the nice if restrained rosy, berry flavors are slightly overpowered by the 14.3% alcohol. Medium finish. A very cheery wine, despite the heat. Bistro Ralph in Healdsburg.
September 24, 2010 - meh
November 17, 2009 - Light ruby color. Cherry and pomagranite nose. Very obviously Pinot. Wonderful fruit, with just enough structure to keep it fresh. Very Impressive! Certainly one of the best non-vineyard designated "Sonoma Coast" wines I've had.
September 25, 2009 - great cherry nose and good red fruit with spice and clove