2010 Freeman Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Community Tasting Notes (16) Avg Score: 90.0 points

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  5/13/2021 - Burghound56 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  A lovely, mature wine that improved in the glass over a couple of hours. It’s not going to get any better; drink up.

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  8/24/2018 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 86 Points

  Back when Ken started his winery/side project/give the wife a stage for artistic expression, Kosta Browne was one of the leading lights, BIG on the scene with HUGE C-noirs that just screamed excess and power and were just raking in the $$$. The initial years tried to emulate this style/approach and this bottle is (still, unfortunately) reflective of that approach. Over the ensuing years the cognoscenti backlash to these undrinkable wines, the emergence of a group of wine makers advocating a lighter, leaner, more food friendly style (most notably In Pursuit of Balance which has since achieved its goal and disbanded) has left the older Freeman wines behind. In fact recently I received an email from the winery offering a "special sale" on its "library wines" (i.e. these older styled wines it can't seem to get rid of). I think the winery has refocused to try and catch the newer styles and perhaps in the future I will buy another bottle after I give them some time to figure it all out. That is if Ken hasn't tired of his project.....
  
  While this particular bottle was purchased by me directly from the winery when it was first released, after opening it and trying to drink it with food, it really brought home the shortcomings of these older styled C-noirs. It still had the chick a cherry cola flavors and heaviness, the 14.2% headache in every bottle, the clumsy mouth feel of overly ripe fruit and a big plank of toasted oak in the background.
  
  At 8 years old a pinot can be singing. This wine only coughs.

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  4/23/2018 - vinojones wrote: 91 Points

  Ruby red; green stemmy nose suggesting some whole cluster fermentation, also big cherry cola aroma, I can see how some would mistake it for candy; just beginning a hint of tertiary notes, sous bois; body is lively,good balance, mostly red fruits; med long finish, soft tannin's linger

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  10/21/2017 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 86 Points

  If you like BIG overly extracted C-noirs then this 6 year old is for you. Highly aromatic - huge perfumed nose followed by dark fruits and a balanced finish. I prefer a lighter more nimble style but I get the raves by others who like to be hit over the head by their wines. I'm going to give it another 6 years and check back in then.

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  10/17/2017 - floating_cellar wrote: 92 Points

  Excellent as always. its really fresh and vibrant, so i think it still has 2-3 more years to go. Watch out for the white sediment, best to carefully decantvso as to get the clear wine. The white sediment is quite tart.

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View all 16 Community Tasting Notes

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