Shy nose, but mouth filling raspberry flavors with tea-like bitterness that complements the fruit. Amazing how full-bodied and balanced the wine is at 12.3% alcohol and 10 years in.
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Time has significantly improved this wine. There is still enough acid and tannins to believe that this can continue to be aged longer. Getting the sour cherry which is not my preference, but the wine is well made.
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Significant improvement since last try of this back in 2018. This is in a very good spot but it feels like it could go on for years. Bright acidity , earth , smoky , sour cherry. Great with cheese
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Kutch Verticals--Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (My House): The color here returns to a more rose colored wine, as opposed to the very dark 2012. Nose of metal shaving, cinnamon and brown spice. This is a spicy wine, along with an influence of cedar into the flavor. Even a cola note seemed to slip into the wine, too. I also found this needed air, as I found the wine not in balance when we first were trying it but later the evening it had found the balance I would want to see.
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Some earthiness on the nose. Red fruited, but receded to a slight extent. No tannins to speak of. Clean, easy to drink, but not the most complex pinot.
Drink up.
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Just opened and started the decant. Nice subtle dusty cranberry nose. The dry tart strawberry is a bit softer but focused on the first sip and the plum that will rise later is just peeking through. Secondary notes are more prevalent. In just a few minutes in the glass the wine is evolving. Can't wait to try again after a few hours of air.
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Served at cellar temperature and decanted for an hour. Clean, crisp nose of light red fruits and some dusty herbs. Fairly closed on the palate with some blackberries and mushrooms. I can’t tell if this is faded or closed. Prior vintages tell me this likely has more upside.
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Consistent with prior notes from two ears ago. The initial spritz is much less, tannins super fine but still there 12 hours after opening. So plenty of life left. Beautiful floral bouquet reminds me of early morning summer jog in Provance. The tart cranberry and dry strawberry are still upfront but more integrated with the dry unripe plum that languishes in a slow fading finish. The fruit characteristics are laser focused and not a sloppy over extraction. Really enjoy this wine. QPR extraordinaire.
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Ready to go, and at a nice, open spot in its maturity. A touch less concentrated than we tend to prefer, but that makes perfect sense for an entry-level/appellation wine. Still quite expressive, and a good value.
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Consistent with many other's comments, this needs an hour or two of air time to hit its stride. Once it does, the cherry and cranberry fruit is pretty intense without being the least bit jammy or over-extracted. The low alcohol % lets the fruit shine through all the way to the end and with the pleasant acidity this is a winner of a food wine.
9/1/2020 Notes not much different than previous tasting. This is why people like Kutch wines.
3/3/2022 Even after letting it air out for a bit, fruit is still fading. But the complexity is still there on the backend and I'm not disappointed.
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Brought to dinner at Al Forno. Popped 2+ hours beforehand and aired in bottle. Drank in Grassl Cru and then Gabriel Standart. Appearance is murky with fine sediments, medium intensity, ruby colour. Thin legs. Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, soaring out of the glass with ripe brown stems earth, perfuemd purple violets and exotic flowers and spice, bracken, ripe red cherries. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol (12.3%), soft silky medium- tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet cranberries, strawberries, pretty red cherries, salty saline minerality (?sea-salt spray), menthol, ripe stemmy spices, rhubarb herb. Medium+ finish only though. Still damm sexy! Very good quality. Initially does feel kinda Burgandian. But as time progresses, the sweetness of the fruit and tannin shows up. Reminds me a bit of Occidental - terroir talking. I'm super intrigued how does one achieve such superb level of phenolic ripeness at 12.3% alcohol in the New World!? No offence, but was there some manipulation involved or really just pure mastery? 100% whole bunch and no green notes at 12.3% alc - Bravo. Drink now and over the next 3-4 years. This is really hitting a good stride. Brilliant "entry level" Pinot Noir.
Herlig lukt av jordbær og litt krydder ved åpning. Den første gleden forsvinn etter ca. 5 minutt. Heldigvis kjem den tilbake etter lufting i karaffel i to timar. Då kjem det fram meir jordbær, og smaken held det lukta lovar og fyller munnen med jordbær og krydder. Fin syre som held alt saman på ein god måte. Denne kan du la ligge ei stund utan fare.
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Third bottle out of 6 and the best so far. Much more aromatic upon opening, but still needed air. Cranberry, strawberry, cherry and spice to start. Similar flavors with the stems showing up in a good way. Not overly complex, but very enjoyable. Still has many years ahead of it.
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You can really taste the Burgundy winemaking in this one. I would guess whole cluster and the ripeness puts the fruit more in the red category. Notes of spice on the nose. This was tasty and good QPR for a well made and delicious CA AVA wine. Bravo.
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This is NOT a pop and pour wine. Very backward on opening...it was even hard to drink at first. After 1 hr a Little biter cherry, menthol and smoke on the nose. With plenty of air muted cherry, earth, mushroom and gripping tannin. I think this needs more time than I thought. Not as approachable as other SC wines on first pour.
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Over course of two nights this was really good, though probably better on second night. Needs a bit of air for everything to harmonize and then good to go.
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Why oh why do I not heed my own advice. This is a sleeper, and needs to rest for a while. A long while. Waking it too early results in a cranky kid that needs some waking time to shrug off the webs of an interrupted slumber. This is not your ordinary Sonoma Coast Pinot, and the prodigy needs some more time in the bottle before realizing its potential. The blend on the palate of dry strawberry, tart cranberry, and bright cherry hold on till, at last, after hours of yawning and stretching, hints of darker berries awake, and finally a lovely lady emerges from the boudoir to reward the suitors patience.
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A nicely balanced PN that paired well with roasted chicken and accompanying vegetables. Good light red fruit, strawberry and cherry, and nice earthy qualities as well. Nice PN slighty 'stinky' nose and a good finish. Recommended. May back off by drink by date to 2021 from 2023. It's drinking nicely now.
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Nearly a year since the previous bottle, this would be bottle #7 to date (and the best showing to date, too). Opened this about 3 hours ago, no decant but have been drawing off small glasses that are at the ideal temp. This resembled the start of last year's bottle, showing shy and a bit boring, without much of a middle. But with the additional air, that seemed to chase the guts of the wine forward, too. It shows a mix of cranberry and cherry, creating the core of the wine....retasting the following day, ideal temp, no food, only the wine in front of me. The whole cluster is present today, giving the aromatics a mix of graphite and cracked spices, rose petal. Very similar fruit expression, the fruit mixing with the whole cluster to create a red fruited, gamy quality. This is similar to what I find in the Rhys pinots, too. Juicy, moderately complex. This is a good vintage of SC for Jamie, as it gets after the more sauvage quality of pinot, yet still expressed the low alc red fruit style that he continues to excel and keep growing with as a winemaker.
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Tonights btl showed some spritz and had I caught on opening I would have decanted to alleviate. I started out very enthusiastic about the 1st of 4 btls back in late 2015 but my experience and opinion has slipped ever since. Something about this wine seems manipulated in the opposite direction of what I usually think of as "manipulated". Some sort of "underreach" has yielded a lean almost fruitless PN with a hint of bitterness in the finish. With a cellar full of red Burgundy this is ought to be fully in my wheelhouse but something feels wrong and I wouldn't label it flawed. Can't exactly put my finger on it? Serviceable but uninspiring.
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Enjoyed tremendously. Equal parts red fruit and forest floor. Not sure if stems were used, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some whole cluster fruit here. Plenty of fruit but far from overdone. Kutch is NOT a jolly rancher California Pinot. It has finesse. This bottle totally out kicks its coverage on the price point. Becoming a bigger fan of Kutch with every bottle. Jamie does excellent work.
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First bottle was flawed. Makes me nervous for number two but it is quite good. Reserved at first and much more open on day 2. More purple than red fruits. Will wait a couple of years for next bottle. Plenty of life left.
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Bright red fruit, hints of tea and earth. Certainly in a good drinking window now. Medium light bodied, medium plus acid. Stems are well integrated and provide just enough stucture. As fine-boned as a new world pinot can get. Not your big extracted Cali pinot and certainly this competes very well with a Bourgogne or Village level. It's a very nice precise, elegant wine for the ~$35 price point. No rush, drink over the next 5.
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Light ruby color. Nose of cherry, pomegranate, raspberry with some mineral/iron notes. Similar flavors on the palate with crunchy red fruits and just some faint earthy mineral flavors. Medium+ acid, medium tannin. Light to medium bodied but with really nice balance and fruit concentration. Delicious and easy drinking at 12+% abv.
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I opened and was disappointed. I spend 30 minutes try to brainwash myself to like this wine by reading many reviews. I find the wine lacking all around - watery, undesignated aromas, flavors, finish. If had not been stored at 55 since purchasing from the winery i would blame on storage. Perhaps the 12.3 alc tells part of the story. Too light and delicate.
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Another 2013 from Kutch that is drinking well right now. Crunchy red fruits, fresh herbs and mineral notes. Fun and refreshing wine that's a great value. I purchased these wines from Jamie 2 years ago, at his winery. Wish I had purchased more
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ruby red; red cherries and stems on the nose; red tart cherry, pomegranate and a little greenness/stems on the palate, high acid, lean fruit character; finishes very clean med length; the stems bode well for a very delicious later life but for now possibly closed down, borders on AFWE
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this is a feminine, beautiful fine - just over 12% alcohol, but still ripe with incredible balance. an awesome food wine. paired with freshly grilled king salmon. awesome
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Similar to last tasting in Jan, this has a dark fruit profile earthy with present tannin a grippy acid finish. This has real structure. Expect it will improve for years. Drink or hold.
