Age has treated this wine well with a nice understated integration, and muted modern sweetness in the glass and the nose. Very little sediment. A bit one dimensional but paired well with curry coconut beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This has similarities to the bottle I drank in '12, but seems to have come together in a favorable way. Sweet, funk and a hint of savory spice on the nose. Sweet/sour on the palate, which is fairly big in body. Just a hint of heat on the finish. In general, this is a bigger, more monolithic style than I prefer, but it's decent for what it is. More of a "cocktail pinot" than an elegant accompaniment to food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
nice fruit unpleasant nose of too much alcohol nice finish There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like alcohol/hot. It tastes like strawberry. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very fruit forward, modern, Cali-style Pinot Noir. Deep dark garnet color. jammy strawberry and cherry with some herbal minerality on the finish. Seems out of balance with a lack of focus beyond the fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Funky nose at first, but quickly blows off to reveal nice cherry. Somewhat fruit forward for a wine of this age. Pop and pour as I don't think it's going to get any better or develop more complexity. Enjoyable juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Huge sediment when decanted. Lost 20% of the bottle. Medium to dark ruby. Cotton candy, sweet Marichino cherry and chocolate on the nose. A bit too fruit forward for my preference. Jammy and fat on the palate with the cherry, chocolate and a touch of tobacco. Better with food than alone in my view.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Better than the last time tasted. Bitter plum is still there though not as dominate! Followed by red cherries, cinnamon, cloves, and a dry earthy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Certainly not dead (yet), there's still bright red fruits up front on this one. You can tell there's some age as the finish is much shorter than expected... but still an enjoyable bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I disagree vociferously with the previous reviewers who claim this wine has gone off or is less than a joy to drink. Opened and decanted, poured immediately. Reddish purple fading to brick at the glass. Wonderful nose of red fruit and light earth, and terrific balance makes me believe this wine is in its prime. Graceful finish lasts and tapers elegantly. A ver nice California Pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Completely out of sorts on opening, and almost went down the drain. Comes together a bit with 30 minutes in the glass. A bit of sourness on nose and palate, and a touch of heat on the finish. Serviceable if not particularly enjoyable. This has a mouthfeel to suggest that it was a well made wine, but this bottle just isn't doing it for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and served right away. Reddish/brown colour. This had a decent nose with lots of development but the palate was completed roasted and over the hill. No good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cloudy garnet color, with slight orange tint on the rim. Dark berries, orange rind, vanilla cinnamon and oak. THis is a well made wine. This is my last bottle and there was quite a bit of variability through the 6-pack. This was by far, the best bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and served right away. Light to medium ruby red core moving to a brownish orange colour towards the rim. Somewhat murky in the glass. Nose of ripe raspberry, berries, toasty oak with hints of vegetal and latex notes. Slightly artificial flavours of ripe cherries, raspberries and cranberries. Light bodied with very little, if any tannins left and medium acidity. Decent length finish. In the past I really enjoyed this wine but my palate has definitely changed and this is another Cali pinot that just doesn’t do it for me anymore. A well-made wine and for those who like this style don’t let my rating scare you off. Drink now. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured, I have enjoyed many a bottle from this producer, however this was not one of them. Initially this was undrinkable due to intense bitterness, after 1hr the candied fruit made an appearance which muted somewhat the burnt bitter plum that initially dominated this bottle. Though drinkable, not in the same league as previous vintages. I don't think this wine is past it's prime, but just not a great vintage for the Wagner's.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Final bottle. Held as a "psuedo-experiment" to see how the wine progressed since my last time (6/17/2007). And I am starting to realize that I much prefer younger wines. Brick red with slight orange/tan on the edges. Overwhelming notes of rubber and smoke. Not much fruit at all... maybe hints of raspberry. Tannins were very smooth... almost like silk. So nice mouthfeel, but the lack of fruit really ruined this for me. I have a few other bottles of wine where I'm doing the same "psuedo-experiment" to see if I prefer a younger wine to a mature one. But this was a disappointment. Good
<EDIT 4/29/2010> After one day of being open in the fridge, some fruit did come out. Blackberry, blueberry and vanilla were now detectable.. but on the faint side. It certainly was better than the first night, but still no where near as good as it once was.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not aging as well as I had hoped... There is a harsh sour aspect to this wine that I can't get past - it's not acid. I'm glad this is my last bottle...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
