For me, the nose was dominated by "oak" and I use that term loosely because I wasn't sure, could this have been aged in Redwood? There is light plum fruit, cassis, and Dill. It finishes with a Carmel note. Rioja? American oak? What, Pinot Noir!?! Schooled again.
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Served blind, alongside the 1980, which made for a cool contrast. I preferred the 1980. Around the table, lots of guesses, and of course, all of them wrong. Many thought old era Cab with age. Not one person said Pinot Noir, including me. Shows some aged aroma, yet the fruit is still alive and tangy. Cedar, eucalyptus and powdered cocoa in the finish, with a note of caramel adding as the wine breathed. A few people at the table thought the oak was still making a presence in the wine. Given some of the markers I mention here, it would seem that is accurate. Just doesn't have the balance of the 1980.
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Hanzell Vertical (Union Restaurant, Seattle.): Toluene on the nose. Dry fruit spirits. Nice wash on the palate with persistence. Good precision and point. Firm acids, good balance, animal notes and mossy notes subtlely on the end. Très Pinot.
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Hanzell Vertical (Seattle, WA): Rhubarb, stalk, boysenberry and a whiff of brett. Mmm, this is pretty seamless, tangy, again in an exceptionally firm style but with nice fruit to back up the grip. My favorite of the flight.
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Littorai Wine Makers Dinner: I smuggled this bottle in and had hopes to open it at the tail end of the tasting. It certainly didn't disappoint. While it may have not particularly tasted like pinot, this wine was still tasting young. Plenty of fruit still evident with a slight sweetness and traces of tannin still holding it all together. Minor notes of Eucalyptus and a good trailing finish. Very nice with one of the soft, salty cheese.
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7/13/2019 - brigcampbell wrote:
Blind: Guessed early '80's Ridge Monte Bello.
For me, the nose was dominated by "oak" and I use that term loosely because I wasn't sure, could this have been aged in Redwood? There is light plum fruit, cassis, and Dill. It finishes with a Carmel note. Rioja? American oak? What, Pinot Noir!?! Schooled again.
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7/11/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Served blind, alongside the 1980, which made for a cool contrast. I preferred the 1980. Around the table, lots of guesses, and of course, all of them wrong. Many thought old era Cab with age. Not one person said Pinot Noir, including me. Shows some aged aroma, yet the fruit is still alive and tangy. Cedar, eucalyptus and powdered cocoa in the finish, with a note of caramel adding as the wine breathed. A few people at the table thought the oak was still making a presence in the wine. Given some of the markers I mention here, it would seem that is accurate. Just doesn't have the balance of the 1980.
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10/4/2010 - Margauxguy wrote: 92 Points
Rich ripe and integrated. Gained weight (like a burgundy as it sat open. Acidity mostly gone, but lovely ripe cola and red fruits. Quite good!
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12/17/2009 - LoireFan wrote: 91 Points
Maybe 92. Still young...wait 5-7 years, I'd say.
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4/15/2007 - AndrewSGHall wrote:
Hanzell Vertical (Union Restaurant, Seattle.): Toluene on the nose. Dry fruit spirits. Nice wash on the palate with persistence. Good precision and point. Firm acids, good balance, animal notes and mossy notes subtlely on the end. Très Pinot.
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4/15/2007 - Eric wrote:
Hanzell Vertical (Seattle, WA): Rhubarb, stalk, boysenberry and a whiff of brett. Mmm, this is pretty seamless, tangy, again in an exceptionally firm style but with nice fruit to back up the grip. My favorite of the flight.
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2/28/2006 - jamiekutch wrote:
Littorai Wine Makers Dinner: I smuggled this bottle in and had hopes to open it at the tail end of the tasting. It certainly didn't disappoint. While it may have not particularly tasted like pinot, this wine was still tasting young. Plenty of fruit still evident with a slight sweetness and traces of tannin still holding it all together. Minor notes of Eucalyptus and a good trailing finish. Very nice with one of the soft, salty cheese.
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