Black Kite Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Kite's Rest 2016

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Good balance and a plethora of juicy, ripe fruit flavors highlight this full-bodied wine. It has generous black cherry and light baking-spice aromas, plenty of cherry and sour cherry in the flavors and a moderately tannic texture livened by good acidity. Alcohol 14.6%. (Dec 2018)"

93 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$60 list] Vivid garnet. Intense red fruit, floral and succulent floral aromas show sharp definition and suave vanilla and incense overtones. Smoothly blends depth and liveliness on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry and candied rose qualities that become spicier as the wine stretches out. Finishes impressively long and gently chewy, with sneaky tannins and a touch of cola. Drink: 2021-2029l (Oct 2020)"

92 points/'Very highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, forward, fragrant, cherry and red berry fruit aroma with earthy notes, and hints of dried herbs and baking spices; medium body; crisp, elegant, earthy, red and dark berry fruit flavors with bright acidity, good depth, and richness in the silky mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. 14.6% alcohol; 1,625 cases; released August 2018. (Oct 2018)"

91 points Wine Spectator: "[$50 list] Complex and refined, if on a modest scale, this presents a trim mix of graceful plum and wild berry flavors shaded by spice and light oak notes, gaining depth and dimension on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,427 cases made. (9/30/18)"

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A different beast coming from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, the 2016 Pinot Noir Kite’s Rest offers more red and blue fruits as well as notes of candied violets, bay leaf, underbrush, and incense. Supple, nicely textured, with terrific purity of fruit, and nicely integrated acidity, it’s another terrific wine from this estate. Drink: 2019-2027. (1/31/19)"

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$50 list] As a group, the Black Kite Pinot Noirs key on fruity richness, and this one does just that while showing excellent structure and a very careful complement of sympathetic oak. It is a fairly big wine with a fine fleshy feel and integral tannins, but it never defers to simple ripeness, and its long-lasting, well-focused flavors offer tantalizing glimpses of further layering and complexity to come. Enjoyable now for its fruity concentration, it will only get better with time and is sure to repay upwards of a half-dozen years of additional cellaring. (Feb 2019)"