Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Rio Vista Vineyard

Christmas 2014 - despite being told that this is beyond its drinking window, the wine remains vibrant and delicious. The color does show significant bricking, consistent with some oxidation...but still bright fruit and tons of acidity on the palate. Will go well with Christmas dinner. This is my last bottle, but just wanted to put a note here to reassure anyone who thinks this is past its prime.

First few glasses were full of mineral, acidity, red fruits and funky/savory (from partial whole cluster here?), the last glass was a different wine, with searingly pure raspberry, cranberry and a little strawberry touched off with a hint of citrus zest. No more funk, no more savory, and the acidity was tempered a bit. I preferred the beginning of the bottle, Shannon preferred the end. A pinot for all people, perhaps?

Medium ruby color, slightly cloudy. Nose of raspberry, spice, violets and oak with some intriguing stony/mushroomy notes. Full bodied on the palate with good acidity, mouthcoating.

Medium ruby color, slightly cloudy. This is a typically complex Pinot from Tantara. On the nose, oak, smoky garrigue and spice notes, tart red berries. Mouthwatering acidity on the palate, silky with good presence, ripe tannins. Flavors of bitter orange marmalade and coffee. At this point there is still too much unintegrated oak aroma; with a bit less aggressive oak treatment this would be really great. As it is, it's very good indeed.

Chicago Pinot Days-2008 (Navy Pier, Chicago IL) : nose: nice pungent nose of bright cherries with sweet spices, anise, and soft red licorice tones taste: bigger body giving a medium/full pinot feel with bright cherries, spice, and red licorice tones overall: Really good medium/full bodied pinot. Nice structure with medium acidity though there is a bit of heat with a nice red cherry attack and anise based finish

Family Winemakers San Francisco; 8/24/2008-8/25/2008 (Fort Mason, San Francisco) : Roses and cherry nose; tasty tart red fruit palate; medium finish 91+ pts.

Old world style. Not alot of fruit. Too much acidity for my taste. I would not buy this wine again. At $59 a bottle this is way over priced.

Light to medium ruby color. Intense nose of cranberry and red raspberry with floral notes, dry mulling spices and a bit of oak. Medium bodied with some dry tannins; juicy with good acidity, orangey flavor on the finish. Nice PN.