Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Mount Carmel 2001
". . . the 2001 Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard has unfolded and is now a beautiful effort. Abundant notes of beeswax, orange skin, caramelized citrus and wet rocks soar from this aromatic/perfumed, full-bodied white. Still incredibly young because of its fresh, lively acidity, I completely underrated this amazing Chardonnay in its youth."
93 | Robert M. Parker, Jr, The Wine Advocate
Whitcraft Pinot Noir Pence Ranch Clone 115 2014
(Clone 115 is one of the original so-called 'Dijon clones' of Pinot Noir selected by Dr. Raymond Bernard of the Université de Dijon from Jean-Marie Ponsot's plant material in Clos de la Roche.) "All of the reds and most of the whites are never fined, filtered or pumped and the smallest amount possible of sulfur is used. No other chemicals, other than natural yeast and, if necessary, natural acids are used. This requires a much larger effort than most other wineries are willing to do. We don't even use electricity unless absolutely required. This is to bring you the purest rendition of the fruit possible."
WhitcraftWinery.com
Cobb Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard 2009
"Ruby-red. Explosively perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, allspice, star anise and potpourri, with a bright mineral quality building with air. Lively and focused on the palate, offering sappy raspberry and cherry flavors and a silky, seamless texture. The floral quality comes on strong on the delineated, very persistent finish."
93 | Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Cobb Pinot Noir Joy Road Vineyard 2008
"Vivid red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, blood orange, minerals and Asian spices. Lithe and silky in the mouth, with terrific energy and a light touch to the flavors of red berries, spicecake and flowers. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and excellent clarity. This pliant, youthfully taut wine has the nervy spine for aging."
92 | Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Cobb Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak Vineyard 2008
"Bright red. Sexy aromas of candied red berries, cherry-cola, anise and fresh bay, with a hint of potpourri that gains strength with air. Juicy, penetrating raspberry and cherry flavors show increasing spiciness and weight as the wine opens in the glass. The finish strongly echoes the raspberry note and lingers with impressive clarity and persistence. This is balanced to age."
92 | Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Brewer-Clifton Pinor Noir Melville Vineyard 2007 "A spectacular effort from Brewer-Clifton, the young 2007 Pinot Noir Melville Vineyard appears to have barely budged since I first tasted it in 2009. Notes of cloves, cinnamon, blueberries, black raspberries and underbrush are followed by a full-bodied, impeccably well-balanced, pure wine with great texture as well as length. This amazing Pinot Noir (15% natural alcohol) should age gracefully . . ." 96 | Robert M. Parker, Jr, The Wine Advocate
Paul Lato Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard Suerte 2007
". . . check out the absolutely sensational 2007 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard. From Dijon clones 115 and 777, this wine exhibits sweet blueberry, black raspberry, and kirsch notes intermixed with a perfumed floral note. This full-bodied, opulent wine has extraordinary elegance, precision, and finesse, but is layered, beautifully textured, and lush. This is a completely different expression of Pinot Noir . . ."
95 | Robert M. Parker, Jr, The Wine Advocate
Joseph Swan Pinot Noir Trenton Estate Vineyard 2007 "The pinot vines in the Trenton Estate Vineyard were primarily planted in 1969 and were a lovely thirty-eight years of age in 2007 . . . . The nose offers up a more black fruity and quite classic aromatic profile of black cherries, bonfires, venison, a great base of complex soil tones, incipient sous bois and perhaps a whisper of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with ripe tannins, great length and excellent intensity of flavor and grip on the classy finish. This reminds me quite a bit of Clos des Lambrays in its aromatic and flavor profile and is one classy bottle of Russian River pinot!" 93+ | John Gilman, View From the Cellar
Bergström Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard 2006 ". . . medium/dark ruby-colored with a superb perfume of pain grillé, roses, raspberry, and cherry. Velvety-textured, savory, and ripe, the wine conceals enough structure to evolve . . . . Layered and long . . ." 95 | Jay S. Miller, The Wine Advocate
Melville Pinot Noir Terraces 2005
"Displaying cool climate notes of underbrush, menthol, blueberries, and raspberries, the 2005 Pinot Noir Terraces possesses good acidity, medium to full body, and beautiful richness. It is one of the most complex of these Pinots . . ." 91 | Robert M. Parker, Jr, The Wine Advocate
Martinelli Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard 2005 "Light red. Highly complex nose features dark cherry, lavender, musky earth and mineral aromas; this was raised in 100% new oak but I find the influence minimal. Bright cherry and dark berry flavors are concentrated and show excellent energy, with dusty tannins lending grip. Finishes with a light, crisp texture and a lingering floral pastille note."
93 | Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Native9 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards 2004 "Deep ruby-tinged red. Wild, musky, slightly high-toned nose offers liqueur-like red berries, lavender, violet, minerals and underbrush. Fat, ripe and concentrated, with lovely energy and spicy lift to the intense red fruit flavors. Complicating saline and mineral elements contribute sex appeal. Dense and tactile yet light on its feet.Finishes chewy, long and classically dry. A very adult style of pinot noir." 92 | Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard 2004 "A very subtle hint of menthol highlights the beautiful red and blue fruit mix nuanced by background hints of spice that continue onto the rich, full, intense and deep flavors underpinned by excellent concentration and outstanding depth of material. This is a serious wine and along with the Hirsch is the standout among the WS '04s. In sum, a most impressive effort." 92 | Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Jerusalem Hill 2003 "This is a good deal more elegant with higher-toned and exceptionally pretty aromas of red berry fruits, particularly raspberry, nuanced with spice and smoke hints that merge into rich, sweet, full and relatively generous flavors underpinned by moderately firm tannins and fine length. There is good balance here with a restrained feel to all aspects of the nose from nose to finish . . . . A lovely effort that is relatively understated compared to the other wines in this range." 91 | Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2003 "Intense aromas of immensely sweet red cherries and blueberries emanate from the glass of the 2003 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard. A medium to full-bodied wine that requires chewing, not drinking, it is thick, densely packed with candied fruit, and chunky. Blackberries, red cherries, freshly laid road tar, licorice, Asian spices, and cassis can all be found in its impressively nuanced character. This [is a] powerful effort . . ." 93 | Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate
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