| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 42 notes) - hiding notes with no text |
| | Tasted by hmannoe on 10/19/2020 & rated 95 points: Fabulous! Perfectly balanced. Loads of dark, rich fruit. Prunes and compote. A touch of licorice. It was decanted and continued to soften and flavors merged over 2 hours. (403 views) |
| | Tasted by jbaron on 7/28/2019 & rated 94 points: Last bottle. Full of fruit and structure and all that is good. Wish I had another. (626 views) |
| | Tasted by jbaron on 12/19/2017 & rated 93 points: What a difference two years makes. Coming out of whatever that closed period was, the structure has eased and the earth and earthy fruit is more forward. Still a bit closed but could go for years more I think. (860 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 10/28/2017 & rated 89 points: Aging nicely. Well integrated tannins, though the fruit is fading. (948 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 12/8/2015 & rated 89 points: Dusty and dirty, but still enough fruit poking through to keep this interesting. Drink sooner than later. (1698 views) |
| | Tasted by Blcmdpa@gmail.com on 12/3/2015 & rated 89 points: Fruit & nose are gone..... Earth mother now, tannin heavy (1537 views) |
| | Tasted by jbaron on 5/15/2015 & rated 91 points: Here we are in 2015. Lots of dirt and earth, little fruit. Still structured, will it pass... Ever? (1506 views) |
| | Tasted by Mr.Overhill on 10/4/2014 & rated 92 points: Still very solid, and really open. Every time I try a wine that's made with Melville family grapes I thank mother earth for what she gives and the growers for their expertise and for sharing these wonderful vines with people like us. This one will be even better in 2020. (1592 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 2/3/2014 & rated 93 points: Really coming into its own. No decanting this time, so it took 15-20 minutes in glass to open, then continued to evolve through the night. Dark berries and subdued pepper (compared) mingling together quite nicely. Tannins are present but not overpowering. Really liking this at this time. (1674 views) |
| | Tasted by jbaron on 9/21/2013 & rated 92 points: Still dark and brooding. Opens some with air, but only enough to let some fruit sneak in over the underlying dirt. Structured, nice.
Try again in, say, 2015...? (1420 views) |
| | Tasted by Macky4710 on 5/25/2013 & rated 85 points: drinking well (1799 views) |
| | Tasted by fredman on 3/23/2013 & rated 92 points: Another strong effort from a "somewhat" under-the radar producer. Year in and year out Ojai wines always seem to border on outstanding. Good QPR for the high quality. (1436 views) |
| | Tasted by WineCPA on 12/23/2012 & rated 89 points: Medium bodied. Well balanced at 14.5%. Restrained dark fruit. This wine needs food to shine. Something with some fat content seems to bring out the fruit more. Not much on the nose and moderately tannic. Drink now to preserve what fruit is still coming through. I did not find this wine to be over the top at all. (1587 views) |
| | Tasted by jbaron on 9/23/2012 & rated 91 points: Big wine, still tight and not as showy (or as tasty and delicious!) as the 2005 Presidio from last night. Okay nose, nice length, sinewy in the mouth, but a bit hollow there as well. Needs some time.
Try next in 2014... (1353 views) |
| | Tasted by TheOtherPoster on 9/5/2012: This is a big wine, that's for sure. It was over-the-top right out of the bottle: the nose smelled blue, red and black, and on the palate, along with dense fruit there was pronounced coffee flavors and a cough syrup, medicinal note on the back end. I think it just needs time or plenty of air. Lots of stuff there... given Ojai's track record, it probably will. Rating deferred. (1503 views) |
| | Tasted by BklynNeophyte on 12/17/2011 & rated 92 points: I like this a lot, but it is a powerful, dark fruit syrah. Ready to drink, but seems to have a good number of years left. Consistent over several bottles. Comparable: Torii Hunter. (1771 views) |
| | Tasted by Mr.Overhill on 12/14/2011 & rated 93 points: I'm very pleased with the consistency of this bottling, no signs at all of bottle variation and each one I've had is more rewarding than the previous. This sampling was the deepest in terms of the complexity of the syrah - with some really noticable tertiary components of minerals and smokiness to go along with the black pepper and dark cherry flavors of the syrah. If one's a firm believer in the powers of terroir, then this wine rewards those who want an experience that validates their beliefs. And it's got a looong life ahead of it, definitely one to put down for 10+ years and enjoy the evolvement process to come. (1635 views) |
| | Tasted by TexasBob on 9/26/2011 & rated 87 points: A bit too contrived in its taste profile for me. I bet Robert Parker LOVED this 'hedonistic' wine, though. (1667 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 8/25/2011 & rated 92 points: Continuing to improve. This hit the spot when paired with Santa Maria tri-tip. Thick red berries and a nice finish. (1644 views) |
| | Tasted by TomATL on 8/2/2011 & rated 94 points: This is fantastic wine, and it's drinking really well right now. Round, mouth-filling flavor with fruit and some fat/leather undertones for complexity. I'm becoming a huge fan of Ojai, and I'm glad I have a few more of these. (1995 views) |
| | Tasted by Stirling on 5/7/2011 & rated 92 points: Dark, nearly black to the rim; not showing it's six years of age. Huge, almost pungent nose of blackfruits, a bit of alcohol and with air, tar. On the palate it is thick, viscous and very full bodied. Boysenberry pie at first yield s to more complexity and balance after an hour in the glass. Same weight as a big Barossa Shiraz but there is enough else going on to keep it in balance and not over-the-top. IMO, just entering its drinking window and likely to improve over the next decade. The "+" sign in my rating indicates my impression of the wine today, which is likely to improve over the next few years. Very, very good. 92+ (1804 views) |
| | Tasted by Mootsie on 3/13/2011 & rated 92 points: Meaty, dense, dark, nice spice and fruit, a little oak. Well balanced. Drinking very nice right now. May have to buy a few more of these. (1983 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 3/13/2011 & rated 91 points: Enjoyed with the Christie's while eating Michael's smoked ribs and chili. Held up well with its peppery overtones and smooth mouthfeel. Enjoyed by all. (1912 views) |
| | Tasted by Mr.Overhill on 3/1/2011 & rated 92 points: Adding more spice nuances to this latest bottle (1st tried two months ago) and a more fleshy finish. Overall, its future bodes well. (2056 views) |
| | Tasted by carlsport on 2/20/2011 & rated 91 points: Coming together nicely...enjoyed with some spicy thai food. A nice thick and hearty syrah. (1894 views) |
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