This 14 year old Alexander Valley Pinot is still providing enjoyment. Not outstanding but an enjoyable wine with a meal. Fully integrated and still maintaining good structure and length. I liked the wine's presence in a more mature, subtle style. Needs to pair with a meal to show its best at this point.
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Bottle was opened for about two hours prior to this note. Deep ruby red core with some noticeable lightening at the edges, zero browning. A wonderfully expressive rich and savory nose with tons of layers. Warm strawberry reduction with a red floral perfume like scent. Nose also has some dried herb scents along with some brown baking spice. Palate is really lovely and bright. Keeps bouncing back between rich and savory to crunchy and high toned. With a bit more air it seems to find a perfect balance. Lovely richness with some bottle sweetness. Rolled in is some bright almost crunchy acids and tannins. This is really hitting a sweet spot for me as it manages to stay interesting and fresh but doesn't lack the concentration in doing so. Picking up a bit of citrus orange peel, cranberry and more of the brown baking spices. Front to back it doesn't have a hard edge to be found with still some freshness and structure. I'd have no problem drinking now with a bit of air or continuing to cellar as long as the acid and tannin will support. I'm sure some are wondering how this compares to Burgundy and I am not sure I could peg this as either or in a blind tasting. In the end..... who cares, this is truly some magnificent California Pinot Noir.
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Historically one of our all-time favorite Californians, and this bottle was terrific. No sign of aging; ruby colored; lovely nose of red fruit, roses, some earthy forest, spices, and the slightest touch of vanilla; perfectly balanced in the mouth; and a lingering soft finish. Just a wonderful bottle of wine, and relatively quickly emptied.
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Popped and poured. Deep ruby with little fading. On the nose - boysenberries, cherry, a bit of alcohol, but deep rich fruit. On the palate - lovely depth and intensity kept in check by the acidity. This is very good. Continues to develop more complexity and doesn't fade at all. May be the best Savoy I have tasted.
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very pretty. Red fruits with some sweetness on the nose. More earthy fully, long, balanced, and mineral in the mid-palate and finish. Such a sikly integrated balanced well made wine that could age longer as it still appears young but oh so smooth..
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Form the cellar since purchase and consumed over two hours. Quite a lovely red color: not too old nor too young - in the zone. Color suggests that this wine has several more years prime drinking. Nose has elements of cola, strawberry, and other mixed berry components. Some bouillon flavors and richness underlies the fruit high notes. Flavors in the nose are also obvious in the palate, along with fully integrated tannins and an orange peel finish. Lovely. A Pinot Noir having a fully integrated nose and flavors; excellent balance. Enjoyed by everyone at Christmas dinner.
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Bottle consumed over dinner at Bay Wolf. Very warm evening, although bottle chilled before being consumed. Initial impression was very smoky and spicy, then quite thick on the balance with a slightly tannic finish. This tasted a bit disjointed, and may need more time. Very big for an Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and surprisingly backward at 6 years of age. I would wait 2-4 years to consume my next bottle.
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Wonderful cherry notes on the front end, excellent balance, a bit of forest floor, but a touch drying on the finish. Not sure if the fruit is drying out on this or if it is in a bit of a dumb stage at this point. Will wait a year or two before opening the next bottle. 91 points.
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The nose immediatly tells me I am I am in for a great treat with layered red earth fruit, and an amazing aray of balance and structure. So balanced in the mouth with just the perfect amount of acidity, I was stunned with how much harmony this wine represents. The mouth neither being heavy nor light pairs brilliantly with my food. If I could form a standard for California Pinot Noir, this bottling would represent the control bottling. Utterly perfect and without question one of the top 3 best Pinot from California I have tasted all year thus far. If you own it, try it. I hope to be somday find and consume another.
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7/29/2023 - Nothung Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still drinking well; a wonderful bottle of pinot.
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7/16/2023 - Nothung Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still going strong, although I wouldn't wait too much longer before drinking.
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12/30/2022 - Nothung Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still going strong and in a great place right now. Opened about 2 hours before drinking.
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11/26/2022 - Nothung Likes this wine: 92 Points
A bit past it’s prime, but still drinking really well.
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2/7/2019 - RonniePiemonte wrote: 92 Points
Still in great shape. Alluring nose. Strawberry Rhubarb. Anderson Valley shines.
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8/30/2016 - jsebiri wrote:
Nice Pinot , past prime , but nice......had the 2002 Hirsh night before this was better . Older wine , little stewed on nose , but drinking well .
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7/9/2016 - JBVino wrote:
This 14 year old Alexander Valley Pinot is still providing enjoyment. Not outstanding but an enjoyable wine with a meal. Fully integrated and still maintaining good structure and length. I liked the wine's presence in a more mature, subtle style. Needs to pair with a meal to show its best at this point.
