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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2019 Torrin The Banshee

 Paso Robles Willow Creek District Red Rhone Blend more
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3/18/2024 - YankeeRobio Likes this wine: 98 points

Absolutely stunning wine with a one hour decant. 47% Mourvèdre, 35% Syrah, and 18% Grenache, all putting forth their best characteristics. Seductive entry, velvety tannins, great plush mouthfeel. Dense muddled Marionberry, smokey blueberry, faint sweetened strawberry, anise and slight charcoal. Building depth with time in the glass, this is a polished, classy and hedonistic offering by Scott Hawley. Bravo.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    3/19/2024 7:29:00 PM - Nice note and great score. Now I am tempted to open one. Did you decant or was this a PnP?
Red

2016 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée

 Red Rhone Blend more
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10/12/2023 - Crunge Likes this wine: 92 points

First glass was from a PnP at cellar temp. Lacked the typical Pegau funk. Still very drinkable with dark cherries and a large helping of wet stone.

As it warmed up it gained body. Fuller-bodied and richer than typical Pegau, it is well-integrated already. Tannins came through at warmer temps, and more white pepper than fruit. While it never gained the Pegau funk, it is an earthy, unabashedly old world wine.

I'll let the rest of my bottles age longer.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    10/13/2023 11:50:00 AM - Thanks, Purple Tooth. While I thought I had consumed a 2007, I had not. I started with the 2003 but then skipped to the 2009 and have had all vintages since. This is my first experience with one lacking the funk and while I like this wine, I do miss the funk.
White

2019 Kistler Chardonnay Stone Flat Vineyard

 Sonoma Coast more
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8/19/2023 - Crunge Likes this wine: 93 points

Nose of pear, melon, and a hint of cat urine. Flavors of pear and an undercurrent of slate with a sharp acidic backbone. Not buttery as some Chardonnays can be, but crisp and refreshing.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    8/21/2023 8:46:00 AM - I agree, Markydecker. This had good flavor while remaining crisp.
Red

2016 Clos Erasmus Priorat

 Grenache Blend, Grenache more
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7/21/2023 - Crunge Does not like this wine: NR

Grenache is my favorite varietal and I've been anticipating this, my first Clos Erasmus.

PnP at cellar temp and it was borderline undrinkable. Strong wood varnish aromas and flavors. Beyond that was tartness and not much else.

After an hour in a decanter, the wood varnish had faded somewhat and there was a touch of cherry trying to come through, although the acid and tartness beat any fruit flavors into submission.

Two hours in and there was still that touch of varnish and almost no fruit. No score as this is clearly not my style. A truly disappointing experience.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    8/15/2023 10:24:00 AM - BilboBaggins, thanks for your comment. I don't believe the wine was corked, as it did not have the wet cardboard/dirty sock smell. It could have been spoiled in some other way. I have one more and will try it at some point, although I'm not excited about it.
Red

2018 Torrin Akasha

 Paso Robles Syrah more
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5/21/2023 - Crunge Likes this wine: 93 points

Young, but delicious now and has plenty of upside. Full-flavored with dark fruits and slate. There's a hint of bitterness in a good way (like dark chocolate), and a touch of oak. Tannins are noticable but not distracting.

PnP at cellar temp but consumed over a couple of hours so it warmed up to room temp. I'd decant this for a couple of hours or just give it more time in the cellar. 93+ now, I see this hitting 95 or even higher with more time.

I've had every vintage of Akasha since the 2010 and even with the changes in vineyards of the sourced grapes since then, this vintage continues the tradition of delicious Akashas.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    7/1/2023 2:08:00 PM - Thank you for the note, jeagle. I'm envious of you being close to Torrin. I'm impressed with all their wines and Torrin is in my top three, if not my favorite. I hope to get out there in the next few years.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    5/24/2023 6:41:00 PM - Michigan Dogs, I always enjoy your tasting notes. The Akasha was my first Torrin and still one of my favorites. I enjoy Torrin so much I wanted to name my dog Torrin. (I got outvoted so he's Oliver Torrin.)

