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Frei Brothers Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 Wine Review

Frei Brothers Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2014

Frei Brothers Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2014

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

Community Score:88/100

Community Reviews: 11

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Price: $32.95

Drink: 2018-2022

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Frei Brothers Winery

Agent: E&J Gallo Winery Canada Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 90/100

A silky, seductive Californian red wine made from the so-called heartbreak grape Pinot Noir because it's so difficult to grow and make. Medium-bodied Californian Pinot Noir with dark red fruit, black cherry, spice and toasty oak. Pair with roast chicken.

Pinot Noir food pairings: roast quail, veal scaloppini, beef bourguignon, smoked salmon.

Voluptuous Veal Wine

This Frei Brothers Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 was reviewed on April 13, 2018 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2020  2016  2012  2012  2012 

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Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings

Luc Delorme rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Very nice Californian expression of Pinot Noir. Red fruit and pepper are the main characteristics, with some typical Pinot earthiness. Very balanced medium-bodied wine with significant mouth-watering acidity. Quite pleasing, with some lingering blackberry on the finish.

I quite enjoyed this wine, and would be keen on trying it with a hearty meat pasta dish in lieu of a Chianti.
Perry rated this wine as 91/100
Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

High-toned with lots of cherry, spice, tomato leaf and black currant notes. Very fun and perfect with planked salmon or sear duck breast. 90 Points.
Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Classic Russian River Valley, Pinot done stylistically with an oaky and creamy full texture. Pale ruby in colour with aromas of strawberry, vanilla and raspberry coulis. Flavours consist of underripe strawberry, blossoms, raspberry compote, fennel and a touch of anise. Medium plus acidity, light body and finish. Delightful flavours, an excellent match for salmon or other rich fish dishes. 90 points - Tasted March 2018
Nicole Lewis rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The nose is welcomed with forest loam, strawberries and Italian kid leather which presage an flavours of strawberry, tart cherry, earth and leather. This wine has wonderful, food-friendly acidity and a medium body. I would pair this with roast turkey or chicken with stuffing.

Reviewed on March 11, 2018.
Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

From the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, land of the Pinot Noir, I discovered the Frei Brother Reserve Pinot Noir 2014. Lovely aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, black tea, raw bacon and licorice. The dark cherry and the raspberry return from the nose to your mouth with well placed acidity, plus tea, oak and black pepper to compliment the finish of this well made Pinot Noir. Pair it with meat-lovers pizza and enjoy. Cheers!

Christian Marcoux
Craig Kuziemsky rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Cherry, strawberry and vanilla on the nose and palate with notes of spice on the red fruit laden finish. Medium bodied with layered tannins.
Simon Chen rated this wine as 83/100 with the following review:

sweet, cherry coke and doesn't have much acid to it. Crowd-pleasing wine to start and can pair with all kinds of o'dourves
Emilie Ryan rated this wine as 79/100 with the following review:

A fruit forward wine, so not your classic Pinot Noir.…
Presentation: Plain, understated, restrained label
Appearance: Medium garnet
Nose: Pronounced nose, nice red fruit (raspberries), with a hint of cigar box, though it seems to be missing the classic Pinot Noir notes of mushroom and forest underfloor
Taste: Dry, medium body, medium acidity, medium, bitter tannins, cooked red berries (sour cherries, raspberries), lots of minerals and earth (graphite, dirt)
Finish: long, bitter, charred wood finish
Overall impression: Not your classic Pinot Noir. More on the New World end of the spectrum with the noticeable fruit on the nose and cooked fruit taste. Could be a good introduction for someone new to Pinot Noir if they like bitterness in their wine.
Value: 2.5/5
Eamonn Donnelly reviewed this wine as follows:

Plenty of red fruit on the nose - pronounced aromas of tart cherry, raspberry and cranberry. Subtle notes of crushed rock and soft oak spice. Bright and vibrant on the palate with replays of red fruit and hints of sweet spice. Medium + finish, medium body with fine, dusty tannins. Great Pinot from Russian River Valley.
Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier reviewed this wine as follows:

The Frei Brothers '14 Pinot Noir offers a light-bodied take on cool-climate (Sonoma and Russian River AVA) California Pinot. It showcases an inviting floral and vibrant raspberry aromas followed by simple tart cherry and raspberry flavours. The acidity is underwhelming and the finish is a tad 'pithy.' I am an avid pinot drinker and I love acidity! I am very interested in trying some of the single regional labels by the Frei Brothers as I am expecting more lip-smacking versions of amazing cool climate California pinots.
Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is prime Pinot Noir terroir with moderate weather and misty fogs from the Pacific Ocean. Frei Brothers have been making fine California wines since 1890 and their Reserve 2014 Pinot Noir is no exception. Look for layers of ripe berries, cherry and earthy smoke on this wine that was aged for 10 months in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak. Pair it with a roast leg of lamb. - Community Wine Reviews

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