First of seven bottles opened. I saw a 99 score from one major publication. Not even close! Ruby and translucent. Very subdued aroma, mostly cherries. Light to medium body, tart with high acidity, cherry flavors, no complexity. Medium aftertaste. Tasted alongside Walter Hansel "The South Slope" 2019, which was far and away much better, with rich, full aromas and flavors of great pinot noir. This Occidental, if tasted blind, I could believe sold for $20. The $125 plus-plus that I paid for what's in the glass is extremely overpriced. I'll try another bottle but I doubt it will be different. If that's the case I'll find a buyer for the others. Ric
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Decanted for 60 minutes and consumed out of a Sensory stem. The wine was initially paired with chicken milanese then consumed without food for the next 4 hours. The wine was returned from the decanter to the bottle after approximately 2 hours and the temperature was slowly returned to 55°.
The color was a medium ruby. The aromas were floral with hints of orange rind and brown spices. The palate was of tart cherry. cranberry, allspice, and crushed gravel. The wine had great acidity and salinity.
This is a beautiful wine that has all the stuffing to age gracefully and gain another few points with midterm cellaring.
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1/7/2024 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 86 Points
First of seven bottles opened. I saw a 99 score from one major publication. Not even close! Ruby and translucent. Very subdued aroma, mostly cherries. Light to medium body, tart with high acidity, cherry flavors, no complexity. Medium aftertaste. Tasted alongside Walter Hansel "The South Slope" 2019, which was far and away much better, with rich, full aromas and flavors of great pinot noir. This Occidental, if tasted blind, I could believe sold for $20. The $125 plus-plus that I paid for what's in the glass is extremely overpriced. I'll try another bottle but I doubt it will be different. If that's the case I'll find a buyer for the others.
Ric
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12/30/2023 - JustBreathe680 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 60 minutes and consumed out of a Sensory stem. The wine was initially paired with chicken milanese then consumed without food for the next 4 hours. The wine was returned from the decanter to the bottle after approximately 2 hours and the temperature was slowly returned to 55°.
The color was a medium ruby. The aromas were floral with hints of orange rind and brown spices. The palate was of tart cherry. cranberry, allspice, and crushed gravel. The wine had great acidity and salinity.
This is a beautiful wine that has all the stuffing to age gracefully and gain another few points with midterm cellaring.
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11/28/2023 - RossS wrote: 96 Points
Excellent one of the BEST CAL PINOT EVER
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11/17/2023 - merlotsmile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vinminnen19
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11/8/2023 - SARED wrote:
Lots of spritz that needs to be shaken or decanted out.
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