    I had read somewhere (probably here on CT) that the source for the grapes in Akasha have changed over the last ~10 years. Do you know if that's true and the current source?

    Regardless, I enjoy Torrin's style. They coax so much flavor and so much character out of their grapes. Fantastic wines.
Red

2018 Torrin Akasha

 Paso Robles Syrah more
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6/29/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 95 points

Pretty much covered by Crunge below. Opened by our host the DQ, who decanted this bottle for 9 hours. Very floral nose, dark berry fruit, very-very smooth given all the airtime it had. A very enjoyable Syrah for me because it was not overly heavy or gamey. Just the right amount of every component for me! Thanks for opening, DQ!

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    6/29/2023 3:38:00 PM - Thanks for the shout out, Mark. The Akasha is a delicious wine in every vintage I've tried. Glad you enjoyed.
Red

2012 Torrin Akasha

 Paso Robles Syrah more
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6/20/2023 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 93 points

Still a big wine after 11 years. Ripe black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry fruit up front. Savory notes of cracked pepper, meat, violets, and forest floor. Smooth tannins, long finish...good now but no rush.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    6/21/2023 9:00:00 AM - Thanks for the note, Brian. I have one of these left and have been trying to decide when you drink it. Looks like there is no rush.
Red

2018 Booker Vineyard Grenache The Ripper 22 Months

 Paso Robles more
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6/2/2023 - Crunge wrote: NR

Seeking opinions here. I'm a big fan of the regular Booker wines; Ripper, Fracture, Oublie, and Vertigo are all excellent young and they also age well.

I do not enjoy the 22's as much. I even contacted Booker and asked if I should let them age for years but they said no, they were ready to go sooner than the regular wines.

For this bottle, the oak is in check (usually it's pretty heavy in the 22's) but this hits me as fairly sour, the finish is a bit off, and overall it's not the lush fruit I enjoy with the regular Booker wines.

I'd appreciate the opinions of others on the regular Bookers vs the 22's.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    6/2/2023 7:46:00 PM - Nope, meant to leave no score. Corrected!

    Glad I'm not alone on the 22's.
Red

2015 Relic Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Artefact

 Napa Valley more
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5/24/2023 - Crunge Likes this wine: 94 points

Relic wines are not for the timid. I enjoy the style, frequently pairing the Petite Sirah with curry dishes.

For this cab, there's muscle and brute force in this bottle. It smells great with blackberries and a hint of chocolate. Dark fruits and spice (think Syrah) blend on the palate perfectly. The tannins are surprisingly smooth in a wine that likes to start by slapping you to make you pay attention.

It borders on being syrupy; for my wife and me it doesn't go over, but I can understand if it does for some. We thoroughly enjoyed this and I admire what Hirby does with the various wines at Relic.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    5/26/2023 7:11:00 AM - Thanks for the comment, Badmonkey. I only bought two as well and wish I'd bought more. I enjoy Relic wines in general and an waiting to get more age on some La Place cabs to try those. Have you tried those? If so, thoughts?
Red

2016 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

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4/11/2023 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 95 points

One hour decant. Deep dark lush magenta color. Plum, prailine, sage, licorice, mushroom, and subtle milk chocolate and minerality. Smooth, tongue drying palate. Firm, lower intensity tannins on the longish finish.

Absolutely a Bordeaux-leaning Napa, which is not my style, but this is very well made. Would have been even better with a 3+ hour decant. Went perfectly with my duck at Torc in Napa.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    4/13/2023 1:42:00 PM - I realize that age may push this even more to the Bordeaux style AG doesn't like, but I think it's important to try. I know things have changed a bit since since Mike took over winemaking for Randy, but in the past I was always told never to drink a Dunn until the 10-year mark. Dunn has always been made to age and maybe it will actually move into a spot he likes. And if not, I'll take all his bottles!

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    4/12/2023 3:31:00 PM - I know you said this isn't your style, but have you tried a Dunn with more age? Just opened a 2008 DHM and another couple, my wife, and I, all thought it was amazing. Still plenty of fruit along with just the right amount of mineral and herbal goodness.
Red

2015 Seña

 Aconcagua Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/17/2023 - jeagle wrote: 89 points

Decanted 3 hours before consumption. Let me just join the chorus of reviewers who have found this bottle well short of expectations. What it presented was of medium body from front to back. What it lacked was texture and complexity. But it was a well-made. ho hum, however, costly effort.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    3/17/2023 7:34:00 PM - Thanks for the review, JEagle. I just drank my last bottle of this tonight. I won't be buying more Sena in the future. I bought this before I learned that one particular professional reviewer is in love with South American wines and my tastes just don't align with his.
Red

2019 Relic Wines Field Blend Alfred Frediani

 Napa Valley Red Blend more
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2/24/2023 - DougSamuel Likes this wine: 91 points

Brand new blend from Relic that just arrived last week. Still very young but wanted to check in on it. We are suckers for red blends and adore Ritual from Relic. It's has deep fruit, which is expected from Frediani vineyards in Calistoga. Primarily some dark fruit and pomegranate. Also some minty/menthol and savory on top of a dark chocolate.

I am not certain the blend, but guessing Carignane and Petite Sirah. Historically they have done those separately from this vineyard. Enjoyable now but will smooth out in 6-12 months. The biggest question mark I have on this blend is the price point. You're paying for primo real estate and old, old vines, so it makes sense. The wine itself may not warrant the fare, but I also am happy to support these old vines and grapes other than Cab in napa!

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/24/2023 7:03:00 AM - Thanks for the note. I have six of these on order and am looking forward to trying one.

    According to the Relic website, the blend is Carignane, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouche and Valdigué.
Red

2013 Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

 Stags Leap District more
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9/1/2022 - Crunge wrote: 92 points

Changed quite a bit during the evening.

On a pnp at cellar temp, it was slightly bitter. Over time this evolved with dark fruits, a little earth, and the finish had noticeable, but in balance, oak. During this period, it was delicious. A couple of hours later, the wine had softened too much and there was tea in the background.

I liked this but felt it fell apart quickly and I would not decant a long time; thirty minutes would be fine, and then consume over the next hour.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    9/3/2022 7:23:00 AM - MJP, I had another bottle of this almost two years ago. While I didn't do a tasting note, I know I liked that one better than this one. Why don't you take one of those Reserves, open it, and sample it at open and each 30 minutes thereafter to see what happens? If it rolls over at some point like mine did, you know what to do with the rest of the bottles.
Red

2017 Torrin Le Devoir

 Paso Robles Willow Creek District Red Blend more
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7/23/2022 - cubswinws wrote: 88 points

Just not sure about this monolithic beast of a wine.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    7/25/2022 12:10:00 PM - I haven't had one for about 18 months but I loved previous bottles. You have me curious to try one now...
Red

2015 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée

 Red Rhone Blend more
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4/20/2022 - Pedroel Does not like this wine: NR

There is something seriously off, here. Two bottles, back-to-back are exactly the same...and taste like a Brunello with Brett. This isn't corked, rather something else. Dare I say, could this be a fraud? I won't slander the good stuff with a score that reflects my experience.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    4/21/2022 12:23:00 PM - Mine came from Sokolin. I've never had issues with Sokolin and just wonder if there was a bad lot of this wine that made it to multiple vendors. I can't image 2-3 different vendors managed to somehow ruin this particular wine.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    4/21/2022 6:26:00 AM - Also curious where you bought these. l have had two bottles of this and both were so disappointing that I have suspected some kind of storage issue, but I do not know of a storage issue that could lead to the issues I had (thin, watery, barely any flavor.)
Red

2010 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

 Sangiovese more
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4/2/2022 - Dough Boy Does not like this wine: 85 points

I’ve tasted this wine several times and was hoping it might improve - but it hasn’t. It has declined. Way overrated. Disappointing. Harsh. I agree w fellow CT, Asparagus!

And Suckling’s review of this wine blows my mind. It’s one thing to rate wines 3-4 points higher than other reviewers, but this wine doesn’t even scratch the 90 threshold. Not close.