More purple than garnet; smoky, spicy, complex. Thicker and fuller bodied than average Pinot. Extremely smooth and polished, with a smooth, oaky finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Strained and decanted-wine remained cloudy but without visible sediment. Smooth smoky stone fruit flavors with subtle tannins and soft spices on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyed this with grilled lamb chops. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit, a nice soft mouth feel with some tannic structure, and a noticeable bit of spice at the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Medium ruby red, very slight brownish tinge. Nose of raspberries and strawberries. Similar palate with some pepper on the 10 second finish. Low to medium acidity, light body, light tannin. Solidly made pinot but just not a style I enjoy. My rating reflects the fact that this bottle was a solid, well-made wine, with balance and an enjoyable nose and palate but lacks complexity. Hopefully in a few years this will develop more secondary flavours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had with friends over a pork loin. Light color is deceiving - this wine is BIG! Cherry and Mineral nose followed by a big cherry and spice taste. Pepper overtones with more "subtle" cedar undertones. Not the best balanced wine, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cherries, vanilla, rich. Nothing subtle about this wine. Typical new world style pinot noir. Very popular with my guests, but too overpowering for the grilled salmon we drank it with. This type of wine reminds me why I rarely buy Pinot from California and prefer Burgundy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Distinctive red wax seal that goes down the bottle. Unlike some Burgundy (Domaine Leroy comes to mind), it removes easily then is accessible from a standard corkscrew: a nice touch, probably good for retail. Burgundies tend to be considered male (brooding, serious, heavy) or female (light, pretty, floral). I'd call this wine "metro" (I hope this is funny and descriptive, not offensive). I have images of a guy who spends too much time in front of the mirror adjusting his hair and making sure he has the absolute right clothes for the evening - kind of a mixed-up wine: hard to nail down: a guy with make up. This stops short of being a new world fruit bomb - it has some weight and concentration and a fairly serious effort on the palate, but a more sickly sweet (new world pinot) invades the finish. Possibly, this will age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was very popular at the gathering tonight, and indeed the nose was exceptional, but for me it was too much cola flavour and disjointed to rate much higher.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine was very cloudy but no visible sediment in this particular bottle when strained-decanted for 30 minutes. Cherry fruit and soft tannins-nice accompaniment to grilled lamb with Madeira demi-glaze.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I like this wine a lot. It has a rich enticing nose that carries trhough on the palate. Silky texture with rich, bright, red fruits. My only complaint is the sweetness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is at the point that decanting is a must, for at least an hour-otherwise it has a dry tinny sharp bite to it. Cherries and black pepper with a short finish, but went well with our Italian Wedding soup.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A fruit forward light bodied wine which had a hint of bubbles when first opened. After air time the bubble feel disappeared leaving a mouthful of raspberries. This is not an elegant wine and had an unusual mouthfeel. The wine became very cloudy, almost thick the next day. It could be that this bottle, which has been stored properly since it was purchased, was tainted in some way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dependable as always. This wine is light feeling yet coats the mouth with intense flavors. Drank prior to dinner with Prosciutto Di Parma, salami, provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, assorted crackers and crudités. Plenty of depth and not so light that it doesn't hold up to heavier meals. Had with hamburgers seared on the grill, with bacon and Swiss cheese, and salt and pepper corn on the cob. Drank two bottles; strained and decanted both. Heavy sediment in one bottle with a trace in the other. Cherry fruit and soft tannins with a longer finish than I would expect. It continues to be one of my favorites as time progresses. I am thankful to have several on hand.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 30mins. Nose of raspberries, flowers, cassis and sweet smoke. Flavours of raspberries, dark cherries, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. Very delicious wine with a light and velvety mouth feel. A little too much acidity on the finish at this point; although it went away after I let the wine sit for a few hours. I’d strongly recommend a 2-3 hour decant or wait another 6-12 months. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I forgot just how much sediment this wine has! For dinner I served tuna tartar with cucumbers, avocado, with yellow and red tomatoes. I made a spicy Asian vinaigrette to and wonton crisps to go with it as well. I also served a Chateaubriand, with demi-glaze, and crab meat polenta squares. My husband thought the wine went well with the meal. I found the spice of the tartar to make the wine overly peppery. I also thought that it did not hold up to the substance of the meat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
