Been saying for years every Thanksgiving I need to open this bottle. Pulled it from cellar, popped n poured into my best Burgundy glass. First glance, no bricking at rim. Solid deep garnet color. Nose: spice, dark fruits. First sip- holy sheet this is good Pinot. This is what I love about Sonoma Coast PNs. Nice acidity, tannins with a crunchy pomegranate finish. First glass to last this wine just delivered at 18 years old. Has length to last a few more years if anyone has some left. Hats off to proprietors and winemaker.
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Purchased from a wine merchant in 2005 and cellared under controlled conditions.My last bottle, last tasted in 2016 via Coravin. Pulled from the cellar to try tonight with dinner of Bolognese ragu and consumed. Bright violet in color. The nose is of cherries and earth. Rich, fruit forward and very concentrated on the palate with focused berries. Astonishingly rich with superb concentration. This is drinking like a young wine and could go improve for another 10+ years. The tannins remind at the end of the finish. Absolutely superb! Sadly, my last. Astonishingly good!!!
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Second Coravin glass from my last bottle. Even better than the first glass. Deep violet. Minimal signs of aging. Smooth, silky, rich mature cherries with plum and cinnamon on the nose but especially on the palate. Very long finish. Pure delight. If you have some, I recommend trying now. Its very, very good.
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Cellared since release. Coravin glass from my last bottle. Decanted @ 1hour in glass. Medium violet color. The wine remains rich and fresh. Primary cherry nose with some earth and a hint of mint. Bright, rich cherry flavor with bing and tart elements. Medium to long finish. Plenty of tannins left. A wonderful wine. Surprised this is so good 13 years after vintage. Probably peaking but it has plenty of time left.
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Deep, dark garnet in color; almost opaque with no signs of aging. Forward, attractive and developed & well integrated nose of rich, ripe red cherries, strawberries, & plums with toasty oak overtones, some floral notes of lavender, cocoa, some cola, earthy, truffles, some tar, spice notes, minerals and a measured dose of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of developed, dense, lush, rich, ripe red fruit flavors of dark cherries, sweet raspberries & plums, cherry-cola, earthy, cocoa, spices, toasty oak and vanilla. Lingering smooth finish with just a slight touch of heat (Alc. @ 14.16%). An intensely fruit-focused Pinot which has developed nicely and has the structure to hold onto its current plateau for several more years although any further development would be minimal, if at all.
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Drank one a few months ago and it was heaven; this one last night showed its age and had sadly passed its drinking window. Stored the same so surprised.
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Started slow but really came on strong with some air. More dark fruit than the 2004 version, but impressive length, balance and acidity. Fantastic with food.
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Medium ruby red core with pinkish rim. Spicy nose with red berries, candy strawberry with oak and a bit of barnyard. Full body, med acidity, nice mouth feeling, it is rather big but still somewhat balanced. Ripe strawberry, dark cherry and blackberry on the palate, taste slightly sweet and tobacco on the finish. Enjoyable, very Cali PN but lacks complexity.
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This was a classic example of a great sonoma pinot. It had wonderful dark cherry fruits, great spice, I even got some graham crackers on the nose. I'd buy this again for sure. Will finish the bottle tonight and see how it has evolved on day 2.
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11/26/2021 - SCM Fan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Been saying for years every Thanksgiving I need to open this bottle. Pulled it from cellar, popped n poured into my best Burgundy glass. First glance, no bricking at rim. Solid deep garnet color. Nose: spice, dark fruits. First sip- holy sheet this is good Pinot. This is what I love about Sonoma Coast PNs. Nice acidity, tannins with a crunchy pomegranate finish. First glass to last this wine just delivered at 18 years old. Has length to last a few more years if anyone has some left.
Hats off to proprietors and winemaker.
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3/16/2018 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 95 Points
Purchased from a wine merchant in 2005 and cellared under controlled conditions.My last bottle, last tasted in 2016 via Coravin. Pulled from the cellar to try tonight with dinner of Bolognese ragu and consumed. Bright violet in color. The nose is of cherries and earth. Rich, fruit forward and very concentrated on the palate with focused berries. Astonishingly rich with superb concentration. This is drinking like a young wine and could go improve for another 10+ years. The tannins remind at the end of the finish. Absolutely superb! Sadly, my last. Astonishingly good!!!
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12/12/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 94 Points
Second Coravin glass from my last bottle. Even better than the first glass. Deep violet. Minimal signs of aging. Smooth, silky, rich mature cherries with plum and cinnamon on the nose but especially on the palate. Very long finish. Pure delight. If you have some, I recommend trying now. Its very, very good.
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12/7/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cellared since release. Coravin glass from my last bottle. Decanted @ 1hour in glass. Medium violet color. The wine remains rich and fresh. Primary cherry nose with some earth and a hint of mint. Bright, rich cherry flavor with bing and tart elements. Medium to long finish. Plenty of tannins left. A wonderful wine. Surprised this is so good 13 years after vintage. Probably peaking but it has plenty of time left.
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5/14/2014 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep, dark garnet in color; almost opaque with no signs of aging. Forward, attractive and developed & well integrated nose of rich, ripe red cherries, strawberries, & plums with toasty oak overtones, some floral notes of lavender, cocoa, some cola, earthy, truffles, some tar, spice notes, minerals and a measured dose of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of developed, dense, lush, rich, ripe red fruit flavors of dark cherries, sweet raspberries & plums, cherry-cola, earthy, cocoa, spices, toasty oak and vanilla. Lingering smooth finish with just a slight touch of heat (Alc. @ 14.16%). An intensely fruit-focused Pinot which has developed nicely and has the structure to hold onto its current plateau for several more years although any further development would be minimal, if at all.
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7/5/2012 - alphabiotics wrote:
Drank one a few months ago and it was heaven; this one last night showed its age and had sadly passed its drinking window. Stored the same so surprised.
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11/22/2010 - Spookey wrote: 92 Points
Still delicious. 2 Bottles left.
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4/14/2010 - bistro wrote: 90 Points
Still tasty but starting to show signs of age, finishing almost a bit too sweet. Probably not a ton of time left.
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10/26/2009 - bistro wrote: 91 Points
Started slow but really came on strong with some air. More dark fruit than the 2004 version, but impressive length, balance and acidity. Fantastic with food.
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10/4/2009 - Double D wrote: 94 Points
Excellent bright and aromatic pinot...many red fruit tastes and medium bodied.
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8/29/2009 - rralls wrote: 90 Points
Old scribbled notes from Damn Best California Pinot Dinner at Paul's Restaurant.
No notes.
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5/16/2009 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
I'm going to miss the 2003 vintage almost as much as the 2002.
Last bottle was great.
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12/4/2007 - french16 wrote: 89 Points
Medium ruby red core with pinkish rim.
Spicy nose with red berries, candy strawberry with oak and a bit of barnyard.
Full body, med acidity, nice mouth feeling, it is rather big but still somewhat balanced. Ripe strawberry, dark cherry and blackberry on the palate, taste slightly sweet and tobacco on the finish. Enjoyable, very Cali PN but lacks complexity.
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3/1/2007 - shudave wrote: 90 Points
This was a classic example of a great sonoma pinot. It had wonderful dark cherry fruits, great spice, I even got some graham crackers on the nose. I'd buy this again for sure. Will finish the bottle tonight and see how it has evolved on day 2.
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10/13/2006 - Cellar de Latour wrote:
R - Delicious - drank during a Tante Marie's Cooking Party. Really excellent with and w/out food.
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