I was worried when I saw the brownish tinge to the garnet color because the 2005 estate I had a couple years ago was overripe and so not good. But this is very nice and in a good place. Surprisingly firm with better than decent energy. Very savory flavor profile and a medium-plus driving finish. No heat despite the 14.5 abv on the label. Not too much in the way of bitter tannins that I get from AV Pinots that indulge in press wine to pump up the Spectator points and make them more showy upon release, but 10 years is enough to shed most of that. Wish I opened it for something better than Trader Joe's frozen pizza. Haha.
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Aromas of minty autumn mulch, barnyard earth, cherry cola and strawberry. Medium to light bodied with menthol and mulchy earthiness flavors dominating the fruit. Fresh minty spices on the lengthy finish. As it opens a darker, meaty fruit moves to the fore. A rustic pinot for dirt lovers, more interesting than enjoyable.
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1/28/2019 - Magnolian wrote:
Not terrible but clearly past its prime. Moderate bricking, fruit is faded, and very little acidity left.
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4/15/2017 - DollarMenunaire wrote:
I was worried when I saw the brownish tinge to the garnet color because the 2005 estate I had a couple years ago was overripe and so not good. But this is very nice and in a good place. Surprisingly firm with better than decent energy. Very savory flavor profile and a medium-plus driving finish. No heat despite the 14.5 abv on the label. Not too much in the way of bitter tannins that I get from AV Pinots that indulge in press wine to pump up the Spectator points and make them more showy upon release, but 10 years is enough to shed most of that. Wish I opened it for something better than Trader Joe's frozen pizza. Haha.
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7/7/2013 - trawets01 wrote: 90 Points
Paired perfectly with salmon. Great fruit and acidity with no heat of alcohol. Earthy notes of mushroom and forest floor starting to develop.
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10/17/2011 - WI WineLover wrote: 91 Points
Better than the last bottles....went well with salmon
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4/25/2011 - pgordon62 wrote: 87 Points
Aromas of minty autumn mulch, barnyard earth, cherry cola and strawberry. Medium to light bodied with menthol and mulchy earthiness flavors dominating the fruit. Fresh minty spices on the lengthy finish. As it opens a darker, meaty fruit moves to the fore. A rustic pinot for dirt lovers, more interesting than enjoyable.
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