Good but not great. From Coravin - going to give it some time. — 3 years ago
Very disappointed. I had a more mature bottle fail to hold up last week so I had an itch still to scratch and went younger but still ready. Or so I thought - perhaps should have waited another 10 years?Poured out half with a Coravin and it just never got going. Very understated and reserved. Even with a few hours it never opened up. Perhaps it’s bottle variation but I will try again later this week with the second half. — 3 years ago
Faint aromas of leather. Currant and plums. Very ripe tannins. Great wine, too taught for my liking. Probably needed a decant instead of Coravin. Had with Bolognese one night and again with creamy dill orecchiette another. — 4 years ago
I’ve been savoring this bottle over several months using my Coravin. Sadly, finally finished it off. Just love tasting this golden beauty open up in the glass. Can’t wait to start on another bottle! — 4 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I get why people who generally always review this producer as just good consuming it young. This is ten years from birth, eight years in bottle and it is still not at its peak. it has ten years and perhaps more properly stored. Very good tonight but better things ahead. It takes this long and longer for WS Pinots to shine.
The palate is, juicy, ripe, rich, a bit lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, hues of blueberries, plum and ripe to dry strawberries with a pomegranate overlay. Then, dry earthiness, top soil, crushed rocks & powdery limestone & chalkiness, dark spices, some black pepper, dry brush, eucalyptus, tree sap, sun tea, black and red cola/licorice, drier tobacco, barrel dust to shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, touch of dry herbs-bay leaves & sage, bright red, pink, blue, purple florals framed in dark slightly withering florals, rain shower acidity, the finish is; well structured & balanced in fruit, earth & flowers, some more tension than I like but will soften & fade nicely in 3-5 years. But, wire to wire really even and stunning. Evolution & integration is good but needs 3-5 years to be its best. Coravin glass.
IMHO, one of the outstanding CA Pinot producers. Walter Hansel gives them a run for the money at their fantastic price point. — 2 months ago