San Diego Pinot-fest (Cuvee Restaurant - Del Mar, CA): I found this wine slightly schizophrenic. Nose of wet earth, autumn leaves, and mushrooms. The palate, however, is a totally different story. It's sweet, and very fruit forward, with layers of blackberries, cherry jam, and cocoa. As Aiden mentioned, taken separately, I like those characteristics. But together, they are like the odd couple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First had this wine while in Boston at the Capital Grille - powerful California PN that went well with the steak that was the size of a football (as was my stomach afterwards!). Picked up 1/2 case at the Wine Library when I got back to NJ. Have really enjoyed the first 4 bottles. The nose just screams Pinot. Not as elegant as a Burgundy or more expensive Oregon or Nothern CA PN, but it's a nice change, especially at the price. I wish I has bought a couple of more bottles - p.s. -- the wax top and neck makes for stares when bringing a bottle to a BYO restaurant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice - Sunday night with BBQ roasted swordfish from Berkeley market in Seaside Park after a day at the beach. Nice fruit and a firm background. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful again. Served with cedar plank smoked Copper River Sockeye salmon. Notes of blueberrry, blackberry, smoke, vanilla and oak. I say it everytime, but I just can't get enough of this wine. Similar notes on the palate with perfectly balanced acidity and soft tannins. Wonderful mouthfeel and medium-long finish. Very enjoyable indeed. 91-93 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
we really, really liked this wine one of Caymus' pinots. Big red fruit a little bit funky nose which blows off. gave this to Michelle as a present. I hear the the 2005 is even better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really like this wine. Served with stuffed turkey breast. Open, but not decanted for 30 mins prior to serving. Notes of blueberry, blackberry, tar and maple syrup. With air, more of the tar/smoke note becomes evident, but you never lose the dark fruit jam notes. Drinking very well now. 90-92 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pinot nose, funk of wet forest and cherries. Complex notes of strawberries, cherries, spice. Bolder than expected. A bit candied for me, so I'd give it an 88, but Mercy thought it was just fine and would rate it 92. Went well with thanksgiving dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This really is an exceptional Pinot Noir. Beautiful dark, garnet color. Signature, earthy, mushroom, raspberry, cinnamon-toast Pinot nose. Pure straight Pinot Noir taste and finish. I've had this wine twice now, and on both occasions, I've thought the exact same thing -- clean, crisp, fresh, with nothing to distract from the Pinot grape. Pure. Clean. Polished. This has an amazingly long finish. Paired perfectly with the Italian stew we prepared with pork tenderloin, Colismo sausage, tiger shrimp, fresh fish, imported whole olives, fresh mushrooms and anchovies, complimented by our now signature roasted golden beets and melted goat cheese. A decadent, rich Winter meal, which did not in anyway overwhelm the rich, pure and clean grape of this very fine wine. Buy this wine. You will not in anyway be disappointed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Funky nose of strawberries and cherries with spices. A strong spine of acidity ruins the balance of this wine at first but then it calmed down after being open an hour to reveal rather beautiful and rich cherry fruit. Drank this alongside a Dujac Burgundy and the differences in the wines were like night and day with this wine showing typical ripe and intense Central Coast fruit and the Dujac showing earth and perfume flavors that are a cut above. Still, this has the kind of pinot fruit that you burp and feel good about.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Having seen some nice notes on this, we decided to pop our one bottle. Popped and poured into Riedel Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir glasses. Nice red color, almost a cherry color. Nose of forest floor and sour cherry. With some time, the wine showed a lot more concentration. Pretty acidic, albeit I didn't think overly so. Palate shows forest floor, cherries, and some allspice as well. Medium to long finish of cherries and spice. Although I'm concluding that I'm not the biggest fan of this concentrated style of pinot, this is a good bottle of wine, particularly at the $30 or so we paid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was very surprised by this wine. The pinot fruit was on perfect display. I could still taste the finish on this wine the entire drive home from our friends' house. One of the best examples of a pinot noir I've every had. A beautiful and complex grape presented in an artful and bright way. Yum, Yum, Yum. Thanks James & Juli for sharing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I've heard great things about this wine, but I was disappointed. Lots of nice red fruit, but way too much acidity in this one for me. Perhaps it was a bad bottle, but this was not what I was expecting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this at Ruth's Chris in NYC with the ribeye. Very sweet nose. Notes of cherry, blackberry, tar, rubber, brown sugar and bacon. Similar notes on the palate with some good acidity to cut some of the fat in the steak. Nice medium length finish with the dark berry and maple sugar lingering. Wine was much better than the steak. 