Opened and decanted. Strawberry hard candy notes on opening with a sharp finish. Fills out with air pretty quick revealing lush fruit. The finish becomes rounder longer and fuller. Good +
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Opened not decanted. Lovely wine; feminine in style; light cherry and strawberry notes; lightweight in body; starts to firm up with air that sharpens the finish with a harder and drier edge. Excellent
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Dinner with Friends (Bite Cafe, Chicago): Courtesy of m/m tlv, served alongside the 2012 Ceritas Hellenthal, and what a contrast in styles. As expected, the WesMar is the more elegant, lighter of the two, displaying cherry, sassafras and a candied wild strawberry note that I really like. Paired nicely with the duck breast.
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A fairly significant improvement from my last few bottles consumed during the past 3 years. This one captured my attention where the past ones were leaving me thinking something is missing.
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Consistently satisfying. This followed a 1978 Parducci Cab/Merlot blend I inherited. While that wine was interesting the comfort and joy of an all-time house favorite from WesMar set things right. We’ve been drinking the Hellenthals since the 07 vintage and will always have some in the vault.
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Risky Business - tonight’s bottle was one of four bought at auction. Paired with seasoned pork ribs. I feel that these are on a sweet spot right now. The seamless entry and luxurious mouthfeel make me happy all over. Subtle cherry, plum, and cola with a little of that Sonoma Coast Black Tea component. Medium length finish
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again, very pretty nose. flowers, raspberries, cola. but just doesnt follow through on the palate at all. i initially thought these would all age well, but they havent really lived up to my expectations.
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Prior bottle was 13 months ago and this wine has improved and settled down quite nicely in that time. Raspberry, cola, earth and spices on the nose. Medium bodied (13.5% ABV) and with the additional year, has come much more into balance. Shows red raspberry and red cherry upfront but much more restrained, nuanced and smooth as opposed to the prior bottle when the fruit notes were almost lush and brighter as opposed to more balanced. Structure behind is tannin based, but much more integrated with the fruit than in the prior bottle. Moderate mineral notes on the finish. I was pleased that this wine developed almost exactly along the lines I'd been hoping for. Fruit-forward qualities evolved, more balance between fruit and structure and as the mid-body fruit lost some of the near-lushness, the wine displayed more complexity and integration overall. Should continue to develop along these lines over the next year or two and persist for additional years beyond. This is a wine that proves that patience can be rewarded.
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Drinking beautifully now with more road ahead. Red raspberry and cherry notes. Hint of cola but really nicely integrated. Beautiful nose and color are a precursor to the lovely experience in the glass. Gorgeous Pinot.
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Lighter strawberry rhubarb color. Expressive nose of red cassis and candied red cherries. Choke cherry, cola and red raspberries across the palate. Lovely, silky mouthfeel. Cola notes persist.
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Intense raspberry and floral notes on the nose. Between medium and full bodied with good depth. Rich, but not lush and while it's right on the line of being fruit forward, it's still so young the evolution will carry it away from that style. Red raspberry upfront with blueberry behind and then some nice tart cherry notes towards the finish. Just enough acidity to balance the fruit on the finish and give it length without any drying notes. This is an extremely well put together pinot. The balance and integration are going to improve and as well as this wine is drinking now, in another year or two, it's going to be something special.
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Find me a better Pinot in California. At one perspective, it's unashamedly California Pinot. Pronounced fruit. But right there with it are beautiful orange peel notes, spices, and beautifully integrated tannins. I'd call it Burgundian but that's unfair. It's just perfect California, Sonoma coast Pinot. Can't wait to enjoy more ever time. Thanks wesmar.
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Opened this on 12/13 to take to a party, but never made it out of the house. Re-bottled and put back in the cellar overnight, and then consumed after being opened at least 30 hours. This has the customary nose of WM wines, with red fruits and a feminine side. Palate is similar with a bit of pine and earth as well. Beautiful now, but I think this will be even better with a few years under its belt. 94+
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4/14/2024 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened and decanted. Strawberry hard candy notes on opening with a sharp finish. Fills out with air pretty quick revealing lush fruit. The finish becomes rounder longer and fuller. Good +
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12/10/2023 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted. Lovely wine; feminine in style; light cherry and strawberry notes; lightweight in body; starts to firm up with air that sharpens the finish with a harder and drier edge. Excellent
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7/20/2021 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 94 Points
Balanced…integrated…interesting. Deep Strawberry kiwi then spice…long finish. Clear and translucent…not over extracted.
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2/14/2021 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 93 Points
Burgundian...light color...stewed cranberries, interestingly bitter, raspberries, kiwi....nice/complex. Adept wine makers!
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7/17/2020 - BillyRayValentine wrote: 90 Points
Elegant and light but balanced and interesting. Strawberry jam, rhubarb, earth. Paired with grilled trout.
