La Pinot
Cristom
Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023
Delicious. Somewhat simple. Really similar to Hirsch Bohan Dillon. — 16 days ago
Rivers-Marie
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023
2023 vintage. Maan, do I feel old reviewing this! Sourced from some eminently notable vineyards. Wine rolls up and down and back up again throughout the palate...almost as if you are tasting each vineyard source as stages vs a blend. Def interesting. Light-medium body. May hafta pick this up as a list placement as it is drinking nicely. Absolutely blowing through Oregon pinot tho. Resto pricing at $19 btg (waay too low) and woulda jumped on it but have another CA pinot currently btg that's an even better deal. 11.27.24. — a month ago
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
Grands Échézeaux Pinot Noir 2013
2013 vintage. Zero issues with fill or cork. Not decanted but it was so rambunctious, likely would have shown even better with one. Tasted after 45 mins, 1.5 hours and 3 hours open. Medium body. Nose a mysterious mélange of spent coffee grounds and that expected Grands Échézeaux Asian spice presence. Cranberry tartness right away in the flavors minimized by black tea notes and the coffee/Asian spice twofer. Minute-long finish. Barely harnessed power throughout. Tasting as if it has just kicked in the door to the upper part of the bell curve and a handful of years before reaching the absolute apex. Simply no rush to crush as this is beginning its heroic phase. If you do indulge, open early and trace the development. Many don't like to decant red Burgs but this should be an exception. Needs both big time and big air. 12.09.24. — 15 days ago
Sea Smoke
Southing Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Jammy and fruity, raspberry flavor, light and smooth, better whe let to breathe and paired with charcuterie. — 5 days ago
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé
Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2022
My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.
The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.
The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.
This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.
At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age. — 17 days ago
Hirsch Vineyards
San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2016
Crowd favorite due to the abundance of fruit and balancing acid — 10 days ago
Santa Margherita
Valdadige Pinot Grigio 2022
Light silvery straw gold color. Clean aromas and flavors of yellow delicious apple and citrus fruits with a light dose of mineral on the medium-plus finish. Crisp acidity and quite fresh tasting. This “Valdadige version” was much better than I expected. Very dry and quite refreshing. — 25 days ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Medium Ruby color with aromas dark red fruits, black tea and ample floral spice, aged in 20% new French oak for 10 months. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum with tobacco, cedar, black pepper, tea and vanilla spice. Soft fine tannins, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit, herb, spice and earthy wet stone character. Nice! — 7 days ago