Reviews for Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette

 

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2008 Review from ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE
90+ POINTS
October 2011
“The 2008 Pinot Noir Aliette spent 15 months in 50% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Sandalwood, cinnamon, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits compose the nose of this still somewhat austere, structured offering. It has all the right stuff but another 2-3 years of cellaring are needed for the wine to fully blossom. It will provide optimum drinking from 2012 to 2020.”   – Jay Miller

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2008 Review from STEPHEN TANZER’S INT’L WINE CELLAR
90+ POINTS
July/August 2011
“Deep red. Strawberry and raspberry preserve aromas are complicated by deeper notes of cola, sassafras and black tea. Deep but lively in the mouth, offering juicy red and dark berry flavors and hints of smoky Indian spices and root beer. Fine-grained tannins add shape and grip to the long, chewy finish.” – Josh Raynolds

 

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2007 Review from STEPHEN TANZER’S INT’L WINE CELLAR
89+ POINTS
July/August 2010
“Vivid red. Fresh red berries and spicecake on the nose, with a hint of woodsmoke coming up with aeration. Tangy and focused, with racy red berry, cherry and bitter rhubarb flavors and a fine dusting of tannins. The lingering finish features good grip and a repeating cherry note. I suspect that this will gain sweetness and pliancy with a few years of bottle age. These vines are almost all Pommard clone.” – Josh Raynolds

 

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2007 Review from WINE SPECTATOR
87 POINTS
December 2009
“Smooth and easygoing, with modest berry and cherry flavors, finishing with an attractive floral note. Drink now through 2011. 748 cases made.” –HS

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2006 Review on BURGHOUND.COM
Feb. 1, 2010
“The ripeness of the 2006 vintage is definitely present though the nose remains elegant, pure and airy with its layered aromas of red pinot fruit and briar that precede the supple, round and vibrant medium-bodied flavors that possess good depth on the dusty and mildly dry finish that isn’t aggressive but it cuts it a bit short. I like the style as it’s understated and restrained.” – Allen Meadows

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2006 Review from the WINE SPECTATOR
91 POINTS
July 31, 2009
“Focused and broad, with generous cherry, tobacco and peppery toast flavors mingling well on the long, deftly balanced finish.” – Harvey Steiman

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2006 Review in WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE
91 POINTS
October 2009
“Like the Terres Basses, WillaKenzie’s Aliette differed markedly from its typical profile in 2006. While generally one of the estate’s more delicate wines, in 2006 it has a richness more reminiscent of the Russian River than the Willamette Valley. It leads with scents of wild raspberries, hints of cumin and ginger. The generous black cherry fruit is gripped by chewy, succulent tannins. For roast chicken.”

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2006 Review from the WINE ADVOCATE
90 POINTS
October 2009
“Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a bouquet of toast, spice box, and dark fruits. On the palate it is ripe, friendly and flavorful with enough structure for balance. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years, and will provide pleasure through 2018.”

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2005 Review from the WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER
91 POINTS
Oct. 1, 2008
“This has a nice sense of delicacy, offering pretty plum and currant fruit, with espresso and baking chocolate overtones that hover enticingly over the long refined finish.” – H.S.

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2004 Review in the WINE ADVOCATE
90 POINTS
Oct. 2007
“The 2004 Pinot Noir “Aliette” spent 12 months in 60% new French oak. It has a fragrant, smoky nose with generous cherry and red currant aromas. On the palate the wine is supple-textured, elegant, and friendly. Drink it over the next 4 years.”- Jay Miller

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2003 Review in the WINE SPECTATOR
90 POINTS
May 31, 2006
“Lithe, supple and generous with its cherry and rain-on-slate flavors. Hints of toasty oak sneak in on the fine-grained finish, the flavors persisting well.” – Harvey Steiman

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2002 Review in the WINE SPECTATOR
91 POINTS
December 15, 2005
“Distinctive. Firm, with chewy tannins around a plump, generous core of blackberry, cherry and tar flavors, lingering on the beautifully focused finish. Drink now through 2012″ -  H.S.

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 1999 from WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE
90 POINTS
February 2002
“At first this is cold and gritty, the black tea-like tannins gripping the sides of the mouth. The wine is so compacted that it takes some time to show its elderberry fruit. a character that lifts out of all the blackness and lasts with an intriguing berry essence. With age, the balance should tip towards that fruit.”

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 1999 from the WINE ADVOCATE
91+ POINTS
August 2001
“The outstanding medium to dark ruby-colored 1999 Pinot Noir Aliette’s nose is reminiscent of a compote of red and black cherries intermingled with mocha, thyme, and rosemary. Medium to full bodied and expansive, this powerful, concentrated wine is densely packed with blackberries cassis, black cherries, and myriad of spices. It is juicy, reveals loads of supple tannins, and should do marvelously well with cellaring. Anticipated maturity 2005-2012.”