David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Simply one of the 5 top CA Pinot Noir producers with this kind of vintage and age. They also possess consistency bottling to bottling - vintage to vintage for the most part.

The fruits are; bright, fresh, floral, candied & juicy. Dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, poached strawberries, boysenberries and blueberries all around the edges and pomegranate over the top. It is glorious over the palate. Black steeped tea, light nutmeg, dark Asian spices, cinnamon stick, vanilla, mid berry cola, red & black licorice, limestone, black rich soil, dry herbaceous notes- bay leaf up front, endless lighter, mid dark, red & blue florals framed in violets, cool summer rain acidity with great balance, getting their evolution & integration, nice tension & structure and an even finish fruit and earth that lasts beautifully for minutes.

Wine candy that will tame & improve over the next 5-8 years, hold a few and start a slow decline. @D&SLounge. — 10 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium ruby color. Aromas of strawberry, cherry and green tea. Tasty spices on this one with a red fruit undertone.

🏅 94 Points - James Suckling — a month ago

Andrew Liguori

9.0

Black cherry, tart cranberry, loads of black tea, earthy spice. — 8 days ago

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. — 16 days ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

Probably at its peak. Fairly ripe for PN, definitely a steak wine. But drinking very well with a little age on it. Paired it with chicken dick. Not ideal. — 10 days ago

Charlie Tapp

9.0

Finally settling in after an overripe youth. Red plum, black cherry, clove and rose petal. On the plateau. — 13 days ago

vinokeeno

9.0

2008 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins-2 hrs. Super small amount of sed in the dregs. Vibrant nose and relatively balanced early on but picked up some overt tartness after lounging in the decanter for an hour. Medium body. Decent showing and maybe has 3-4 more years at this level before dropping down another notch. 9.23.23. — 9 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berries and sweet spices. On the palate flavors of raspberry and cherry with licorice, vanilla, cedar and cinnamon. Fine tannins, medium+ finish, lively acidity, good structure, ending with fruit, cedar and earthy spice. Nice! — 15 days ago

Laura Purdy

9.4

My favorite of the evening! — 10 days ago

vinokeeno

9.4

2020 vintage. That Dehlinger style...big and bold, yet retaining a handful of subtleties if you sift through the initial assault. Feel free to age this for a decade+. Well-composed. Medium/medium-heavy body. 9.6.23. — a month ago