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2005 VINTAGE ACCOLADES

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ~ 2005 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ~ Two thumbs way up - Amazing flavors of ripe raspberries that are in complete harmony with smoky, earthy notes and a distinct mineral quality often associated with wines that cost a lot more. - Gil Kulers, Atlanta Journal Constitution

91 POINTS - 2005 Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir
Pleasant, appealing aromas of vanilla bean, strawberry and subtle forest floor-mushroom earthiness. Velvety soft and round on the palate with medium tannins, this is a generously fruited Pinot awash in ripe strawberry-pomegranate juice flavors enhanced by mocha and duxelles mushrooms, finishing with a touch of mineral-tinged framboise

93 POINTS - 2005 Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 POINTS - 2005 Ewald Vineyard Pinot Noir
This is one of the first important 2005 Russian River Pinots to hit the market, and it's an exciting hint to the eagerly awaited vintage. It was a cool, long hangtime year, and this wine is amazingly rich and deep in chocolaty cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors. For all that, the wine is dry, supple and delicately tannic, and seems to have  a fine future.
90 POINTS - 2005 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
91 POINTS, CELLAR SELECTION - 2005 Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
91 POINTS, CELLAR SELECTION - 2005 Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir
90 POINTS - 2005 Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir
89 POINTS - 2005 Sapphire Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
88 POINTS - 2005 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

91 POINTS - 2005 Amber Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
90 POINTS - 2005 Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir

93 Points - 2005 Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir
90 Points - 2005 Sapphire Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 Sonatera Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 Points - It would be easy enough to believe that this dense, full-bodied Pinot was born of grapes grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands given its sense of sheer fruity scale and unstinting ripeness. It is drenched in sweet oak but oozes wonderfully juicy fruit all the way through its considerable length, and it has all the extract it needs to handily buffer the slight bit of heat that comes as the price of its ongoing richness. Even if young, it is accessible and tasty right now, and it will find its best place as a partner to a savory lamb roast.

2005 Arbre Vert Vineyard Pinot Noi, Willamette Valley (not yet released)
90 points
A stylish wine, bright and appealing, a refreshing mouthful of cherry and mint, with mineral notes weaving through the refined finish. Drink now through 2012. - J.L.

2005 Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
93 points

2005 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
93 points

2005 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 Points
Fragrant and delicate, with subtle intensity that builds on the palate, showing a deft balance between earthy-minerally raspberry and blackberry fruit that gains momentum on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 552 cases produced. —J.L.

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2005 Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rating: (87-90)
The muscular, sweet cherry, spicy, herbal, heady 2005 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard exhibits medium to full body as well as hints of underbrush, black cherries, spice, and earth. The wine's light ruby color does not suggest the abundant flavor it possesses.  - Robert Parker

2005 Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rating: (90-92)
With crisp acidity in addition to abundant structure and tannin, the most unevolved and backward offering is the 2005 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard. Sweet cherry, raspberry, plum, cinnamon, and damp earth/forest floor nuances are found in this long, impressively endowed Pinot. It will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and drink well over the following 7-8 years.  - Robert Parker

2005 Garys'  Vineyard Pinot Noir
Dense and rich with underbrush and black fruit characteristics as well as additional body and muscle, the 2005 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard boasts fragrant aromatics and long, heady flavors. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.
- Robert Parker

2005 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rating: (92-94)
Once again, the superstar of this group is the 2005 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard, which offers more of everything - fragrance, fruit, body, nuance, and nobility. Pisoni is an outstanding grand cru site for Pinot Noir, and virtually every estate making wine from this vineyard seems to hit a home run.  - Robert Parker

2005 Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rating: (90-92)
Substantial as well as soft and velvety-textured, the 2005 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard reveals a medium plum/ruby color, moderate body, sweet tannin, good acidity, and loads of pomegranate, cherry, raspberry, and forest floor notes. Drink this charmer over the next 5-6 years.  - Robert Parker

2005 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Rating: (87-89)
The generic 2005 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands exhibits sweet black currant and cherry fruit, a seductive personality, decent acidity, and ripe tannin. It should be consumed during its first 4-5 years of life.
- Robert Parker

2005 Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
Rating: (87-90)
From the southerly, cool climate Santa Rita Hills region, the 2005 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills possesses lovely herbal, black cherry, and raspberry characteristics, hints of Allspice and cinnamon, and fine texture, fruit, and lushness.   - Robert Parker