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Pennacchio Pinot Noir Reviews

Score: 92 | November 1, 2018 | Wine Enthusiast

From a site within the cool Sebastopol Hills, this light-bodied wine is earthy, minty and spicy, with length and grace. Smooth and silky on the palate, it shines in dark cherry, cassis and cardamom, and has a memorable, lasting finish. 

Score: 91 | April 27, 2018 | Wine Advocate

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Pennacchio Vineyard features lovely notes of Bing cherries, pomegranate and rhubarb with touches of rose hip tea, forest floor and black truffles. Medium-bodied and finely textured with soft tannins and offering invigorating freshness, it finishes with lingering red berry notes.

Score: 91 | April 28, 2017 | Wine Advocate

Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2014 Pinot Noir Pennacchio Vineyard offers a delicate floral perfume of roses and violets over cranberries, pomegranate and rhubarb notes plus a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses great elegance and poise with soft, silky tannins texturing the understated red berry and earth flavors, finishing with an herbal lift.

Score: 87 | April 13, 2015 | Burghound

A relatively high-toned nose presents notes of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of cranberry. The medium-bodied flavors possess a seductive mouth feel that is lush and generously proportioned before terminating in a moderately long, dusty and warm finish. This is sufficiently forward that it could easily be enjoyed now though be sure to maintain a proper serving temperature as the warmth is otherwise quite noticeable.

Score: 89 | November 1, 2014 | Wine Spectator

Fresh, with snappy raspberry, watermelon and strawberry fruit that's focused and vibrant, ending with firm tannins that show a pleasant crushed rock loaminess. Drink now through 2023. - J.L.

Score: 90 | April 1, 2014 | Wine Enthusiast
Cellar Selection. The Sebastopol Hills may someday be an appellation. This area of the southern valley lies open to maritime influences, making it cool. This polished Pinot shows its terroir in the brisk acidity, minerality and earthy fruit notes of pomegranates and heirloom tomatoes that accompany riper, sweeter raspberry and cherry flavors. A few years in the cellar should add traction.
Score: 87 | April 1, 2014 | Wine Spectator
Drying and tannic, with earthy berry flavors that are intense and rustic, especially in texture. Offers a cedary oak edge on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 154 cases made.
Score: 87 | October 1, 2013 | Burghound
A moderately high-toned nose features notes of raspberry, cranberry and red cherry leads to opulent and very rich medium weight flavors that possess noticeable mid-palate sweetness that is contrasted against a slightly odd finish that displays an unusual sweet/dry/bitter character. In this case it is less pronounced than in the Thornton but it’s present all the same.
Score: 88 | May 31, 2013 | Wine Spectator
Strikes a delicate balance between ripe cherry and strawberry, with a dash of smoky oak.
Score: 89 | May 1, 2013 | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Deep ruby. Cherry-cola and oak spices on the deeply scented nose. Plush and appealingly sweet, offering spicy dark berry and cherry flavors and notes of candied rose and mocha. An open-knit, fruity pinot that exhibits good upfront appeal and finishes with gentle tannins and good cling.
Score: 92 | June 15, 2012 | Wine Spectator
Offers firm, ripe, vivid wild raspberry, cranberry and tar scents that are tight and earthy in a pleasant way. Leaner and more structured than some of the new De Loach single-vineyard Pinots, yet very complete.
Score: 96 | June 1, 2012 | Wine Enthusiast
Editor's Choice. With the 2009 vintage, De Loach is at the top of its Pinot Noir game, and this one, from a chilly vineyard south of Sebastopol, is among its best ever. The crisp acidity, like a squirt of lime, that accompanies the raspberry, cherry and persimmon fruit is bracing. Meanwhile, a mushroomy earthiness gives complex layers that don’t stop. It should age through the next decade.