96 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Reserve is a barrel selection and contains fruit from all six of Elk Cove’s vineyards this year. It has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of raspberries, red cherries, lavender, tea leaves and aniseed. The palate is silky and perfumed, offering alluring streaks of allspice and a very long finish. Give it another 2-3 years in bottle.
95 Points Vinous
Deep, brilliant ruby-red. Powerful, spice-accented cherry cola, boysenberry and black raspberry aromas show fine definition and take on vanilla and candied violet nuances with aeration. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse to the sweet red and blue fruit preserve, mocha and floral pastille flavors, which firm up steadily through the back half. Polished, even tannins lend shape to a strikingly long, smooth finish that echoes the floral and spice notes. One-third new French oak.
94 Points Decanter
This is a wine built for ageing… Rich and redolent aromatics, dusty blackberry, a hint of dried herbs and sweet notes of strawberry coulis. The palate is ripe, balanced and amply structured. Concentrated flavours of sappy blackberry, blueberry and fig are woven in a core of dark fruits. The wine’s body is generous, with mouth-coating dark fruit, yet peeks of minerality, clove and fresh mint offer symmetry to the abundance of fruit.
93 Points Wine Spectator
Plush and elegantly structured, with attractive raspberry and guava flavors accented by forest floor and toasty spices. Finishes with polished tannins. Drink now through 2030.”
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck
“From nine selected barrels, the 2019 Pinot Noir Reserve is highly expressive and pours a deep jeweled ruby hue. Opening in the glass, it reveals aromas of black cherry preserve, licorice, scorched earth, and toasted pine. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and ripe, mouth-filling fruit, it’s long on the palate, with a note of delicate smoky earth that lasts on the finish. It’s going to need some time to come into its own. Drink 2025-2035.”
94 Points & Cellar Selection Wine Enthusiast
“The 2019 vintage for Elk Cove’s reserve is astounding. Black-cherry and blackcap raspberry aromas dance an intense tango with notes of basil and caramel. Berry flavors—both black and blue—glide across the smooth palate. With such brisk acidity and sturdy tannins, enjoy this pinot noir until 2034.”
Winemaker Note
Finely interwoven plum pie, black cherry, cinnamon stick, and sandalwood are followed by juicy cherry, fig, and black currant leading into a long, velvety finish with dusty notes of chocolate and cola.
