Delicious from the get go, a Pinot Noir that impresses for sheer flamboyance. The vineyard is in a cooler part of the Santa Maria Valley, and the wine shows fine acidity and ripe, long hangtime flavors of raspberries and cherries, with a rich coating of oak and the exotic crushed spices of its terroir. So good now, it’s hard to resist, but try cellaring for up to five years.——S.H.(12/15/2011)—— 92

Tremendously rich and ripe, this Pinot just dazzles the palate with waves of raspberries, cherries, cocoa, red licorice, bacon and other intense umami flavors. It’s dry and silky, but the drawback is excessive softness.——S.H.(12/1/2010)—— 88

The vineyard is in Santa Maria Valley and the wine’s success is dependent on vintage conditions, just like in Burgundy. Past releases have varied widely. The ’06 is right in the middle, a dry, silky wine with cherry, cola, crushed brown spice and anise flavors, but also with a heavy tug of baked fruit.——S.H.(9/1/2008)—— 86