I really blew it in my original review (I gave this wine a rating of 89+) four years ago, suggesting the 2005 needed 2-3 years of cellaring. While the cellaring time was correct, I seriously underrated it as this wine was spectacular in the vertical tasting. A deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by a wine with great intensity and stunning notes of spring flowers, forest floor, raspberries and black cherries. With wonderful purity, good acidity, terrific focus and an unbelievably long finish, it could easily pass for a grand cru from Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. Still an adolescent, it should age effortlessly for 10-15 more years.

I really blew it in my original review (I gave this wine a rating of 89+) four years ago, suggesting the 2005 needed 2-3 years of cellaring. While the cellaring time was correct, I seriously underrated it as this wine was spectacular in the vertical tasting. A deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by a wine with great intensity and stunning notes of spring flowers, forest floor, raspberries and black cherries. With wonderful purity, good acidity, terrific focus and an unbelievably long finish, it could easily pass for a grand cru from Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. Still an adolescent, it should age effortlessly for 10-15 more years.

This is a great 2005 Pinot Noir, the best ever from Talley. The wine somehow combines huge ripe fruit with delicacy. It floods the mouth with profound currant, cherry pie, licorice, cola, raspberry, cocoa and vanilla smoke flavors, yet feels light and silky, and is thoroughly dry. That’s the magic of Pinot Noir. You can enjoy this small production wine now, and it should develop additional complexities for 10 years.——S.H.(3/1/2008)—— 97