Collected 250ml sample from bottle popped by Heymamalow. About 3 hours air time already. Drank in Grassl Cru. Appearane is clear, pale intensity, ruby coloru. Legs. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of deep red floral spice, silty earth minerality, damp pine forest floor, dark red cherries, red pomegranate. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.8%), supple medium tannins, medium+ body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe dark red cherries, red berry compote, red pomegranate, smoke, light sweet spice, tangy blood orange peel, damp pine forest floor, subtle thin minerality - saline, earthen, stony? Long subliminal finish. Very very good quality. Defining characteristics: Balanced and terroir expressive. This is what New World Pinot Noir should aspire to be. Not a wine to pop pour and guzzle. Needs to be sat down with quietly and pondered upon intellectually. Drink now with air or hold for more development.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The cork was perfect after a decade in the bottle. Consumed over two days. Deep ruby color with no oxidation, clarity medium. Aromas of red raspberry and pomegranate, flavors of dried fruit compote with a medium finish. More integrated and soft on day two. A Pinot Noir more balanced to the acid side from the Sonoma Coast. This age worthy wine may have more years of life left. I still have two more bottles of this vintage remaining; I may open another next month or two to verify my rating.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another great Peay. A bit lighter than usual but nice acidity and at 10 years old, it aged well. My older Peay SS pinots are now over ten years and I look forward to seeing how they do over the next 5-7 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark cherry red. Clear, slight fade at rim. Poised and elegant. Right in its prime. Light, but with zingy acidity and barely lingering tannins. Prime. Sourced from the winery.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One Fun-Filled Afternoon Spent Poolside with Friends (Los Olivos, CA): At first somewhat austere and bitter, it took hours for me to perceive the quality of this wine, and when I went back to it the next day, it was even better. Beautiful, smokey red fruit, both sweet and tart, some orange peel and muted spice that rounds out the very long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped the cork on very early Friday in anticipation of being consumed on a Finger Lakes two day dash. Never got to the wine till Sunday evening, and it was in a very nice rich meditative state. The initial pour at a cooler temp was ripe dark cherry and black raspberry with not a tannin in sight. As the glass warmed a soft brewed tea base kicked in with a brighter berry lead. Great harmony and silky feel was a standing ovation. don't let it over heat, and take care with the food pairing. The wine is quite satisfying on its own.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP at SingleThreadFarm from the winelist. The bottle and the cork were in good shape and the wine was served at the right temperature. My expectations were really high for the wine considering some of the other wines from the vineyard I had. May need some more time or this maybe its peak but there was a lingering harshness that never went away. Good balance of red fruits with some hints of spiceness but never could shake off the very poking harshness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was super. It surpassed our experience 25 months ago, showing lovely spice again with just a touch of blood orange/rind, saline, sweet pine & earth, and more deepness and complexity. No cola, thankfully. Lovely on day one, it sang on days two and especially three. Darn, we have no more; bravo for those who do.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Prior bottle was almost a year ago and given enough time open ahead of time this wine really shows well. Medium to full bodied and needed a bit over three hours open to show it's best and improved from there on out. Raspberry, earth and integrated spices on the nose. Red raspberry upfront, along with red cherry with some darker black cherry and tart cranberry behind. The mid-body was much more integrated and expressive than my prior bottle. Elegantly balanced between pretty fruit, spices and acidity/tannins, this was a truly special bottle. Drink now if you can open it enough ahead of time, but will easily hold at this level for several more years, based on how it has evolved over the past year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Much darker bottle than others described here, with a dark cherry-, almost licorice-like fruit sweetness, but clean fruit sweetness, with balanced acid. Otherwise some slightly rusty sundried tomato, possibly a bit of mineral peeking through, but really this is all sweet 'n' smooth fruit, not quite as interesting as the deeper and more perfumed bouquet. Delicious, but a bit easy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took several hours to open up and still seemed on the young side. Red raspberry, earth and spices on the nose. A bit above medium bodied and had hints of being fruit-forward, but those quickly smoothed out and the wine is trending in an elegant and balanced direction. Red raspberry upfront which shows brightly and then is balanced by red cherry and some darker fruit notes. The wine is smooth through the middle, gaining density and complexity as it approaches the finish. Adds some tart notes (cranberry and pomegranate), some light, integrated spices and the acidity comes in really well on the finish, adding a very nice amount of length. Last glass, after being open about 4.5 hours, was far and away the best; just a sublimely beautiful glass that made me remember why I like this producer so much. I think this wine can still improve a bit, given a little more cellaring. Also, based on the fruit and structure there's no rush to drink this unless you can afford to open it a couple hours ahead to allow it show fully.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Similar to the last bottle and our note, but this time we also picked up a slight touch of cola along with the blood orange notes. Lovely balance; great expression of cold climate Sonoma Coast pinot noir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty, but exploding with subtle aromas and delicate varietal flavors. Drinking very well right now. Definitely worth the wait, but I'd be surprised if it gets much better than this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light ruby red and fragrant. Not too cloying, jammy or over extracted like many California pinots, the sweet red fruits are nicely balanced with acid. This has to be one of the best examples of how well a classically styled pinot noir. can be made in California. Good value. Will buy more from this producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking beautifully right now. Light to medium-bodied. Layers of red fruits and spice. Long finish. Adds a subtle minerality as it opens up, so give it an hour of air before drinking. 13.8% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: Very pretty, feminine floral aromas. Almost perfumy. Added aromas of rose hips and tea. Great nose! Palate: Bing cherries with strawberry and an earthy minerality underneath. Finish is somewhat light but well balanced. Right now 92+ points but am hoping over the evening it will get even better. This remained at 92+ as it never broke through beyond that despite being in a decanter for about 40 minutes prior to consumption and consumed over 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A bit thinner than remembered/expected. Quite light/translucent in the glass, a robust enough nose, but not much depth on the palate. Still highly enjoyable and ready to drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I first tasted this wine with the 2007 vintage. I loved it. This was my first 2009 and while I like the 2007 better, this one confirms how much I love this Peay bottling. Gorgeous balance of minerality and fruit. A little tart flavors with a long long finish. Give it 10 minutes of air in the glass and it mellows out nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fruity and explosive with raspberries and sour cherries. Not that it's a bad thing, but if you want a California Pinot experience this will fit the bill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark rich fruit, with that typical Sonoma nose that is unmistakable. Not a blockbuster for me but improved significantly over the evening. Last 1/2 glass was the best. Would give it a bit of air next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
White & Red Burgs & a Couple Others (Edina Country Club, Edina, MN): Medium garnet color. PNP. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. This was a real hedonistic treat. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. Amazing purity and elegance wrapped up in a perfectly balanced package. This built steadily through the night from a rock solid 92+ to what was for me a bonafide 94pt wine. Lovely fruits here, raspberry, pomegranate, cherries, fresh, subtle earth, and spice. Very bright and energetic, with a long finish. This was my and group red WOTN.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Minneapolis Wine Club Offline: Off the charts stuff! Cranberry, cherry, spices and strawberry. Balanced and complex with good acidity. A really top notch Sonoma effort for a good price. I have been impressed with Peay over the years. This is awesome!!! Wow what a surprise that I agree with the boys at Steve Tanzer on the 94. That only happens about 80% of the time. Best in Minnesota palate again!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just got a small taste but very impressed. Layers of light red cherry, and maybe cranberry, pomagranate, whatever you want to call it. There's a mineral quality too, slight dusty shale? Then very light tannins. Everything is delicate and balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I may have been burdened by expectations but failed to detect the expected complex and nuance. Will try to to nurse it through an evening next time, and refocus on what others have enjoyed so thoroughly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really beautiful red fruit. Moderate acidity, but really well balanced. A nice sweetness on the finish.
