94 WA

93 WS

92 VM

Notes:

Wine Advocate: The 2004 Pinot Noir Ten (from ten separate clones) possesses a deep ruby/purple-tinged color, sweet cranberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit, and a hint of toasty oak in the background. The most closed as well as the biggest and richest of this trio, it will benefit from another 12 months of cellaring, and should drink well for a decade or more. An impressive example of Pinot Noir, it offers further evidence of the Santa Rita Hills potential.

Stephen Tanzer: Good deep red-ruby. Liqueur-like aromas of raspberry, blackberry, dark cherry and cola, with a slight roasted nuance. Supersweet, supple and very ripe, with layered flavors of strawberry, raspberry, creme de cassis and candied licorice complicated by a note of chocolate liqueur. This very ripe and rich pinot reminded me of a 2003 Burgundy. Very long on the aftertaste, with lush tannins. This is 14.9% alcohol, vs. 14.7% for the Southing and Botella bottlings. An excellent set of pinots from this producer.

Wine Spectator: Riveting aromas, intense, vivid yet elegant and supple, with rich blueberry, huckleberry and wild berry flavors that unfold gracefully, gaining complexity, depth and nuance. The flavors reveal a wonderful fresh earth and mineral edge on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 1,100 cases made. JL

Vins Rare