Medium to dark ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, very clean. On the palate, this is sweet and jammy cherries. Easy drinking. Very big. A hedonistic style of Pinot Noir. If one likes that style, this should be right up your alley. Drink over the next ten years. This will work well with roasted fowl.
This is a bigger wine. Deep ruby/purple in color. The nose has fresh black cherries. On the palate, cherries and black cherries. Lots of depth. Turns slightly bitter on the finish. Still drinking youthfully. This should continue to drink well for the next decade. It drinks well on its own, and will work with heartier fowl or meat dishes.
This Pinot Noir drinks like Santa Barbara with a little bit of Oregon. The cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills allows for the development of pomegranate, rhubarb, black cherry, and green and black tea leaves, while its earthiness and minerality are the best attributes of Oregon Pinot Noir. Here the Southing, which has matured greatly over the years, stands apart of the run of the mill Pinot Noir. If you’ve ever been to Santa Barbara you can see the layer of clouds that hug the mountains like a blanket. Underneath that blanket are the Sea Smoke vineyards that were planted 25 years ago.
Walt is the name that Hall, a Napa producer, releases a line of Pinot Noir. This was my first time trying one that I recall. It is a big fruit forward styled Pinot. Deep ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, sour cherries and spice. Also a slight bit of dark chocolate. On the palate, there is a lot of fruit. Noticeable alcohol but not hot. Sweet black cherries. Deep if still tight. It seems to need about five to seven more years of cellaring an then should have 8 to 12 years after that. There is certainly some upside potential in the score. This will work well with Roasted
Another disappointing wine from this winery that has since changed ownership and winemakers. Medium ruby in color. The nose has cherries and a whiff of bay leaf. On the palate, this is thin and simple. Not much body or depth. Certainly drinkable but for this kind of money (about $50 on release), one expects more. Drink now. It probably should be served with lighter salads and with a chill.
