90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Bright red. High-pitched red berry and floral aromas are complicated by Asian spices and orange peel. Silky in texture and gently sweet, with vibrant strawberry and black raspberry flavors and a touch of bitter cherry. The supple, intensely fruity finish is spicy, focused and nicely persistent. This drinks well now but has the spine to age. (Sep 2011)"

90 points Wine Spectator: "Light and silky, dancing delicately over refined tannins and lively acidity to show red berry, cinnamon and clove flavors as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2017. (2/29/12)"

90 points and 'Year's Best Pinot Noir,' Wine & Spirits: "Warm and fresh with a scent of ripe strawberries, this wine’s flavors are loose-limbed and juicy, but a fruit skin tannin element holds all that ripeness in check. It’s an ideal red for chilling and drinking as an aperitif. (Oct 2012)"

Producer notes: "A lovely, precocious wine with a brilliant, deep garnet color and seductive, lush aromatics, in this wine spice and fruits dominate. Rich pie cherry and dried cherry impressions, with plummy blue and black fruit for depth and richness anchor the palate and lead to a sweet fruit entry. Tea leaves and spices are assertive, whether showing gingerbread, molasses, nutmeg, cardamon or delicate black pepper. The balance is almost perfect, with great acid, excellent weight without being ponderous, no alcohol apparent, nice breadth and length on the palate, and a bright, clean and elegant finish. Elegance, richness and balance--what we all aspire to. And what a standard-bearing pinot noir should reflect. 14.5% alcohol."