With age, there was some complexity to this wine. Soft, juicy red fruit, earthy mushroom. Mild acidity, enough to brighten up the bottle without added tartness. Alcohol level was just right. Drinking beautifully right now.
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Tasty, earthy, tons of mushroom. Better than the last bottle - could also probably be fine with more age. Fairly robust and full bodied for a Pinot also.
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TnP (Its a screwtop so it was a Twist & Pour). Medium crimson. Somewhat reticent nose of strawberries, oak, and a hint of tea. Light in texture and clean on the entry. The acidity of the wine demands some fatty food to accompany it.
Great wine. Paired deliciously well with duck confit. The only thing that would make this wine better would be less smoky notes from the oak. Otherwise this is a wonderful Carneros PN and although it's a little pricey it's delicious. I'd leave my other one for a couple more years to let the oak mellow a bit more.
Very good indeed. Tried it the night after cracking open the 05 and it was not as good as that, but still pretty decent. It may well age like the 03 and 05 also, so I'm happy I have a boatload of this at a good discount!
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Color: slight orange red. Deep concentration. Great clarity
Nose: moderate intensity. Raspberries, cherries backed by mushrooms and a touch of molasses
Palate: dry, medium body, fresh acidity, low to no tannin, very good balance. Fresh raspberries with the depth of mushrooms (strangely). There is a hint of what to me is bitter but not at all off putting, like an aged cheese. Finish is medium in length, a touch of vanilla.
I am not typically a fan of PN but I've had a few lately that are very good, this is definetly one of those.
My last bottle, unfortunately, so I felt I needed to write up a note. Definitely looks a bit more aged than most, being an amber/brick color. Enticing nose of flowers and cherries/raspberries with a touch of vanilla creeping around in the background. A nice medium body promotes an expressive palate featuring ripe yet sour cherries, almost reminiscent of high quality sangiovese. There's strawberry in there and a nice earthy, smoky component that lingers during the moderately lengthy finish. A very nice pinot, definitely not "red water." Definite buy if you can find it (and it wasn't easy).
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PnVnD 1.5 hrs. Light crimson in color. Nice nose of strawberries & cloves, and another nice element I couldn't quite pick out. It was a bit difficult picking things out with all of the citronella mosquito repellent I was wearing. Soft on the entry with the right amount of acidity carrying the cherries along. Not quite earthy enough to go with the Chicken Marsala we had. The 2008 Grochau Cuvee des Amis was a much nicer pairing.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vivant Pinot glass. The Vinum Pinot glass emphasized the acidity too much.
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Brown-tinged maroon. Strawberry, cloves, and earth nose. Medium bodied, pomegranates, bright red cherries, cinnamon spice, sweet tannins, good acid, tea, and a medium+ finish. Great qpr at the closeout price.
Somewhat different from previous bottle. Medium to light bodied, lighter on the fruit with the acidity was more noticeable. Still have the lovely aromatics. Missed that dense layer of dark fruit from previous bottle.
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Opened up slowly. Timid quiet undertones of chocolate and raspberries quietly moved to a classic symphonic ending with berries and plums leading the way. Exactly what I expect from Pinot Noir, kisses of flavors but none overwhelming. This is a wine that drinks like a Pinot, not like a Cab. Worth every penny
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Expected more based on the reveiws. This is a good pinot, a bit on the light side, but good fruit and balance. IMHO, this is no where near a 90 pt wine.
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Varietally correct and nicely balanced, but a bit simple and not worthy of a single vineyard designate IMO. A bit better after air. 88+ after, maybe 87 before.
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Typical Cali pinot but cheap. Dark fruit, cocoa on the nose and the palate is low in acidity and high in plummy sweetness. No finish to speak of. $15 pinot, get what you pay for.
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Dark purple. Dark plum, black raspberries, cocoa, and a bit of earthy, cedary carneros spice on the nose. Juicy and concentrated dark fruit on the palate but finishes with a fair amount of heat. Quite average.
