Elizabeth Spencer Pinot Noir Special Cuvée Sonoma Coast

past its prime and a bit harsh

On the edge of faded

On the edge of faded

On the edge of faded

Past it's prime -- fruit has faded

Drank over two days. Powerful plum and blueberry/blackberry on the attack. A nice pepper hint in mid-palate. A tiny bit of tannins left for the fiinish. Overall, solid wine.

Tight and not that enjoyable day 1 via PnP. Opened up nicely on day #2 with very nice but not flabby fruit and some earthiness. Well balanced and nice structure. Sweet finish of modest length. Nose was there on 2nd day as well emphasizing the red fruits.

Just a touch of pepperiness on the nose but wonderful body and long long finish. Sorry I have no more notes but we all loved this.

A decent Syrah, plum and black fruit on the nose, a touch of animal, that seems to be blowing off. On the palate it's toasty with black cherry vanilla and generous length. Screaming for food and we are prepping Dijon crusted rack of lamb to have with this in about an hour.

very nice licorice, dark fruit, with a little oak and tartness

MEAT the New AIWF Dinner - 8/17/2011. Perhaps that it followed a "meh" pinot gris helped it a great deal, but this syrah was delicious and memorable. Oppulent nose of black and blueberries, opaque to the rim. Oak essence wafted off quickly to allow the subtle bouquet of lavendar and anis shine. Lengthy finish and nice grip, but not cloying. Second glass (after bottle had been open for 30+ minutes was far more approachable, delicate, and delicious; definitely decant!). Apparently …

Fair. Decant it. Lychee fruit, a bit bitter with hard tannin, but opens up with time.

WSET Intermediate Course, Session 2 Tastings (Washington Wine Academy, Arlington, VA) : Appearance: clear, medium-deep intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, light-medium intensity (very closed), fruit: black fruit (very dusty, like dehydrated fruit), black pepper, oak (heavy). Palate: dry, medium-high acidity, medium tannin, medium-full body, black fruit, pepper (very tight), medium length/finish (primarily tannin). Conclusion: acceptable-good-very good (impossible to tell - desperately needed to decant, hence no score given).

Lush dark fruit, white pepper and smokey finish. It has good lenght on the finish. It's a B+