95 points and 'Top 10 Wines in 2012,' James Suckling: "Intense purity of fruit with blackberries and dried lemon skin. Dark chocolate and coffee. Full body, with a juicy, chewy and ripe palate with green pepper and jalapeno. Lovely fruit too. This with pulled pork would be mind-blowing. Drink or hold. (6/11/12)"

94 points and 'Top 100 Wines of 2012,' Wine & Spirits: "[$55 list] Theresa Heredia blends this wine from Freestone's two estate vineyards, Pastorale and Quarter Moon, after choosing the top blocks for its single-vineyard wines. She then selects the more complex and structured blocks for this blend and the more fruit-forward blocks for Fogdog. It's a dramatic wine in 2009, with layers of flavor immediately implied in the scent -- ripe black cherries, the iodine of kelp and oak softening the minerality of the tannin. The wine's delicious richness becomes explosive with air, the potent structure bringing waves of salty tannins and blasts of red fruit. Effusive rather than complex, this captures the energy of the coast in a wine to pour liberally with roast duck. (Apr 2012)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$55 list] The 2009 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards bursts from the glass with an exciting array of sweet black cherries, herbs, dried flowers, licorice and tar, all supported by lively minerality. This focused, beautifully delineated Pinot is first-class all the way. The Freestone bottling is 53% Pastorale Vineyard and 47% Quarter Moon Vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019. (Feb 2012)"

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$55 list] Enormously ripe in cherries, raspberries, cranberries and dates, almost sweet, except that it’s totally dry, and the acidity is fresh and bright. A big, big wine that dazzles for sheer power, although it’s not especially subtle right now. That could change in the cellar. Give it a few years, and then a good decanting before service. Alcohol 13.5%. (12/31/11)"

PinotFile: "[$55 list] 13.5% alc. From Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards. Aged 15 months in 55% new and 45% two to three-year-old French oak barrels. Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Subdued nose initially, picking up intensity over time in the glass offering a fresh blend of cherries and berries with a floral element in the background. Very impressive concentration, even sappy on the mid palate with generous and expressive flavors of black cherries, black raspberries and Hoison sauce, lifted by hi-tone acidity and caressed by gentle, ripe tannins. An impressive hedonistic style of wine with the right touch of acidity, a creamy mouth feel and admirable balance. Excellent aging potential. (11/30/11)"