Bob McDonald

9.3

See several previous Delectable notes on this wine and vintage. A pale crimson colour with tawny garnet shades. Aromatics of red fruits (strawberry) and Sous Bois on the nose. It may be pale in colour but carries a Medium plus palate intensity of good length. A very good 2nd wine from Bell Hill from the Canterbury district (just to the north of Christchurch) which deserves more recognition as a source of high quality Pinot Noir. Also referred to as the Waipara District. — 12 days ago

Alan Johnston

9.4

3.4. One of the more expensive Marlboro Sauvignon Blancs, but the best that i have tasted. Nice straw color and very fresh, complex flavors. Regular price $24.99. — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Full flavored and still light on its feet because of a hefty amount of acid. Lemon marzipan nuts and a hint of lime. — 5 months ago

ESF

9.2

Real treat: RRV SB w/bottle age - fattened up nicely, super expressive nose of tropical fruit mingled w/grass & hay, snap pea some green citrus. Added weight gave it heft juxtaposed w/vibrant acidic backbone. Just flat out delicious, generous really strutting its stuff. — 6 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

So freaking good, huuuugggee! It’s so amazingly different from tribute to Grace which I’ve been drinking lately, but I love them both in each way. But only want to drink this one a few times a year. So much fruit, cigar box, cherry, apple jam, herbs, lavender, a bit of flowers, meat, so rich. — 10 days ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.5

Aetheric and elegant and so Burgundian.
Ripe yellow apple, (over)ripe lemon, subtle butterscotch, shortbread and some nice, cool minerality.
Amazing purity and precision here. Blind - a classic, textbook Puligny!
Beautiful balance on the palate, a touch of creaminess but brilliant precision - creamy lemons on a bed of rocky, stony minerality. Great depth and energy here. And elegance. And length. This is complex and complete and bordering on profound. And yet, so drinkable! The bottle disappeared instantly!
A perfect modern, cool climate Chardonnay?
What a wine!!
— a month ago

Steve Messinger

9.3

Classic black cherry nose w hint of spice and oak. Great balance rich long finish — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Wines from Oregon are not easy to access in Australia so it was great to be offered this one from Prince Wine Store in Melbourne. Mid crimson - transparent in parts. Spiced black and red cherries. A lolly, confectionery jujube like note. Pike Road is the sister winery to Elk Cove. Lovely drinking right now - not for the cellar. We used to buy Oregon Wines when our son was at the University of Oregon in 2007-2008, but we have pretty much run out. Great to revisit Oregon Pinot. — 14 days ago

Paula Duarte

9.2

Sunny gold color. Smells like white flowers and peaches. Slightly off dry. Tastes of honeydew with a peppery and tangy finish. — 3 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

PNP way too young I know. But holy cow what a funky nose right out of the gate. All sorts of green and brown vegetation, very weedy, but tons of dark fruit underneath. So soft in the mouth — which surprised me since I was expecting it to be way too tannic. Deep savory flavors. Great balance. So much character packed and stuffed into this one. Will update as it gains air.

UPDATE: As this gains air, the initial vegetative, weedy notes are being replaced with very pure blackberry liqueur scents and whiffs of smoky sandalwood.

Several wineries take fruit from the old, sandy vineyards in Contra Costa. Some make wines over 15% and the jammy fruit overshadows the other complex earthy notes. Others try to pick artificially early to get dry cranberry juice cocktail. This wine nails the sweet spot. Balance, complexity, and drinkability. — 4 months ago