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. — a year ago
The majestic 2016 Las Cases is one for the ages. This ultra complex and ultra appealing wine is already captivating and will very obviously have many decades to shine. You get currants, blackberries, salmiak, violets, tobacco, rosemary, pink pepper, soil and so much more. The texture gradually becomes creamier with fine tannins and fresh and long finish. Will become a perfect wine eventually. — a year ago
Medium to full bodied Pinot from Sta. Rita Hills. Medium weight in the glass with notes of red berries, cinnamon, damp earth and spice. Decent length in the finish. This could use another 2-3 yrs and really shine. — a year ago
The 2004 Barolo (magnum) is soft and silky, but it is also more forward than I expect, or want, to be honest. Dried flowers, leather, spice, game and dark-fleshed fruit fill out the layers. Vertical tastings serve, among other things, to shine a bright light on a single wine over many vintages. In this context, the 2004 does not live up to my original enthusiasm. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2023) — a year ago
Wine Shoe favorite — 3 years ago
Wow! Delicate bubbles let the chard and Pinot noir shine through. A bit of vanilla and bright lemon and brioche. Not too dry and a lovely bright mouth feel. Fantastic! — a year ago
LC18. Needed some air to really shine, and when it did… gosh, was it delish! Epitomises intensity without weight. — 2 years ago
Jan de Weerd
If I could use just one word? Intense! Still tight but the layers of dark fruit are starting to shine through the angular, lead pencil soaked tannins. Everything is super balanced and leads you to a grippy, lingering finish. Drinking it right here in the Idaho Mountains! What a life. Oh, talking about Idaho. It finally got on the map of Wine Folly! Do you want to personally visit some of the best Idaho wineries and try their outstanding wines? Go to www.spokenwines.com 😁. And while you are there signup for our monthly newsletter. Every month you will get intimately introduced to a new winery we visited somewhere in the world with exceptional wines and captivating stories. Cheers! 🍷🥂 — 7 months ago