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After sampling my initial bottle I resigned to not open another for a decade. However, tonight my son had a simple Ahi pan sauteed tuna filet for dinner. We Googled wine pairings and a light Pinot Noir seemed to be an appropriate match. I've been sharing wine experiences with my son, and this seemed a good opportunity to go over some wine aging/food pairing observances. The wine is very youthful, and really should be left alone to mature. At first we tasted pop and pour at cellar temperature: light austere nose and dried strawberry notes that softened as it warmed in the glass, add in an effervescence of inexperienced youth. Next was a venturi pour and double cupped hand warming that added a decade to the aging process. Red Raspberry, ripe dry strawberry, and a balancing shy blackberry were wonderfully woven together. The Ahi Tuna matched nicely to balance out the youthful exuberance of the Pinot. Cellartracker members need to remember they are rating not what a wine is at present, but rather what it will be when drunk with appropriate aging and food pairing.
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Un joli vin frais et fruité, qui ne fait que 12.3% d’alcool. Un peu perlant à l’ouverture, ça laisse place au fruit rouge et à un vin goûteux et charmeur, quoique relativement simple. il est très agréable, mais je ne comprends pas du tout les notes de Jamie Goode du Wine Anorak (94 pts!). 89-90 pts
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Pop and pour and enjoyed at the end of an evening. Poured half into a 375ml bottle, re-corked and refrigerated. Tasted with food (some remnants of roast pork shoulder with a mojo criollo sauce). Bright ruby-red color. Fresh and lively with good acidity. Fresh red berries and some cranberry notes that give it some tartness. Opens up with time to show a little more depth and some darker fruit. Shows a hint of whole cluster with an herbal mint/basil element.
Tasted from the saved 1/2 bottle the following day. Tart and a bit shrill. The tartness of the wine was much more pronounced. The acidity and herbal element is high and slightly out of balance. Dropped the score a few points.
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In the Kutcher vein a much more feminine (a good thing) Pinot with enough body to avoid thin but no heaviness at all. Not the most complex by any means but very solid weekday wine.
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PnP in a burg glass. This has taken on a subtle bitter & slightly metallic note that isn't completely off putting but I'm no longer in love with this wine like I was with my first btl in November 2015. It has also turned more savory and less fruit forward. One left, that Ill open again later this year or next.
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This is made in a very stemmy and savory style, but it is done to great effect. Tart red fruit profile, with some light orange zest notes, medium+ acidity and very fine tannins, which are nicely integrated, all give lift to the savory components. Very refreshing style and, at 12.3% abv, this goes down dangerously fast. Appreciation for the style will likely color your opinion of this wine. This was drinking really nicely straight out of the bottle, but can hold for a few years. In general, drink these now and let the single vineyard wines rest.
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It's been a while since I've had this. I'm picking up tart cherry, cranberry, spice, menthol and definitely heavy stem influence giving this an earth dominated flavor profile.
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clear, medium ruby color. youthful, medium intensity nose shows red cherry, floral (violet), mineral, herbal notes, and blood -- really interesting mix of lighter and heavier notes that comes together nicely. medium intensity, med(+) acid, dry, med(-) alcohol palate shows similar profile to the nose, but adds some sweet spice. medium finish combines the acid and fruit nicely.
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Just had a single glass from the bottle, but liked what I had. Popped and poured, might have served better with a decant. Cherry in the mouth with a touch of tartness. Finish had an edge that could be better with more time but was still really good now.
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This wine does it for me. First taste of any Kutch wine. Bought at local retail. Visiting winery next month. For context, we are long time Napa Cabernet drinkers whose tastes are shifting to Pinot. Favorite Pinots are Rivers Marie and Rhys.
This is medium garnet in the glass, with a nose of cherries, earth, pine needles and minerals. Medium sweetness on the palate with layers of red fruit and forest floor interplaying. Lasting finish. Very good wine. Up my alley. Will buy more.
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Will be enjoying this for a wine dinner later, pairing it with the 2013 Rivers-Marie Thieriot chard in the same flight. I needed something that had both a fruit impression, some of the Calif feel, yet enough acidity and some more earthy tones, which I figured I would get from the stems and lower alc of Jamie's style. This opens shy, with a cherry and blue fruited core, along with the earthier component in the finish. Really good acidity for an open and pour approach. Over dinner, this picked up a fair amount of whole cluster, which added to the wine, and for me made it drink with some edge. It didn't pair well with the crusted halibut, needing something more savory to complement it.
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Pretty nose of ripe raspberries and hi-tones cranberries. Palate shows elegant red fruits of strawberries and cranberries. Firm and well structured, this shows a very lithe quality that I truly appreciate. It glides across your palate while never becoming ponderous nor heavy. Deft and pure, long and true. This stuff really is quite amazing.
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This is a pure expression of Sonoma Coast pinot. Elegant, feminine...the fruit is forward, but doesn't dominate to the point of being out of balance. Modest ABV, light touch with wood exposure...beautiful stuff. Kutch is becoming one of my go-to CA pinots that hedges more towards burgundy.
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Dark ruby. Supple, smooth and elegant red cherry fruit. Lots of stems and a hint of spicy oak. Structured and complex with more than a nod to red Burgundy, specifically Dujac's Morey St Denis villages. Just lacking something in the midpalate but otherwise this is really good. Built to last. £40 per bottle just about right I'd say.
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PnP. Super floral nose with red berries jumping from the swirling wine. A little medicinal, even. On the palate, a bit if effervescence is felt which was somewhat distracting. Smooth and dense with plenty of stemmy character. Not sure I liked this amount of stem inclusion on this night but I still kept coming back for more.
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having loved the first 2 bottles of this I had, this came across as weird and likely flawed... had some secondary fermentation going on I think, and tasted pretty disjointed.
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Needs air for the red fruit to get past the stemmy tone. Good structure; drank well over 3 days.. Just not as complexas their single-vineyard PNs. Starting to question the QPR on this.
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CA Pinot Tasting (Chez John Morris): Served single-blind. Sweet, candied, black cherry cola, with minty stemminess becoming more evident with air. Juicy and plush, with good acidity, but it's still root berry and creates an odd sweet/sour contrast that does nothing for me. I don't like Pinot that has cola-ish sweetness to it. My 6th, group's 6th.
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Medium purple color, with aromas of dried herb and light red berry. The palate shows modest cherry and strawberry fruit. Trim and structured, with a backbone of acidity and tannin apparent. Finishes clean.
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Opened at Anvil with Brett and Melissa. Cherry and plums with a bit of baking spice. This was opened but not decanted. Could probably use a bit in the decanter. Very nice.
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Cherry cola and baking spice. Complex on the palette. I am guessing significant whole cluster fermentation. Medium finish with drying tannins. Like this style.
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A really nice AVA blend wine that getting better with time. Entering it's drinking window now, with red fruits, a touch of spice and strawberry/rhubarb and cherry. The whole cluster still comes out, but the fairly aggressive structure at of a year ago has mostly smoothed out by now. Finishes nicely with a moderately long bright fruit finish and a touch of minerality. Nicely done.
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Pop and pour and served with dinner (ground pork and green beans in a sesame-soy-ginger sauce, in case you were wondering). Followed over four hours, both with food and on its own.
Good bright ruby red color. Nose is of fresh blackberries and some spice. flavor of fresh red berries and some sour cherry. Bright acidity. Shows an herbal element along with a hint of oak (vanilla). This is a fresh and lively wine, on the lighter side of California Pinot Noir.
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On P&P big blast of sweet fruit. After 20 minutes started to settle down with xmas spice, mineral (rocks), cool toned fruits on nose. Really nice on palate with a nice combo of savory and red fruits. Starts developing an earthy vibe (stems) with time in glass. Overall I'd say medium bodied and very clean and well made and fairly rich for 12.3% ALC. Did not pair with food.
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Odd, tonight's btl didn't rock me as much as my previous? Solid, in my wheelhouse, good value but less memorable tonight with salmon. Seems to have added flesh and weight since the November btl but showing less finesse and depth tonight?
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Drinking this beautifully balanced light strawberry Pinot makes me wobble. Amazingly approachable in its youth. Looking forward to being old friends over the years with the remaining stock.
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Had over 2 nights. PnP on 1st night. Translucent ruby red hue. Notes of red berries, rhubarb, earth, some spice, forest floor. Soft fine tannins, light-mid bodied, good acidity and a light:medium finish. Consistent TN on 2nd day.
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Spoiler alert: This is delicious and I can't think of any other domestic Pinot better than this for the money! All but one glass consumed on day 1 over four hours; clear, light ruby in color; floral and gently-sweet red fruit nose; delicate strawberry and light cherry taste, with baking spice; after an hour, more of a baked ginerbread nose and flavor; really pretty; very balanced, no rough edges and a touch of minerals; such balance here; you can taste the whole-stem inclusion in every sip (which is a good thing); 12.3% ABV is wonderful.
There is a confectionary quality to the red fruit here, giving it an impression of sweetness, but the acidity keeps things cool and bright. Really lovely and great with food.
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This is so seamless and delicious. It has such a natural feel. It is opaque, velvet red, with a bright and cheery hue. The fruit is tart red, and it is bright and lively in the mouth, accompanied by aromas and perceptions of tart cream, mashed cherries, baked gravel and lovely baking spices. Like the Fourrier 2013 GCVV last week, this is a wine that makes me happy!!!
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Blind. Guessed Pinot and even got the producer correct. Go team.
I like this wine a lot, it looks like Pinot sitting in the glass. Has a nice nose of red fruit. Palate is strawberry and red berries. Gentle mineral backbone. Excellent.
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Open and immediately poured a taste. Pure aromatic, no stem or whole cluster to speak of (yet I know the wine contains 100% whole cluster), with light crushed rock, spice and strawberry. Just delicious right out of the chute with pure and vibrant red cherry, blueberry and strawberry and a brushing of whole cluster. Really quite approachable with no air. Finishes with light minerality.
