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

2019 Mathilde Chapoutier Côtes de Provence Grand Ferrage

Red Rhone Blend more

8/26/2022 - PIntag wrote: NR

13% abv. Recent auction purchase. Bottled in Rutherford?
As others have noted, this has proper Provence Rose character in aroma and flavor. However, I found this to be rather heavy-bodied and ponderous. Was kind of a chore to drink more than a glass. I was kind of expecting something crisp, light and refreshing - this wasn't that. Drinks more like a serious red than a summer sipper rose; I don't think it succeeds very well in that role either. Just a weird rose experience. Not terrible - even somewhat enjoyable - just not what one expects.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/27/2024 12:46:00 PM - No, I won't be buying more of this. It's more of an issue with cellar/fridge space than anything else, but the wine is not compelling enough.

Red

2019 Peake Ranch Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara County more

4/23/2023 - ocwineo Does not like this wine: 87 points

Mediocre wine with light tannins-wine is fading fast-disappointing

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/2/2024 9:04:00 AM - My experience with this wine was completely different than both of yours - the opposite, actually. Could this be due to a storage issue in the supply chain, maybe? I got my only bottle during a visit to the tasting room.

Red

2015 La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Reserva

Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more

8/16/2023 - PIntag wrote: 91 points

Ordered two bottles with dinner at Jaleo in Washington, D.C.
Classic Rioja, starting with a burst of toasty American Oak on the nose and the attack on the palate. Mid-palate is more savory and herbal than fruity, and is deep and pleasing. A great match to the panoply of tapas dishes that we ordered. I really enjoyed these bottles though overt American Oak is not really in my normal wheelhouse - high quality Rioja is an exception. Should improve for many years as the oak integrates, though it is in a good drinking window right now, if you can appreciate the oak treatment.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    9/14/2023 12:41:00 PM - I don't drink a lot of Rioja, but the oak character seemed pretty typical of Rioja Reserva that I've had in the past. I could certainly be wrong about the origin of the oak barrels on this wine, though.

Red

2018 Scarlett Wines Zinfandel

Rutherford more

7/23/2023 - PIntag wrote: NR

My brother brought this to our blind zinfandel family tasting.
15.8% abv.
Double blind, all Zinfandel tasting, 6 bottles.
Ok now, what do we have here - immediate thick, syrup, jammy fruit. Cloying, sweet, and unstructured, no noticeable acidity. This especially stuck out being after the uber acid-heavy, lean 2014 Sky Vineyard Zin the immediately preceded this bottle. I don't know, I know this is a Mike Smith wine of Maybach and Rivers Marie fame, and I hate to beat on a family-run winery, but this is an abomination, especially at this price point. My only other experience with Scarlett wines was a few years ago with the 2006 Scarlett Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, and my note for that is pretty consistent with this, so it seems that is the house style. I guess a lot of people like this style, but it was not a hit in our tasting, as only one person (not a wine geek) seemed to enjoy this. I guess that is the target audience, but what non-wine geeks pay $40+ for a bottle of Zinfandel?
In any case, if scoring, I would not even be near 80 with this.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    7/25/2023 9:21:00 AM - Not sure why you guys are spending energy about how Mike Smith was not part of the wine making team at Maybach -- he clearly was and it is documented in many places. I know he is not the "wine maker" right now at Maybach -- I never stated that he was. I only put in my tasting note "Mike Smith of Maybach and Rivers Marie fame". Perhaps that is overstating it a bit, but it is nevertheless, true.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    7/24/2023 1:33:00 PM - Have not tried Maybach, so I can't comment on that. I also am not saying that this wine was in the same style - I should hope not.

    I know TRB is the owner/winemaker for Rivers-Marie and winemaker for Maybach (and others), but Mike Smith was his protege and did make some of those wines or had a significant role in making them.

    From the Scarlett web site:
    "Mike Smith is an award-winning winemaker who started his career in 2001. Traveling from Portland, Oregon, Mike worked each crush “free of charge” to learn his craft. Following his third harvest, Mike accepted a full-time assistant position from one of the Napa Valley’s most notable winemakers and moved his family to St. Helena. During this tenure, Mike worked with a vast array of wine labels including Maybach Family, Tamber Bey and Rivers Marie. It was during this period that he developed his own philosophies on winemaking, based on the strong foundation he built while working with these established labels.