Definitely a wine from California, but made with care and balance. I hope to keep my last bottle around for a few years to see if this gets better with some more secondary notes; I imagine it will.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very ripe nose with loads of red fruit (cherries, strawberries for days), some baking spices, and a faint whiff of new oak. Great mouthfeel, but a little bit straightforward. Really nice long finish (1 minute), no heat, and just extremely well-made CA pinot noir. @ $55 it's a bit much and I would probably look to burgundy at this $ point
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful bright light ruby; evident tart cherry/pomegranite/rose nose with a whiff of idk cardamom maybe; lively acids; tannic structure non existent; I'll drink this early in life for all its youthful light on its feet charm.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Described by Andy Peay as the most feminine of the Peay SVDs. I tasted this but did not keep specific notes; in general I found all of the Peay pinots to be aromatic, ripe among the IPOB wines, smooth and approachable; I wished for a bit more earthiness however. 91-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very special. Almost birch-like notes, but not overly oaked, soft, ripe fruit, and well integrated rustic tones as well. Will only improve with additional cellaring, but delicious right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My first experience with this producer, and it was great. Red fruits and a wonderful touch of cola and spice. Decanted 2 hours. Agree with previous note that the fruit has real depth and persistence. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
decanted for a couple hours and still not giving up much even over the following 3 hours while it was consumed...my sense is it just needs time, try again in 2013 or later
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased off the list as a half bottle at Commis, in Oakland. This was splash decanted before serving. First off, I use to buy these but stopped as I could never figure out when to drink them as they seem to be built for the long run and every time I popped a bottle they were hard as nails. This was the best bottle of Peay Scallop Shelf I can ever remember having and it was a "let's get a 1/2 bottle of something to finish our meal as we ran out if wine" decision. Fragrant, light in body, light on the palate, light cherry fruit. A really great bottle of wine. Very Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great red fruit on the nose through the finish. Like the La Bruma, the fruit is the focus, and it's consistent from attach to finish. High toned red fruits, very good acid, nice structure. A terrific bottle of wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Notes of cranberry, cherry, a floral flourish, on the nose. This has deeply pitched red fruit flavors, notably raspberry, with good persistence, and depth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
6/13/2022 - paulst Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet earthy raspberry-raisin; soft and balanced.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2020 - Derek Darth Taster Likes this wine: 94 Points
Collected 250ml sample from bottle popped by Heymamalow. About 3 hours air time already. Drank in Grassl Cru.
Appearane is clear, pale intensity, ruby coloru. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of deep red floral spice, silty earth minerality, damp pine forest floor, dark red cherries, red pomegranate. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.8%), supple medium tannins, medium+ body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe dark red cherries, red berry compote, red pomegranate, smoke, light sweet spice, tangy blood orange peel, damp pine forest floor, subtle thin minerality - saline, earthen, stony? Long subliminal finish.
Very very good quality. Defining characteristics: Balanced and terroir expressive. This is what New World Pinot Noir should aspire to be.
Not a wine to pop pour and guzzle. Needs to be sat down with quietly and pondered upon intellectually. Drink now with air or hold for more development.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2020 - bdhanna Likes this wine: 92 Points
Total agreement with my previous note. Only one bottle remaining from this vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2020 - bdhanna Likes this wine: 91 Points
The cork was perfect after a decade in the bottle. Consumed over two days. Deep ruby color with no oxidation, clarity medium. Aromas of red raspberry and pomegranate, flavors of dried fruit compote with a medium finish. More integrated and soft on day two. A Pinot Noir more balanced to the acid side from the Sonoma Coast. This age worthy wine may have more years of life left. I still have two more bottles of this vintage remaining; I may open another next month or two to verify my rating.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2020 - GSW wrote: 92 Points
Still a lovely wine 11 years later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2019 - Chris Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another great Peay. A bit lighter than usual but nice acidity and at 10 years old, it aged well. My older Peay SS pinots are now over ten years and I look forward to seeing how they do over the next 5-7 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2019 - Vinsboro Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark cherry red. Clear, slight fade at rim. Poised and elegant. Right in its prime. Light, but with zingy acidity and barely lingering tannins. Prime. Sourced from the winery.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2019 - vinhonotte wrote: 89 Points
Fine Wines SG - BYOB “Whose Wine is it anyway?” (Praelum Wine Bistro): Some red cherries and cassis, while green. Medium bodied, but pretty intense fruits and kind of spicy and fernish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2018 - JonnyG wrote: 93 Points
