Been in my wine cellar for years. First glass through coravin. Still quite cold. While the color was decent, the wine was thin, closed down with virtually no nose. The nose and flavors hinted however hinted at something better to come. After being open all night this inexpensive pinot from a rock star vintage came to life! Nice nose of red fruit with cherries and a hint of strawberry coming through while the medium bodied pinot had a nice flavor of cherry - not dark cherries mind you... Also, strawberry notes were there, too. Not a complex pinot, but one I enjoyed drinking. This is however, beyond it's peak maturity. While still with life, if you have any - drink up this year.
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Funky aromas on opening. After an hour settled down. Well integrated, forward tannins, medium bodied, delicious red fruits, cherries, earth, robust. Fruit flavors still present forward, bright flavors but definitely maturing. Medium finish.
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Lots of funk, heat at opening. After 1 hour decant settled down, but still light to middle body and depth, slightly acidic. I don't see this improving above the current status, which is slightly better than prior bottles.
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Just like the last bottle, this performed great after sitting on the counter for one hour. Black and red cherry, earth, cocoa, forest, and a little cedar on the nose. Black cherry, spice, herbs, vanilla, and earth on the palate. Good acidity. This bottle seems a lot more earthy and less fruity than previous. Needs a lot of time. 90+
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Pop and pour. Seemed a bit disjointed at first, but after an hour on the counter, this transformed beautifully. Black cherry, strawberry, red cherry, cranberry, cedar, blackberry, earth on the nose. Red cherry, cranberry, vanilla, herbs, spice on the palate. Good acidity. Yummy. Shows a bit of oak at this stage. Needs time. 90+
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Had been told about Whistling Dog but never tried it. Finally did and it is amazing esp for the price. Delicious red fruits, earth and subtle oak. The nose was subtle and understated but the flavors rose to the occasion. (Doris loved it, as did Amy). Compared to 2009 Arterberry Maresh PN, 2009 Belle Pente Dundee Hills and 2009 Cameron Dundee Hills, this one tied with Arterberry Maresh for #1.
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Spectacular, soaring aromas of gravel dust, clove spice, freshly ground nutmeg, scortched earth, crushed cranberries and strawberries, and morel mushrooms cooked in truffle oil. It's amazing how powerful the aromas are with the nose in the glass. Beautiful stuff. The palate is medium bodied, starting with some really tart red fruit, then getting into some impressively juicy, almost candied fresh strawberries, light gravel dust, and only slight tannins build on the tongue. The finish is spicy, with plentiful strawberries, dust, and spice. Really nice acid carries deep into the finish, which isn't overly evolving, but juicy and delicious. A bit more closed than the 2007 was when I had it, but again impressive stuff here. Perhaps this should be held for a couple years but still, I wouldn't plan to hold these much longer than 10 years as the structure isn't too deep.
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3/8/2019 - Haroldz7 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Been in my wine cellar for years. First glass through coravin. Still quite cold. While the color was decent, the wine was thin, closed down with virtually no nose. The nose and flavors hinted however hinted at something better to come. After being open all night this inexpensive pinot from a rock star vintage came to life! Nice nose of red fruit with cherries and a hint of strawberry coming through while the medium bodied pinot had a nice flavor of cherry - not dark cherries mind you... Also, strawberry notes were there, too. Not a complex pinot, but one I enjoyed drinking. This is however, beyond it's peak maturity. While still with life, if you have any - drink up this year.
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6/15/2017 - cliffkol wrote: 91 Points
Funky aromas on opening. After an hour settled down. Well integrated, forward tannins, medium bodied, delicious red fruits, cherries, earth, robust. Fruit flavors still present forward, bright flavors but definitely maturing. Medium finish.
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1/5/2014 - cliffkol wrote: 89 Points
Lots of funk, heat at opening. After 1 hour decant settled down, but still light to middle body and depth, slightly acidic. I don't see this improving above the current status, which is slightly better than prior bottles.
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12/6/2012 - Bon and Nate wrote:
Bon: Hints of cherries. Still tannic. Probably needs more cellar time.
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4/25/2012 - rmh66 wrote: 90 Points
Just like the last bottle, this performed great after sitting on the counter for one hour. Black and red cherry, earth, cocoa, forest, and a little cedar on the nose. Black cherry, spice, herbs, vanilla, and earth on the palate. Good acidity. This bottle seems a lot more earthy and less fruity than previous. Needs a lot of time. 90+
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1/23/2012 - cliffkol wrote: 88 Points
very light bodied. Still slightly unbalanced, tannic. Probably needs more time.
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1/15/2012 - rmh66 wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour. Seemed a bit disjointed at first, but after an hour on the counter, this transformed beautifully. Black cherry, strawberry, red cherry, cranberry, cedar, blackberry, earth on the nose. Red cherry, cranberry, vanilla, herbs, spice on the palate. Good acidity. Yummy. Shows a bit of oak at this stage. Needs time. 90+
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1/4/2012 - cliffkol wrote:
Gail: A little too tannic. Otherwise, very good. Woody, fruity, slight oak. enjoyable. But liked the Beaucastel 07 Coudoulet better.
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12/24/2011 - cliffkol wrote:
Noche Buena w/Julio. On the acidic, tannic side. Probably needs more time. Not quite in balance. Otherwise, very tasty and a fun, easy wine.
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11/17/2011 - cliffkol wrote: 91 Points
Had been told about Whistling Dog but never tried it. Finally did and it is amazing esp for the price. Delicious red fruits, earth and subtle oak. The nose was subtle and understated but the flavors rose to the occasion. (Doris loved it, as did Amy). Compared to 2009 Arterberry Maresh PN, 2009 Belle Pente Dundee Hills and 2009 Cameron Dundee Hills, this one tied with Arterberry Maresh for #1.
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6/23/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 91 Points
Spectacular, soaring aromas of gravel dust, clove spice, freshly ground nutmeg, scortched earth, crushed cranberries and strawberries, and morel mushrooms cooked in truffle oil. It's amazing how powerful the aromas are with the nose in the glass. Beautiful stuff. The palate is medium bodied, starting with some really tart red fruit, then getting into some impressively juicy, almost candied fresh strawberries, light gravel dust, and only slight tannins build on the tongue. The finish is spicy, with plentiful strawberries, dust, and spice. Really nice acid carries deep into the finish, which isn't overly evolving, but juicy and delicious. A bit more closed than the 2007 was when I had it, but again impressive stuff here. Perhaps this should be held for a couple years but still, I wouldn't plan to hold these much longer than 10 years as the structure isn't too deep.
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