An interesting, off-beat Merlot that successfully marches to a different drummer. There’s a leathery, meaty quality to the blackberry and cherry fruit flavors that probably comes from the Syrah in the blend. It’s also bone dry and fairly rigid in tannins. From an organic-certified vineyard.
— S.H.
(8/1/2008)
This is the kind of California Pinot Noir Burgundophiles love to hate. It’s so full-bodied and fruity, so forward in currant, chocolate and licorice flavors, that it seems to have nowhere to go — a sin in Burgundy. And yet there’s no denying its immediate deliciousness. It fools the palate, now honey sweet, now bone dry, but always rich and spicy.
— S.H.
(8/1/2008)
Kind of heavy and oaky now, with the weight almost of Syrah. It’s a big, unctuous and rich wine, stuffed with elaborate chocolate-covered cherry, bacon, anise and pepper flavors. Just delicious, but not particularly Pinot-esque. Might soften and mellow in 3–5 years.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
Soft, ripe and decadent, this Pinot, from the Napa side of Carneros, brims with blackberry, cherry, cola, vanilla, licorice and cinnamon spice flavors. It’s full-bodied, but has Pinot’s elegant silkiness. At its best now and for a couple years.
— S.H.
(8/1/2008)
Here’s a nice, rich Pinot Noir for drinking now. It’s fairly soft and sweet, showing raspberry and cherry cream, vanilla, toasty oak and cinnamon spice flavors, brightened with acidity.
— S.H.
(12/1/2011)
Lean and angular, with citrus fruit flavors and tart acidity that lavish oak does little to alleviate. Many of the 2000 North Coast Chards show this lemony profile. It’s very dry, with a rasp on the palate that cries out for food, and it’s also heady and high in alcohol. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Fruity and oaky, with char and caramel dominating the apple and peach flavors. This tasty wine finishes a little sweet in fruit and wood sap.
— S.H.
(4/1/2005)
This is a very ripe wine that floods the mouth with black cherry, chocolate and smoky oak flavors. The tannins are soft and complex. Drinks a bit too sweet and simple, especially at this price.
— S.H.
(4/1/2005)