Jay Kline

9.2

From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2012 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with punchy notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, orange rind, red flowers, and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is almost chewy. The 2012 is still an awesome value; really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2042. — 12 days ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Can still use time. Thyme, pomegranate, tomato. Nice wine. Great for food. — 7 months ago

Mary H

9.1

Weird - yes, but interesting - also yes. Rose petal aromas with hotpot spices (fennel, black cardamom, star anise?), muted red fruit - more pomegranate than strawberry. — 10 months ago

Charlie Tapp

9.4

Cranberry, pomegranate, stems and earth. — 3 years ago

Kristin Yankauskas

9.5

Chilled red, perfectly crushable for a warm summer night. Strawberry in color and light berries on the nose. Slightly funky but bright and dry with hints of pomegranate, citrus and herbs. Works well as your first opened bottle on the patio. — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir (2016).

Super plush, juicy, and vibrant; a blend of red and black fruits such as red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, black cherry, blackcurrant, violet, cola, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon stick, clove, star anise, forest floor, and wet earth.

Lovely complexity with layered aromas and flavors. Good acidity creating tension with the ripe fruit notes. Tannins are soft and velveteen. The finish lingers.
— 3 years ago

with Deked1

John Hagood

9.3

From DCanter 2019 on 7/31/2021. Clear light ruby. Cherry lollipop scent. Silky, pronounced tannin, long finish. Non-ripe Stone fruits esp red plum. Emily has s right: hibiscus, violet, cranberry, pomegranate. Some pepper on back end. Good balance as medium body. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.3

Maybe my favorite Marechale so far. On the nose: bright cinnamon and cardamom, soft leather, sweet pomegranate, soft earth and game. On the palate, excellent acidity, more spice and soft leather, soft spiced plum, with a grapefruit lining. On the finish, very finely grained tannin and sweet blackberry. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2019 pours a dull ruby color with a slight brownish tinge; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, pomegranate, mushroom, and gravel. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This is fantastic and squarely in the zone. Drink now though, it’s not going to fall off a cliff on the next couple years. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

So Williams Selyem Pinots should be treated is the same fashion as good burgundy, with age. It will always be somewhat sweeter than red burgundy but nonetheless very good.

This shows w/ an array of mid berry fruits accompanied by some darker fruits. Strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, raspberries, hint of rhubarb, blackberries and haunting blueberries. Mid berry cola, red licorice, fruit tea, eucalyptus, pine tar notes, pine tree bark, dark, rich soils/earth, dry herbs, mid, dark spice, dry crushed rocks, dry limestone powder, black pepper notes, dry river stone, dry fall leaves, bright florals that are; red, blue, purple with a mix of red & pink roses, late spring waterfall acidity with extreme balance, tension, structure with elegance & smart polish for days and long sets on tree bark/sap & spice.

Still ascending. — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When TRB started this label, I thought a primarily Cabernet Winemaker is going to make Pinot Noir? I wondered how his first vintage would be and while it wasn’t bad by any means, it wasn’t what this 2014 Silver Eagle is at this point. TRB has/is honed/honing his craft. This 2014 will likely continue to improve a bit going forward over the next three years for sure & maybe five. This 14 Silver Eagle is definitely hitting its stride. The nose shows the blue & purple fruits I enjoy on the Pinots I prefer to drink.

The nose reveals nicely ripe blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, dry cranberry & raspberries hues on the glass edges. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, limestone, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field.

The palate shows good mouthfeel & wire to wire consistency. Juicy, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberry & mulberry tones, pomegranate, cranberry & raspberries hues. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, warm caramel, toast, steeped fruit tea, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix with deep palate penetration & heat, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry brush, sandalwood, grey volcanics. wet clay, sandstone & limestone powder, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field. The acidity is excellent with a long, elegant, well; balanced, tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes and lands nicely on dark spice as it sets.

I really enjoy this vineyard and some of the Winemakers that make Pinot from it.

Plenty of life left in this one. 8-10 years well stored.