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Drank over the last 4 hours with sweet and sour chicken. Remarkably drinkable and like other posters say...for $15...quite a bargain. Not traditionally a fan of screw caps but this works for me. Bon Appetite!
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Decanted through Soirée. Alcohol is prominent on the nose. On the palate, stays a little hot and then reveals some cherry and spice with a medium finish. Decent QPR at $14 from wine shopper, but this is not a distinctive single vineyard Pinot due to lack of complexity. Not a rebuy for me
Marvelous! Wild berries galore on the nose, cut by notes of limestone and wet earth, with a hint of cola and smoke. On the palate, juicy wild berries with some darker fruit (black cherry). Notes of clove and baking spice. Great acidity. Long finish. Can't believe I got this for $16, including tax and shipping. The best bargain I've had In a long time.
PnP, blast of dark funky fruit perfumed out of the glass. rich on the palate, mildly spicy. gobs of fruit at some point overwhelming. very smooth and velvety going down.
1 hour in the glass, aroma toned down and some spiciness emerged. much more interesting than before. on the palate, much of the same profile remained with some restraint. cherry and menthol infusion added to the complexity. excellent pinot. would have love some zippy acidity laced in like a good Arcadian Pisoni, but this will do.
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Great nose of black fruit that opens to an explosive palate showing black cherry, cola, dark chocolate with mushroom and loamy notes, followed by a medium-long finish. Complexity and balance are noteworthy, an improvement over the 2006 of same pedigree. Lots of punch at this pricepoint.
1/25/2022 - rjquillin Likes this wine:
Still liking this, not noticing any fall-off, still improving after hours of air.
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5/31/2020 - rjquillin Likes this wine:
still wondering how much better these may have been under cork
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7/21/2016 - NathanT wrote: 91 Points
With age, there was some complexity to this wine. Soft, juicy red fruit, earthy mushroom. Mild acidity, enough to brighten up the bottle without added tartness. Alcohol level was just right. Drinking beautifully right now.
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2/28/2015 - rjquillin Likes this wine:
Pinot night with four others.
Great find from TJ's @ $15 and still drinking great.
Why did BV finish this in a screw top?
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2/21/2015 - Ranjan wrote: 90 Points
my last bottle, earthy, but fruity, smooth, mushroom, old world.
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1/14/2015 - Ranjan wrote: 92 Points
Brick red color. Great pinot fruity nose, better after 1 hour. Longer finish than I expected. Excellent.
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11/10/2014 - vinodolphin Likes this wine: 90 Points
My last bottle and it has been a very nice relationship. A very nice PN pairing nicely with various dishes. A real treat.
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10/23/2014 - vinodolphin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Only one bottle left. A real treat throughout. Light but loaded with bold fruit yet smooth.
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6/11/2014 - hankj wrote: 91 Points
excellent rich, earthy Pinot - if you like forest floor/barnyard character this is a good bottle for you.
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5/24/2014 - klezman wrote:
Tasty, earthy, tons of mushroom. Better than the last bottle - could also probably be fine with more age. Fairly robust and full bodied for a Pinot also.
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2/13/2014 - joesi16 wrote: 90 Points
Showing some pinot funk (in a good way), strawberry fruit and a med finish. Wish i had purchased more.
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7/1/2013 - AMC Eagle wrote: 91 Points
Similar to last year's tn. A very good valued wine that is drinking very well as it is.
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6/6/2013 - vinodolphin Likes this wine: 91 Points
A real value. Every bottle has been great. 3 left.
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2/18/2013 - TEH Likes this wine: 90 Points
This has improved since last bottle and certainly worth the 11$ I paid.
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2/14/2013 - hesnctrl Likes this wine: 89 Points
TnP (Its a screwtop so it was a Twist & Pour). Medium crimson. Somewhat reticent nose of strawberries, oak, and a hint of tea. Light in texture and clean on the entry. The acidity of the wine demands some fatty food to accompany it.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vinum Burgundy glass.
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1/26/2013 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 86 Points
Shared at a party. Consistently pretty very good pinot. A bit too fruity.
3 on the AF scale.
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12/25/2012 - merryberry wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with prior note, although it needed more air time to hit its peak than we gave it tonight.