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3/28/2020 - Lazerlar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Best one yet, enjoyed this, 8 years in has this showing very well
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3/7/2020 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Dinner with Friends (Bite Cafe, Chicago): Courtesy of m/m tlv, served alongside the 2012 Ceritas Hellenthal, and what a contrast in styles. As expected, the WesMar is the more elegant, lighter of the two, displaying cherry, sassafras and a candied wild strawberry note that I really like. Paired nicely with the duck breast.
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4/29/2019 - Lazerlar Likes this wine: 92 Points
A fairly significant improvement from my last few bottles consumed during the past 3 years. This one captured my attention where the past ones were leaving me thinking something is missing.
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10/21/2018 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistently satisfying.
This followed a 1978 Parducci Cab/Merlot blend I inherited. While that wine was interesting the comfort and joy of an all-time house favorite from WesMar set things right.
We’ve been drinking the Hellenthals since the 07 vintage and will always have some in the vault.
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10/9/2018 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 89 Points
More enjoyable than previous bottle. Mouthfeel was a bit thicker and more full. Last bottle of Hellenthal.
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6/20/2018 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same as my review of March 16. Such a good wine from great people. I’ll keep ordering the Hellenthal as long as they keep making it.
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4/24/2018 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
incredible nose of raspberry and cola. palate is just too thin and watery for me to enjoy.
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3/16/2018 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 92 Points
Risky Business - tonight’s bottle was one of four bought at auction. Paired with seasoned pork ribs.
I feel that these are on a sweet spot right now. The seamless entry and luxurious mouthfeel make me happy all over. Subtle cherry, plum, and cola with a little of that Sonoma Coast Black Tea component. Medium length finish
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12/25/2017 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bright, fresh and tart. Has abundant fruit--Cherry and even raisin. Remains a great find
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5/17/2017 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
again, very pretty nose. flowers, raspberries, cola. but just doesnt follow through on the palate at all. i initially thought these would all age well, but they havent really lived up to my expectations.
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4/3/2017 - cobalt2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last one , bummed. This is such a good bottle, fruit is fresh with a some balanced acidity and a great aroma
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2/22/2017 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points
Prior bottle was 13 months ago and this wine has improved and settled down quite nicely in that time. Raspberry, cola, earth and spices on the nose. Medium bodied (13.5% ABV) and with the additional year, has come much more into balance. Shows red raspberry and red cherry upfront but much more restrained, nuanced and smooth as opposed to the prior bottle when the fruit notes were almost lush and brighter as opposed to more balanced. Structure behind is tannin based, but much more integrated with the fruit than in the prior bottle. Moderate mineral notes on the finish. I was pleased that this wine developed almost exactly along the lines I'd been hoping for. Fruit-forward qualities evolved, more balance between fruit and structure and as the mid-body fruit lost some of the near-lushness, the wine displayed more complexity and integration overall. Should continue to develop along these lines over the next year or two and persist for additional years beyond. This is a wine that proves that patience can be rewarded.
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11/15/2016 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully now with more road ahead. Red raspberry and cherry notes. Hint of cola but really nicely integrated. Beautiful nose and color are a precursor to the lovely experience in the glass. Gorgeous Pinot.
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7/16/2016 - pjhr wrote: 91 Points
Similar tasting note to the previous bottle.
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7/7/2016 - pjhr wrote: 91 Points
Red raspberry and spice aromas with silky ripe raspberry and cherry cola flavors with a hint of oak culminating in a tasty finish with a hint of heat.
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7/4/2016 - air guitar & pinot noir wrote: 92 Points
Lighter strawberry rhubarb color. Expressive nose of red cassis and candied red cherries. Choke cherry, cola and red raspberries across the palate. Lovely, silky mouthfeel. Cola notes persist.
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6/26/2016 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty purple color. Great raspberry, cherry and cola nose. Palate needs aeration to open up. Good solid structure. Should improve with time.
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1/16/2016 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points
Intense raspberry and floral notes on the nose. Between medium and full bodied with good depth. Rich, but not lush and while it's right on the line of being fruit forward, it's still so young the evolution will carry it away from that style. Red raspberry upfront with blueberry behind and then some nice tart cherry notes towards the finish. Just enough acidity to balance the fruit on the finish and give it length without any drying notes. This is an extremely well put together pinot. The balance and integration are going to improve and as well as this wine is drinking now, in another year or two, it's going to be something special.
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12/12/2015 - mklein86 wrote: 93 Points
Find me a better Pinot in California. At one perspective, it's unashamedly California Pinot. Pronounced fruit. But right there with it are beautiful orange peel notes, spices, and beautifully integrated tannins. I'd call it Burgundian but that's unfair. It's just perfect California, Sonoma coast Pinot. Can't wait to enjoy more ever time. Thanks wesmar.
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12/14/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 94 Points
Opened this on 12/13 to take to a party, but never made it out of the house. Re-bottled and put back in the cellar overnight, and then consumed after being opened at least 30 hours. This has the customary nose of WM wines, with red fruits and a feminine side. Palate is similar with a bit of pine and earth as well. Beautiful now, but I think this will be even better with a few years under its belt. 94+
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