89-91 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Open at outdoor theatre with several friends. Never really gave it time to open, but all enjoyed the rich flavors. I noticed a strong anise/fennel note that went well with a bitersweet chocolate that we were enjoying. This might be the kind of pinot that Cal gets criticized for making, but it very much fullfilled the needs of an after dinner drink in an informal setting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Huge smokey meat character. Very smooth and luscious. Only had one glass as it was poured at a dinner party. Matched wonderfully with the balsmaic onion sauce served with the scallop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Attractive packaging, becomes less appealing when you actually have to open the fucking thing. Promising nose. Nice acidity and dark cherry core, but there is a rather pronounced iron note on the palate that is just a little intrusive and distracting. Good, not more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/14/2017 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Age has treated this wine well with a nice understated integration, and muted modern sweetness in the glass and the nose. Very little sediment. A bit one dimensional but paired well with curry coconut beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2016 - vanpe003 wrote: 88 Points
This has similarities to the bottle I drank in '12, but seems to have come together in a favorable way. Sweet, funk and a hint of savory spice on the nose. Sweet/sour on the palate, which is fairly big in body. Just a hint of heat on the finish. In general, this is a bigger, more monolithic style than I prefer, but it's decent for what it is. More of a "cocktail pinot" than an elegant accompaniment to food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2016 - B&PBaker wrote: 90 Points
nice fruit unpleasant nose of too much alcohol nice finish
There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like alcohol/hot. It tastes like strawberry. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/14/2016 - oldwines wrote: 86 Points
Very fruit forward, modern, Cali-style Pinot Noir. Deep dark garnet color. jammy strawberry and cherry with some herbal minerality on the finish. Seems out of balance with a lack of focus beyond the fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2016 - VinoMeister wrote:
Let it age too long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2015 - Rackit wrote: 90 Points
Funky nose at first, but quickly blows off to reveal nice cherry. Somewhat fruit forward for a wine of this age. Pop and pour as I don't think it's going to get any better or develop more complexity. Enjoyable juice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2015 - oldwines wrote: 89 Points
Huge sediment when decanted. Lost 20% of the bottle. Medium to dark ruby. Cotton candy, sweet Marichino cherry and chocolate on the nose. A bit too fruit forward for my preference. Jammy and fat on the palate with the cherry, chocolate and a touch of tobacco. Better with food than alone in my view.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2014 - scottmlew wrote: 85 Points
Surprisingly good given its age. Opened up nicely into a fruity, minerally wine after 45 minutes or so. Very cloudy, but no strainable sediment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2013 - wineshaman wrote: 89 Points
Better than the last time tasted. Bitter plum is still there though not as dominate! Followed by red cherries, cinnamon, cloves, and a dry earthy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2012 - mreitz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Certainly not dead (yet), there's still bright red fruits up front on this one. You can tell there's some age as the finish is much shorter than expected... but still an enjoyable bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2012 - Americana wrote: 92 Points
I disagree vociferously with the previous reviewers who claim this wine has gone off or is less than a joy to drink. Opened and decanted, poured immediately. Reddish purple fading to brick at the glass. Wonderful nose of red fruit and light earth, and terrific balance makes me believe this wine is in its prime. Graceful finish lasts and tapers elegantly. A ver nice California Pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2012 - vanpe003 wrote: 85 Points
Completely out of sorts on opening, and almost went down the drain. Comes together a bit with 30 minutes in the glass. A bit of sourness on nose and palate, and a touch of heat on the finish. Serviceable if not particularly enjoyable. This has a mouthfeel to suggest that it was a well made wine, but this bottle just isn't doing it for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2011 - godx wrote:
Opened and served right away. Reddish/brown colour. This had a decent nose with lots of development but the palate was completed roasted and over the hill. No good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2010 - bwaverley wrote: 91 Points
Cloudy garnet color, with slight orange tint on the rim. Dark berries, orange rind, vanilla cinnamon and oak. THis is a well made wine. This is my last bottle and there was quite a bit of variability through the 6-pack. This was by far, the best bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2010 - godx wrote: 86 Points
