June 2, 2021 - This wine sat in my cellar for almost twenty years. There is something magical about older Martinelli's. I've never had a corked bottle, or one that was over the hill. This is no exception. It would impossible to guess that this is 21 years old. No hint of aging. Great fruit, tannins melted away and perfectly intact. I stopped getting my allocation of Martinelli a dozen or so years ago - just had too many! I still do! But I am thinking of starting up again. Also, their older Chardonnays are truly outstanding...
July 7, 2018 - Distinctive flavor profile, with dark fruits and earth. Quite good and in great shape.
October 13, 2014 - Earthy bouquet. Cloudy medium garnet color. Very good fruit and nice acidity. Everything in balance and best on the second night. Excellent wine.
January 12, 2013 - Youthful cloudy red ruby, exuberant nose of cran and strawberry w a little spicy earth tannin and alcoholic heat sprinkled in. Racy acids keep this ripe wine in focus and shows yet again what happens over time when grapes are picked nearer to physiologic ripeness eschewing the potential for 2-4 pundit points out of barrel.
December 19, 2012 - Holding OK for 12 year old Cal. Pinot. A little hot/alcoholic first night, best/outstanding second night under pump, in perfect balance. A little flabby third night.
November 4, 2012 - A lovely PN perfect for current drinking. A delicate wine in a feminine style. Just delicious.
September 23, 2012 - - Garnet color. It's in total harmony with a medium/full body. Round texture with a medium finish - Beautifully balanced and mature wine. Full fruit just easing into suture softness yet retaining suppleness. Terroir is notable throughout the body and finish with tannins emerging at swallow and lingering for a thirty second finish. Paired with duck and fig flatbread, then a hanger steak. Sublime.
August 30, 2011 - Dark ruby with slight brick orange at the edges. Rich with ripe red fruit,cherries, raspberries, and strawberry jam, with notes of cola and vanilla oak. Medium long finish.
January 30, 2009 - In anticipation of a heavy food night tonight, we pan roasted some Salmon with steamed broccoli.
I avoid drinking save a couple of drinks from Traci's glass. We both agreed on the wine.
It's still got some pretty lively fruit, very red fruited with some black tea creeping in on the finish. I noticed it does seem a little candied and just a touch pruney on the back end. The wine is definitely a pleasant drink but I am not sure it is really developing into anything really complex. If you have them, probably time to drink up.
December 13, 2008 - Craig and Nita's Holiday Party (Champagne and Pinot Noir): Wow, was this a curveball. The nose had a touch of VA integrated with stewed fruit, raisins, earth and a general funkiness. In the mouth this was silky smooth with big, mouth-coating flavors. By mid-palate alcohol comes to the fore, and this finishes with the distinct taste/sensation of alcohol. An exotic style of pinot to say the leas. Interesting but ultimately unsuccessful.