Bang bang bang. This young Pinot jumps out fast and quick. Very similar to Cirq. Absolutely a gem. Strong cherry and medium length finish. Note from vineyard recommended decanting for several hours if consumed soon but I did not think it needed it. Looking forward to the next bottle already. — 4 years ago
Fruit forward, bright cherry notes, beautiful nose and legs. Highly extracted and wonderful mouth feel. A stunner. — 7 years ago
A nice Pinot from the Mondavi's. Dead ringer with Cirq. — 7 years ago
Deliciously fruit forward. Probably peaking. — 4 months ago
My last bottle of Cirq. I think the quality is extremely high, but the evolution and secondary market is hard to justify when similar priced wines (ex: Marcassin) are in a different realm.
This straddles bright and moderately lean Sonoma coast Pinot with ripe OR style pinot. When compared to Michael Browne’s Kosta Browne wines, its got a more elegant profile while retaining the rich fruit. Plenty of ripe cherry, black cherry, potpourri, and sandalwood aromatics. The palate here retains a lot of freshness to go along with the spiced rhubarb, black pepper, and maple drizzled black cherries. Acidity is very vibrant and keeps this wine afloat.
Pretty? Yes. Do I see this getting better? Not necessarily, just different. — 3 years ago
2014 Kosta Browne Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Frighteningly good! (Get it? You know, Halloween? Never mind) The Santa Lucia has become one of my favorites from KB. Beautiful bright garnet color. Spicy aromatics of berries, wild flowers and anise. Honeyed fresh ripened black cherries and Dr Pepper (in a good way) on the palate. A mushroomy, sandalwood, herbaceous, forest floor component lurking in the shadows Vibrant and powerful. Good acidity. I don’t understand the professional reviews that describe this Wine as “light-bodied.” What am I missing? Maybe because the grapes come from the coolest region of KB’s three appellation level Pinots? In any event, I think I prefer it to the Russian River and Sonoma Coast bottlings. Don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by a KB. Along with CIRQ, Marcassin and Ferren, my favorite Pinots. My best to Dan Kosta after the devastating fires. — 7 years ago
2009 Sea Smoke "One Barrel" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
From the winery: "Each year we select the best barrel of our estate-grown Pinot Noir; every bottle of ‘One Barrel’ produced is from that single, special barrel. It is a unique combination of vintage, vineyard location, Pinot Noir clone and barrel cooper —never to be repeated. Two hundred and eighty prized bottles, from One Barrel."
A friend opened this wine for me. I had tasted Sea Smoke Pinot before, mostly “Ten”’s I think, but I had never even heard of this one. I believe it’s offered only to certain members of the mailing list, and then only one bottle at that. Nose is dominated by notes of eucalyptus and menthol with some fresh herbs tossed in for good measure. Pleasant enough palate of black cherry and cola. Decent finish. Not bad, but I can think of better Pinot to acquire for $150 a bottle (Marcassin, CIRQ and Boar’s View come to mind), and several that I would consider better for half that price (see Ferren and Kosta Browne for example). A well made wine. Simply not worth the price of admission for me.
— 7 years ago
joe mama
Not sure purist pinot people would like as much but great black cherry with just enough acidity to balance..really enjoyable — 3 months ago