Opened and served right away. Light to medium ruby red core moving to a brownish orange colour towards the rim. Somewhat murky in the glass. Nose of ripe raspberry, berries, toasty oak with hints of vegetal and latex notes. Slightly artificial flavours of ripe cherries, raspberries and cranberries. Light bodied with very little, if any tannins left and medium acidity. Decent length finish. In the past I really enjoyed this wine but my palate has definitely changed and this is another Cali pinot that just doesn’t do it for me anymore. A well-made wine and for those who like this style don’t let my rating scare you off. Drink now. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2010 - wineshaman wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured, I have enjoyed many a bottle from this producer, however this was not one of them. Initially this was undrinkable due to intense bitterness, after 1hr the candied fruit made an appearance which muted somewhat the burnt bitter plum that initially dominated this bottle. Though drinkable, not in the same league as previous vintages. I don't think this wine is past it's prime, but just not a great vintage for the Wagner's.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2010 - mwagner7700 wrote:
Final bottle. Held as a "psuedo-experiment" to see how the wine progressed since my last time (6/17/2007). And I am starting to realize that I much prefer younger wines. Brick red with slight orange/tan on the edges. Overwhelming notes of rubber and smoke. Not much fruit at all... maybe hints of raspberry. Tannins were very smooth... almost like silk. So nice mouthfeel, but the lack of fruit really ruined this for me. I have a few other bottles of wine where I'm doing the same "psuedo-experiment" to see if I prefer a younger wine to a mature one. But this was a disappointment. Good
<EDIT 4/29/2010> After one day of being open in the fridge, some fruit did come out. Blackberry, blueberry and vanilla were now detectable.. but on the faint side. It certainly was better than the first night, but still no where near as good as it once was.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2010 - Deadhead wrote: 83 Points
Not aging as well as I had hoped... There is a harsh sour aspect to this wine that I can't get past - it's not acid. I'm glad this is my last bottle...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2010 - dadanford wrote: 72 Points
3-1-1 corked?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2009 - Old Sparky wrote: flawed
Corked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2009 - LSussman wrote: 95 Points
Exquisite nose of fruit with smoth and silky mouth feel
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2009 - idrinkvino wrote: 89 Points
Very pretty package. Unuusually beautiful colour - light and translucent ruby. Cola on the front end, and a fine earthy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points
No formal notes. Lots of toasty oak on the nose, ripe and sweet raspberries and strawberries. Drink now. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2009 - TannicBeast wrote: 91 Points
More purple than garnet; smoky, spicy, complex. Thicker and fuller bodied than average Pinot. Extremely smooth and polished, with a smooth, oaky finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2009 - scottmlew wrote: 88 Points
Strained and decanted-wine remained cloudy but without visible sediment. Smooth smoky stone fruit flavors with subtle tannins and soft spices on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2009 - dbarco wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed this with grilled lamb chops. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit, a nice soft mouth feel with some tannic structure, and a noticeable bit of spice at the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2009 - LSussman wrote: 93 Points
great as usual with terrific nose of cherry, a a smooth silky mouth feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2008 - godx wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Medium ruby red, very slight brownish tinge. Nose of raspberries and strawberries. Similar palate with some pepper on the 10 second finish. Low to medium acidity, light body, light tannin. Solidly made pinot but just not a style I enjoy. My rating reflects the fact that this bottle was a solid, well-made wine, with balance and an enjoyable nose and palate but lacks complexity. Hopefully in a few years this will develop more secondary flavours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2008 - mos wrote: 90 Points
Had with friends over a pork loin. Light color is deceiving - this wine is BIG! Cherry and Mineral nose followed by a big cherry and spice taste. Pepper overtones with more "subtle" cedar undertones. Not the best balanced wine, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2008 - JerzeyJohn wrote: 88 Points
not aging well - getting a bit flabby
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2008 - 911SCracer wrote: 90 Points
Cherries, vanilla, rich. Nothing subtle about this wine. Typical new world style pinot noir. Very popular with my guests, but too overpowering for the grilled salmon we drank it with. This type of wine reminds me why I rarely buy Pinot from California and prefer Burgundy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2008 - princeton wrote:
