April 13, 2024 - Medium cherry coloring when poured. Lots of cherry notes on the nose. Other notes included a spiciness, some raspberry with a hint of pepper. A smooth, mellow pinot that went great with dinner (veal steak). Started to fade towards the end.
January 24, 2018 - This bottle was singing! Darker fruited like the earlier vintages tended to be -- black cherry. There was spiciness and black tea on the finish. Somewhat dense given it's 15 years old. This bottle had plenty of life left. Nice nose and long finish.
July 13, 2017 - Drink now or forever hold your pink water
February 27, 2017 - Nice accompaniment to prime rib. Not going to get any better. it's pleasant, but not the best SS I have had/ I think I may have held on to it too long.
September 28, 2016 - colored water. thin absent of any presence or personality. not sure what it was like young but now not providing much enjoyment.
January 31, 2016 - Fruit has faded a bit since last bottle in 2012, but has developed more earthy notes with well balanced structure and finish. Drink up.
July 13, 2015 - Lovely. Secondary flavors emerging, years of life left from a cold cellar.
May 7, 2015 - At J & A's. 14.5% alcohol shows the heat, modest fruit with bananas and brandy on the finish. Purchased in Texas--therein lies the problem?
January 17, 2015 - this bottle was shared by john Zaccone at a central jersey CT offline dinner held at ursino in union, n.j. the wine seemed to be slightly tired but still offered drinking pleasure. nice dark cherry fruit with some remaining acidity. this was my introduction to pino from st. rita hills. i have gone on to enjoy more recent vintages of sea smoke as well as various wines from other st. rita hills producers.
January 17, 2015 - 90's Cali Cab and the Kitchen Sink (Ursino in Union, NJ): This was just in a perfect place. Decanted prob for 30-45 minutes before pouring. Great cheery flavor, a bit of woodland spice. Very nice and soft. With some time got a bit more of the mineral flavor and cinnamon. It's a bigger pinot - stood up against some of the 90's cabs we were also serving with dinner in terms of body and mouthful.