It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 3 years ago
Nice surprise, very unique and drinkable — 5 years ago
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with drop-dead gorgeous notes of mixed bramble fruit, fresh blueberries, freshly cracked black pepper, purple flowers, spiced and grilled kofta, dried green herbs and hot asphalt after a rain. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a beautiful wine and one of the best New World Syrah’s I’ve had. If Tynan’s “Judge Family” is to Hermitage, The Joy Fantastic’s is to Saint -Joseph. Stunning. Drink now through 2032 — a year ago
So amazing. Very inexpensive. Super smooth and refreshing — 4 years ago
One of my favorite roses’!!! — 4 years ago
Really nice Pinot Noir fron Sta. Rita Hills, paired with brisket tacos — 5 years ago
Like stomping on strawberries in a field. — 2 years ago
Curly Flat never fails to bring joy to my life. I recall tasting this vintage pre-release at the end of a long lunch on a brutally Victorian winter’s day just before Jeni kindly drove my partner and I to the airport (a story unto itself). I recall the striking vitality of the wine, a contrast to the perfumed ‘14 and more delicate, fine-boned ‘13. It’s no shy wallflower, for sure, with proper acid and structure and weight. That whole-bunch character comes through beautifully, without even a hint of unripe vegetal notes. This one coerces rather than seduces, but it’s nonetheless convincing. Happy to have another bottle or two stashed away, as there’s much more to come from this one. — 4 years ago
Brandon Boesch
What a unique and awesome wine. Definitely full bodied white. So much fruit, flowers, tropical, star fruit, sea shells, honey, maybe even passion fruit. Also some stone fruit. Wax. I feel like this would be amazing with roast chicken or pork. Super complex. Also a great winemaking team! — 5 months ago