Distinctive red wax seal that goes down the bottle. Unlike some Burgundy (Domaine Leroy comes to mind), it removes easily then is accessible from a standard corkscrew: a nice touch, probably good for retail. Burgundies tend to be considered male (brooding, serious, heavy) or female (light, pretty, floral). I'd call this wine "metro" (I hope this is funny and descriptive, not offensive). I have images of a guy who spends too much time in front of the mirror adjusting his hair and making sure he has the absolute right clothes for the evening - kind of a mixed-up wine: hard to nail down: a guy with make up. This stops short of being a new world fruit bomb - it has some weight and concentration and a fairly serious effort on the palate, but a more sickly sweet (new world pinot) invades the finish. Possibly, this will age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2008 - idrinkvino wrote: 88 Points
Was very popular at the gathering tonight, and indeed the nose was exceptional, but for me it was too much cola flavour and disjointed to rate much higher.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2008 - aavello wrote: 90 Points
great aroma, velvety, smooth finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2008 - scottmlew wrote: 87 Points
Wine was very cloudy but no visible sediment in this particular bottle when strained-decanted for 30 minutes. Cherry fruit and soft tannins-nice accompaniment to grilled lamb with Madeira demi-glaze.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2008 - lhickey wrote: 89 Points
I like this wine a lot. It has a rich enticing nose that carries trhough on the palate. Silky texture with rich, bright, red fruits. My only complaint is the sweetness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2007 - epml wrote: 90 Points
Should have decanted. Was really nice on the second day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2007 - nemloc wrote: 88 Points
Strong notes of tobacco & smoke. Red fruit with tart cherry in the mouth. Very consistent experience bottle to bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 90 Points
decanted for an hour, raspberries and fruit with some smoke, decanting this wine is_always_a_must!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 88 Points
This wine is at the point that decanting is a must, for at least an hour-otherwise it has a dry tinny sharp bite to it. Cherries and black pepper with a short finish, but went well with our Italian Wedding soup.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2007 - aavello wrote: 91 Points
What else can I say, wish I bought some more than I have.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2007 - Gfritzh wrote: 75 Points
A fruit forward light bodied wine which had a hint of bubbles when first opened. After air time the bubble feel disappeared leaving a mouthful of raspberries. This is not an elegant wine and had an unusual mouthfeel. The wine became very cloudy, almost thick the next day. It could be that this bottle, which has been stored properly since it was purchased, was tainted in some way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2007 - aavello wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed this bottle thoroughly. Cherry pepper overtone, not overly jammy with medium tannins. I wish I would have bought more of an allocation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 89 Points
Had with various types of marinated pork loin. Heavy black pepper finish, that overpowered the fruit a bit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2007 - eastover wrote:
Friday night at home - shrimp with lobster risotto. Nice pairing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2007 - idrinkvino wrote: 89 Points
Burnt herbs and fruit on the nose. Light smoked and slightly medicinal flavours on the palate. Not bad, but not great either.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2007 - moudy wrote: 85 Points
A bit hotter than I remembered. Flavors were not integrated and seemed weaker than other bottles from the same vintage/vineyard...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 90 Points
Dependable as always. This wine is light feeling yet coats the mouth with intense flavors. Drank prior to dinner with Prosciutto Di Parma, salami, provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, assorted crackers and crudités. Plenty of depth and not so light that it doesn't hold up to heavier meals. Had with hamburgers seared on the grill, with bacon and Swiss cheese, and salt and pepper corn on the cob. Drank two bottles; strained and decanted both. Heavy sediment in one bottle with a trace in the other. Cherry fruit and soft tannins with a longer finish than I would expect. It continues to be one of my favorites as time progresses. I am thankful to have several on hand.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2007 - godx wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 30mins. Nose of raspberries, flowers, cassis and sweet smoke. Flavours of raspberries, dark cherries, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. Very delicious wine with a light and velvety mouth feel. A little too much acidity on the finish at this point; although it went away after I let the wine sit for a few hours. I’d strongly recommend a 2-3 hour decant or wait another 6-12 months. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 80 Points
I forgot just how much sediment this wine has! For dinner I served tuna tartar with cucumbers, avocado, with yellow and red tomatoes. I made a spicy Asian vinaigrette to and wonton crisps to go with it as well. I also served a Chateaubriand, with demi-glaze, and crab meat polenta squares. My husband thought the wine went well with the meal. I found the spice of the tartar to make the wine overly peppery. I also thought that it did not hold up to the substance of the meat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2007 - JOJ wrote: 90 Points
Earthy nose, with some spice and blue fruits. Juicy blue and red fruit on the palate. A bit low in acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2007 - Paul Lin wrote: 86 Points
San Diego Pinot-fest (Cuvee Restaurant - Del Mar, CA): I found this wine slightly schizophrenic. Nose of wet earth, autumn leaves, and mushrooms. The palate, however, is a totally different story. It's sweet, and very fruit forward, with layers of blackberries, cherry jam, and cocoa. As Aiden mentioned, taken separately, I like those characteristics. But together, they are like the odd couple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2007 - paulst wrote: 87 Points
Lost of black and blue berries with acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2007 - JerzeyJohn wrote: 92 Points
First had this wine while in Boston at the Capital Grille - powerful California PN that went well with the steak that was the size of a football (as was my stomach afterwards!). Picked up 1/2 case at the Wine Library when I got back to NJ. Have really enjoyed the first 4 bottles. The nose just screams Pinot. Not as elegant as a Burgundy or more expensive Oregon or Nothern CA PN, but it's a nice change, especially at the price. I wish I has bought a couple of more bottles - p.s. -- the wax top and neck makes for stares when bringing a bottle to a BYO restaurant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2007 - eastover wrote:
Very nice - Sunday night with BBQ roasted swordfish from Berkeley market in Seaside Park after a day at the beach. Nice fruit and a firm background. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2007 - scottmlew wrote: 82 Points
Had with stuffed pork loin chops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2007 - mwagner7700 wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful again. Served with cedar plank smoked Copper River Sockeye salmon. Notes of blueberrry, blackberry, smoke, vanilla and oak. I say it everytime, but I just can't get enough of this wine. Similar notes on the palate with perfectly balanced acidity and soft tannins. Wonderful mouthfeel and medium-long finish. Very enjoyable indeed. 91-93 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2007 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Full raspberry and blueberry fruit; opulent; perfectly paired with mahi mahi.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2007 - mwagner7700 wrote: 91 Points
I just love this wine. Notes of blueberry, blackberry, hickory smoke and vanilla spice. Everything I enjoy in a wine. 90-92 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2007 - oaxaca90049 wrote: 90 Points
we really, really liked this wine one of Caymus' pinots. Big red fruit a little bit funky nose which blows off. gave this to Michelle as a present. I hear the the 2005 is even better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2007 - mwagner7700 wrote: 91 Points
I really like this wine. Served with stuffed turkey breast. Open, but not decanted for 30 mins prior to serving. Notes of blueberry, blackberry, tar and maple syrup. With air, more of the tar/smoke note becomes evident, but you never lose the dark fruit jam notes. Drinking very well now. 90-92 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/14/2007 - fast996 wrote: 93 Points
Drank tonight with a steak . Very good pinot ,smokey with pepper & gunflint .Strong nose of blackberry .Medium red ruby color.. 93pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2007 - drend wrote: 93 Points
Just loved this. Wish I had bought more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2007 - JoeGr wrote: 85 Points
Lots of sweet cherries; very fruit driven pinot noir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2007 - fast996 wrote: 92 Points
This is stiil a very fine Cali pinot. I love the gunflint,cherry and berry fruit,spreads across the palate. Will taste again in 3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2007 - marlin wrote: 87 Points
Seemed to be young. Need time to breathe. Would haved saved another year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2007 - joshmethot wrote: 85 Points
very subtle wine. delicate tannins, ripe berry fruit coated in soft oak vanilla. lacking complexity nice wine, not great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2007 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
CHERRIES AND BERRIES IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2006 - amateurwino wrote: 90 Points
Good solid California pinot, all the expected flavors. Tasted at Houston's for P and my 6 month.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2006 - davetong wrote: 91 Points
Decent Pinot in the extracted, fruity style. I paid $40, but have seen it for under $30, which is a very good price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2006 - TomS wrote: 91 Points
Very nice; warm berries and spice with structure. Nice with our Thanksgiving dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2006 - gordoyflaca wrote: 91 Points
Pinot nose, funk of wet forest and cherries. Complex notes of strawberries, cherries, spice. Bolder than expected. A bit candied for me, so I'd give it an 88, but Mercy thought it was just fine and would rate it 92. Went well with thanksgiving dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2006 - A&C wrote: 93 Points
This really is an exceptional Pinot Noir. Beautiful dark, garnet color. Signature, earthy, mushroom, raspberry, cinnamon-toast Pinot nose. Pure straight Pinot Noir taste and finish. I've had this wine twice now, and on both occasions, I've thought the exact same thing -- clean, crisp, fresh, with nothing to distract from the Pinot grape. Pure. Clean. Polished. This has an amazingly long finish. Paired perfectly with the Italian stew we prepared with pork tenderloin, Colismo sausage, tiger shrimp, fresh fish, imported whole olives, fresh mushrooms and anchovies, complimented by our now signature roasted golden beets and melted goat cheese. A decadent, rich Winter meal, which did not in anyway overwhelm the rich, pure and clean grape of this very fine wine. Buy this wine. You will not in anyway be disappointed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2006 - fast996 wrote: 93 Points
Another very nice bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2006 - dream wrote: 85 Points
Funky nose of strawberries and cherries with spices. A strong spine of acidity ruins the balance of this wine at first but then it calmed down after being open an hour to reveal rather beautiful and rich cherry fruit. Drank this alongside a Dujac Burgundy and the differences in the wines were like night and day with this wine showing typical ripe and intense Central Coast fruit and the Dujac showing earth and perfume flavors that are a cut above. Still, this has the kind of pinot fruit that you burp and feel good about.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2006 - dale1038 wrote: 90 Points
Tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2006 - drcbarroso wrote: 89 Points
Having seen some nice notes on this, we decided to pop our one bottle. Popped and poured into Riedel Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir glasses. Nice red color, almost a cherry color. Nose of forest floor and sour cherry. With some time, the wine showed a lot more concentration. Pretty acidic, albeit I didn't think overly so. Palate shows forest floor, cherries, and some allspice as well. Medium to long finish of cherries and spice. Although I'm concluding that I'm not the biggest fan of this concentrated style of pinot, this is a good bottle of wine, particularly at the $30 or so we paid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2006 - James B wrote: 92 Points
Lovely pinot at the end of a spectacular evening. Tremendous value for the quality.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2006 - A&C wrote: 93 Points
I was very surprised by this wine. The pinot fruit was on perfect display. I could still taste the finish on this wine the entire drive home from our friends' house. One of the best examples of a pinot noir I've every had. A beautiful and complex grape presented in an artful and bright way. Yum, Yum, Yum. Thanks James & Juli for sharing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2006 - thelostverse wrote: 87 Points
I've heard great things about this wine, but I was disappointed. Lots of nice red fruit, but way too much acidity in this one for me. Perhaps it was a bad bottle, but this was not what I was expecting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2006 - mwagner7700 wrote: 90 Points
Had this at Ruth's Chris in NYC with the ribeye. Very sweet nose. Notes of cherry, blackberry, tar, rubber, brown sugar and bacon. Similar notes on the palate with some good acidity to cut some of the fat in the steak. Nice medium length finish with the dark berry and maple sugar lingering. Wine was much better than the steak. 89-91 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2006 - zheem wrote:
Open at outdoor theatre with several friends. Never really gave it time to open, but all enjoyed the rich flavors. I noticed a strong anise/fennel note that went well with a bitersweet chocolate that we were enjoying. This might be the kind of pinot that Cal gets criticized for making, but it very much fullfilled the needs of an after dinner drink in an informal setting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2006 - idrinkvino wrote: 91 Points
Sweet cherries on the nose and tounge. Very nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2006 - mangell wrote: 89 Points
Huge smokey meat character. Very smooth and luscious. Only had one glass as it was poured at a dinner party. Matched wonderfully with the balsmaic onion sauce served with the scallop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2006 - 3WineGuys-Scott wrote: 90 Points
Wow, Great mix of toasted oak (effervescent) and red fruit, great finish of spice and toasted oak - butterfield $65
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/25/2006 - fast996 wrote: 93 Points
Very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2006 - nemloc wrote: 87 Points
Sweet cherry flavors with a smokey tobacco aroma.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2006 - joshbryer wrote: 87 Points
Blah. Lots of sweet candied fruit and not much else save for some light vegetal notes. Not my thing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2006 - drance wrote:
HINT, run the sealer under hot water for a short time, and it cuts very easily. Haven't tried the 2004 yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2006 - AllRed wrote:
The Blind Drunks monthly tasting (Isabella's Estiatorio, Geneva, Illinois): Served blind. All my notes say is "candied and sweet". I thought cool climate Cali.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2006 - JScott wrote: 90 Points
Attractive packaging, becomes less appealing when you actually have to open the fucking thing. Promising nose. Nice acidity and dark cherry core, but there is a rather pronounced iron note on the palate that is just a little intrusive and distracting. Good, not more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment