June 13, 2021 - Sour cherry gone bad. Very sad
October 3, 2019 - Every bit as good as last bottle nearly 4 years ago, maybe better; cool and foresty and savory like top-notch burgundy; featherweight with crisp acidity
January 25, 2016 - Equal parts cranberry and pomegranate and cinnamon and tea and gray pebbles and black peppercorn; seamless alcohol (12.7%) and acidity; a confidently made wine not afraid to show its sense of place; but a bit disjointed on day two
November 27, 2014 - Drank along with a Big Basin 08 Woodruff, double-blind to most of the group except me. The Wind Gap took time to come around; the first pour was not totally closed down but flatter boring compared to the fruitier and livelier Big Basin. Later, it emerged as a more complex and satisfying if less showy wine with a long, gorgeous finish right on the edge of savory. I found this rendition more complementary with food. More stems, less oak here compared to the Big Basin, quite a dramatic comparison between 2 wines made from the same source, with neither wine hitting my happy medium at the moment. This bottle is far superior to one from 2012 but still somewhat reticent and fussy. If I had another I would hold 2-4 years.
November 5, 2014 - Showing well. No oak issues
January 24, 2014 - Delicious tart red cherries, spice, and a hint of stems on the nose and silky palate with refreshing acidity and finish. Still very youthful and should drink well for years!
April 9, 2013 - Absolutely outstanding pinot. Even better than the last tim eI had this. Stunning nose of red fruit, earth and flowers - a tiny bit of earthy funk. Pretty ruby / garnet color with only the smallest bit of bricking. Delicate with great acidity, good spice and pretty fruit. Spiced cranberries, cherries and pomegranate with earhty notes, some flowers, stem and tea undertones. The midpalate has filled out leaving a complete wine. Silky texture without weight. Long finish with spiced fruit and earth notes. The best 2008 CA Pinot Noir I've had to date.
September 26, 2012 - A shy nose and shortish length detracted from an otherwise terrific food friendly middleweight on day 1 with light earth, balanced red fruits, and a profile unlike most any Pinot in my experience, more about texture, context, and potential than danceworthy stuff in the glass. Day 2 & without food, the structure is showing more teeth, the nose is more open, and the wine comes across as more burly, less refined overall. Not sure about this one but definitely not a QPR for the drinking pleasure right now.
April 10, 2011 - TN: California Pinot "In Pursuit of Balance" tasting (RN74 Restaurant, San Francisco): Compared to the 09, this is a bit lighter and sweeter, with dark cherry, medium acidity, some green olive from the whole cluster.
March 27, 2011 - Outstanding pinot. I really enjoyed this. Very pretty nose. Very delicate and light with great acidity, good spice and pretty fruit. Spiced cranberries and pomegranate. Initially the wine almost seemed thin or hollow, but it put on substantial weight with air, adding depth to the midpalate. Already silky in texture. A great food wine, I really like what Pax has done with this bottling.