Drank over 2 days separated by 2 days. On day 1, it was a bit stewed and to my palate seemed perhaps past peak and heading down. Still enjoyable and I'd give it 92 points. I only had half the bottle, stored it in the fridge, and then finished it 2 days later. The wine was much better! Brighter, fresher, more fruit!? Quite a surprise and demonstrates this wine has many more years of development to go. Legend lives.
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Agree with other recent notes. Drinking beautifully. A bit of tertiary aromas and flavors adding to the complexity. Drink now, I do not think it will improve much more.
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Pleasant, light nose of strawberries. Fine, detailed fruit on the palate, strawberry and spice. Fine tannins, beautiful acidity, great balance. Finishes moderately long with red fruits, primarily strawberries. This is very nice, but might be just a hair past prime. No matter, it's delicious still. I'd drink over the next 3 to 4 years.
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A real surprise. Popped and poured, and was half expecting this to be a hot mess. Previous experiences with young Sea Smokes have been tart cherry heat, but this was softer, with strawberry as the dominant fruit profile, slight earth/funk notes, and a soft and smooth balance without noticeable heat. A real pleasure -- maybe I should start cellaring all my Sea Smokes for 15 years!
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A nice dark ruby coloring when opened. Tons of cherry notes, followed by some strawberry. Needed about 30 min. to really open (didn't pre-open or decant). At it's peak and my last bottle. What a shame!
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(Sea Smoke, Southing, Pinot Noir / Pinot Nero, Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Rita Hills, California, USA, Red) Login and subscribe to see review text.
(Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing) Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; big, ripe strawberry, red fruit and sassafras nose; big, tart but tight cherry, sassafras and cola palate; needs 4 or 5 years; medium finish 91+ pts.
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2/25/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank over 2 days separated by 2 days. On day 1, it was a bit stewed and to my palate seemed perhaps past peak and heading down. Still enjoyable and I'd give it 92 points. I only had half the bottle, stored it in the fridge, and then finished it 2 days later. The wine was much better! Brighter, fresher, more fruit!? Quite a surprise and demonstrates this wine has many more years of development to go. Legend lives.
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3/21/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Agree with other recent notes. Drinking beautifully. A bit of tertiary aromas and flavors adding to the complexity. Drink now, I do not think it will improve much more.
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10/5/2021 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pleasant, light nose of strawberries. Fine, detailed fruit on the palate, strawberry and spice. Fine tannins, beautiful acidity, great balance. Finishes moderately long with red fruits, primarily strawberries. This is very nice, but might be just a hair past prime. No matter, it's delicious still. I'd drink over the next 3 to 4 years.
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1/4/2021 - andolini Likes this wine: 94 Points
A real surprise. Popped and poured, and was half expecting this to be a hot mess. Previous experiences with young Sea Smokes have been tart cherry heat, but this was softer, with strawberry as the dominant fruit profile, slight earth/funk notes, and a soft and smooth balance without noticeable heat. A real pleasure -- maybe I should start cellaring all my Sea Smokes for 15 years!
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9/19/2020 - vinolovers wrote: 94 Points
A nice dark ruby coloring when opened. Tons of cherry notes, followed by some strawberry. Needed about 30 min. to really open (didn't pre-open or decant). At it's peak and my last bottle. What a shame!
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