Steve Goore

9.1

Lots of tropical fruit along with grapefruit. Delicious with food - reminded me of when I visited the winery nearly 20 years ago. — 19 hours ago

Paul J

9.5

This was great as expected! 1hr+ decant. Lovely dark red/purple color. Classic Napa sweetness on the nose and palate. More oak than I expected but we’ll integrated. Anise and dark fruit throughout with subtle hints of chocolate and vanilla. Medium depth and finish. Awesome! — 4 months ago

with Brooke

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 K

9.0

Was a little lifeless. Good nose of leather, dried flowers, and dark plum. The pallet was just a bit flat. Also hate wax. Almost lost a finger… — a year ago

Steve Messinger

9.3

Classic black cherry nose w hint of spice and oak. Great balance rich long finish — 16 days ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Reminded me more of a Willamette Pinot than a traditional Russian River Valley. More earth tones then berry, lighter color but still a high alcohol level. Definitely having again. — 3 months 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. — 7 months ago

ESF

9.2

Real treat: RRV SB w/bottle age - fattened up nicely, super expressive nose of tropical fruit mingled w/grass & hay, snap pea some green citrus. Added weight gave it heft juxtaposed w/vibrant acidic backbone. Just flat out delicious, generous really strutting its stuff. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes here on Delectable. Mid to pale ruby in colour. Pale yet powerful. Great aromatics of pansies, rose petals and violets also stalkiness. As Barb said the aromas of a beautiful garden. After a while an Animale, feral note not unlike some Burgundies we’ve had. Medium bodied palate - dried red fruits with a sweet yet savoury twist. A very polished new World Pinot by any measure. Tasters often identify with Central Otago and Martinborough for quality NZ Pinot Noir. Don’t forget about Canterbury in the South Island not far from the city of Christchurch. Luckily I have 2 left. Bob Campbell MW says drink through to 2025. — 7 months ago

Martijn

9.4

Wonderful expression of Australian shiraz. Sweet n spicy but all in the right modesty. — 10 months ago