Thanksgiving 2022. This wine was all about the fruit. Solid pop and cork, no infiltration, ands stained almost identical light magenta as a recently consumed Dumiol Monticello cabernet. Very good fruit, evolved, and only slightly faded. Other single vineyards often have a distinct flavor, but this one didn't seem to as far as I could detect. But the fruit was nice, cherry flavored, and succulent. It only deepened with more time in glass. Had some next day and there was pressure when cork removed, as if fermentation was still occurring. And it was even better second day. First day wine felt like it was holding back, but not on following day. If there were tannins or oak I didn't detect. Nice pinot, ready now, and feels to me at peak. Drink now. I know Rosella is a great vineyard, and should have it's own signature flavor profile (which I couldn't detect). I always question whether single vineyard wines at higher price are worth buy over the regular appellation bottling, but in this case it was. I would buy again.
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Deep Ruby, blackberry and slight pepper on nose. Should have decanted for 30-45 minutes. Essence of berries and mild spice. Drinking really well. May last another 3-5 years.
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Decanted for 60 minutes and then glass time for 30 more. Clear, bright ruby. Wonderful typical huge KB nose. This drank beautifully. Full body but not over extracted, red fruit profile. Excellent balance/integration. cola, red cherry, clean, fruity. Super long finish with a touch of tartness. Nothing off. $106 winery direct.
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Fruity and showy right off the gate just like other KBs. Drinking pleasantly for an hour or so. But it lost its legs and turned strangely rustic. I guess the key is to finish it quickly. :-)
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Pretty, light deep ruby color. Rhubarb, cherry raspberry, strawberry, pecan and that outdoor canvas nuance. Amazing wood characteristics with chalky tones on the back end and light spiced cola. Elegant complexity.
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Medium-dark crimson with a faint copper/garnet rim. In a Burg glass after about 30 min the nose opened to cola, anise, dark berries, pine but with nothing dominating and each whiff giving a new ratio of that mix. Medium+ acidity with red berries, pomegranate, unripe strawberry, black licorice, vanilla/oak, pepper - nice edges and a delayed tannic grip. Really awesome fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands.
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Consumed with dinner at Fiola Mare in Washington DC. Opened and decanted for about an hour before drinking. Plum and blackberry with notes of herbs. Nicely rounded tannins and just a hint of vanilla from the oak. Somewhat rustic at the beginning but after the second hour it had smoothed out and was excellent.
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After an hour decant this Pinot Noir explodes with rich strawberry fruit with cola notes on the finish. Perfectly balanced and as full bodied as any Pinot you will taste from North America. Delicious.
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This presented red berries and cinnamon spice notes. Still showing bright acidity and freshness. A bit subdued and tight upon opening. I decanted about an hour. Started to unfold a bit and smooth out. Not overly nuanced or complex but still drinking well and enjoyable.
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If properly cellared this needs time. Had it with 3 other KBs and was liked the least until 4 hours after sitting in the glass. If opening now, I would decant it.
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This bottle took a while to open up. Once it had time to air it was so deep and complex. Beat the stuffing out of a Williams selyem 2013 Westside road neighbors.
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10/6/2023 - AlexPS Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and aired for 1 hr. Very fine, light sediment. Nose: 9/10. Light terpentine at the beginning. After 2 hrs: beautiful sweet flowers (jasmine?), tea, stone, iron. Palate: 9/10. Medium body. Rounded tannins. Butterscotch. So beautiful. Finish: 8/10. Toffee, grape seeds. Price: 9/10 ($80 after tax, 2023). Enjoyment: 10/10. Would buy again: Yes, but drink soon.
Part of 2013 horizontal: Rosella's, Pisoni, Kanzler.
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1/25/2023 - oaxaca90049 wrote:
Just a gorgeous bottle of wine. It makes you nostalgic for the good old days when Michael Browne was the winemaker.
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11/24/2022 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Thanksgiving 2022. This wine was all about the fruit. Solid pop and cork, no infiltration, ands stained almost identical light magenta as a recently consumed Dumiol Monticello cabernet. Very good fruit, evolved, and only slightly faded. Other single vineyards often have a distinct flavor, but this one didn't seem to as far as I could detect. But the fruit was nice, cherry flavored, and succulent. It only deepened with more time in glass. Had some next day and there was pressure when cork removed, as if fermentation was still occurring. And it was even better second day. First day wine felt like it was holding back, but not on following day. If there were tannins or oak I didn't detect. Nice pinot, ready now, and feels to me at peak. Drink now. I know Rosella is a great vineyard, and should have it's own signature flavor profile (which I couldn't detect). I always question whether single vineyard wines at higher price are worth buy over the regular appellation bottling, but in this case it was. I would buy again.
