Quote Archive

"…this sleek and silky wine has a memorable finish with lingering aromatic interest. Best ever Proprietor's Reserve [2008] from Windy Oaks."
RG, California

"I had my first Reserve (2007) and I was simply stunned at how splendid it was. The texture, and the length, and the nose, and the complexity . . . what a wine!
CT, California."

"Windy Oaks Estate 2008 Cuvée Pinot Noir...medium ruby red.  A signature Schultze Family nose of complex red fruit and spice.  Raspberries, strawberries and wild cherry flavors.  Excellent balance, nice complexity and focus.  I'm getting to know this vineyard and appreciate it even more over time.  This is a nice Cuvée - maybe the best in recent years. (91 pts.)"
MD, California

"Windy Oaks 2007 Limited Release [Whole Cluster] Pinot Noir....a lovely pinot noir, made in a drier style that preserves elegance while maintaining a powerful varietal character. Feels pure and refined in the mouth, with deep, rich flavors of cherries and pomegranates and earthier notes of mushrooms, soy sauce, cola, licorice. Elegant and crisp, and an ager. Best now--2015."
S.H., Wine Enthusiast magazine

The 2006 Windy Oaks Estate Reserve... is the epitome of power without weight, does nothing but reaffirm that Windy Oaks makes my favorite domestic pinots.  Full of light cherries, asian spice, and clove.  93-94 points with upward potential in 5 years.
RF, Alabama

"What I love most about Windy Oaks' pinots is you can drink them at any time. There is no doubt in my mind this wine [2007 100% Whole Cluster pinot noir] will age beautifully but it is also a pure joy right now. There are not many 100% Whole Cluster Calif pinots that have this level of ripe characters. The texture is alluring and the complexity off the charts. For me, it may be one of the best young pinots I have had in the past 5 years..."
SR, California

"This [2005 Estate Cuvée] is simply one of the nicest new world pinot noirs I've had in a while and certainly the best from California I've tried in a long time... this is clearly special. I've heard good things from this producer and this bottle alone suggests those reports are right on. Windy Oaks is something I want more of."
VF, Oregon

"...[the Special Burgundian Clone] rivals the best Burgundies I have ever drank.  As good as the other Windy Oaks Pinot Noirs are, this bottling is a step above, a tour de force."  RG, California

"I can't possibly put into words how much my wife and I appreciate Windy Oaks wines. They are truly a breath of fresh air in CA grape growing and winemaking and I am always proud to show them off to my friends."  AT, California

"I have been drinking more Windy Oaks than all else combined this past month, going through some of the last of my 2003s and 2004s. The wines are simply outstanding, especially the 2003 Reserve, which is as versatile as pinot can get. We have served it with spicy Chinese and halibut piccata. What an amazing wine....." SR, California

"I have a pork tenderloin in the oven right now and am looking forward to a lovely meal accompanied by one of your fine wines.  But I must be truthful, I am already on my first glass of [2006] Reserve for the evening.  I couldn't wait...upon reflection I am not sure whether to thank you or curse you for there is no going back to what I was drinking after being exposed to Windy Oaks Pinot's...."  KC, California

A recent erobertparker.com blogger comments on our 2006 Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir: Terrific aromatics of forest floor and dried cherries. A Burg lover's PN! 13.9% alc too. Balanced, very fresh with lift due to higher acidity than most domestic PNs and yet tad more fruit than many Burgs this early on. Really nice balance. Very pure, elegant with delicious cherries/red raspberry fruit...this drinks great right now...great PN that taste like it's from somewhere not just slick winemaking.

"Fans of Windy Oaks will really enjoy this new, low priced offering [2007 Estate Terra Narro Pinot Noir]. It shares many of the same characteristics as its higher priced siblings but is slightly more fruit forward with a lighter, racier, style without much oak influence."

"...the Henry's [2006] absolutely stunned me with its heavenly bouquet: great fruit, soft tannins and yeast with the minty herbaciousness typical of that block... and with this vintage, a floral hint of wild mushroom. I was surprised, as the wild yeast usually has the mushroom notes. As the years pass, the terroir intensifies. It will only get better. How exciting."

"Are there more complex, true and pure pinots than the Estate wines from Windy Oaks?  ...what they do, they do better than anyone in the country.  This will need time, maybe 4-5 years, to really show what is under the oak and acid right now, but the underlying constitution consists of a beautiful acidic framework with wonderful red tangy fruits (cranberry, strawberry, sour cherry) and layers of earth, herb and all other pinot flavors. Don’t even think about having this without food, and think carefully about what you pair it with. If you match this wine with a worthy dish, I doubt you will find a better traditional style pinot."

"A couple of nights ago, I opened a 2006 Henry's Block pinot. In a phrase, it's one of the--if not the--best pinot noirs....to my taste....that I've ever had.  It has that wonderful rosy/cherry color: not over-extracted, an intoxicating nose, fruit without the sledgehammer, acid just right, in a word: balance...Maybe I want something that's not a crapshoot every time I open a dearly bought bottle. Maybe I want Henry's Block.

Great stuff. Keep up the good work.

PS: Diane's Block is not far behind..."