Photos of, Rivers-Marie facility (2), Owner/Winemaker-Thomas Rivers Brown & beautiful prime Pinot clusters ready for harvest. — 2 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Somm decanted and tossed bottle; but was the 1995 at a good price at Adalina in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Nice bit of browning… smooth silken, resolved tannins, pretty light touch on the palate. Ripe cherry, dusty dryness… perfect foil for braised veal shanks with pomegranate reduction and creamy polenta. Great producer, lovely wine, and perfect maturity. Long, chewy finish. — 3 years ago

Brad Jensen

8.9

More cranberry and much more tart than previous years, still very good. The color of pale cranberry juice with bold notes of pomegranate and a very dry finish. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I’ve been picking up nicely aged Kistler’s off the secondary markets for between $50-$60. I have to say I’m pleased but, don’t understand why they go so under valued. I am not going to tell you Kistler makes the best Pinot Noirs. However, they make very good ones. Especially, when they hit 10 years in bottle properly stored. Maybe, it’s just the economy?

The body is heavenly round, full and lush with nice viscosity. The fruits are in fantastic shape. In fact, I would say peaking. Full range of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, cherries, pomegranate and blueberry highlights. The baking spices nicely soften; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla hues. Beautiful mixed fruit cola. Understated, round dry, crushed rock, delicate limestone minerals, shades of; tobacco, savory meats & mint, light dark spice with faint heat, hints sweetened mushrooms, dark, rich earth with bright florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue framed in violets. The acidity is spot on. The beautiful, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish exits with nice, soft persistence. Wire to wire a beautiful wine.

I thought I might get some smoke presence from the 2008 fires in Sonoma...it either was light & faded or never existed.

Still has another 4-5 years of solid drinking ahead.

Photos of; Kistler, their barnyard tasting room, Founder-Mark Bixler who passed away in late 2017 (RIP) and their barn that houses one of their tasting rooms. — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2007 vintage. Perfect fill and excellent cork. Used a Durand. Decanted with some expected unfined/unfiltered sed that was the size/texture of Ovaltine or Folger’s, freeze-dried, coffee crystals. Gamey, meaty nose mated with cranberry. Tasted after 45 minutes open. Still medium-heavy body although another few years of aging will drop it to medium body. The cranberry and gamey/meaty impressions remained intact in the flavors and some pomegranate spritz and blood orange notes came along for the ride. Complex and impressive. No rush to crush. 1.9.26. — 5 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.4

Deep pink color. Aromas of pomegranate, lychee and grapefruit. Red fruits on the palate, tropical fruits, grapefruit and floral finish. Superb!

🏅93 Points - Wine Spectator
🏅93 Points - James Suckling — 6 months ago

with Chad

Vanessa

9.3

🍷Cheers to this compelling Morgon crafted by one of the region’s luminaries!✨

We’re talking about the ‘Côte du Py’ Morgon (Gamay Noir) by the revered Jean Foillard.

This Gamay hails from Morgon – a “Cru” within the broader appellation of Beaujolais – with a reputation for producing structured & age-worthy wine.

👁️ This wine is medium ruby in color, like a gemstone with the delicate haze you’d expect from an unfiltered wine.

👃 The aromas & flavors are perfumed with ripe red and black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, blood orange, mulberry, rosehips, hibiscus, lilac, black tea, rooibos, black licorice, star anise, potting soil, gunflint, & clove.

👄 On the palate, it’s dry with vibrant acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body, fine, ripe tannins, followed by a persistent finish.

In sum, this is a captivating, soulful, & expressive wine; a beautiful representation of Morgon, so deliciously drinkable now, with its layers of lush fruit, florals, & spice, while demurely holding the spine, structure, & intensity to age…

I can imagine it gaining mushroom, earthy, leather, & cured meat dimensions with time.

It offers power and elegance; a wine to sip, savor, & appreciate. — 10 months ago

with Deked1

Jeremiah Diaz

9.5

Deep pink color; pomegranate, raspberries and grape stems on the nose; high acidity; smooth tannins; tastes like sour cherries and cranberries with a long finish. Went really well with a creamy pasta sauce. — 3 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.0

2020 vintage. Very red-fruited and spicy. Red currant, pomegranate, crab apple, cranberry, violet, black tea, cassia, white pepper, dried sage, hibiscus. No hint of smoke taint, which is awesome. — 5 years ago

AEL

9.0

Full, fresh nose with lemon, pomegranate (or maybe raspberry), metal. Almost crunchy on the palate, with red lollipop flavors. Long, defined finish. A great wine, and clocking in at only 10.5% ABV. — 5 years ago