Suckling literally loses his mind over this dud, “Absolutely stunning aromas of nectarine, orange peel, sweet black cherry, plum, flower, licorice and mushroom. Full body with layers of ultra-fine tannins and hints of tangy acidity. Such beautiful length and beauty to this wine. It's powerful and structured but shows a gorgeous finesse and length. Truly wondrous. So long and refined. The texture is phenomenal. 99 points”

It’s as if he didn’t taste THIS wine. I’ve come to ignore JS’s reviews. Now I do so with contempt.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    4/3/2022 7:31:00 AM - l've had this wine once and liked it but yes, 99 points makes no sense. l also ignore JS's reviews after trying multiple 99-100 JS-point wines that always failed to impress. His preferences simply don't align with mine.
Red

2016 Keplinger Hangman's

 Carneros Syrah more
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2/22/2022 - YankeeRobio Likes this wine: 97 points

Spectacular wine. Great blue and black fruit, licorice, and slight white pepper. So smooth.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/22/2022 7:25:00 PM - Good to see this note, YR. Since my previous bottle was a disappointment, I have been hesitant to try again. Your note is far more in line with my experience with previous vintages, so I need to give this a try again soon.

    Did you decant? If so, how long?
Red

2016 Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée Tench Vineyard

 Oakville Red Bordeaux Blend more
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2/12/2022 - Crunge Does not like this wine: 70 points

I have determined that my tastes simply do not align with Bevan. Having never had any Bevan before, I bought the 2016 Ontogeny and this wine. I thought the Ontogeny tasted like a wine that used massive quantities of oak to cover up bad fruit, a la 19 Crimes or Caymus (yes, I said it.)

Tonight I opened this inky black monster. I took a sip at open and it was quite astringent, but I was planning on a long decant so no worries. I decanted for four hours and it was consumed over the following 90 minutes.

So let's see... It's impenetrable to light. It is completely flabby with no tannic structure at all. And the dominant flavor? Wet cardboard. First glass was alone, second small glass was with a ribeye. Gave up after that.

I appreciate that many of you enjoy this wine, including tasters I respect and with whom my tastes normally align. I, however, find nothing appealing about this wine and wonder what Bevan does that so offends my palate.

(For the record, when I reviewed the Ontogeny, someone asked if I'd had any decent Napa cabs for comparison. Yes.)

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/20/2022 4:08:00 AM - NickRut, thanks for your note. In both Bevan wines I've had, the fruit was hidden by either oak (Ontogeny) or by whatever it was in the EE. I have one of each left and have no idea if I should hold them another 4+ years or just try to find someone to buy them.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/20/2022 4:05:00 AM - Quiet Lion, thanks for the comments. I'm not going to say I hate Bevan, but if either of these two wines I've tried is any indication, I don't like their style. While my wife didn't really enjoy the Ontogeny either, she really liked the EE. And like I said, some of the people I follow on here and respect like it, and you're one of those people.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/20/2022 3:58:00 AM - drmarc61, thanks for the note. I do enjoy Dunn, along with Keplinger Cab, Vineyard 29, and a number of others.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/13/2022 8:06:00 AM - Thanks for the comments, guys, but it wasn't corked. I've had corked wines and this wasn't it. The wine smelled fantastic and my wife really enjoyed it. We usually agree on wines and she thinks I'm crazy not to have liked this.
Red

2015 Torrin Tsundere

 Paso Robles Willow Creek District Red Blend more
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1/31/2022 - cubswinws wrote: 90 points

Nice blend but lacks the depth to make it more interesting. I'm not sure what it is but I generally find cabernet + rhone blends just don't seem to blend well together.

  • Comment posted by Crunge:

    2/1/2022 9:25:00 AM - Cubs, I'm with you. There are some good Cab/Rhone blends (I generally like the L'Aventure Estate Cuvee) but the blend is easy to mess up. I am a fan of some of the K Vintners Syrahs (The Hidden, The Beautiful) but I've tried a couple of his Syrah/Cab blends and did not enjoy at all. While I generally enjoy the Tsundere, I prefer the other (non-Pinot) Torrins more.

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