Fresh Off the Truck: 2018 Wine Access Star Treatment Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The $140 for $30 Wine Access "NDA" Pinot Noir I posted about recently arrived and I wasted no time cracking a bottle.

2018 Wine Access Star Treatment Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Direct Link (still in stock as of now)

14.5% Alcohol
$30/btl (or as low as $25/btl in quantity)

Light in color for a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Like a 3 on a scale of 1-10 on opacity (with 10 being completely opaque).

Attractive glistening ruby color. Initial impression immediately upon opening wasn't particularly favorable. But especially given that it just got here I poured a glass and gave it 45 minutes to breathe. And...it improved significantly. Worth noting: Wine Access suggests waiting 7-10 days post-shipment before enjoying.

Appealing typical CA Pinot Noir markers on the nose. Fresh picked stawberries. A little briar patch that continues onto the palate. Unfortunately, I'm picking up a bit of a "green" note on the tail end of the finish that's throwing me. Wine Access tasting note says "subtle mintiness" - if it's that I'm not particularly liking it.

This is a food wine, not a cocktail wine.

90/100 WWP: Outstanding (but was hoping for more)

What Else to Buy from Wine Access?

• 2017 The Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (another NDA Napa Cab)
• 2015 Coho Headwaters Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley (a perennial favorite around here)
• 2018 Radio Silence Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (review still in stock, enthusiasm for these NDA wines seems to wane north of $40)
• 2016 Antiche Terre Venete Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (great price for a 91WS Amarone)
• 2016 VASO by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (we suspected the Yesterday Howell Mountain could be this, seems even more likely now)
• I was able to grab a few bottles of O'Shaughnessey Napa Cab today - check whether are any remaining in your locale

Deals to Stack

• $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• Amex Offer
• Shop through a portal on your first order