93 Points | International Wine Cellar , November/December 2009
($44) Deep, bright violet. Energetic red and dark berries on the nose, with sexy notes of rose and blood orange coming up with air. Lively strawberry and black raspberry flavors stain the palate, taking on a richer cherry quality on the back. The sweet red fruits repeat strongly on the strikingly pure and sappy finish. This tangy expression of pinot has the balance and concentration to reward patience.
91 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
Member Notes
02/17/2011
by Bak13806914
A strong pinot. Would have given it 5 stars if it had a bit more subtlety.
An enjoyable Calif Pinot, but over-rated & overpriced
01/22/2011
by Crow13882546
Interesting aroma but not big; mostly current and plum notes with an interesting violet note. Heavy body and smooth, a floral note. Not complex. Not balanced. It was enjoyable now, but might age well. I was disappointed in that it was not particularly impressive for its price (i.e., average VALUE). It was overrated by Wine Access. (re WA's sales sheet: is Adam Tolmach really the worst critic of Ojai, or its most accurate?)
adjustment
10/24/2012
by Crow13882546
Still a good wine, but I am lowering my "value" rating to 3.5*. Pinot needs complexity from terrior to become exceptional.,
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Sparky
01/25/2011
by Sparks12420983
Definitely not a 96 rating.... A good Pinot but a little pricey at the offering....
NOT a classic Pinot Noir
01/18/2011
by BOYNTON12674239
First: I do 'like' this wine- whatever it is. To my fairly experienced palate it is much more like a good Cotes Du Rhone with the depth of fruit that maybe Grenache or Petite Syrah blending would yield. It is DARK, not translucent and mineral/ raisin/ earth/ black fruity. Rather than dancing across the mid palate with the subtlety of a great Pinot, this baby throws the door wide open and comes in wearing its boots speaking German-not- French and in a deep Baritone not a crystal clear Tenor! I waited a week after receiving my case to let it settle in my cellar before the first taste but I will wait much longer before the next bottle is opened.
This juicy-Lucy will cellar nicely so that is not a problem but even in 5 years it will not be a Pinot Noir, no way.
BUT it will be very tasty and rich and not overly extracted either. My average rating is more for the fact that it is not Pinot-like than for any disgust with this brash and forward fruit bomb... whatever it is.
In contrast, I just opened the first of a case of the 2008 Torii Mor deux verres from the Willamette vly Ore. It was only $3 btl more than the Ojai but OMIGOD, THIS is Pinot Noir folks- and it drinks considerably above its $35 price point offering a long lasting, luxuriously delicate balance of acid and fruit and tannin as in a fine lace rather than the Ojai sack cloth. Legs, class, breeding AND a gorgeous face. Treat this one right and she'll be here for you in 2020... if you (I) can stretch it out that long.
Eh. No there there.
10/21/2012
by mhathawa
Like too many of the Wine Access "stars", this is really over rated. I agree with Pizarro, this is a really disappoiinting piece of work by Ojai. A very weak effort.
This could not have been an Ojai bottle...
06/19/2012
by Pizarro14005221
Possibly the only disappointing Ojai effort I have tasted to date. Really subdued, almost greens in the body. Nose took about an hour to develop - soft strawberry. Little complexity developed- maybe some red raspberry, light body and clean finish without much acidity. 82
what a disappointment
12/25/2010
by feeney12126934
after the glowing review of this wine, we made the mistake of opening a bottle the day of delivery. first taste was something like grape fruity. we did not finish the bottle. this may well be one of those "in your face' california wines that is as subtle as the proverbial freight train. will set it down for 6 months or so and have another try.
About California
It is remarkable that an industry essentially less than a half-century old could capture the attention of the American wine-buying public to the degree that California has. Powerful consumer interest in California wine is driven by two major factors. The more obvious reason is that California's best wines, which come from grapes grown in...
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Pinot Noir
Adored by critics, prized by collectors, Pinot Noir is one of most tantalizing yet temperamental varietals in the world. For many wine enthusiasts, this is part of the appeal of Pinot -- it doesn't reveal its charms easily. Pinot Noir's virtue also stems from the unique characteristics of the grape. The skins are especially delicate, which accounts for the lighter color and body of finished wine. But, despite the delicacy, the best wines have excellent backbone and...
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