Generously shared by Janie Brooks during this week's SOMM reunion, the 2003 Rastabon was her brother, Jimi's first and last vintage produced under the Rastaban label. A significant wine to share, because Jimi passed away in 2004, and Janie stepped in to keep Brooks winery and Jimi's vision going (if you're not familiar with the Brooks' moving story, do watch the feature documentary, American Wine Story). Thirteen years on, this outstanding Willamette Valley Pinot is slightly brickish and unfiltered given the amount of sediment in the bottle and in my glass, and possesses evolved sweet and savory aromatics, like brussels sprouts cooked in bacon lardons, iron ore and dusty plums. There is yet sweet fruit at the core, all red berries, and lovely sueded texture. Bravo, Jimi.
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Medium dark purple. Nice boysenberry nose. Full bodied, big rich black fruit, great weight, big rich finish. Big wine with great rich black fruit. Well balanced.
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A wine that betrays the hotness of the 2003 vintage? Barnyardy nose, with intense cherry fruit, accompanied by noticeable acidity. It did seem a little hot and lacked a little balance.
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The rep was pouring this at a retailer tasting yesterday and did not think anything was wrong with it. I found it to be a poor qoulity Pinot. it had a medicinal quility to it with some soapiness. This goes for about $49. 75 points.
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6/9/2016 - Christine Havens Likes this wine: 91 Points
Generously shared by Janie Brooks during this week's SOMM reunion, the 2003 Rastabon was her brother, Jimi's first and last vintage produced under the Rastaban label. A significant wine to share, because Jimi passed away in 2004, and Janie stepped in to keep Brooks winery and Jimi's vision going (if you're not familiar with the Brooks' moving story, do watch the feature documentary, American Wine Story). Thirteen years on, this outstanding Willamette Valley Pinot is slightly brickish and unfiltered given the amount of sediment in the bottle and in my glass, and possesses evolved sweet and savory aromatics, like brussels sprouts cooked in bacon lardons, iron ore and dusty plums. There is yet sweet fruit at the core, all red berries, and lovely sueded texture. Bravo, Jimi.
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3/8/2009 - gdbarton1@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Medium dark purple. Nice boysenberry nose. Full bodied, big rich black fruit, great weight, big rich finish. Big wine with great rich black fruit. Well balanced.
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5/12/2007 - burningstarIV wrote: 92 Points
50+4+13+17+8=92
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3/17/2007 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
A wine that betrays the hotness of the 2003 vintage? Barnyardy nose, with intense cherry fruit, accompanied by noticeable acidity. It did seem a little hot and lacked a little balance.
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6/8/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 75 Points
The rep was pouring this at a retailer tasting yesterday and did not think anything was wrong with it. I found it to be a poor qoulity Pinot. it had a medicinal quility to it with some soapiness. This goes for about $49. 75 points.
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