Frei Brothers : Reviews

X Wine X Magazine, August 1, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir RECOMMENDED

San Diego National Wine Competition, April 30, 2002 2000 Pinot Noir

Park Cities (Dallas) TX, March 16, 2006 2003 Sonoma County Pinot Noir "This intriguing Pinot Noir is very concentrated in both flavor and color. Lots of ripe red fruit, especially red cherry, maybe a bit of eucalyptus and/or brown spice, and a dusting of complex earthiness. Some of the best Pinot Noirs produced in the New World come from Sonoma. The Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir continues to be an excellent example."

Pinot Report, February 1, 2004 2001 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Medium-deep purple ruby color; deep, spice and black cherry aromas; big, full, moderate tannin, nice black cherry and blackberry fruit, spicy oak and a long finish. A bigger style of Pinot that will appeal to many and also go very well with a big steak."

Wineontheweb.com, January 9, 2002 1999 Sonoma County Pinot Noir "This intriguing pinot is concentrated in both flavor and color. There is red cherry, maybe a bit of eucalyptus or cinnamon, and a dusting of slight earthiness. Some of the best pinot noirs produced in the new world come from Sonoma. The Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir is an excellent example."

Pinot Report, August 22, 2005 2003 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Medium-deep ruby purple color; forward strawberry, cherry aromas with some cinnamon; nice strawberry and cherry flavors with spicy notes, good balance; lingering finish. A great, lighter bodied Pinot that's perfect for summer entertaining. It's not complex, but it is tasty."

The Wine Report, October 1, 2006 2004 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Dark and intriguing, this wine smelled of overripe cranberry, rhubarb and aromatic herbs. Robust flavors were of black plum, pie spices, shortbread and cherries."

Grape Anticipation, January 1, 2008 2005 Pinot Noir "Ripe red cherry and blueberry flavors showcase this delicately balanced Pinot. Sweet vanilla oak notes and soft tannins."

Wine News, October 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Garnet hue. Cranberry and strawberry aromas with a note of clove. Slow-developing black cherry fruit with youthful tannins creeping into the flavors. The finish is somewhat tart, however, it should soften with bottle age."

Wine Enthusiast, June 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "This Gallo-owned winery is better known for its Bordeaux varietals, but they've worked hard on their Pinot Noir, and the results show in this smooth, balanced wine. It's made for current drinking, with a silky texture framing cherry, cola, sweet leather, wood smoke and spice flavors."

Wine Spectator, September 15, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir SMART BUY "Creamy, smoky oak around a core of ripe plum, raspberry and cherry-scented oak gives a chocolate covered cherry flavor. Quite flavorful."

Wine Spectator, September 15, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Creamy, smoky oak around a core of ripe plum, raspberry and cherry-scented oak gives a chocolate-covered cherry flavor. Quite flavorful."

Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "The flavors are mostly plum and blackberry, indicating a fully ripe Califorina-style wine. Powerful verve and drive ensure that it races through the finish."

Wine Spectator, May 15, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "A cloak of creamy, smoky oak is wrapped around a core of ripe plum, raspberry and cherry-scented oak, giving it a chocolate covered cherry flavor. Perhaps more oak than purists desire. Nonetheless, it delivers plenty of flavor at a nice price."

Wine & Spirits, August 1, 2001 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "This is bright and clear up front, with scents of cherries, tea and roses. Then it falls into a warm, earthy structure, anchored by tannin and needing six months to a year to buoy up its fruit. It's a fine value in Russian River Pinot; store some away to enjoy this winter."

Wine & Spirits, August 1, 2001 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine & Spirits, April 1, 2002 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "A port of pinot, this is filled with sweet black cherry fruit, almost candied in its ripeness. Serive it at the end of the meal with parmigiano reggiano."

Wine & Spirits, August 1, 2005 2003 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Vanilla scents of oak sweeten the cool cherry and mint tones of this wine's fruit, the candied flavors a match for salmon in a red wine reduction."

The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2010 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "The 2008 Pinot Noir’s spicy, earthy, herbaceous character includes notions of berry fruit, wild strawberries, and rhubarb. Consume this medium-bodied, pleasant Pinot over the near-term."

Wine Spectator, July 31, 2001 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator, September 15, 2001 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "SMART BUY"

86 Quality 86 Value Wine Lovers Page - Internet, June 28, 2004 2002 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Tannins are well-managed in this tasty Pinot. Aromas of black cherries, raspberries, black tea, and vanilla follow through on the palate along with a pepper spice."

Wine Spectator, April 30, 2003 2001 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Nothing flashy, a subtle, restrained style, with earthy plum and blackberry fruit. Finishes with spicy, cedary oak."

Wine Review Online.com, September 2, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "With aromas of raspberry, cherry and vanille, this Pinot is light-to-medium bodied, with cherry cola flavors, bright fruit and acidity, and a slightly tannic finish. It's a fairly simple wine - - silky and easy to drink."

Wine Review Online.com, August 19, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "This '06 Frei Brothers Pinot shows appealing earth notes and spice on the nose, followed by red and dark fruit flavors on the palate and good persisitence of flavor. Slightly hard tannins are merely a byproduct of youth and will resolve over the next couple of years in the bottle. Not a bad effort, and a relatively good value given the price of more renowned Russian River Pinots."

Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, October 1, 2008 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Although we like this wine's slightly underplayed impressions of ripe cherries, we confess to wishing for a little bit more, and its slight lack of richness becomes more apparent as its flavors fall off just a bit at the end. Given its age, it may yet come around and after a couple years of expansion and smoothing, it should show even better."

Restaurant Wine, February 1, 2003 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Velvety in texture, full bodied, and extremely grapey and fruity flavor, with plenty of new oak and peppery overtones. A bit rugged on the finish. Tastes of raspberry, rose petal, vanilla, pepper, and new oak."

Restaurant Wine, February 1, 2002 2001 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Supple and full bodied, with intense fruitiness and good length. It tastes of cherry, plum, clove, and toasted oak. Fine value."

CHEERS , February 1, 2004 2001 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "A bold and intense pinot noir at first, which turns into a velvety and subtle wine with plum and black raspberry."

Santa Rosa Press Democrat, November 23, 2005 2003 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "A complex, showy wine. Juicy flavors of blackberry, red plum and cranberry. Notes of nutmeg and clove. Nice finish."

Restaurant Wine, May 1, 2005 2003 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir "Round and full bodied, this is a very ripely flavored Pinot Noir, with cherry and plum fruit character, light oakiness, and medium length."

Restaurant Wine, June 1, 2001 1999 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir