Possessing a darker, earthy profile, the 2015 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard gives up plenty of plum, spice, leafy herbs and violets in a rich, yet elegant, seamless style. It's another silky Sta. Rite Hills Pinot Noir. I was able to taste Adam Lee’s full-lineup for this report, including his Russian River Valley, Sonoma and Oregon releases. It’s a big lineup, but there’s some gorgeous Pinot Noirs here. I’ve listed the wines in the order tasted, starting with Oregon, followed by Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills.
Bright ruby-red. Exhibits an array of fresh red and dark berry aromas that are complemented by suggestions of Asian spices and cola. Supple and broad on entry, offers juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that tighten up and become sweeter with aeration. Plays richness off of elegance with a smooth hand and finishes impressively long and smooth, with youthful tannins framing the wine's sweet fruit.
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard has a stemmy nose with underlying hints of Bing cherries, cranberries and underbrush, plus a waft of dried lavender. The palate offers a lot of bang with loads of savory, red berry and mineral layers marked by crisp acidity and a solid frame of chewy tannins, finishing long.
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of fertile earth, black cherry and ripe dark berries. A big boy wine with an exuberant load of fruit extract that captivates with its intensity and length. Mature tannins provide a good frame. A dreamy wine with a soothing texture that is built for aging. My only nit would be the sense of alcohol if you look for it.
Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed, mineral- and spice-tinged aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry-cola and incense, with a sexy floral nuance slowly emerging. Seamless and concentrated on the palate, offers intense blackberry liqueur, bitter cherry, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors with a touch of licorice on the back half. Finishes chewy, spicy and impressively long, with outstanding clarity and dusty tannins lending grip.
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard has a very earthy nose, offering up notions of moss-covered bark and damp soil over a core of red and black cherries, with hints of wild thyme and cloves. Medium-bodied, with a solid backbone of grainy tannins and racy acid, the taut fruit reveals loads of earthy layers and a peppery note on the finish.
Deep and hearty aromas of blackberry, candied violet and dried lavender are enhanced by a touch of roasted pork on the nose of this red by Adam Lee. The full-bodied palate is framed by soft yet structural tannins and a slow-rising acidity, showing dark berries, charred beef and a hint of licorice.
2015 PINOT NOIR, SOBERANES VINEYARD The nose is a savory crushed cherry, graphite and faint hickory smoke. The palate is a supple, textured cherry, plum and currant with mouth-coating grip in the core with a savory cherry on the finish. Beautiful wine.
Baked black cherry meets with nutmeg, clove and dried ginger on the very inviting nose of this bottling by Adam Lee. A sizzling acidity greets the palate, as do muscular tannins, with flavors of dark-red fruit, allspice and gingerbread falling into place.
Vivid ruby-red. Highly expressive, mineral-tinged cherry and raspberry scents are complicated by suave floral and Asian spice nuances. Sappy, sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy, densely packed red and dark berry flavors that become livelier and sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows suave floral pastille and oak spice qualities on the impressively persistent finish, which is framed by silky, harmonious tannins.
Seeing plenty of whole cluster, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard has a stunning nose. Forest floor, spice, assorted red and black fruits, and autumn leaves give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, layered Pinot Noir that has ripe tannin and a fantastic finish. I suspect it's the best Sierra Mar from Adam to date. I was able to taste Adam Lee’s full-lineup for this report, including his Russian River Valley, Sonoma and Oregon releases. It’s a big lineup, but there’s some gorgeous Pinot Noirs here. I’ve listed the wines in the order tasted, starting with Oregon, followed by Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills.
Deep ruby-red. Smoke- and mineral-accented cherry and blackberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of candied flowers, allspice and mocha. Silky and concentrated on the palate, offers alluring, sweet dark berry, cherry compote and rose pastille flavors that are lifted by a spine of juicy acidity. Rich yet lively in character, finishes with impressive clarity, resonating florality and smooth, fine-grained tannins.
Medium crimson color from a label named for the Babylonian goddess of wine; velvety with ripe cherry and floral notes; herbal and generous with a crisp, tangy finish.
Gushing aromas but the fruit is tart as well (cherries, red plums, raspberries), along with cola, rose hips, cedar, and interesting elements of black tea and mushroom. Zesty acidity frames the palate, velvety feel, shows dusty tannins. The fruit tastes crisp and chilled, with raspberries, strawberries. Complex blend of cola, chestnut, coffee, rose petals, along with lasting notes of wet leaves and mushrooms. Tastes so good right out of the bottle, but the savory elements will develop more with time. 15 months in 50% new French oak.
2015 PINOT NOIR, ROSELLA’S VINEYARD the nose is a firm red berry with well-defined core of supple fruit and tobacco. The palate is a spicy cherry, herb and black plum on entry with a core of sumptuous raspberry, seamless acidity. Beautiful texture.
A wine that takes a lot of effort to blend due to numerous clones (four different ones), the 2015 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard has a fresh, strawberry, spice, earth and floral-driven nose. This gives way to a medium-bodied, supple, beautifully polished Pinot Noir with a great, grippy texture, bright acidity and a clean finish. This is pure class, and while good today, will be even better this time next year. I was able to taste Adam Lee’s full-lineup for this report, including his Russian River Valley, Sonoma and Oregon releases. It’s a big lineup, but there’s some gorgeous Pinot Noirs here. I’ve listed the wines in the order tasted, starting with Oregon, followed by Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills.
This succulent wine’s brawny earth is steadied by fresh acidity, adding tart flavors of tangy rhubarb, cranberry and rose. Crushed rock and dried herb notes add savory complexity and texture, but it’s the pretty aromas that ultimately seize the day.
2015 PINOT NOIR, PARSONS VINEYARD The nose holds supple aromas of plum, blackberry crumble, tar and spice. The palate is a beautifully seductive bright red fruit with mouth-coating texture. Silky finish with blueberry and mineral.
Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, potpourri, incense and Moroccan spices, and a smoky mineral quality builds in the glass. Lively, mineral-accented raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors stain the palate and show excellent precision and building sweetness. Unfolds slowly with air, gaining depth and finishing with sharp delineation, well-knit tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of muddled black cherry and loamy earth. Rather bold, but refined, in a mid weight plus style with highly flavorful notes of earthy plum and black raspberry back by immersed tannins. A satiny texture and persistent finish add to the appeal. The fruit is very classy and seductive.
This crisp and lengthy vineyard-designate shows a depth of earth and rose petals against baked plum, orange zest and rhubarb. Mouthfilling acidity provides a freshness on the palate that persists through a long, spicy finish.
A bright side expression of Santa Rita Hills, with fruit from the likes of Clos Pepe, Cargasacchi and John Sebastiano vineyards coming together with aromas of cherry and fall spice that translate clearly on the palate, with touches of forest floor and citrus zest bringing the velvety texture to a mouthwatering close. Artfully blended by Adam Lee.
Lush and vibrantly balanced, this wine is marked by juicy layers of blueberry, huckleberry and spicy cola and clove. Velvety-smooth on the palate, it's a satisfying, medium-bodied effort that effectively shows the beauty of the site and the vintage.
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. I have had consistently fine wines from this vineyard and this bottling is no exception. Well-perfumed with aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and balsam. Delicious mid weight plus purple berry melange coats the tongue, progressing to a notably long and intense finish. Very special, with welcome oak and spice nuances and impeccable balance. I really liked this wine.
Pressed boysenberry aromas highlight simultaneously dark and fresh fruit on the nose of this bottling by Adam Lee, which also conveys Earl Grey tea, lavender, hibiscus and crushed pencils. The palate picks up the same tack, offering delicate fruits and florals, from cranberry to elderflower.