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2/24/2016 - jaimetown wrote: 93 Points
Still a nice, dark ruby color - aromas of autumn (leaves, sweet root vegetables) and red fruit. Still fresh, vibrant and delicious.
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6/30/2012 - tyvoodoo wrote:
Bottle was opened for about two hours prior to this note. Deep ruby red core with some noticeable lightening at the edges, zero browning. A wonderfully expressive rich and savory nose with tons of layers. Warm strawberry reduction with a red floral perfume like scent. Nose also has some dried herb scents along with some brown baking spice. Palate is really lovely and bright. Keeps bouncing back between rich and savory to crunchy and high toned. With a bit more air it seems to find a perfect balance. Lovely richness with some bottle sweetness. Rolled in is some bright almost crunchy acids and tannins. This is really hitting a sweet spot for me as it manages to stay interesting and fresh but doesn't lack the concentration in doing so. Picking up a bit of citrus orange peel, cranberry and more of the brown baking spices. Front to back it doesn't have a hard edge to be found with still some freshness and structure. I'd have no problem drinking now with a bit of air or continuing to cellar as long as the acid and tannin will support. I'm sure some are wondering how this compares to Burgundy and I am not sure I could peg this as either or in a blind tasting. In the end..... who cares, this is truly some magnificent California Pinot Noir.
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5/7/2012 - ASG24 wrote:
Historically one of our all-time favorite Californians, and this bottle was terrific. No sign of aging; ruby colored; lovely nose of red fruit, roses, some earthy forest, spices, and the slightest touch of vanilla; perfectly balanced in the mouth; and a lingering soft finish. Just a wonderful bottle of wine, and relatively quickly emptied.
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11/26/2010 - rosenst1 wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured. Deep ruby with little fading. On the nose - boysenberries, cherry, a bit of alcohol, but deep rich fruit. On the palate - lovely depth and intensity kept in check by the acidity. This is very good. Continues to develop more complexity and doesn't fade at all. May be the best Savoy I have tasted.
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10/30/2010 - calnative Likes this wine: 93 Points
very pretty. Red fruits with some sweetness on the nose. More earthy fully, long, balanced, and mineral in the mid-palate and finish. Such a sikly integrated balanced well made wine that could age longer as it still appears young but oh so smooth..
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8/30/2010 - BarbaraW wrote:
Lovely and balanced - one of the best wines of the night.
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5/18/2010 - jclary wrote: 94 Points
One of the better Littorai wines that I have had. Drinking extremely well right now. Plenty of fruit and acidity. Really enjoyed by both of us.
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3/14/2010 - jsebiri wrote:
well made cali pinot fruit nice nose a small amount burnt 88-90 rating
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12/25/2009 - John Dunlap wrote: 93 Points
Form the cellar since purchase and consumed over two hours. Quite a lovely red color: not too old nor too young - in the zone. Color suggests that this wine has several more years prime drinking. Nose has elements of cola, strawberry, and other mixed berry components. Some bouillon flavors and richness underlies the fruit high notes. Flavors in the nose are also obvious in the palate, along with fully integrated tannins and an orange peel finish. Lovely. A Pinot Noir having a fully integrated nose and flavors; excellent balance. Enjoyed by everyone at Christmas dinner.
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12/21/2008 - CMCLR wrote: 91 Points
Came in 2nd behind the Walter Hansel
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5/16/2008 - rosenst1 wrote:
Bottle consumed over dinner at Bay Wolf. Very warm evening, although bottle chilled before being consumed.
Initial impression was very smoky and spicy, then quite thick on the balance with a slightly tannic finish. This
tasted a bit disjointed, and may need more time. Very big for an Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and surprisingly backward
at 6 years of age. I would wait 2-4 years to consume my next bottle.
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12/20/2007 - CMCLR wrote: 88 Points
A little light, some brown around the edges. Time to drink up.
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9/7/2007 - CMCLR wrote: 89 Points
The finish falls a little short. Was served cold from the wine cellar following the W. Block which just blew this away.
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3/20/2007 - sfwineguy wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful cherry notes on the front end, excellent balance, a bit of forest floor, but a touch drying on the finish. Not sure if the fruit is drying out on this or if it is in a bit of a dumb stage at this point. Will wait a year or two before opening the next bottle. 91 points.
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7/19/2006 - jamiekutch wrote:
The nose immediatly tells me I am I am in for a great treat with layered red earth fruit, and an amazing aray of balance and structure. So balanced in the mouth with just the perfect amount of acidity, I was stunned with how much harmony this wine represents. The mouth neither being heavy nor light pairs brilliantly with my food. If I could form a standard for California Pinot Noir, this bottling would represent the control bottling. Utterly perfect and without question one of the top 3 best Pinot from California I have tasted all year thus far. If you own it, try it. I hope to be somday find and consume another.
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