Pinot Noir

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has  cherries, spice and a slight cola note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit bigger and more intense (in a good way) than I might have expected for this wine.  Black cherries, sour cherries, with some tobacco/forest floor.  There is some depth but it will take some cellaring to unwind the complexity.  Long finish.  Hold for another five to eight years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  The classic pairing would be Salmon. Plenty of upside on the score as it matures.   

This estate Pinot is a lively compilation of black cherry, strawberry, plum, blackberry compote, with back notes of rhubarb, huckleberry and black tea. The acidity drives the fruit. This is not a shy Pinot, but an overt celebration of expressive fruit. The wine spent 10 months aging in French oak, 33% of which was new, therefore the fruit is more dominant. Using a variety of Pinot Noir clones, winemaker Steve Rogstad, has decades of experience working with his vineyards, and knowing how best to use the excellent fruit that grows on their property. ORIGIN: Napa Valley, Los Carneros.

For those who like a bit more "Borgundian" style of Oregon Pinot Noir, Thomas is a great choice.  Also, 2008 was a ripe vintage and I am reminded once again, the "great" vintages in Oregon are not the ones where J.

Ruby in color, some browning, but appropriate for age 17.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some earthy funk/Merde notes, spice and slight darker cherry notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and earthiness.  Complex.  Bigger on the nose than the palate.  Nice finish.  Overall, everything one could ask from a 17 year old 1er Cru from a good/not great vintage.  It went very well with Tofu and Veggies (at a Japanese Restaurant).  Pretty much at peak now, but still five to ten more top years left.  

Red/brown in color, mostly clear and bright.  It does look slightly older than expected, but just a bit.  The nose shows fresh strawberries, some cherries, slight clay.  It is a persistent nose although much more "feminine".  Soft texture.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Plenty to depth and complexity.  Good energy.  Nice finish.  This is drinking very well and at age 13 it seems very close to peak.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  It is nice on its own but better with foods.  It went well with assorted flat bread "pizzas".  

Great showing for this bottle.  It is in a perfect place right now.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, sandalwood, slight perfumed note and some earthiness.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, lots of fresh cherries, slight dried cherries and just a bit of black cherries.  Some earthy funk as it opens.  Long finish.  This is drinking great and close to or at peak.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, but better with food.  A great wine with Salmon I should think.

One of the best California Pinot Noir's I have had.  Middle of the road in style for Cal Pinot.  Deep ruby in color with some purple hues.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, spice, some smoke and slight earthiness.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, lots of delicious cherry and black cherry fruit.  Deep and tight layers that unwind in the glass.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This was pop and pour and it kept opening and evolving all night.  Drink over the next ten to twenty years.  Great on its own, this worked well with pasta with mushro

This is drinking well and seems fully mature.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is lovely with cherries, slight dark cherries, spice and hints of forest floor.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, layers of fruit and earth.  Complex.  Cherries and dried cherries with a hint of forest floor.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own, but better with food.  It worked well with Thai vegetarian food.  Drink over the next five years before it starts sliding downward.  

This is a big Pinot for those who love this style.  14.6% abv according to the label.  Purple/garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight root beer and spice.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, load of fruit but balanced by juicy acidity.  Plenty of depth.  Black cherries, cherries and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder flavors in foods such as Roasted Fowl.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

Great showing for this 1er Cru.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight sandalwood.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Cherry fruit with some earthiness and spice.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but better with food.  This would be nice with Salmon.  Drink over the next ten years.