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12/21/2012 - joesi16 Likes this wine: 90 Points
a soild pinot , really good right now, MERRYBERRY notes are perfect. if you see this wine BUY IT !!
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12/12/2012 - klezman Likes this wine:
Great wine. Paired deliciously well with duck confit. The only thing that would make this wine better would be less smoky notes from the oak. Otherwise this is a wonderful Carneros PN and although it's a little pricey it's delicious. I'd leave my other one for a couple more years to let the oak mellow a bit more.
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11/24/2012 - winegr wrote: 89 Points
89+. Nice wine that benefits from some air. Fruit is balanced by some orange peel and tea notes. 89+
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11/13/2012 - vinodolphin wrote: 91 Points
Another top notch performance from this economical jewell. Paired nicely with both Chicken and Trout.
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10/22/2012 - richardhod Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good indeed. Tried it the night after cracking open the 05 and it was not as good as that, but still pretty decent. It may well age like the 03 and 05 also, so I'm happy I have a boatload of this at a good discount!
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10/5/2012 - Ranjan wrote: 92 Points
Brick red color. Drank with curry chawal. Great pinot fruity nose, better after 1 hour. Longer finish than I expected.
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9/27/2012 - vinodolphin wrote: 91 Points
This was again wonderful and enjoyed by all. A bit heavier than a typical PN in a good way. Very nice for the price.
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8/1/2012 - cmaldoon wrote: 91 Points
Color: slight orange red. Deep concentration. Great clarity
Nose: moderate intensity. Raspberries, cherries backed by mushrooms and a touch of molasses
Palate: dry, medium body, fresh acidity, low to no tannin, very good balance. Fresh raspberries with the depth of mushrooms (strangely). There is a hint of what to me is bitter but not at all off putting, like an aged cheese. Finish is medium in length, a touch of vanilla.
I am not typically a fan of PN but I've had a few lately that are very good, this is definetly one of those.
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6/28/2012 - bkrup wrote:
Great with richer, creamy seafood dishes. Wine really filled out after a few days vacuumed sealed in the fridge.
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6/26/2012 - mguglielmo Likes this wine: 90 Points
My last bottle, unfortunately, so I felt I needed to write up a note. Definitely looks a bit more aged than most, being an amber/brick color. Enticing nose of flowers and cherries/raspberries with a touch of vanilla creeping around in the background. A nice medium body promotes an expressive palate featuring ripe yet sour cherries, almost reminiscent of high quality sangiovese. There's strawberry in there and a nice earthy, smoky component that lingers during the moderately lengthy finish. A very nice pinot, definitely not "red water." Definite buy if you can find it (and it wasn't easy).
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6/23/2012 - hesnctrl Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnVnD 1.5 hrs. Light crimson in color. Nice nose of strawberries & cloves, and another nice element I couldn't quite pick out. It was a bit difficult picking things out with all of the citronella mosquito repellent I was wearing. Soft on the entry with the right amount of acidity carrying the cherries along. Not quite earthy enough to go with the Chicken Marsala we had. The 2008 Grochau Cuvee des Amis was a much nicer pairing.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vivant Pinot glass. The Vinum Pinot glass emphasized the acidity too much.
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5/30/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 87 Points
Very good.
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4/22/2012 - merryberry wrote: 91 Points
Brown-tinged maroon. Strawberry, cloves, and earth nose. Medium bodied, pomegranates, bright red cherries, cinnamon spice, sweet tannins, good acid, tea, and a medium+ finish. Great qpr at the closeout price.
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4/20/2012 - brooklynJ&O wrote: 87 Points
solid. balanced. J really liked it. Nothing stood out for O.
very good.
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4/18/2012 - bkrup wrote: 89 Points
Bright cherry flavors and strong acidity would pair this well with rich seafood dishes.
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4/18/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 88 Points
Surprise, surprise, this is quite good. Citrusy. Great qpr. Comparable: Brett Gardner.
