TN: DavidBruce PinotNoir Estate '80.....(short/boring)

We tried this Pinot last night in our Pig+Fig tasting:

  1. DavidBruce PinotNoir SantaCruzMtns (15.3%; EB) LosGatos 1980: Dark color w/ much browning; strong toasty/Fr.Burgundy/oak bit tired/cedary rather old PN/old RedBurg rather complex/interesting nose; bit tart/tangy/rather acidic bit alcoholic rather tired/dried out old PN/old RedBurg bit complex flavor w/ tart/tangy tannins; very long acidic/tangy oldBurg finish that tracks flavor; speaks of old RedBurg but pretty tired on the palate; rather interesting nose the resembles an old RedBurg; not really oxidized but rather tired.

More kirbeesplat from TheBloodyPulpit:

  1. This wine, like many of us, was a legend in its own time. Probably the best Pinot the good Dr.Bruce ever produced. It was regarded as good, maybe better, than the Pinots produced Ken Burnap. The wine was not really oxidized & undrinkable, just rather tired on the palate. More of an intellectual pleasure than a sensual pleasure.
    Tom
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I liked this wine on the palate quite a bit more than Tom did – quite a lot of fruit, actually, and fairly yummy. A surprise, particularly after smelling it. Did not, however, remind me at all of old red Burgundy. More like old CA pinot!

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The 1980 David Bruce Santa Cruz Pinot Noir was without a doubt the greatest American Pinot Noir I had ever tasted for many, many years (until the new wave hit California in the last 20 years).

I remember it was a huge wine, so concentrated and rich. Thanks Tom - always wondered how that wine would develop.

I remember the 1981 was terrific as well.