One Fun-Filled Afternoon Spent Poolside with Friends (Los Olivos, CA): At first somewhat austere and bitter, it took hours for me to perceive the quality of this wine, and when I went back to it the next day, it was even better. Beautiful, smokey red fruit, both sweet and tart, some orange peel and muted spice that rounds out the very long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2018 - winelover1808 Likes this wine: 92 Points
beautiful. sweet cranberry. not too thick. an elegant californian. good acidity and nice finish. has aged quite well!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2018 - mjf@ulkner wrote:
Light red. Tangy cranberry, raspberry notes. Not as well integrated as I’d like, age hasn’t done this any favors.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2018 - Viking 61 wrote: 92 Points
Popped the cork on very early Friday in anticipation of being consumed on a Finger Lakes two day dash. Never got to the wine till Sunday evening, and it was in a very nice rich meditative state. The initial pour at a cooler temp was ripe dark cherry and black raspberry with not a tannin in sight. As the glass warmed a soft brewed tea base kicked in with a brighter berry lead. Great harmony and silky feel was a standing ovation. don't let it over heat, and take care with the food pairing. The wine is quite satisfying on its own.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2018 - Stonewws wrote:
Delicious as usual
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2017 - paulst Likes this wine: 93 Points
Raisen; deep; structured; sweet finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2017 - ravikalaga Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP at SingleThreadFarm from the winelist. The bottle and the cork were in good shape and the wine was served at the right temperature. My expectations were really high for the wine considering some of the other wines from the vineyard I had. May need some more time or this maybe its peak but there was a lingering harshness that never went away. Good balance of red fruits with some hints of spiceness but never could shake off the very poking harshness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2017 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
This was super. It surpassed our experience 25 months ago, showing lovely spice again with just a touch of blood orange/rind, saline, sweet pine & earth, and more deepness and complexity. No cola, thankfully. Lovely on day one, it
sang on days two and especially three. Darn, we have no more; bravo for those who do.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2016 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points
Prior bottle was almost a year ago and given enough time open ahead of time this wine really shows well. Medium to full bodied and needed a bit over three hours open to show it's best and improved from there on out. Raspberry, earth and integrated spices on the nose. Red raspberry upfront, along with red cherry with some darker black cherry and tart cranberry behind. The mid-body was much more integrated and expressive than my prior bottle. Elegantly balanced between pretty fruit, spices and acidity/tannins, this was a truly special bottle. Drink now if you can open it enough ahead of time, but will easily hold at this level for several more years, based on how it has evolved over the past year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/9/2016 - lolo66 wrote:
needs air and then this is just fantastic. pure northern california goodness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2016 - lolo66 wrote:
with 1 hr air this is singing. deep. lush. spicy. balanced and a very nice expression of pinot. really like this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2016 - lolo66 wrote: 94 Points
ready to drink! hitting on all cylinders right out of the gate. Not a shy wine, big nose and body to follow, but with that peay balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2016 - Modern Tage wrote: 89 Points
Same NECOWINE Notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2015 - Necowine wrote: 88 Points
Much darker bottle than others described here, with a dark cherry-, almost licorice-like fruit sweetness, but clean fruit sweetness, with balanced acid. Otherwise some slightly rusty sundried tomato, possibly a bit of mineral peeking through, but really this is all sweet 'n' smooth fruit, not quite as interesting as the deeper and more perfumed bouquet. Delicious, but a bit easy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2015 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points
Took several hours to open up and still seemed on the young side. Red raspberry, earth and spices on the nose. A bit above medium bodied and had hints of being fruit-forward, but those quickly smoothed out and the wine is trending in an elegant and balanced direction. Red raspberry upfront which shows brightly and then is balanced by red cherry and some darker fruit notes. The wine is smooth through the middle, gaining density and complexity as it approaches the finish. Adds some tart notes (cranberry and pomegranate), some light, integrated spices and the acidity comes in really well on the finish, adding a very nice amount of length. Last glass, after being open about 4.5 hours, was far and away the best; just a sublimely beautiful glass that made me remember why I like this producer so much. I think this wine can still improve a bit, given a little more cellaring. Also, based on the fruit and structure there's no rush to drink this unless you can afford to open it a couple hours ahead to allow it show fully.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2015 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
Very similar to notes on 5/17/14 but more amped up. Final bottle and best bottle of the three.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2015 - Deux Chevaux Likes this wine:
Similar to the last bottle and our note, but this time we also picked up a slight touch of cola along with the blood orange notes. Lovely balance; great expression of cold climate Sonoma Coast pinot noir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2015 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Bright, savory -- and yes, as S Tanzer noticed, blood orange. Lovely balance. Pure. Such a nice expression of what California cold climate pn can be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2015 - 2loyal Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pretty, but exploding with subtle aromas and delicate varietal flavors. Drinking very well right now. Definitely worth the wait, but I'd be surprised if it gets much better than this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2014 - StainedGlass Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light ruby red and fragrant. Not too cloying, jammy or over extracted like many California pinots, the sweet red fruits are nicely balanced with acid. This has to be one of the best examples of how well a classically styled pinot noir. can be made in California. Good value. Will buy more from this producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2014 - wineduggery Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully right now. Light to medium-bodied. Layers of red fruits and spice. Long finish. Adds a subtle minerality as it opens up, so give it an hour of air before drinking. 13.8% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2014 - Tom Warden Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow....even better a year later! The epitome of what I love about CA Pinots!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2014 - wolfonthehill Likes this wine: 90 Points
A bit thinner than I remembered, but light and sublime nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2014 - dave kammerer wrote: 92 Points
excellent tonight!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2014 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 92 Points
45 min decant- fruit forward. Perfect balance- in prime. Light/medium bodied. Has backbone to go about 2 more years. Average finish. Average value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2014 - Mattshank wrote: 92 Points
Nose: Very pretty, feminine floral aromas. Almost perfumy. Added aromas of rose hips and tea. Great nose! Palate: Bing cherries with strawberry and an earthy minerality underneath. Finish is somewhat light but well balanced. Right now 92+ points but am hoping over the evening it will get even better. This remained at 92+ as it never broke through beyond that despite being in a decanter for about 40 minutes prior to consumption and consumed over 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2014 - wolfonthehill Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit thinner than remembered/expected. Quite light/translucent in the glass, a robust enough nose, but not much depth on the palate. Still highly enjoyable and ready to drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2014 - Chris Likes this wine: 92 Points
I first tasted this wine with the 2007 vintage. I loved it. This was my first 2009 and while I like the 2007 better, this one confirms how much I love this Peay bottling. Gorgeous balance of minerality and fruit. A little tart flavors with a long long finish. Give it 10 minutes of air in the glass and it mellows out nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2013 - sandwich Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fruity and explosive with raspberries and sour cherries. Not that it's a bad thing, but if you want a California Pinot experience this will fit the bill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2013 - vinocerus Likes this wine:
Dark rich fruit, with that typical Sonoma nose that is unmistakable. Not a blockbuster for me but improved significantly over the evening. Last 1/2 glass was the best. Would give it a bit of air next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2013 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
White & Red Burgs & a Couple Others (Edina Country Club, Edina, MN): Medium garnet color. PNP. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. This was a real hedonistic treat. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. Amazing purity and elegance wrapped up in a perfectly balanced package. This built steadily through the night from a rock solid 92+ to what was for me a bonafide 94pt wine. Lovely fruits here, raspberry, pomegranate, cherries, fresh, subtle earth, and spice. Very bright and energetic, with a long finish. This was my and group red WOTN.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2013 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club Offline: Off the charts stuff! Cranberry, cherry, spices and strawberry. Balanced and complex with good acidity. A really top notch Sonoma effort for a good price. I have been impressed with Peay over the years. This is awesome!!! Wow what a surprise that I agree with the boys at Steve Tanzer on the 94. That only happens about 80% of the time. Best in Minnesota palate again!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2013 - Tom Warden wrote: 94 Points
Sweet/tart cherries...pleasant, bright minerality (just a touch). Nice long finish...I love Peay wines!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
Just got a small taste but very impressed. Layers of light red cherry, and maybe cranberry, pomagranate, whatever you want to call it. There's a mineral quality too, slight dusty shale? Then very light tannins. Everything is delicate and balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2013 - JonnyG wrote: 89 Points
I may have been burdened by expectations but failed to detect the expected complex and nuance. Will try to to nurse it through an evening next time, and refocus on what others have enjoyed so thoroughly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2013 - Michael Davidson wrote:
Showing similar to the bottle I had a year ago.
