David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

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. — 7 months ago

Sydney Palmer

9.4

No burn, delicious, Tori bachelorette party dinner — 9 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2020 lovely complexity — 10 months ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Lemon kissed butterscotch. Rich butterscotch on the round palette. A drinker’s cali chard. — 3 years ago

David Barnes-Trujillo

9.2

Jeff 9 me 9.7 — 6 years ago

with Jeffrey

Parijat Talkad

9.6

Smooth, full bodied wine. — 7 years ago

M&B

9.0

Not like most Pinot Noir I've had in the past. This was richer and more full bodied. Delicious. — 7 years ago

Michelle J Walker

9.3

So delicious. Exactly what SB should taste like. — 9 years ago

Nichole Mao

9.1

Light soft oak line, lemon, green apple, orange, bone dry acidity, mineral, wet stone, creamy, lovely finish, 2011 — 9 years ago

Paul Lopez

9.8

I do remember....what a wine! — 10 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Dark cherry and briar. On the palate medium + intensity - heavy spice. No other word for it but delicious. One of the jewels of Central Otago along with Block 3. A gift from a good mate who loves new world Pinot Noir, for my 70th last year. A gorgeous wine. — 7 months ago

Paul J

9.5

Always rocks! Lovely salmon color. Bolder than most Roses which I really appreciate. — 8 months ago

with Brooke

Bryan Kesting

9.5

Absolutely delicious! — 9 months ago

Richard Mills

9.5

Really tasty and smooth. Monthly pick we had with mom and Cali. — 3 years ago

Rick Baraff

9.1

That’s some nice drinkin’ stuff (circa 2017). Thanks to the local somm, Steve, at our Whole Foods for the recom... it was their last bottle and he sacrificed. — 5 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.0

Granny Smith apple. Tart with piercing acidity. Almost clear. Some salinity. Perfume, slight petrol. — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Big rich full bodied wine! Wow after 14 years it still needs more time. If you like deep dark fully extracted fruit that possesses chocolate, plum, blackberry flavors like I do, then this is your wine. Good luck finding a bottle..... @Paul Treadway @Evan Bienstock @leon egozi @Eric S @Eric LaMasters @Jacqueline @Vanessa D @Carl Fischer @Jim Trobaugh @James Parker Huston, CWE @David L @Warren Sapp @TheSkip @Terri Walker @Terri Walker @Warren Sapp @jesus g @Kimberly Anderson — 7 years ago

Karl Nichols

9.1

This was a surprisingly good rose from NY. — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Definitely among my favorite California Pinots these days. Lithe, juicy, and all sour cherry raspberry goodness with a side of citrus snap. — 10 years ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Deep, dark, inky Pinot - more like an aged Syrah — 8 months ago

Mark Haugen

9.5

1999 vintage decanted in 2023. Love it! Deep ruby color. Beautiful bouquet. Well balanced cab. Deep dark fruit and leather. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. Still a woofer. Keep your hands inside the vehicle. 7.18.23. — 9 months ago

Bryan Martin

9.1

Light, easy drinking and delicious — 3 years ago

with Antoinette

Keith Crump

9.5

One of favourite central Otago Pinot 2016 way to young bright fruit with wonderful length — 4 years ago

Robert S.

9.2

W.S. Grand Tour Vegas: Deep, rich dark berry fruit with nicely integrated oak. Smooth, lingering finish. Excellent. — 6 years ago

Michael Piaker

9.0

19 June 2017. Roberta's, Brooklyn, NY. — 7 years ago

Keith Eddleman

9.9

Night number 2 on this one. This is the de facto standard for what people mean by "Big Napa Cab" it's rich, it's velvety, it's 100% Cabernet. Would love to cellar this for years but irresistible. — 8 years ago

with Jill

Philip Cook

8.9

Black cherry, raspberry notes. Fair amount of acidity. Paired well with baked salmon. — 9 years ago

R David Fuhrman

9.1

Martinelli Road, get with it Delectable — 9 years ago

Christopher Cordero

8.9

Very good for the price it's in! — 10 years ago

with Dean