Score: 90- 92 (100 possible)
Dark ruby-hued, medium-bodied wine possesses red and black currants, soft tannins, decent acidity, and outstanding concentration. It is a straightforward effort that begs for consumption over the next several years.
California Grapevine
Nick Ponomareff
34
June / July 2008
92 points (First Place)
Medium-light ruby color; attractive, intense, elegant, spicy, toasty, ripe black cherry fruit aroma with notes of vanilla and cola; medium-full to full body; rich, textured, spicy, cedary, raspberry and cherry fruit flavors with bright acidity; well balanced; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Elegantly styled and showing good depth and varietal character. Very appealing to taste now and show continue to develop some complexity with a few more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.
Wine Spectator
James Laube
07/31/2008
91 points
Well-focused, with fresh, ripe plum, black cherry and blueberry fruit that’s well-proportioned, complex and persistent. Ends with a nice mix of tannins and Pinot flavors that offer depth and length. Drink now through 2011. 432 cases made.
Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
Charles Olken
June 2008
93 points
The most intense, extracted of this lovely trio from Paul Hobbs, this wine is not for the faint of heart or for those who want tight, ageworthy versions of Pinot. This is outgoing, ripe, rich, Pinot that can be drunk up today or can be put away for a half decade or more because it famously combines both succulent depth and convincing structure. Its sweet cherry and caramel character comes with touches of molasses, violets, cocoa and rich soils, and those complex layered pieces are fitted together with into the wine's supple entry and long, open flavors and rewardingly tasty finish.
International Wine Cellar
Stephen Tanzer
May June 2008
91 points
Deep, dark red. Jammy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by baking spices, mocha and musky herbs. Broad and strikingly concentrated, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors along with gingerbread and bitter chocolate. Plenty going on here. Finishes with excellent lift and cut, with the spicy qualities repeating.