Really beautiful red fruit. Moderate acidity, but really well balanced. A nice sweetness on the finish.
Definitely a wine from California, but made with care and balance. I hope to keep my last bottle around for a few years to see if this gets better with some more secondary notes; I imagine it will.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2012 - RyanJames wrote: 91 Points
Very ripe nose with loads of red fruit (cherries, strawberries for days), some baking spices, and a faint whiff of new oak. Great mouthfeel, but a little bit straightforward. Really nice long finish (1 minute), no heat, and just extremely well-made CA pinot noir. @ $55 it's a bit much and I would probably look to burgundy at this $ point
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2012 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 30 minutes- was ready to go with another 15 min in glass- smooth- pleasant medium plus finish- decent value at under $60.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2012 - Tgood wrote: 89 Points
Beautiful bright light ruby; evident tart cherry/pomegranite/rose nose with a whiff of idk cardamom maybe; lively acids; tannic structure non existent; I'll drink this early in life for all its youthful light on its feet charm.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2012 - jhieb wrote: 91 Points
This could have sat for another couple years, but it didn't seem too tight. This is a clean and powerful pinot. More new world than Burgundian.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2012 - B-Love wrote: 94 Points
Very feminine, very precise, most enjoyable Pinot. Has a long, long life ahead, but oh so yummy now with a nice decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2012 - amateurwino wrote:
Described by Andy Peay as the most feminine of the Peay SVDs. I tasted this but did not keep specific notes; in general I found all of the Peay pinots to be aromatic, ripe among the IPOB wines, smooth and approachable; I wished for a bit more earthiness however. 91-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2012 - johnson5953 wrote: 93 Points
Complex with layers of fruit. Could use some time, maybe a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2012 - maxfischer wrote: 93 Points
Very special. Almost birch-like notes, but not overly oaked, soft, ripe fruit, and well integrated rustic tones as well. Will only improve with additional cellaring, but delicious right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2012 - wineduggery wrote: 92 Points
My first experience with this producer, and it was great. Red fruits and a wonderful touch of cola and spice. Decanted 2 hours. Agree with previous note that the fruit has real depth and persistence. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2012 - olm2000 wrote:
decanted for a couple hours and still not giving up much even over the following 3 hours while it was consumed...my sense is it just needs time, try again in 2013 or later
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2011 - tanglenet wrote:
Purchased off the list as a half bottle at Commis, in Oakland. This was splash decanted before serving. First off, I use to buy these but stopped as I could never figure out when to drink them as they seem to be built for the long run and every time I popped a bottle they were hard as nails. This was the best bottle of Peay Scallop Shelf I can ever remember having and it was a "let's get a 1/2 bottle of something to finish our meal as we ran out if wine" decision. Fragrant, light in body, light on the palate, light cherry fruit. A really great bottle of wine. Very Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2011 - Michael Davidson wrote:
Great red fruit on the nose through the finish. Like the La Bruma, the fruit is the focus, and it's consistent from attach to finish. High toned red fruits, very good acid, nice structure. A terrific bottle of wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2011 - FieldingYost wrote: 91 Points
Notes of cranberry, cherry, a floral flourish, on the nose. This has deeply pitched red fruit flavors, notably raspberry, with good persistence, and depth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment