Pale garnet colored, this 9 year-old Pinot is showing signs of age and has medium viscosity legs (14.2% ABV) and a bit of haze (Unfined and unfiltered).  Pretty lofty aromas of baked cherry, strawberry pie and an earthy, mineral note dominate the nose but I get beautiful cola meets vanilla and cocoa powder.  Stunning.  The palate is dry with silky tannins and medium (+) acidity. Delicious flavors of baked and stewed red fruit with earthy funk and seasoned oak caress my mouth.  Vanilla cola really lights it up on the mid palate.  The finish is very svelte with remnants of cooked fruit and some floral notes.  A spectacular wine that get 93 points from me and for an estimated $90, 5 stars.  Drink till 2026.  I’m searing some Strip Steaks and some risotto to pair.  Salut….

Pale garnet colored with a watery sheen in the glass, to be expected from an 11 year old wine.  The nose is surprisingly youthful with red cherry, strawberry and red currants that eventually blow off to reveal tertiary aromas of dank forest floor, mushroom, caramel, chocolate and wet wood.  The palate is dry with low tannins- barely perceptible in fact and medium acidity.  Super sleek mouthfeel with a medium body and flavors of chocolate covered strawberry with baked red cherry pie followed by some earthy forest with wild mushrooms and dank wood.  It’s very peculiar and exciting.  The soft finish runs for a while and I get flat cherry cola with earth on the back end.  I wrote about this wine nearly five years ago, it’s interesting to read that post.  

I will have to agree with my original assessment- the wine was at peak a few years ago, but here’s the rub.  It has matured beyond my wildest dreams and has really plateaud as a mature wine and has withstood time to allow tertiary development without losing balance.  It is super smooth, delicious and has rewarded my cellaring.  I paid $15 per bottle back in the day.  I am sticking with 92 points and 5 stars.  Excellent effort.  Salut….