John Malcolm

9.0

The wine was fine, but likely past it’s prime. I could taste raspberry, cola, and pepper. A bit tart (like other wines I have had by Meerut Edwards). — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 6 years ago

David L

9.5

09’ Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch. Full - Bodied. Very close to a Pop & Pour(20 minutes in the glass) The acidity calms down. This is simply got the stuffing.
Well- built PN. Nose- Bold perfume scents, cherries,raspberries .
Palate - Rich plum, black cherry, cola gummy’s, moderate tannins, balanced acidity, subtle oak, silky quality. Classy Pinot! Drink them up in the next 4/5 years.
Edit - This is 10 years young. After an hour + in the glass, it really struts it’s stuff. Tremendously well-made. Had a tons of KB‘s in my cellar in the early 2000’s. Wouldn’t surprise me if somebody pulled this out in 2029 & thought it was amazing. — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

Love this Pinot! Such a solid producer. The structure is rock solid and confident, boasting a lovely array of complexities. Wet leather, cola, dusty cherries and raspberries, mild fennel, and moist black soil. Delicious. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; fresh strawberries still on the vine, mint, cherries, raspberries, cola, limestone minerals and fresh red florals. On the palate; lean to medium body, fresh, ripe, strawberries, cherries, pomegranate extract, dark cherries, touch of raspberries, dark spice comes on as it opens up, limestone, volcanic minerals, perfect level of silty chalkiness, mint, fruit tea, crushed rock powder, cola, red vines, fresh, brilliant acidity and a well rounded, polished fruit driven finish. Photos of; Hirsch Vineyards, crush facility, 2014 night harvest (beautiful fruit) under lights when it's cooler (better to harvest fruit when it's cooler)and living legend David Hirsch. — 9 years ago

Chris Koupal

9.4

All cherry cola and leather. Happy NYE everyone. — 5 years ago

with Jay

Jeff Orlowski

9.2

Strong oak nose. Medium-to-full body. Dry. Dark fruit and cola on palate. Took a bit to open up but worth the wait. — 7 years ago

with Michael and Joe

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.

Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio. — 7 years ago

Matt Trader

9.0

Very pretty wine - cola spice and smokey clove throughout, with a juicy acidity and lush red fruit. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

For an entry level appellation west coast Pinot, this is right down the middle of the fairway. Ruby in the glass with cedar, birch wood, sweet cherry and cola on the nose. The palate is a bit darker bringing on sweet tobacco, black cherry and a rhubarb tart spice. I think this is $45’ish/bottle, so in terms of QPR, I’ll buy Rivers-Marie SC bottle all day over this, and while I’m not with AGalloni’s 93 rating, I’m not too far off. — 8 years ago

Jed

9.1

Mexican. Sugar. You know... — 9 years ago

Dario Scimeca

9.4

Fine, fine bottle - powerful aroma of cola — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

In every difficult vintage, anywhere, you will find producers that make exceptional wines. This 91 Palmer is such a wine. I have to thank Clyde Beffa owner of K&L Wine Merchants who has been traveling to Bordeaux for 35+ years for highly recommending two 91 Bordeaux's to me. The 91 Pichon Lalande; which he described as "heavenly." It's just the word I would have used to described it 5 or 6 years ago. Also, this 91 Palmer. He described as, "​I love it-soft and silky." I would strongly agree. You see, critics gave the 91 vintage a horrific review as a whole. Bordeaux had two frosts in April and a cold growing season. These elements didn't prevent either of these producers from making beautifully elegant 1991 wines. I have said it many times and will say it again, taste wines even in difficult vintages. You'll find value and some excellent wines. As for this 91, it's in perfect form. Excellent on it's own and even better with the ribeye. It's so elegant, smooth, beautiful, ripe and well balanced with earth & fruit. The fruits are slightly stewed & baked. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, touch of rhubarb, cherries, strawberries. Dried florals, used leather, tobacco with ash, slight vegetal quality, anise, not too sweet black cherry licorice/cola, figs, dark earth with crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, understated spice and perfect acidity that drips over the palate. The length, structure, balance and finish are in perfect harmony & the finish goes on and on and on. As many times as we've been to Bordeaux, we never get tired of the drive on the D-2 through Margaux and Pauillac. Chateau Margaux & Palmer stand side by side in beautiful prodigious history to say nothing of Baron Pichon & Pichon Lalande. Every year, for my B-day, I have a great steak and an old Bordeaux. It just doesn't get any better than that. And as many of those nights I've had, B-day or not, this might have been the best. Perhaps topping or equaling the Ribcap at Bourbon Steak and the 91 Pichon Lalande. To quote Gary Westby, "it steak and claret night." 12% alcohol is so much more enjoyable than 15% plus. ❤🍷🎉🎂 — 9 years ago

with Gary

Sean Grullon

9.1

Made in a fuller and extracted style with an unapologetic new world sensibility. Fruit and spice forward in the nose, with notes of raspberry and black cherry, cinnamon, chocolate, cola, violets, and black tea. Exhibits a lot of texture on the palate. It’s well made in its style - I would highly recommend it for folks looking for a fuller style of Pinot that’s still balanced. — 6 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on August 17, 2019 at Home]

Sweet black cherry, strawberry and blueberry, cherry cola, vanilla, black tea, root beer and toasty oak spice. — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

Shimmering ruby. Expansive aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, potpourri and exotic spices; vanilla and espresso notes emerge as the wine opens up. Sweet, fleshy and seamless in texture, offering palate-staining black raspberry, cherry liqueur, vanilla and spicecake flavors and a sexy violet pastille nuance. Velvety tannins build slowly on the finish, which hangs on with impressive, floral- and spice-dominated persistence. (60% new French oak) (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 7 years ago

Vanessa

8.9

Cassis liquor on the nose with vanilla notes, baking spices and cola undertones. Medium bodied, light ruby color, lower viscosity. — 7 years ago

with Deked1

John Willison

9.1

Cherry, berry, a bit of cola. Good stuff. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On of the best stops on the way to the coast of Mendocino is a visit to Goldeneye for a tasting. I think they still pour three wines with small bites. As enjoyable as that is in itself is, you also get to sit in those chairs and enjoy that spectacular view.

On the nose, dark cherries, strawberries, hints of ripe rhubarb, floral cranberries, blue fruits, black raspberries cola, vanilla, salted caramel, touch of fresh herbs, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder and fragrant, perfumes red & blue flowers with violets.

The body is medium ripe, lush & sexy. Dark cherries, strawberries, hints of ripe rhubarb, floral cranberries, blue fruits, black raspberries cola, vanilla, salted caramel, malt in malt balls, touch of fresh herbs, cinnamon stick, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder and fragrant, perfumes red & blue flowers with violets.

Photos of; the backend of Goldeneye and their amazing view, the entrance to their tasting room, tasting lounge and the winery. 13 a solid vintage fit them.

Still 2-3 years early on their 13 but, I have three more bottles. So, a good check-in. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.0

Cola overload on the nose.
Palette is a touch medicinal. Lively acidity and well integrated tannins, which negate the acidity and help smooth out the presentation. Needs food as it lacks complexity. — 9 years ago

with Anne-marie