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7/19/2022 - Fftjr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep Ruby, blackberry and slight pepper on nose. Should have decanted for 30-45 minutes. Essence of berries and mild spice. Drinking really well. May last another 3-5 years.
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6/6/2022 - jmottern Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep dark red big body wine (14.6%). Plum and black cherry fruit with a hint of chocolate. Spice finish. Overall a beautiful wine.
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12/5/2021 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for 60 minutes and then glass time for 30 more. Clear, bright ruby. Wonderful typical huge KB nose. This drank beautifully. Full body but not over extracted, red fruit profile. Excellent balance/integration. cola, red cherry, clean, fruity. Super long finish with a touch of tartness. Nothing off. $106 winery direct.
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7/11/2021 - Andrew H wrote: 93 Points
Deep red. Warm, soft fruit - cherry, strawberry. Hint of spearmint. Tannins integrated. Drink now!
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2/16/2021 - eatdrinkrepeat Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruity and showy right off the gate just like other KBs. Drinking pleasantly for an hour or so. But it lost its legs and turned strangely rustic. I guess the key is to finish it quickly. :-)
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1/17/2021 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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12/26/2020 - dkentaustin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pretty, light deep ruby color. Rhubarb, cherry raspberry, strawberry, pecan and that outdoor canvas nuance. Amazing wood characteristics with chalky tones on the back end and light spiced cola. Elegant complexity.
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10/25/2020 - jweedin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great Pinot from a great vineyard. Beautiful floral nose with big red fruit and smooth tannins. Great to drink now
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8/16/2020 - brasstab wrote: 94 Points
An unbelievable delight. Cherries and rhubarb and all manner of black pepper. A stunner.
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7/24/2020 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ripe dark cherry aromas and flavors with spice notes wrapped in a silky smooth texture and culminating in a moderate long finish.
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5/11/2020 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 94 Points
More dark fruit and licorice on the nose. Big mouth feel and great length.
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4/24/2020 - KenK wrote: 88 Points
Good, but somewhat faded overipe qualities.
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3/19/2020 - eszencia Likes this wine:
Loads of bright red flowers & fruit and more subtle, well integrated oak provides a very enjoyable vanilla/raspberry swirl flavor.
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1/17/2020 - Arch57 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another hit wine from KB with those signature fresh raspberry fruit and cola notes. Smooth tannins and nice long finish.
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11/9/2019 - TGHK Likes this wine:
Good
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10/2/2019 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great berry buzz in the mouth! Lots of fruit with an acid kick to make it a joy to drink.
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5/27/2019 - SMZ wrote: 94 Points
All of the KB wines are great, but this one is spectacular...bursting with opulent flavors...and so smooth
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5/25/2019 - Doctor Koulodare wrote: 94 Points
An outstanding Santa Lucia Highlands KB. Herbaceous and peppery undertones with a great expression of red fruit and a plush mouthfeel.
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4/15/2019 - jvphoto Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium-dark crimson with a faint copper/garnet rim. In a Burg glass after about 30 min the nose opened to cola, anise, dark berries, pine but with nothing dominating and each whiff giving a new ratio of that mix. Medium+ acidity with red berries, pomegranate, unripe strawberry, black licorice, vanilla/oak, pepper - nice edges and a delayed tannic grip. Really awesome fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands.
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3/11/2019 - dinwiddie Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consumed with dinner at Fiola Mare in Washington DC. Opened and decanted for about an hour before drinking. Plum and blackberry with notes of herbs. Nicely rounded tannins and just a hint of vanilla from the oak. Somewhat rustic at the beginning but after the second hour it had smoothed out and was excellent.
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10/14/2018 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 94 Points
After an hour decant this Pinot Noir explodes with rich strawberry fruit with cola notes on the finish. Perfectly balanced and as full bodied as any Pinot you will taste from North America. Delicious.
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9/25/2018 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
This presented red berries and cinnamon spice notes. Still showing bright acidity and freshness. A bit subdued and tight upon opening. I decanted about an hour. Started to unfold a bit and smooth out. Not overly nuanced or complex but still drinking well and enjoyable.
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4/27/2018 - MWes Likes this wine: 91 Points
If properly cellared this needs time. Had it with 3 other KBs and was liked the least until 4 hours after sitting in the glass. If opening now, I would decant it.
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1/27/2018 - peterg2004 wrote: 97 Points
Okay this was an unbelievable bottle!!!! Touch of cola and refine fruit. My wife bday - best wine I had in a decade true kb flavor profile!
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12/25/2017 - cobystilp wrote: 92 Points
This bottle took a while to open up. Once it had time to air it was so deep and complex. Beat the stuffing out of a Williams selyem 2013 Westside road neighbors.
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