PnP. Darker red fruit on the nose. Color is a deeper red-purple fading to a lighter purple at the edge. Darker tart, red fruit with a small bit of effervescence on the palette followed by a bit of tannin and then mouthwatering. Lingering impressions of vanilla, a bit of wood and spice. Going to recork and bring back to store. Interested in trying one without the fizz...
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This one was tight upon opening with high-toned red fruit. Saved most of the bottle for day 2, and this came together nicely. The nose was full of cherry. The palate featured dark cherry, strawberry, white pepper and stems lingering in the background, which was all bolstered by well-integrated acidity. The last glass was by far the best. Early look at this one to be sure, though it is exceptional with lots of air.
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PnP and drank over 2 days. Cranberry and cherry with rhubarb and an already hefty showing of that classic True Sonoma Coast spice. Moderate length, medium weight with plenty of mineral lift. Just a kiss of sweetness to give balance to a still bit grippy, fine tannin (100% whole cluster but not stemmy) and this is not to be confused with suckling RRV in anyway. It's a nice midpoint between new and old world styles. A bit more savory day 2 but still plenty of energy. Overall, drinks like a very good Bourgogne. My first Kutch and looking forward to the others. Drink now for a bit more structured, give it a couple more if you want it to soften just a touch and gain spice.
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Pop and pour and served with food (roast rack of pork, roasted potatoes and broccoli). This went quickly so my impressions are based upon only one glass. Bright red fruits with a tart cranberry and orange peel note. Some forest floor mixing in. Acidity that keeps the wine inviting. Very fresh and enjoyable.
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This was fairly closed, but I was nonetheless impressed. Really bright, fresh blue and red fruits and a very pleasing savory, slightly stemmy backdrop. Great juicy acid. Reminded me a little of recent vintages of Rhys Bearwallow. Super curious how this wine and style would develop in the 5-10 year timeframe.
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Just got these in last week and decided to open one for the sake of charity. Very bright red fruit on the nose: cherry and cranberry notes dominate. Secondary is some spices and woody notes that I associate with the stems (have to look but I believe this is 100% whole cluster). The palate is lighter, but that is what I expect from Kutch as it is a more restrained style. The acidity really jumps out and causes the mout to water, but just enough fruit hangs off of the acidity to keep things in balance. Low tannins. Great value that punches above its weight. Would easily fit in with many single vineyard wines coming out of Napa.
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I'm smitten with this PN! For me, this combines the lacy elegance of Chambolle with Gevrey earth and Vosne spice in a slender, waste not, frame. Energetic red fruit, spice and soily flavors. Great nose! Cerebral and ethereal. I've been walking around this wine for sometime, mainly, because I've all but written off most domestic PNs but this is squarely in my wheelhouse. Not going to join the mailing list as I hate mailing list but I will grab some more of these from time to time. ALC 12.3%. A great expression of PNs allure.
This is my first experience with Kutch and what I got was not quite what I was expecting. Not in a bad way but different.
Removed from cellar and allowed to warm for one hour then opened and allowed air for one hour. Scents were similar to what was described in other reviews but the flavors were very restrained. My wife tasted it and said it tasted "watered down". While I won't go that far it was not the burst of fruit other reviewers have described.
The initial flavor is very light and as it lingers in the mouth some of those berry flavors start to make an appearance. Once swallowed a brief but pleasant tang of acid hits the mouth and quickly dissipates. Upon repeated tastes subtle flavors came and went but they were fleeting.
The glass overall was quite refreshing and would probably do well when served with lighter fare. I have 4 more bottles so I will be very interested to sample this again and see if my experience is consistent or not.
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Pop and pour. In the glass, faintly cloudy ruby red, with a hint of violet at the rim. On the nose, muted raspberries and nutmeg. On the palate, a burst of fruit quickly overtaken by tartness and acid. If this bottle is indicative, this is just too young...
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Kutch/Parr Seminar; 10/21/2015-10/22/2015 (Gordon's Wines - Waltham, MA): This was the first wine, and was really an introduction to Jamie's style of a reserved pinot noir. I found it a bit hot however, and the fruit was cherry and pomegranate but a bit muddled. Not as focused as the next three wines.
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Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium expressiveness, black cherry, strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon, and Asian spice. Palate: Medium bodied, cranberry and tart cherry attack, solid acidic backbone, great mid-palate persistence with the up front fruit being joined by an Asian spice kick, shows some brushy characteristics in the back-end. Finish: Medium-plus length dominated by slightly tart red fruit and spice.
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Subdued aromas of blackcurrant, game and mint. The palate was quite closed on tasting, with dark berry fruit, some nuttiness and a slightly gravelly finish.
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Smelling this I can almost see the small, taut, juicy red berries (cranberry, cherry, strawberry) that are jumping from the glass, highlighted by fresh herbs, sandalwood and floral woodsy tones. The flavors follow suit, with cranberry, wild strawberry, sage, and a nice savory nuance. Light medium body with fine tannins and wonderfully juicy acidity. This filled out nicely with several hours worth of air, I can't wait to see how it fares over the next several years.
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Drank with dinner tonight. Showed the nice duality of a leaner red fruit yet neither green/lean and no stemminess. Acidity, lithe, 12.3 percent abv, went great with our dinner. Super.
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Given the recent fall offer, I decided to pop this and consume over three days with not much changing over the three days; really nice floral and soft fruit nose of cherry and light strawberry; poured through a Vinturi, softer fruit profile than what was on the nose with dark cherry and a cranberry tartness, this is not to be mistaken for a Pinot; definite whole cluster profile present but very balanced, no rough edges and a little spice from the stems and a touch of minerals; there is a really nice structure here that I have come to expect from Jamie's SC bottling; another solid effort! Probably my favorite Pinots.
Restrained and beautiful at this point with an hour decant. Cranberry, rasberry, rhubarb, bay, hints of myrh (think Abraham Darby rose), faint sandalwood (showing what's to come). A well put together teenager now with absolutely brilliant potential for the coming years.
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I agree with most of the other tasting notes. This is quite good and at $39 a nice QPR. It's quite dark for a pinot, assuming due to the whole cluster fermentation. body is medium. It's a very refined wine. It doesn't seem to have that angular quality that younger Pinots can sometimes have. Glad I have more of this. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Highly recommended.
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I'll just say "same as last time" and refer back to my note from 4/23/2015. The crunchiness of the fruit I picked up on in April may be leveling out a bit, but the wine is every bit as delicious and exciting to drink.
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Just a deliciously fresh and juicy wine. There's an effusively crisp edge to the strawberry fruit that evokes the best of Beaujolais. This straddles the line between seriousness and glouglou in a most thrilling way.
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The nose showed cool wild berry tones with floral perfumes, dusty soil and a hint of undergrowth. On the palate, focused red berry fruit, which seemed to touch on all the senses with a finessed and brilliant feel, was contrasted by a coating of crunchy sweet tannin. On the finish, I found strawberry with inner florals and an almost woodland persona of crushed dried leaves and spice. Very well done and an amazing value.
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12.3% abv. Medium dark burgundy purple. Moderate spice and fruit aromas. On the palate, raspberry. Black cherry and spice. Moderate intensity and depth. Good now and should improve.
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Medium dark red color. Strawberry, rhubarb, thyme, dark cherry nose. Palate is medium ripe cherry, spice, medium concentration, medium+ acidity. Dry but manageable tannin on the medium+ finish
One of my favorite bottles of Kutch to date. Really smooth and refined, everything in its place, and a decent value as well. I wonder if I could have put this in CA blind? 12.6%
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Really nice wine! First of all I have seen this referred to as an entry level Pinot Noir. Sonoma Stage (Hyde Family) and Campbell Ranch (Ulyses Valdez) are high end vineyards that produce serious juice many winemakers would love to source if they could. Hardly an entry level wine. This wine is very well balanced showing no signs of unripe flavors while maintaining it's mouthwatering acidity. Absolutely no sign of heat even as it warms. A wine I can best describe as very juicy and interesting. So much so that I kept wanting another small pour. A good sign is that this is a wine that in no way gets tiring on the palette. A lovely Cherry Vanilla nose with Pie Cherries and Raspberries providing the fruit on the palette. After one week of vacuvin; O.K., the balance on this wine is unbelievable. NO sign of heat at all. No sign of anything green. NO sign of the oak barrel to give any vanilla or toasted notes, just the softening and mellowing influence from the barrel. This wine is all about the cherry fruit and a dollop of raspberry. The wine is JUICY and mouthwatering. Just the perfect amount of acidity. A light style that delivers!
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Last night I opened the 2013 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. I took my first sip about 30 seconds after the bottle had been opened. The first word that popped into my head was “crunchy.” Then I started mentally comparing the 2013 to the 2012. Now the 2012 has been one of my favorite wines of the last year. I have blown through way too many bottles of it, and it caused me to focus on the 2013 Sonoma Coast in my purchases, in lieu of the single vineyard wines. The 2012 was (and is!) captivating in an almost luxurious sense. It’s not fat or overripe, but is caresses the senses. The 2013 is less well-mannered. It has a crisp feel. It shows cooler fruit than the 2012, and 2012 was not “hot.” There’s a woodsy feel to the 2013, and an element of warm herbs that I never got in the 2012. Granted it might have been there in the ’12, but the fruit kept it hidden. We’ll see what cellar time brings. Anyway, back to the 2013, as measured on its merits. I am once again in love with a Sonoma Coast blend Pinot Noir. As mentioned above, this shows a cooler side of the grape, and thus has more immediate complexity to my taste than it would if the youthful fruit did a solo act on center stage. The medium bodied frame contains plenty of red fruit, focusing on the strawberry and raspberry end of the spectrum. Those woodsy and herbal notes weave in and out. Sometimes I take a sip and get one, sometimes the other. Sometimes both come in, and that is the best. Other elements step in here and there as well. One time I was sure I smelled black licorice. Now I do not like black licorice, but that aroma, combined with the fruit and herbs was just captivating, and added an additional level to the wine. Structurally there was some tannin, but this wine built on its acids. My mouth was watering after each sip, and so I kept picking up the glass, again and again.
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Fantastic. I'm a huge Kutch fan... Lots of fruit: strawberry, cranberry. Much better after about an hour of air. Plenty of minerality. Only have one bottle left, going to cellar it.
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Really good again. Bright cherry and cranberry to start off, along with a distinct loamy note. As it gets some more air, in comes the strawberry and also some of the stem signature. Indeed a leaner style of pinot, but that's why I drink Kutch, yet this wine and Jamie's approach still show plenty of expression and balance, as this wine does. This bottle showed some tight edges to it and retained good minerality so I'd air the wine if you want to get a good picture of what is here. The Kutch pinots are pretty much in my Top tier now for CA, as Jamie has got it dialed in. Love these wines.
A Visit to Kutch: This wine pours ruby in colour with blue and purple flecks toward the rim. The nose comes across somewhat reticent of blue and purple mixed berry fruit with secondary hints of smoke, light dusty soil and black licorice. The palate features nice light medium minus acid and medium tannin. The finish lingers nicely and is carried on mixed fresh dark berries. 12.3% alcohol.
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Big kutch fan here. Very low alcohol. Whole clusters. Cool climate. The strength and intensity come from a different place than other new world pinot. This seems more upfront and approachable than the 2012 which seemed a tad darker. For an entry level blend this is a real winner.
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Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium-plus expressiveness, bazooka bubble gum, black cherry, coffee, and dark flowers. Palate: Medium bodied, sweet and spicy red fruit attack, great acidic balance, noticeable mid-palate lift showing ice tea, spice and red fruit, builds in intensity thru the back-end. Finish: Medium-plus length sense of spicy red fruit. Labeled as 12.3% abv, seems more like a extremely well balanced 14.0-14.5% abv to me - in a positively good way.
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Pobega'ng right now. Just picked up from my UPS store. Bold earthy, red cherry nose. Surprising body for a 12.3% wine, lots of red fruit up front surrounded by earth and spice. My first Kutch wine, well done.
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A refreshing and graceful pinot that needs time. Light crimson in color; muted nose of cherry and herb. Tastes of sour cherry and licorice, with a dry and crisp finish and light, lingering tannins. An amazingly low 12.3% alcohol. Reminded me of a young Hirsch or Littorai (in a good way). A bit lighter and more simple than I prefer, but this will almost certainly develop more depth and complexity with time.
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Has good ingredients and balance, but not surprisingly, needs to rest for awhile / not ready now or in the next couple years. Love the acidity, dry/savory/herbal fruit, even a bit of tanin. Nice mouthfeel. But very little aromatic expression at this point, and still feels like the pieces are settling in.
I opened this to see if Kutch was worth exploring for me... Resounding yes, but sit on the rest of the 2013s!
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12.3% abv. Dark Burgundy. Moderately expressive red fruit aromas. Black raspberry and cherry dominate a rich but energetic flavor profile. Lingering aftertaste. A bit of an acidic edge indicates several years of development ahead.
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Seriously good juice, especially for an AVA blend. Deep red fruits, with a somewhat crunchy structure of solid acidity and fine tannins that needs time to settle down. Has a nice floral and minerality component that blends nicely with its red fruit-oriented palate. Very good now, but likely much better in a year or two, when everything is a bit more integrated. 92+
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Bookclub--Kutch Pinots (tasted blind) (Maro--Laguna Beach, CA): A 50/50 blend of Campbell Ranch and Sonoma Stage vineyards, with 25% new wood. Solid stuff. Zesty and crunchy fruit, with black cherry and a smoky, gamy tone. Bright cherry core, with a loamy edge that has good length. As it takes on more air, it darkens up the fruit tone, yet it also becomes more rocky and tannic, with a meaty note, posessing that same zesty quality. The 100% whole cluster here, as opposed to say the 2011 that still shows that signature, I don't get that signature here in the 2013. Retasting a day later, good fruit presence, and I get the stems today a bit more. They're woven into the wine, given a bit of bitterness to go up against the raspberry and black cherry fruit. Still tight at this stage, good energy but the coil on it will need time to soften. I can sense the fruit and acid that lies under that structure, and with the 12.3% alc, should be a great drink in another year and onward.
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8/24/2023 - jshufelt wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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5/17/2023 - bcg14 wrote: 91 Points
Shy nose, but mouth filling raspberry flavors with tea-like bitterness that complements the fruit. Amazing how full-bodied and balanced the wine is at 12.3% alcohol and 10 years in.
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12/20/2022 - Sour Grapes wrote:
Time has significantly improved this wine. There is still enough acid and tannins to believe that this can continue to be aged longer. Getting the sour cherry which is not my preference, but the wine is well made.
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12/13/2022 - jshufelt wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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9/8/2022 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine:
Significant improvement since last try of this back in 2018. This is in a very good spot but it feels like it could go on for years. Bright acidity , earth , smoky , sour cherry. Great with cheese
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5/25/2022 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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5/2/2022 - brigcampbell wrote:
Kutch Grand Tasting Round 1; 4/25/2022-5/3/2022 (FMIII in the OC): Stem influence up front here. There’s a red cherry flavor on the attack but raspberry is the dominate fruit.
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5/1/2022 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Kutch Verticals--Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (My House): The color here returns to a more rose colored wine, as opposed to the very dark 2012. Nose of metal shaving, cinnamon and brown spice. This is a spicy wine, along with an influence of cedar into the flavor. Even a cola note seemed to slip into the wine, too. I also found this needed air, as I found the wine not in balance when we first were trying it but later the evening it had found the balance I would want to see.
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4/30/2022 - River Rat wrote:
Kutch Retrospective Sonoma County Chardonnay/Sonoma Cost Pinot Noir; 4/30/2022-5/1/2022 (FMII’s in San Juan Capistrano): A little matchstick reduction on the nose, brighter than the ‘12, expressive dark red fruit a little bitterness on the finish.
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3/30/2022 - Broch6833 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Some earthiness on the nose. Red fruited, but receded to a slight extent. No tannins to speak of. Clean, easy to drink, but not the most complex pinot.
Drink up.
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1/29/2022 - mlawren1 wrote: 87 Points
Fading. Fruit is lacking, structure is soft. Lost its shape and flavor.
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9/28/2021 - jshufelt wrote: 87 Points
Shading towards astringency and a clipped finish. Time to drink up?
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5/28/2021 - Viking 61 wrote: 92 Points
Just opened and started the decant. Nice subtle dusty cranberry nose. The dry tart strawberry is a bit softer but focused on the first sip and the plum that will rise later is just peeking through. Secondary notes are more prevalent. In just a few minutes in the glass the wine is evolving. Can't wait to try again after a few hours of air.
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5/15/2021 - bavaur wrote: 88 Points
Served at cellar temperature and decanted for an hour. Clean, crisp nose of light red fruits and some dusty herbs. Fairly closed on the palate with some blackberries and mushrooms. I can’t tell if this is faded or closed. Prior vintages tell me this likely has more upside.
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1/21/2021 - jshufelt wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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10/10/2020 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with prior notes from two ears ago. The initial spritz is much less, tannins super fine but still there 12 hours after opening. So plenty of life left. Beautiful floral bouquet reminds me of early morning summer jog in Provance. The tart cranberry and dry strawberry are still upfront but more integrated with the dry unripe plum that languishes in a slow fading finish. The fruit characteristics are laser focused and not a sloppy over extraction. Really enjoy this wine. QPR extraordinaire.
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8/12/2020 - jshufelt wrote: 88 Points
More or less consistent with previous tasting notes, but a bit heavy on the volatile acidity.
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8/9/2020 - wiscgrad wrote: 91 Points
delicious SC PN. good depth of flavor and nose.
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7/25/2020 - Jahull03 wrote:
Ready to go, and at a nice, open spot in its maturity. A touch less concentrated than we tend to prefer, but that makes perfect sense for an entry-level/appellation wine. Still quite expressive, and a good value.
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6/20/2020 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
Bit funky up front, gives way to strawberries and raspberries. Little tingle with earthy mushrooms on the finish.
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6/4/2020 - underwds wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with many other's comments, this needs an hour or two of air time to hit its stride. Once it does, the cherry and cranberry fruit is pretty intense without being the least bit jammy or over-extracted. The low alcohol % lets the fruit shine through all the way to the end and with the pleasant acidity this is a winner of a food wine.
9/1/2020 Notes not much different than previous tasting. This is why people like Kutch wines.
3/3/2022 Even after letting it air out for a bit, fruit is still fading. But the complexity is still there on the backend and I'm not disappointed.
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4/23/2020 - Rani Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black cherries, but with high acidity. Very fresh and grassy, with a wonderful floral bouquet. Quite cool and restrained, Gevrey-like.
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3/30/2020 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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11/15/2019 - Derek Darth Taster Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought to dinner at Al Forno. Popped 2+ hours beforehand and aired in bottle. Drank in Grassl Cru and then Gabriel Standart.
Appearance is murky with fine sediments, medium intensity, ruby colour. Thin legs.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, soaring out of the glass with ripe brown stems earth, perfuemd purple violets and exotic flowers and spice, bracken, ripe red cherries. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol (12.3%), soft silky medium- tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet cranberries, strawberries, pretty red cherries, salty saline minerality (?sea-salt spray), menthol, ripe stemmy spices, rhubarb herb. Medium+ finish only though. Still damm sexy!
Very good quality. Initially does feel kinda Burgandian. But as time progresses, the sweetness of the fruit and tannin shows up. Reminds me a bit of Occidental - terroir talking. I'm super intrigued how does one achieve such superb level of phenolic ripeness at 12.3% alcohol in the New World!? No offence, but was there some manipulation involved or really just pure mastery? 100% whole bunch and no green notes at 12.3% alc - Bravo.
Drink now and over the next 3-4 years. This is really hitting a good stride. Brilliant "entry level" Pinot Noir.
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10/3/2019 - gharter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Unchanged from my 2/2019 note. Great fruit with nice acidity and a medium finish. One bottle left and plan to wait a few years to see where it goes.
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9/21/2019 - Rune Solheim Likes this wine: 91 Points
Herlig lukt av jordbær og litt krydder ved åpning. Den første gleden forsvinn etter ca. 5 minutt. Heldigvis kjem den tilbake etter lufting i karaffel i to timar. Då kjem det fram meir jordbær, og smaken held det lukta lovar og fyller munnen med jordbær og krydder. Fin syre som held alt saman på ein god måte. Denne kan du la ligge ei stund utan fare.
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7/5/2019 - B Paul wrote:
Solid and this is in a good spot.
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6/21/2019 - CADomer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Showed quite a bit of reduction early on and required a few hours of air before showing the prettiness that I expect with this wine.
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3/10/2019 - CADomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar note as my previous bottle, but showed even more prettiness this time around.
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2/3/2019 - gharter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Third bottle out of 6 and the best so far. Much more aromatic upon opening, but still needed air. Cranberry, strawberry, cherry and spice to start. Similar flavors with the stems showing up in a good way. Not overly complex, but very enjoyable. Still has many years ahead of it.
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2/2/2019 - CADomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great weight. Pretty and elegant wine with a savory undertone and texture, driven by the whole cluster inclusion. Looking forward to my next bottles.
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11/25/2018 - EhrlichDY Likes this wine:
You can really taste the Burgundy winemaking in this one. I would guess whole cluster and the ripeness puts the fruit more in the red category. Notes of spice on the nose. This was tasty and good QPR for a well made and delicious CA AVA wine. Bravo.
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11/8/2018 - wineguy1968 wrote: 91 Points
This is NOT a pop and pour wine. Very backward on opening...it was even hard to drink at first. After 1 hr a Little biter cherry, menthol and smoke on the nose. With plenty of air muted cherry, earth, mushroom and gripping tannin. I think this needs more time than I thought. Not as approachable as other SC wines on first pour.
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9/2/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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8/8/2018 - B Paul wrote:
Over course of two nights this was really good, though probably better on second night. Needs a bit of air for everything to harmonize and then good to go.
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8/6/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous tasting note.
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5/11/2018 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Why oh why do I not heed my own advice. This is a sleeper, and needs to rest for a while. A long while. Waking it too early results in a cranky kid that needs some waking time to shrug off the webs of an interrupted slumber. This is not your ordinary Sonoma Coast Pinot, and the prodigy needs some more time in the bottle before realizing its potential. The blend on the palate of dry strawberry, tart cranberry, and bright cherry hold on till, at last, after hours of yawning and stretching, hints of darker berries awake, and finally a lovely lady emerges from the boudoir to reward the suitors patience.
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3/30/2018 - DStone Likes this wine: 92 Points
A nicely balanced PN that paired well with roasted chicken and accompanying vegetables. Good light red fruit, strawberry and cherry, and nice earthy qualities as well. Nice PN slighty 'stinky' nose and a good finish. Recommended. May back off by drink by date to 2021 from 2023. It's drinking nicely now.
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1/23/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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11/11/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Nearly a year since the previous bottle, this would be bottle #7 to date (and the best showing to date, too). Opened this about 3 hours ago, no decant but have been drawing off small glasses that are at the ideal temp. This resembled the start of last year's bottle, showing shy and a bit boring, without much of a middle. But with the additional air, that seemed to chase the guts of the wine forward, too. It shows a mix of cranberry and cherry, creating the core of the wine....retasting the following day, ideal temp, no food, only the wine in front of me. The whole cluster is present today, giving the aromatics a mix of graphite and cracked spices, rose petal. Very similar fruit expression, the fruit mixing with the whole cluster to create a red fruited, gamy quality. This is similar to what I find in the Rhys pinots, too. Juicy, moderately complex. This is a good vintage of SC for Jamie, as it gets after the more sauvage quality of pinot, yet still expressed the low alc red fruit style that he continues to excel and keep growing with as a winemaker.
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10/18/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 86 Points
Tonights btl showed some spritz and had I caught on opening I would have decanted to alleviate. I started out very enthusiastic about the 1st of 4 btls back in late 2015 but my experience and opinion has slipped ever since. Something about this wine seems manipulated in the opposite direction of what I usually think of as "manipulated". Some sort of "underreach" has yielded a lean almost fruitless PN with a hint of bitterness in the finish. With a cellar full of red Burgundy this is ought to be fully in my wheelhouse but something feels wrong and I wouldn't label it flawed. Can't exactly put my finger on it? Serviceable but uninspiring.
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10/12/2017 - WineGold wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed tremendously. Equal parts red fruit and forest floor. Not sure if stems were used, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some whole cluster fruit here. Plenty of fruit but far from overdone. Kutch is NOT a jolly rancher California Pinot. It has finesse. This bottle totally out kicks its coverage on the price point. Becoming a bigger fan of Kutch with every bottle. Jamie does excellent work.
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10/6/2017 - Jbird73 wrote: 91 Points
First bottle was flawed. Makes me nervous for number two but it is quite good. Reserved at first and much more open on day 2. More purple than red fruits. Will wait a couple of years for next bottle. Plenty of life left.
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9/22/2017 - ews3 wrote: 92 Points
consistent with prior notes. really pretty red fruited notes and surprising complexity.
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8/7/2017 - jshufelt wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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7/29/2017 - Rich S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with previous bottle. Drinks well above its price point.
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7/25/2017 - ews3 wrote: flawed
secondary fermentation -- fizzy. vigorously decanted and we will see if anything is salvageable tomorrow.
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7/17/2017 - Grape_ape Likes this wine:
drinking well, but no rush either
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6/23/2017 - yossarian.livez wrote: 90 Points
Bright red fruit, hints of tea and earth. Certainly in a good drinking window now. Medium light bodied, medium plus acid. Stems are well integrated and provide just enough stucture. As fine-boned as a new world pinot can get. Not your big extracted Cali pinot and certainly this competes very well with a Bourgogne or Village level. It's a very nice precise, elegant wine for the ~$35 price point. No rush, drink over the next 5.
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6/10/2017 - Jbird73 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lots of spice/cola/purple fruit on the nose. Moderate acidity...really nice.
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5/29/2017 - Rich S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light ruby color. Nose of cherry, pomegranate, raspberry with some mineral/iron notes. Similar flavors on the palate with crunchy red fruits and just some faint earthy mineral flavors. Medium+ acid, medium tannin. Light to medium bodied but with really nice balance and fruit concentration. Delicious and easy drinking at 12+% abv.
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5/25/2017 - Carl Thoma wrote: 85 Points
I opened and was disappointed. I spend 30 minutes try to brainwash myself to like this wine by reading many reviews. I find the wine lacking all around - watery, undesignated aromas, flavors, finish. If had not been stored at 55 since purchasing from the winery i would blame on storage. Perhaps the 12.3 alc tells part of the story. Too light and delicate.
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4/27/2017 - DLopez430 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another 2013 from Kutch that is drinking well right now. Crunchy red fruits, fresh herbs and mineral notes. Fun and refreshing wine that's a great value. I purchased these wines from Jamie 2 years ago, at his winery. Wish I had purchased more
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4/17/2017 - vinojones wrote: 90 Points
ruby red; red cherries and stems on the nose; red tart cherry, pomegranate and a little greenness/stems on the palate, high acid, lean fruit character; finishes very clean med length; the stems bode well for a very delicious later life but for now possibly closed down, borders on AFWE
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4/14/2017 - ptelgenh wrote: 92 Points
this is a feminine, beautiful fine - just over 12% alcohol, but still ripe with incredible balance. an awesome food wine. paired with freshly grilled king salmon. awesome
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3/25/2017 - ews3 wrote: 92 Points
really nice fruit. strawberry, sweet red cherry. some floral elements and a nice iron note. velvety tannins. medium finish.
day 2: similar, though the profile has darkened somewhat. the iron notes on this really make the wine punch above its class.
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3/11/2017 - wineguy1968 wrote: 91 Points
Similar to last tasting in Jan, this has a dark fruit profile earthy with present tannin a grippy acid finish. This has real structure. Expect it will improve for years. Drink or hold.
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3/8/2017 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
After sampling my initial bottle I resigned to not open another for a decade. However, tonight my son had a simple Ahi pan sauteed tuna filet for dinner. We Googled wine pairings and a light Pinot Noir seemed to be an appropriate match. I've been sharing wine experiences with my son, and this seemed a good opportunity to go over some wine aging/food pairing observances. The wine is very youthful, and really should be left alone to mature. At first we tasted pop and pour at cellar temperature: light austere nose and dried strawberry notes that softened as it warmed in the glass, add in an effervescence of inexperienced youth. Next was a venturi pour and double cupped hand warming that added a decade to the aging process. Red Raspberry, ripe dry strawberry, and a balancing shy blackberry were wonderfully woven together. The Ahi Tuna matched nicely to balance out the youthful exuberance of the Pinot. Cellartracker members need to remember they are rating not what a wine is at present, but rather what it will be when drunk with appropriate aging and food pairing.
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3/6/2017 - d'Artagnan wrote: 89 Points
Un joli vin frais et fruité, qui ne fait que 12.3% d’alcool. Un peu perlant à l’ouverture, ça laisse place au fruit rouge et à un vin goûteux et charmeur, quoique relativement simple. il est très agréable, mais je ne comprends pas du tout les notes de Jamie Goode du Wine Anorak (94 pts!). 89-90 pts
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2/26/2017 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Spritz and overpowering green flavors. Sure hope it was a bad bottle.
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2/10/2017 - jshufelt wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with previous tasting notes.
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1/29/2017 - t_moderne wrote: 87 Points
Pop and pour and enjoyed at the end of an evening. Poured half into a 375ml bottle, re-corked and refrigerated. Tasted with food (some remnants of roast pork shoulder with a mojo criollo sauce).
Bright ruby-red color. Fresh and lively with good acidity. Fresh red berries and some cranberry notes that give it some tartness. Opens up with time to show a little more depth and some darker fruit.
Shows a hint of whole cluster with an herbal mint/basil element.
Tasted from the saved 1/2 bottle the following day.
Tart and a bit shrill. The tartness of the wine was much more pronounced. The acidity and herbal element is high and slightly out of balance. Dropped the score a few points.
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1/18/2017 - Stumpy wrote: 88 Points
In the Kutcher vein a much more feminine (a good thing) Pinot with enough body to avoid thin but no heaviness at all. Not the most complex by any means but very solid weekday wine.
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1/17/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 89 Points
PnP in a burg glass. This has taken on a subtle bitter & slightly metallic note that isn't completely off putting but I'm no longer in love with this wine like I was with my first btl in November 2015. It has also turned more savory and less fruit forward. One left, that Ill open again later this year or next.
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1/15/2017 - Seafoam Manor wrote: 92 Points
This is made in a very stemmy and savory style, but it is done to great effect. Tart red fruit profile, with some light orange zest notes, medium+ acidity and very fine tannins, which are nicely integrated, all give lift to the savory components. Very refreshing style and, at 12.3% abv, this goes down dangerously fast. Appreciation for the style will likely color your opinion of this wine. This was drinking really nicely straight out of the bottle, but can hold for a few years. In general, drink these now and let the single vineyard wines rest.
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1/14/2017 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine: 91 Points
It's been a while since I've had this. I'm picking up tart cherry, cranberry, spice, menthol and definitely heavy stem influence giving this an earth dominated flavor profile.
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1/11/2017 - ews3 wrote: 92 Points
clear, medium ruby color. youthful, medium intensity nose shows red cherry, floral (violet), mineral, herbal notes, and blood -- really interesting mix of lighter and heavier notes that comes together nicely. medium intensity, med(+) acid, dry, med(-) alcohol palate shows similar profile to the nose, but adds some sweet spice. medium finish combines the acid and fruit nicely.
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12/24/2016 - haldolugr wrote: 88 Points
Just had a single glass from the bottle, but liked what I had. Popped and poured, might have served better with a decant. Cherry in the mouth with a touch of tartness. Finish had an edge that could be better with more time but was still really good now.
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12/24/2016 - WineGold wrote: 92 Points
This wine does it for me. First taste of any Kutch wine. Bought at local retail. Visiting winery next month. For context, we are long time Napa Cabernet drinkers whose tastes are shifting to Pinot. Favorite Pinots are Rivers Marie and Rhys.
This is medium garnet in the glass, with a nose of cherries, earth, pine needles and minerals. Medium sweetness on the palate with layers of red fruit and forest floor interplaying. Lasting finish. Very good wine. Up my alley. Will buy more.
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12/18/2016 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Will be enjoying this for a wine dinner later, pairing it with the 2013 Rivers-Marie Thieriot chard in the same flight. I needed something that had both a fruit impression, some of the Calif feel, yet enough acidity and some more earthy tones, which I figured I would get from the stems and lower alc of Jamie's style. This opens shy, with a cherry and blue fruited core, along with the earthier component in the finish. Really good acidity for an open and pour approach. Over dinner, this picked up a fair amount of whole cluster, which added to the wine, and for me made it drink with some edge. It didn't pair well with the crusted halibut, needing something more savory to complement it.
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9/5/2016 - klmarshall wrote: 91 Points
Nice Somona coast pinot. Light on its feet, but with a depth of flavor. None of the off flavors I dislike in Pinots.
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8/12/2016 - DaButtah Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely love where this is heading. Great right now with a 2 hr decant.
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7/31/2016 - King Cab wrote: 92 Points
Pretty nose of ripe raspberries and hi-tones cranberries. Palate shows elegant red fruits of strawberries and cranberries. Firm and well structured, this shows a very lithe quality that I truly appreciate. It glides across your palate while never becoming ponderous nor heavy. Deft and pure, long and true. This stuff really is quite amazing.
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7/12/2016 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
Really like this! Must get more.
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7/11/2016 - sellerscellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a pure expression of Sonoma Coast pinot. Elegant, feminine...the fruit is forward, but doesn't dominate to the point of being out of balance. Modest ABV, light touch with wood exposure...beautiful stuff. Kutch is becoming one of my go-to CA pinots that hedges more towards burgundy.
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7/10/2016 - jshufelt wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous tasting note.
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6/16/2016 - gouldcampbell77 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark ruby. Supple, smooth and elegant red cherry fruit. Lots of stems and a hint of spicy oak. Structured and complex with more than a nod to red Burgundy, specifically Dujac's Morey St Denis villages. Just lacking something in the midpalate but otherwise this is really good. Built to last. £40 per bottle just about right I'd say.
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6/6/2016 - Mech-E Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP. Super floral nose with red berries jumping from the swirling wine. A little medicinal, even. On the palate, a bit if effervescence is felt which was somewhat distracting. Smooth and dense with plenty of stemmy character. Not sure I liked this amount of stem inclusion on this night but I still kept coming back for more.
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6/3/2016 - Grape_ape wrote: flawed
having loved the first 2 bottles of this I had, this came across as weird and likely flawed... had some secondary fermentation going on I think, and tasted pretty disjointed.
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5/29/2016 - Drizzt321 Likes this wine:
Lovely and elegant, however not as distinguished as the single vineyard.
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5/15/2016 - WinthropT96 wrote: 88 Points
Needs air for the red fruit to get past the stemmy tone. Good structure; drank well over 3 days.. Just not as complexas their single-vineyard PNs. Starting to question the QPR on this.
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5/11/2016 - coremill wrote: 84 Points
CA Pinot Tasting (Chez John Morris): Served single-blind. Sweet, candied, black cherry cola, with minty stemminess becoming more evident with air. Juicy and plush, with good acidity, but it's still root berry and creates an odd sweet/sour contrast that does nothing for me. I don't like Pinot that has cola-ish sweetness to it. My 6th, group's 6th.
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5/11/2016 - scott davis wrote: 88 Points
Medium purple color, with aromas of dried herb and light red berry. The palate shows modest cherry and strawberry fruit. Trim and structured, with a backbone of acidity and tannin apparent. Finishes clean.
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4/29/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Opened at Anvil with Brett and Melissa. Cherry and plums with a bit of baking spice. This was opened but not decanted. Could probably use a bit in the decanter. Very nice.
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4/23/2016 - bacchus of knockholt wrote: 83 Points
Red berry nose and strawberry, confected palate. Not good enough for a£40 bottle.
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4/9/2016 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Cherry cola and baking spice. Complex on the palette. I am guessing significant whole cluster fermentation. Medium finish with drying tannins. Like this style.
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3/20/2016 - Aunt Esther Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice wine, a dark, upbeat pinot with stem notes on the nose - CO2 was a bit distracting.
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3/15/2016 - ewsds Likes this wine: 91 Points
A really nice AVA blend wine that getting better with time. Entering it's drinking window now, with red fruits, a touch of spice and strawberry/rhubarb and cherry. The whole cluster still comes out, but the fairly aggressive structure at of a year ago has mostly smoothed out by now. Finishes nicely with a moderately long bright fruit finish and a touch of minerality. Nicely done.
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3/13/2016 - TRENZ Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bright and lively and great dark berry flavors.
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3/13/2016 - t_moderne wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour and served with dinner (ground pork and green beans in a sesame-soy-ginger sauce, in case you were wondering). Followed over four hours, both with food and on its own.
Good bright ruby red color. Nose is of fresh blackberries and some spice. flavor of fresh red berries and some sour cherry. Bright acidity. Shows an herbal element along with a hint of oak (vanilla). This is a fresh and lively wine, on the lighter side of California Pinot Noir.
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3/7/2016 - tbone wrote:
On P&P big blast of sweet fruit. After 20 minutes started to settle down with xmas spice, mineral (rocks), cool toned fruits on nose. Really nice on palate with a nice combo of savory and red fruits. Starts developing an earthy vibe (stems) with time in glass. Overall I'd say medium bodied and very clean and well made and fairly rich for 12.3% ALC. Did not pair with food.
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2/26/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 90 Points
Odd, tonight's btl didn't rock me as much as my previous? Solid, in my wheelhouse, good value but less memorable tonight with salmon. Seems to have added flesh and weight since the November btl but showing less finesse and depth tonight?
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2/21/2016 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sophisticated bouquet, and very well balanced. Strongly recommend this gem.
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2/18/2016 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking this beautifully balanced light strawberry Pinot makes me wobble. Amazingly approachable in its youth. Looking forward to being old friends over the years with the remaining stock.
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2/5/2016 - DRS-Inc wrote: 91 Points
Had over 2 nights. PnP on 1st night. Translucent ruby red hue. Notes of red berries, rhubarb, earth, some spice, forest floor. Soft fine tannins, light-mid bodied, good acidity and a light:medium finish. Consistent TN on 2nd day.
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2/5/2016 - tcufletch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Spoiler alert: This is delicious and I can't think of any other domestic Pinot better than this for the money! All but one glass consumed on day 1 over four hours; clear, light ruby in color; floral and gently-sweet red fruit nose; delicate strawberry and light cherry taste, with baking spice; after an hour, more of a baked ginerbread nose and flavor; really pretty; very balanced, no rough edges and a touch of minerals; such balance here; you can taste the whole-stem inclusion in every sip (which is a good thing); 12.3% ABV is wonderful.
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2/5/2016 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Nice light and elegant. Very pleasurable.
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2/2/2016 - MartyL wrote: 91 Points
There is a confectionary quality to the red fruit here, giving it an impression of sweetness, but the acidity keeps things cool and bright. Really lovely and great with food.
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1/27/2016 - Charlie Carnes Likes this wine:
This is so seamless and delicious. It has such a natural feel. It is opaque, velvet red, with a bright and cheery hue. The fruit is tart red, and it is bright and lively in the mouth, accompanied by aromas and perceptions of tart cream, mashed cherries, baked gravel and lovely baking spices. Like the Fourrier 2013 GCVV last week, this is a wine that makes me happy!!!
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1/17/2016 - markswine wrote: 92 Points
Excellent. This is my style of pinot - not overripe. Plenty of acidity, good aromatics. Very good.
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1/11/2016 - brigcampbell wrote:
Blind. Guessed Pinot and even got the producer correct. Go team.
I like this wine a lot, it looks like Pinot sitting in the glass. Has a nice nose of red fruit. Palate is strawberry and red berries. Gentle mineral backbone. Excellent.
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1/10/2016 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Open and immediately poured a taste. Pure aromatic, no stem or whole cluster to speak of (yet I know the wine contains 100% whole cluster), with light crushed rock, spice and strawberry. Just delicious right out of the chute with pure and vibrant red cherry, blueberry and strawberry and a brushing of whole cluster. Really quite approachable with no air. Finishes with light minerality.
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12/30/2015 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
My first taste, glass and bottle of a Kutch wine. I am so on board now.
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12/24/2015 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous notes. Solid.
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12/20/2015 - anderegg wrote: flawed
PnP. Darker red fruit on the nose. Color is a deeper red-purple fading to a lighter purple at the edge. Darker tart, red fruit with a small bit of effervescence on the palette followed by a bit of tannin and then mouthwatering. Lingering impressions of vanilla, a bit of wood and spice. Going to recork and bring back to store. Interested in trying one without the fizz...
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12/13/2015 - wineaux2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This one was tight upon opening with high-toned red fruit. Saved most of the bottle for day 2, and this came together nicely. The nose was full of cherry. The palate featured dark cherry, strawberry, white pepper and stems lingering in the background, which was all bolstered by well-integrated acidity. The last glass was by far the best. Early look at this one to be sure, though it is exceptional with lots of air.
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12/12/2015 - yossarian.livez wrote: 89 Points
PnP and drank over 2 days. Cranberry and cherry with rhubarb and an already hefty showing of that classic True Sonoma Coast spice. Moderate length, medium weight with plenty of mineral lift. Just a kiss of sweetness to give balance to a still bit grippy, fine tannin (100% whole cluster but not stemmy) and this is not to be confused with suckling RRV in anyway. It's a nice midpoint between new and old world styles. A bit more savory day 2 but still plenty of energy. Overall, drinks like a very good Bourgogne. My first Kutch and looking forward to the others. Drink now for a bit more structured, give it a couple more if you want it to soften just a touch and gain spice.
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12/4/2015 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Very nice Sonoma Coast. Some cherry but lots of baking soice and some earthy notes. Medium finish with a smooth finish.
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11/25/2015 - t_moderne wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour and served with food (roast rack of pork, roasted potatoes and broccoli). This went quickly so my impressions are based upon only one glass.
Bright red fruits with a tart cranberry and orange peel note. Some forest floor mixing in. Acidity that keeps the wine inviting. Very fresh and enjoyable.
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11/24/2015 - 5laton wrote:
This was fairly closed, but I was nonetheless impressed. Really bright, fresh blue and red fruits and a very pleasing savory, slightly stemmy backdrop. Great juicy acid. Reminded me a little of recent vintages of Rhys Bearwallow. Super curious how this wine and style would develop in the 5-10 year timeframe.
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11/24/2015 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Bright cherry and cranberry. Consistent with other tasters. Almost sweet. Rey subtle palatte with m ruin finish. Very European.
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11/22/2015 - JimmyGillingham Likes this wine: 89 Points
Just got these in last week and decided to open one for the sake of charity. Very bright red fruit on the nose: cherry and cranberry notes dominate. Secondary is some spices and woody notes that I associate with the stems (have to look but I believe this is 100% whole cluster). The palate is lighter, but that is what I expect from Kutch as it is a more restrained style. The acidity really jumps out and causes the mout to water, but just enough fruit hangs off of the acidity to keep things in balance. Low tannins. Great value that punches above its weight. Would easily fit in with many single vineyard wines coming out of Napa.
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11/14/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
I'm smitten with this PN! For me, this combines the lacy elegance of Chambolle with Gevrey earth and Vosne spice in a slender, waste not, frame. Energetic red fruit, spice and soily flavors. Great nose! Cerebral and ethereal. I've been walking around this wine for sometime, mainly, because I've all but written off most domestic PNs but this is squarely in my wheelhouse. Not going to join the mailing list as I hate mailing list but I will grab some more of these from time to time. ALC 12.3%. A great expression of PNs allure.
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11/8/2015 - Fabrini wrote: 89 Points
This is my first experience with Kutch and what I got was not quite what I was expecting. Not in a bad way but different.
Removed from cellar and allowed to warm for one hour then opened and allowed air for one hour. Scents were similar to what was described in other reviews but the flavors were very restrained. My wife tasted it and said it tasted "watered down". While I won't go that far it was not the burst of fruit other reviewers have described.
The initial flavor is very light and as it lingers in the mouth some of those berry flavors start to make an appearance. Once swallowed a brief but pleasant tang of acid hits the mouth and quickly dissipates. Upon repeated tastes subtle flavors came and went but they were fleeting.
The glass overall was quite refreshing and would probably do well when served with lighter fare. I have 4 more bottles so I will be very interested to sample this again and see if my experience is consistent or not.
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11/7/2015 - Krimoe wrote: 89 Points
Bedre dag 2. Trenger luft - sødmen roer seg litt.
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11/2/2015 - jshufelt wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour. In the glass, faintly cloudy ruby red, with a hint of violet at the rim. On the nose, muted raspberries and nutmeg. On the palate, a burst of fruit quickly overtaken by tartness and acid. If this bottle is indicative, this is just too young...
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10/27/2015 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 92 Points
12.3% abv. Energetic, red and black fruited, but with good depth and length. Should age well. Jamie is doing some really good things.
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10/25/2015 - VinoDiver Likes this wine: 91 Points
@Merrimans Kapalua Maui - very nice wine that paired well with a variety of dishes. Needs an hour of air to open up.
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10/22/2015 - RockinCabs wrote: 89 Points
Kutch/Parr Seminar; 10/21/2015-10/22/2015 (Gordon's Wines - Waltham, MA): This was the first wine, and was really an introduction to Jamie's style of a reserved pinot noir. I found it a bit hot however, and the fruit was cherry and pomegranate but a bit muddled. Not as focused as the next three wines.
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10/4/2015 - tarheel17 Likes this wine:
Delicious as usual
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9/30/2015 - prasm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium expressiveness, black cherry, strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon, and Asian spice. Palate: Medium bodied, cranberry and tart cherry attack, solid acidic backbone, great mid-palate persistence with the up front fruit being joined by an Asian spice kick, shows some brushy characteristics in the back-end. Finish: Medium-plus length dominated by slightly tart red fruit and spice.
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9/6/2015 - Al Doughty wrote: 88 Points
Subdued aromas of blackcurrant, game and mint. The palate was quite closed on tasting, with dark berry fruit, some nuttiness and a slightly gravelly finish.
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8/24/2015 - Normones wrote: 92 Points
fresh, unfiltered, light berry and cola. wonderful.
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8/23/2015 - paydon9 wrote: 90 Points
Smelling this I can almost see the small, taut, juicy red berries (cranberry, cherry, strawberry) that are jumping from the glass, highlighted by fresh herbs, sandalwood and floral woodsy tones. The flavors follow suit, with cranberry, wild strawberry, sage, and a nice savory nuance. Light medium body with fine tannins and wonderfully juicy acidity. This filled out nicely with several hours worth of air, I can't wait to see how it fares over the next several years.
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8/20/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Drank with dinner tonight. Showed the nice duality of a leaner red fruit yet neither green/lean and no stemminess. Acidity, lithe, 12.3 percent abv, went great with our dinner. Super.
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8/14/2015 - Stumpy wrote: 91 Points
A little young yet as initially sour cherries but over time it toned down. Nice casual drinker.
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8/13/2015 - tcufletch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Given the recent fall offer, I decided to pop this and consume over three days with not much changing over the three days; really nice floral and soft fruit nose of cherry and light strawberry; poured through a Vinturi, softer fruit profile than what was on the nose with dark cherry and a cranberry tartness, this is not to be mistaken for a Pinot; definite whole cluster profile present but very balanced, no rough edges and a little spice from the stems and a touch of minerals; there is a really nice structure here that I have come to expect from Jamie's SC bottling; another solid effort! Probably my favorite Pinots.
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8/12/2015 - TavyDog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Restrained and beautiful at this point with an hour decant. Cranberry, rasberry, rhubarb, bay, hints of myrh (think Abraham Darby rose), faint sandalwood (showing what's to come). A well put together teenager now with absolutely brilliant potential for the coming years.
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8/11/2015 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine:
I agree with most of the other tasting notes. This is quite good and at $39 a nice QPR. It's quite dark for a pinot, assuming due to the whole cluster fermentation. body is medium. It's a very refined wine. It doesn't seem to have that angular quality that younger Pinots can sometimes have. Glad I have more of this. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Highly recommended.
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7/27/2015 - Grape_ape Likes this wine: 92 Points
probably my favorite Kutch SC vintage so far...
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6/25/2015 - Rieslingfan wrote:
I'll just say "same as last time" and refer back to my note from 4/23/2015. The crunchiness of the fruit I picked up on in April may be leveling out a bit, but the wine is every bit as delicious and exciting to drink.
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5/31/2015 - Chomsky wrote:
Just a deliciously fresh and juicy wine. There's an effusively crisp edge to the strawberry fruit that evokes the best of Beaujolais. This straddles the line between seriousness and glouglou in a most thrilling way.
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5/31/2015 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose showed cool wild berry tones with floral perfumes, dusty soil and a hint of undergrowth. On the palate, focused red berry fruit, which seemed to touch on all the senses with a finessed and brilliant feel, was contrasted by a coating of crunchy sweet tannin. On the finish, I found strawberry with inner florals and an almost woodland persona of crushed dried leaves and spice. Very well done and an amazing value.
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5/7/2015 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 90 Points
12.3% abv. Medium dark burgundy purple. Moderate spice and fruit aromas. On the palate, raspberry. Black cherry and spice. Moderate intensity and depth. Good now and should improve.
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5/4/2015 - alr6767 wrote: 91 Points
Medium dark red color. Strawberry, rhubarb, thyme, dark cherry nose. Palate is medium ripe cherry, spice, medium concentration, medium+ acidity. Dry but manageable tannin on the medium+ finish
One of my favorite bottles of Kutch to date. Really smooth and refined, everything in its place, and a decent value as well. I wonder if I could have put this in CA blind? 12.6%
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4/27/2015 - suburbanfrog Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really nice wine! First of all I have seen this referred to as an entry level Pinot Noir. Sonoma Stage (Hyde Family) and Campbell Ranch (Ulyses Valdez) are high end vineyards that produce serious juice many winemakers would love to source if they could. Hardly an entry level wine. This wine is very well balanced showing no signs of unripe flavors while maintaining it's mouthwatering acidity. Absolutely no sign of heat even as it warms. A wine I can best describe as very juicy and interesting. So much so that I kept wanting another small pour. A good sign is that this is a wine that in no way gets tiring on the palette. A lovely Cherry Vanilla nose with Pie Cherries and Raspberries providing the fruit on the palette.
After one week of vacuvin;
O.K., the balance on this wine is unbelievable. NO sign of heat at all. No sign of anything green. NO sign of the oak barrel to give any vanilla or toasted notes, just the softening and mellowing influence from the barrel. This wine is all about the cherry fruit and a dollop of raspberry. The wine is JUICY and mouthwatering. Just the perfect amount of acidity. A light style that delivers!
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4/23/2015 - Rieslingfan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last night I opened the 2013 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. I took my first sip about 30 seconds after the bottle had been opened. The first word that popped into my head was “crunchy.” Then I started mentally comparing the 2013 to the 2012. Now the 2012 has been one of my favorite wines of the last year. I have blown through way too many bottles of it, and it caused me to focus on the 2013 Sonoma Coast in my purchases, in lieu of the single vineyard wines. The 2012 was (and is!) captivating in an almost luxurious sense. It’s not fat or overripe, but is caresses the senses. The 2013 is less well-mannered. It has a crisp feel. It shows cooler fruit than the 2012, and 2012 was not “hot.” There’s a woodsy feel to the 2013, and an element of warm herbs that I never got in the 2012. Granted it might have been there in the ’12, but the fruit kept it hidden. We’ll see what cellar time brings.
Anyway, back to the 2013, as measured on its merits. I am once again in love with a Sonoma Coast blend Pinot Noir. As mentioned above, this shows a cooler side of the grape, and thus has more immediate complexity to my taste than it would if the youthful fruit did a solo act on center stage. The medium bodied frame contains plenty of red fruit, focusing on the strawberry and raspberry end of the spectrum. Those woodsy and herbal notes weave in and out. Sometimes I take a sip and get one, sometimes the other. Sometimes both come in, and that is the best. Other elements step in here and there as well. One time I was sure I smelled black licorice. Now I do not like black licorice, but that aroma, combined with the fruit and herbs was just captivating, and added an additional level to the wine. Structurally there was some tannin, but this wine built on its acids. My mouth was watering after each sip, and so I kept picking up the glass, again and again.
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4/23/2015 - cstatile Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic. I'm a huge Kutch fan... Lots of fruit: strawberry, cranberry. Much better after about an hour of air. Plenty of minerality. Only have one bottle left, going to cellar it.
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4/20/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Really good again. Bright cherry and cranberry to start off, along with a distinct loamy note. As it gets some more air, in comes the strawberry and also some of the stem signature. Indeed a leaner style of pinot, but that's why I drink Kutch, yet this wine and Jamie's approach still show plenty of expression and balance, as this wine does. This bottle showed some tight edges to it and retained good minerality so I'd air the wine if you want to get a good picture of what is here. The Kutch pinots are pretty much in my Top tier now for CA, as Jamie has got it dialed in. Love these wines.
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4/17/2015 - Wine Canuck wrote: 87 Points
A Visit to Kutch: This wine pours ruby in colour with blue and purple flecks toward the rim. The nose comes across somewhat reticent of blue and purple mixed berry fruit with secondary hints of smoke, light dusty soil and black licorice. The palate features nice light medium minus acid and medium tannin. The finish lingers nicely and is carried on mixed fresh dark berries. 12.3% alcohol.
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4/6/2015 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big kutch fan here. Very low alcohol. Whole clusters. Cool climate. The strength and intensity come from a different place than other new world pinot. This seems more upfront and approachable than the 2012 which seemed a tad darker. For an entry level blend this is a real winner.
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4/4/2015 - Brunello123 Likes this wine: 91 Points
It's actually drinking very well for such a young wine. Not sure it will get much better, but I will drink the rest in the next 2 to 3 years.
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4/3/2015 - prasm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium-plus expressiveness, bazooka bubble gum, black cherry, coffee, and dark flowers. Palate: Medium bodied, sweet and spicy red fruit attack, great acidic balance, noticeable mid-palate lift showing ice tea, spice and red fruit, builds in intensity thru the back-end. Finish: Medium-plus length sense of spicy red fruit. Labeled as 12.3% abv, seems more like a extremely well balanced 14.0-14.5% abv to me - in a positively good way.
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4/2/2015 - bobpsi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pobega'ng right now. Just picked up from my UPS store. Bold earthy, red cherry nose. Surprising body for a 12.3% wine, lots of red fruit up front surrounded by earth and spice. My first Kutch wine, well done.
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3/30/2015 - msuwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
A refreshing and graceful pinot that needs time. Light crimson in color; muted nose of cherry and herb. Tastes of sour cherry and licorice, with a dry and crisp finish and light, lingering tannins. An amazingly low 12.3% alcohol. Reminded me of a young Hirsch or Littorai (in a good way). A bit lighter and more simple than I prefer, but this will almost certainly develop more depth and complexity with time.
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3/21/2015 - Jahull03 wrote:
Has good ingredients and balance, but not surprisingly, needs to rest for awhile / not ready now or in the next couple years. Love the acidity, dry/savory/herbal fruit, even a bit of tanin. Nice mouthfeel. But very little aromatic expression at this point, and still feels like the pieces are settling in.
I opened this to see if Kutch was worth exploring for me... Resounding yes, but sit on the rest of the 2013s!
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3/14/2015 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
12.3% abv. Dark Burgundy. Moderately expressive red fruit aromas. Black raspberry and cherry dominate a rich but energetic flavor profile. Lingering aftertaste. A bit of an acidic edge indicates several years of development ahead.
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3/12/2015 - ewsds wrote: 92 Points
Seriously good juice, especially for an AVA blend. Deep red fruits, with a somewhat crunchy structure of solid acidity and fine tannins that needs time to settle down. Has a nice floral and minerality component that blends nicely with its red fruit-oriented palate. Very good now, but likely much better in a year or two, when everything is a bit more integrated. 92+
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10/30/2014 - brigcampbell wrote:
Kutch '12 vs '13 Pinot Blind Tasting - Something for Everybody (Maro Grill, Laguna Beach): Dark maroon color. Smells like raspberry compote, is there such a thing? Should be if not. Flavors are reserved, light, red berries. Finish has more of a dark berry cut with chalk and medium acid. Rounded out tannins.
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10/29/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Bookclub--Kutch Pinots (tasted blind) (Maro--Laguna Beach, CA): A 50/50 blend of Campbell Ranch and Sonoma Stage vineyards, with 25% new wood. Solid stuff. Zesty and crunchy fruit, with black cherry and a smoky, gamy tone. Bright cherry core, with a loamy edge that has good length. As it takes on more air, it darkens up the fruit tone, yet it also becomes more rocky and tannic, with a meaty note, posessing that same zesty quality. The 100% whole cluster here, as opposed to say the 2011 that still shows that signature, I don't get that signature here in the 2013. Retasting a day later, good fruit presence, and I get the stems today a bit more. They're woven into the wine, given a bit of bitterness to go up against the raspberry and black cherry fruit. Still tight at this stage, good energy but the coil on it will need time to soften. I can sense the fruit and acid that lies under that structure, and with the 12.3% alc, should be a great drink in another year and onward.
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3/15/2014 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Jamie Kutch Visits The OC For Dinner (Luciana's In Dana Point (South OC)): Note--barrel sample composite. Tasted this from shiner next to the sibling 2010, 2011 and 2012 SC bottlings. This 2013 was juicy, with a little menthol from the stems, stony with black cherry and raspberry.
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