Chanin, Schock Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Drinking very nicely although the fruit, while not fading, felt a bit more reticent, with the spice and mineral notes dialled up. This is still a texturally beautiful wine and full of perfume.

Prior bottle was 17 months ago and this wine continues to drink quite well. Black cherry, red cherry, earth, floral and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Medium bodied with rounded dark red cherry as well as a touch of black cherry upfront. Very open and expressive through the middle with dark red cherry, now distinct black cherry along with brighter red cherry and red berries behind. This wine has really come together quite nicely along the lines I'd …

Dark purple red; dark cherries, licorice; relatively light attack with a smooth core and nice acidity, some tobacco in the aftertaste; not really typical Pinot Noir here, but quite likeable nevertheless, not for long-term holding in my opinion, just drink and enjoy while it still has some youth in it

Almost spot on to my first note, although the fruit was even more open and finely woven. These are just stunning and have been a perfect match with game. One guest remarked that it felt like 1er cru Pommard.

A bit more reticent and austere compared to the first two bottles, but overall that same elegant profile. The structure of these is just beautiful.

Served with food this time and any sense of that bitterness totally disappeared. We were in Christmas spice cherry heaven, with a savoury sprinkle of forest floor and smoked salt. Texturally very fine, with nice mineral layers on the back palate. Really beautifully composed - the guests swore it was Morey St Denis.

Stunning. On a rare occasion, I just PnP this bottle. My how it evolved in the glass. Dark cherry nose that just opened up with more intense fragrance over the first 30 min before settling into a beautiful spiced black cherry palate. There is an earthy spiciness to this with the faint hint of crushed rocks, though texturally a bit more muted. Initially there was a slight bitterness on the finish, which I'm still not sure was due to oak …

Prior bottle was almost exactly a year ago and my notes were quite consistent. Black and red cherry along with earth and spices on the nose that showed a touch more depth and a touch less dryness than previously. Medium bodied with rounded red cherry upfront along with lighter and brighter red cherry and then moving to dark red cherry (not quite black) through the middle. Cranberries and tart red cherry on the back. Balanced tannins and then earth notes …

A very solid offering from Gavin. Notes of red cherry, cranberry, spice on the front with the plosive dropping out on the backend. Drinking very well and have found this to be a favorite from Chanin.

Prior bottle was 15 months ago and this wine has evolved along the lines I expected. Dry black and red cherry, earth and spice notes on the nose. Perhaps slightly more aromatic than prior bottle, but still a step behind the 2017 in this regard. Medium bodied with red cherry and dark red cherry upfront. Continues to add a bit of depth through the middle along with good clarity of fruit. The red cherry upfront has picked up some brightness …

Red berries, cranberry and light spices on a nose that was noticeably more muted than what the 2017 showed. Nearly medium bodied (13.5% ABV) with rounded and dark red cherry upfront. Adds additional depth through the mid-body with a mixture of red cherry, red berries and darker red cherries. Mid-body isn't particularly expressive at this stage and while it feels integrated and harmonious, the complexity isn't shining through at this stage. The longer it's open, the more it starts to …

Unusual nose with red fruits, pencil eraser, cranberry, and light spice. Focused palate has dry red fruits and a beam of pepper and dried herb. Firm, very long tannic finish with rocky notes. This wine is subtle and hard to describe - it doesn't wow you at first but it maintains your attention and interest as you get into it. Was sorry when the bottle was done and it was my only bottle! Even now I'm thinking my score may …