Pinot Noir

This is the entry level Pinot Noir from the home vineyard of winemaker Thomas Rivers-Brown.  At age 11, this is doing quite well.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, sour cherries, and a bit of spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the sour cherries dominate with some underlying spice and a touch of earthiness.  Lots of lively energy.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Yes, this is a big Pinot, but for California, it has some restraint to it.  Lots of sunshine and verve.  Just starting to hit its sweet spot, this should drink well for another twelve to fif

My first time trying this wine.  It is a full throttle Pinot Noir carrying a California designation that weighs in at 14.5% abv.  Attratcively packaged with half the bottle covered in black wax.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is big with black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Cherries, black cherries and anise.  Long finish.  This is bold and delicious.  This could only come from California.  It is very young so it will be interesting to see how it evolves.  Right now it drinks better on its own although it will work with hearty meat and fow

2018 seems to be a very successful year for Sineann.  This is the basic Pinot Noir from one of the top producers of single vineyard Oregon Pinots made from the declassified juices from five different vineyards.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with sour cherries, hay and slight black pepper.  With air a slight minty note emerges.  It has a very nice mouthfeel.  The abv is listed at 13.4%.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit that is ever so slightly jammy at this point.  It is delicious.  There is some warmth on the finish.  This really needs s

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 a very light and elegant Pinot Noir.  For those liking that style, this will be a hit.  For those who like a full throttle wine, this might be found lacking.  Light ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with some depth.  On the palate, great acidity. Bright cherry fruit.  Complex and delicious.  Elegant.  Nice finish.  This should continue to develop for the next ten years or so and drink well for another ten after that.  It will work better with food.  Crab cakes would be a nice match.  

In a recent blind tasting of 10 Santa Barbara Pinots, this was the groups favorite and my #2.  A very impressive showing.  Medium ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries and sour cherries.  On the palate, this is big a fruity but with some depth.  Cherries and sour cherries come thru with a touch of mint.  Lovely texture.  Long finish.  This drinks easy on it own but will also work well with salmon or fowl.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

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.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries and slight menthol.  Medium to full bodied.  Very smooth drinking.  The black cherries come thru to the palate.  Very tasty.  Nice finish.  This is on the lusher style of Pinots.  It should be consumed in the next five to ten years.  A nice match for roasted duck.  

This is an affordable Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara.  Light ruby in color.  The nose is clean with cherries.  On the palate, this is light bodied.  Cherry fruit.  Mild.  Easy drinking.  Drink this in the next years or two.  Nice on its own or with lighter salads.  

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.