108, 2011
Wine Enthusiast Scores: August 2011
In the August 2011 Issue of the Wine Enthusiast several of Grapevine's wines earned excellent scores. Call you local independent retailer to order some of these wines: Amizetta 2007 [...]
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High tonal colors of Italian plum show off Mount Richmond’s display of smoke and dried lavender on the nose- cranberry, nutmeg and dark cacao slip into aromas of black cherry and purple plum. The tongue is delighted by spicy clove and sage and tempered by black currant and Bing cherry. Silky tannins with medium-high acid make this a savory and sexy pinot noir. - Earthy on the palate with saddle, curry and peppermint components, this wine has a sturdy fruit and oak tannin component that will mellow with age. Windhill always has a rustic, old-world feel and produces age-worthy wines.
- Beautiful. With a classic pinot noir aroma of red-fruit and spice, this wine is brighter and fruitier than the 2008 Reserve with less overt tannins. A huge hit of sweet dark fruit with a lingering finish, this pinot has intense concentration from start to finish.
- A bright ruby gem, Clay Court shows cinnamon and saddle leather with sweet almond, spring blossoms and strawberry-rhubarb pie. Characteristics of volcanic Jory soil ring true in the palate of sweet tobacco, white pepper and raspberry compote with hints of prune and leather. Elegant tannins play with slight tension, ending in a pinnacle of grace.
- The first impressions are the aromas of white chocolate, cranberry, cherry, brown spice with faint earthiness. Once in the mouth this young, beautiful Pinot combines the cranberry and cherry with red plum, spice and earth. Though soft on entrance there is a tannic framework which ushers the flavors to a medium long finish. Drink this beauty now, but you will be rewarded with 2+ years bottle age.
- The first impressions are the aromas of white chocolate, cranberry, cherry, brown spice with faint earthiness. Once in the mouth this young, beautiful Pinot combines the cranberry and cherry with red plum, spice and earth. Though soft on entrance there is a tannic framework which ushers the flavors to a medium long finish. Drink this beauty now, but you will be rewarded with 2+ years bottle age.
- Delicate, feminine style with pretty aromas of raspberry, jasmine tea and dried orange peel followed by deeper scents of forest floor and chanterelle mushroom. Flavors broaden to include wild huckleberry, red cherries, toasted pecan and a hint of lavender. While delicate, the flavors are focused and persistent. The texture is plump upon entry and firms up with fine, dusty tannins providing the structure to age gracefully
- Scents of freshly crushed raspberry, black cherry and lavender mingle with coriander, cardamom and clove creating a heady perfume of Pinot. A bit of savory mushroom adds depth of flavor. Perhaps the most alluring aspect of Pinot noir is texture. While this wine is soft and delicate up front its youthful nature may mislead with early accessibility, yet it will continue to improve for five to eight years from vintage.
- This Pinot beautifully captures Monterey's cool climate terroir. Classic Pinot flavors of ripe black cherries and earth. The balanced acidity, silky texture, and mild tannins make this wine very versatile with food. 100% estate fruit and 100% Pinot Noir.
- This Pinot beautifully captures Monterey's cool climate terroir. Classic Pinot flavors of ripe black cherries and earth. The balanced acidity, silky texture, and mild tannins make this wine very versatile with food. 100% estate fruit and 100% Pinot Noir.
- Translucent light garnet. High-toned aromatics, with pomegranate and rose hips on the nose. Light in body and a bit spritzy. Slightly bitter edged herbal finish. With time gains some complexity and whiffs of brown sugar, dried mushroom, barnyard, and sage emerge.
- Its color is dark, ruby red. The wine has a light fragrance of red, ripe fruits, strawberries, and raspberries. To the palate it is a very fruity, full-bodied wine with soft tannins.
- This spectacular Pinot boasts hints of strawberry and hibiscus on the nose with the right amount of sandalwood. Interlaced with bright fruit, it’s perfectly complemented by the subtle oak. Slight tannins show around mid-palate, making this one beautifully balanced wine, perfect for sipping or paired with roasted lamb and mushroom risotto.
- A superb Pinot Noir, whose concentration is clearly heralded by its dark ruby color. Initially it seems somewhat closed on the nose, but then opens up in the glass to reveal its authentic, noble Pinot Noir origins. The aroma reminiscent of sour cherry and raspberry is enhanced by a delicate hint of vanilla and spice. On the palate it shows excellent harmony with elegant acidity, well-integrated sweet tannins and enormous concentration of aromas.
- The Meczan Pinot Noir is distinguished by its unmistakable varietal character, its distinctive aroma and fruity character, by its bright ruby color with garnet reflexes, and its fresh, stimulating bouquet with seductive hints of woodland berries and cherry. On the palate Meczan is harmonious, sappy and mellow with impressive fruit.
- Hook & Ladder's oldest vineyards thrive in the cooler section of our land just west of Santa Rosa. Here the morning fog gently blankets our 100-year old vines and allows the pre-prohibition Pinot Noir to ripen evenly in the summer months.
- Refreshing and young in taste. This wine is made out of vines which are between 6 and 12 years old. It is a deep ruby red colour with a nose full of fruits.
- The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of our traditional vineyards. Though not at the same level of complexity as the vineyard designates, this blend is extremely enjoyable, lush and full of pure, Pinot fruit. It is also a terrific value. The blend consists of fruit from Abbott Claim, Canary Hill, Carter, Freedom Hill, Guadalupe, McCrone, Meredith Mitchell, Nysa and Savoya vineyards.
- This Pinot Noir is the one that puts a great smile on people's faces when they come to the tasting room. Unlike the broody, over-extracted modern California Pinot Noirs, ours is one that “sings on the palate”. It is elegant and luscious, full of layered textures and flavors that make you want to dream up new sins and then rush to commit them
- Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Subdued nose initially, opening slowly in the glass to offer scents of ripe dark berries and oak cask. Layers of interesting flavor including black cherry, pomegranate, dark raspberry and tobacco. Admirable harmony with balanced tannins and a lip-smacking finish with good intensity and length.
- Mystos is also the name of a surf spot known only to the locals who surf the Sonoma Coast and the winery principals won’t tell you where that is either. Indigenous yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry cobbler, Asian spice, anise and vanilla lead to a delicious core of Bing cherry fruit accented with notes of strawberry, exotic spice and vanilla pastry cream. The fruit is strikingly fresh and juicy, bringing the drinker to attention, and is back by zippy acidity that is unusual for the Russian River Valley, showing up as a refreshing cut on the bright and intense cherry-themed finish.