• rhanke wrote: 92 points

    November 18, 2018 - Slight raspberry and cheery. Likes the aroma.

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  • aaronfeigin Likes this wine: 92 points

    March 19, 2016 - This Pinot is simply beautiful. Lots of dark cherries and menthol, it is very much the earthier side of Pinot. I opened and left in the cellar for a few hours and then took it out about 2 hours before I poured it. So enjoyable. Looking forward to the last 4 bottles that I will drink over the next 2 -3 years.

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  • missionpk wrote:

    January 26, 2016 - Very different from the other Alfaro Pinots I've had. Agree with GTFREEK that this edges toward Syrah. Agree with RJ that this edges towards ripe and baked. Putting this off to the side for a day or two and will try again and re-evaluate.

    UPDATE: After a couple days, this had settled down into a wine that is not unpleasant. Still just barely Pinot and very different from other Alfaros, but I can't deny that it is a relatively good big wine.

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  • zinfomaniac Likes this wine: 92 points

    February 3, 2014 - Beautiful crimson red in the glass, wonderful spice filled nose, intensely but yet restrained mocha raspberry cherry with a lengthy silken finish. This is really coming on.

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  • GTFreek wrote:

    June 19, 2013 - Vineyard south of Santa Cruz, 3 miles inland of Monterrey Bay. Lots of fog there. Nose on this juuumps out, this is big CA style. I might peg this as Syrah up front but then the tannins aren't there for that. Light tannins behind the fruit. Very forward in a delicious way. Dark fruit, blackberries, maybe blue fruit. Not Burgundian style. Crowd pleaser if they're looking for that style. 144 cases produced.

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  • wineo11 wrote: 89 points

    February 27, 2013 - Solid Pinot from the Santa Cruz mountains. Lots of dark red fruit with a hint of forest floor. Medium finish, was hoping for a little more. Drank over several hours and did not open up that much. Good to try, but will most likely not purchase again.

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  • Gestalted Likes this wine: 93 points

    February 12, 2013 - Excellent dark fruit flavors with nice trace of licorice on finish.

    --
    Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!

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  • chukon99 wrote:

    May 19, 2012 - Santa Cruz Mountain Trip (Windy Oaks, Alfaro Family, Big Basin): Tasted at the winery in a flight with the Woodruff and Lester pinots. Dark berries (mostly cherry) with some baking spice. Definitely the most fruit-forward and the easiest drinker of the bunch, but still retained decent balance. I wouldn't call it a special wine, but it's a really, really solid one.

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  • Mike Dildine wrote: 91 points

    April 8, 2012 - Nicely done Mr. Brown!

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  • floydtp wrote: 91 points

    March 23, 2012 - Santa Cruz Mountains Day 2 (Rhys, Big Basin, Plumed Horse): Tasted non blind at the winery with Bradley. PnP. Very big nose that didn't any air to express itself. It was showing mostly red fruit on the nose and palate with some hints of spice. I really enjoyed the texture of this wine but cant find the words to accurately describe it. Fairly long snd enjoyable finish consistent with the palate.

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