Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is dusty with some cedar and alcohol. Just a hint of cherries. On the palate, just a touch of cherry cough drops. Firm tannins. Shorter finish. Certainly drinkable if at a wedding but this seems past prime. Drink now. Better on its own than with food.
The Samsara wines in our tasting did not perform well. I am told that since about 2017, they have new owners and new winemakers, so I look forward to revisiting their wines. Medium ruby in color. The nose has cherries with some cinnamon. On the palate, this has a soft texture. Cherry candy and red licorice notes. Not a lot of depth but a glass is tasty. Shorter finish. This is drinkable and solid, but no more. Drink up. Probably better on its own than with food.
One typically doesn't think of Pinot Noir and Napa, but the district of Carneros spans into both Napa and Sonoma and is the home of many excellent Pinot Noirs. This is a very pretty, elegantly styled Pinot. Ruby in color, clear and bright and a touch lighter. The nose is nice with bright cherries, macerated cherries, sandalwood and a touch of chervil. Medium bodied. On the palate, this has cherries and cherry cough drop notes with a touch of anise. Light tannins. Very smooth and easy to sip. Nice finish. This drinks great on its own and would work well with salmon or roasted fowl.
This is drinking great right now. Everything one could want in a Santa Cruz Pinot Noir. Deep ruby in color with purple swirls. The nose has cherries, candied cherries and slight cherry cough drops with just a hint of clean earthiness. Medium bodied. On the palate, this has layers of cherry fruits with underlying earthiness. Lovely, slightly lush texture with a slickness that makes it so drinkable. Nice finish. This seems to be closing in on peak but may still develop more. Either way, it should easily do ten to twelve more years.
This is a really nice Pinot Noir from Carneros. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice. Earthy with cherries and slight sandalwood. Medium bodied. Light tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, cherries with slight sour cherries over char and earthiness. Long finish with a touch of menthol. Some depth and complexity that will increase with cellar time. This drinks well now and should continue to for the next ten to twelve years. Very nice on it own, this will work well with roasted duck or chicken.