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4/12/2012 - NathanT wrote: 90 Points
Somewhat different from previous bottle. Medium to light bodied, lighter on the fruit with the acidity was more noticeable. Still have the lovely aromatics. Missed that dense layer of dark fruit from previous bottle.
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4/8/2012 - muriellewinery wrote: 87 Points
Opened up slowly. Timid quiet undertones of chocolate and raspberries quietly moved to a classic symphonic ending with berries and plums leading the way. Exactly what I expect from Pinot Noir, kisses of flavors but none overwhelming. This is a wine that drinks like a Pinot, not like a Cab. Worth every penny
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4/8/2012 - costacasa wrote: 87 Points
Expected more based on the reveiws. This is a good pinot, a bit on the light side, but good fruit and balance. IMHO, this is no where near a 90 pt wine.
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4/2/2012 - v0max wrote: 90 Points
As many have commented, a great $15 bottle of pinot. Unfortunately, we paid $30 for it.
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4/2/2012 - winegr wrote: 88 Points
Varietally correct and nicely balanced, but a bit simple and not worthy of a single vineyard designate IMO. A bit better after air. 88+ after, maybe 87 before.
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3/30/2012 - jazanol07 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice for a $15 pinot noir.
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3/29/2012 - AMC Eagle wrote: 91 Points
Dark red earthy raspberries and mushrooms on the nose. Red spicy fruits on the palate with a touch of plums and anise. Nice finish.
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3/24/2012 - bsevern wrote: 90 Points
Another great bottle! Mig22 either you got a sub-par bottle, or you're smoking crack if you think this is an 84 point pinot!
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3/21/2012 - Mig22 wrote: 84 Points
Typical Cali pinot but cheap. Dark fruit, cocoa on the nose and the palate is low in acidity and high in plummy sweetness. No finish to speak of. $15 pinot, get what you pay for.
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3/17/2012 - vinodolphin wrote: 90 Points
A bit of a surprise as most prefered this to other more costly wines of the evening.
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3/16/2012 - flyinburrito wrote: 85 Points
Dark purple. Dark plum, black raspberries, cocoa, and a bit of earthy, cedary carneros spice on the nose. Juicy and concentrated dark fruit on the palate but finishes with a fair amount of heat. Quite average.
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3/2/2012 - Virginiais4wineLovers Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank over the last 4 hours with sweet and sour chicken. Remarkably drinkable and like other posters say...for $15...quite a bargain. Not traditionally a fan of screw caps but this works for me. Bon Appetite!
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2/23/2012 - orlypann wrote: 89 Points
Decanted through Soirée. Alcohol is prominent on the nose. On the palate, stays a little hot and then reveals some cherry and spice with a medium finish. Decent QPR at $14 from wine shopper, but this is not a distinctive single vineyard Pinot due to lack of complexity. Not a rebuy for me
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2/19/2012 - bsevern wrote: 90 Points
Awesome deal from wine-shopper for $15!
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2/12/2012 - JOJ wrote: 94 Points
Marvelous! Wild berries galore on the nose, cut by notes of limestone and wet earth, with a hint of cola and smoke. On the palate, juicy wild berries with some darker fruit (black cherry). Notes of clove and baking spice. Great acidity. Long finish. Can't believe I got this for $16, including tax and shipping. The best bargain I've had In a long time.
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2/8/2012 - NathanT wrote: 92 Points
PnP, blast of dark funky fruit perfumed out of the glass. rich on the palate, mildly spicy. gobs of fruit at some point overwhelming. very smooth and velvety going down.
1 hour in the glass, aroma toned down and some spiciness emerged. much more interesting than before. on the palate, much of the same profile remained with some restraint. cherry and menthol infusion added to the complexity. excellent pinot. would have love some zippy acidity laced in like a good Arcadian Pisoni, but this will do.
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4/5/2011 - Snoman wrote: 90 Points
Great nose of black fruit that opens to an explosive palate showing black cherry, cola, dark chocolate with mushroom and loamy notes, followed by a medium-long finish. Complexity and balance are noteworthy, an improvement over the 2006 of same pedigree. Lots of punch at this pricepoint.
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