November 24, 2018 - There’s still a lot of fruit, with spice, leather and gravel. The depth and presence are wonderful, and this has aged rather gracefully. A juicy core remains, with a long finish showing some dried cherry. This will not improve and drink up! Drink now - 2020.
May 25, 2010 - Corked.
December 27, 2008 - Dark purple-red color, shows clear with light behind. Rhubarb, cranberry and plums plus oak on the very nice nose. Meduim-plus body showing a core of obviously ripe and sweet fruit, but it has good acid, and everything is in balance. Very smooth and velvet like with moderate finish and a hint of smooth ripe tannins. The wine is in a good place now, drinking well, and not in danger of going downhill any time soon. A very good moderate modern-style RRV pinot.
May 16, 2007 - Excellent, as usual. Popped and poured but should drink well for a few more years. Still very youthful. Sour cherry/cranberry/pomegranate, forest floor/pine, and baking spice/cinnamon. Big, but not over the top.
Delicious with the first Copper River King Salmon of the season.
May 1, 2007 - cherry, oak and violets on the nose. Cherry, mineral and long finish. Some heat.
September 1, 2006 - This is pure CA pinot, very RRV, very nice. A little bit of heat on the finish, but otherwise a flawless example of slightly aged cherry, spice, red berries and a tiny bit of earth. Yum!
May 13, 2006 - This wine has lost a bit of freshness since last year, but has really gained depth. The nose is spicier and earthier, the tannins have settled, and the 14.3% alcohol listed on the label is almost shocking. 50+4+13+17+8=92
May 13, 2006 - Outstanding wine. Consumed at a Sushi bar. Bright flavors, great balance.
April 8, 2006 - This was just an outstanding pinot. Thick and smooth. Probably not a good idea to have opened it the end of the evening 'cause the sublety gets missed. But just a wonderful berry-like sweetness. Not huge varietal qualities, but otherwise just a great wine. Probably would be better in a year or two.
February 26, 2006 - Unfortunately—and it is especially unfortunate, since I took it to a tasting—this bottle was corked. I screwed up my courage and had one taste anyway, and it seemed a very balanced, ripe, and substantial wine. I have one more bottle, which I'll try this year.