Lafond Pinot Noir SRH

Its been a year since I last visited this wine and this is my last bottle of this vintage. Just a fantastic drink, plenty of fruit, balanced, and solid finish. All time favorite pinot noir under $20, nothing close.

Dark cherry, balsamic strawberry, cola nose. Consistent palate. Smooth, brooding. Nice spicy finish. Better on day two - alcohol more in check. Drinking well right now. Good value on top.

Lots of red fruit and spices, but the alcohol was overpowering. My wife said it smelled like rubbing alcohol - not a good sign. We let it sit in glasses for 2+ hours, and it rounded out a bit, but still not as exciting as I remembered when I tasted and bought at the vineyard. I'll sit on my other bottle for another year and see if it comes together.

Starting to lose some fruit on the palate. Still cherry present. Long finish.

Style between typical ca Pinot and Oregon Pinot. Noticeable spiciness and less fruity. so so complexity.

Solid Santa Barbara pinot style. Great cherry fruit and nice balance. High QVR

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr Concert (Lake Mission Viejo, CA) : consistant with previous tasting note. Held its own with a Foxen/Sea Smoke Pinot but slightly edged out on structure and nose.

The blackest pinot noir I have ever encountered. Very big, nice complexity yet still finishes with of expected pinot acidity. Still not typical and in a blind tasting many may think it was a syrah. Still very tasty.

Very interesting Pinot, like no other. If I had to guess looking at the decanter I'd say Cab or Syrah. This is a big bold Pinot, it'll really upset those traditionalist. Excellent nose of fruit and spice initially. There is a definite whiff of alcohol too which doesn't care through on the palate thankfully. The complexity of this wine is terrific with bright fruit, cherry cola, spice, oak, and a little smoked meat. Even a hint of bacon fat? Medium+ …

This is a beautiful bottle of wine and a STEAL with a price point in the mid-20s. Awash in big fruit - so much so that it almost belies a Pinot Noir. Mineral notes are very, very slight so even folks that don't think they are Pinot fans will be hard pressed to not like this bottle. Pairs well with both wild salmon and filet mignon (drank this over two nights since we had multiple bottles of wine open). Really …