    Mike’s innate talent and purist methods have truly made him one of Napa Valley’s superstar winemakers. From the vineyards to the bottle, his hands-on approach and passion for wine are evident in the luxurious portfolio of wines he creates for Scarlett Wines. Mike also makes wine under his own label, Myriad Cellars."

Red

2020 Tercero Cabernet Franc

Santa Barbara County more

6/25/2023 - PIntag wrote: 92 points

Just what one might expect from a Cab Franc crafted by Larry - that is, a balanced, flavorful, pure expression of the grape. Just a hint of Cab Franc pyrazine, as this is ripe, but not so much so that it ripens out the CF character. Very pleasing and easy to drink, but also enough complexity to contemplate as you sip without food. Also went very well with prime rib roast, bacon wrapped jalapenos, and grilled veggies. Really enjoyed this.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    7/10/2023 4:56:00 PM - Thanks Brian!

Red

2008 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Winderlea

Dundee Hills more

5/13/2023 - PIntag wrote: 89 points

Family Blind Pinot Noir Tasting (The homestead): From a family blind tasting, Pinot from anywhere - guess origin, vintage, price.

Wine #2 of 8.

This was my 1st contribution to the tasting. This showed some sulfur stink on the nose after opening, but that blew off quickly. My sister identified this as having some age, and indeed, the nose exhibited some "sweaty sock" and earthy tones. The palate seemed lively though the acidity was only medium, with the earthy-dominant flavors taking the lead. Good complexity and interesting, but what kept this from being exceptional was the weak concentration on the palate. Kind of a weird combination of good depth, but weak concentration of flavor, if that makes sense. Not bad, but just lacking that extra something. Didn't really capture the hearts of anyone at the tasting, myself included. Maybe this is just past prime and on the downhill slide, or perhaps this bottle was slightly off. Tried this the next evening (after vacuum sealing overnight) and it was pretty much the same.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    5/16/2023 8:35:00 PM - Agreed. Thanks for the back story. It wasn't bad at all, just not as good as I was expecting (based on some other aged PG bottles).

Red

2012 Coho Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Vine Ranch

Diamond Mountain more

2/28/2020 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: NR

Big Napa juice bomb with fairly brutish cooperage. Fruit seems extracted but shy of jammy. I don’t get Diamond mountain terroir out of it, but I’m not familiar with the vineyard site. Please don’t take my comments above as effacing; this is a style and for the $$ this is well done. It’s not elegant. It’s a brash in your face Napa cab; but even on that score it’s a bit brutish. I also don’t understand the name. Why “Coho”? I know the coho salmon from Monterrey and the OP, but why Coho in a landlocked mountain fruit winery?

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    3/11/2023 3:35:00 PM - From their website:
    "The choice of Coho as the name of the brand might seem curious as it doesn’t invoke images of vineyards or wine, but to us the salmon embodies an innate wisdom so essential to understanding ourselves and our environment. As stewards of the land winemakers must strive to sustain our habitat and the species that share it. And like the salmon we need the steadfast will to keep going no matter how difficult the journey."

Rosé

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé

California Rosé Blend more

3/5/2023 - PIntag wrote: NR

Better than the last bottle, so - was drinking pretty darn well! Past prime drinking window for sure, but still enjoyable and interesting. Drinks more like a light red than a typical dry provencal-style rose. If scoring, 88 - 90.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    3/6/2023 6:18:00 PM - 750

Red

2009 Cantina Bianchi Ghemme

Nebbiolo more

12/17/2022 - JuliannaDHS wrote: flawed

Massive amounts of funk and a touch of frizzante. I felt sorry for the drain.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    12/17/2022 9:26:00 AM - Looks like we're both bottom-feeding at the Spectrum auctions. I've had 6 bottles from the case and all have been sound - crossing my fingers on the remaining 6...

Red

2006 Martin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Collector's Reserve Rutherford

more

11/19/2019 - PIntag wrote: 94 points

14.8% abv. Recent auction purchase.
Lovely ripe cabernet aromatics. On the palate, rich and ripe but not to the level of having liqueur characteristics. Silky mouthfeel with good focus and good acidity. Dense and concentrated, but does not hang with the most powerful Napa cabernets (a good thing in my book). Did not get any overt oak, so it must be fully integrated at this point. Not the most complex, and a touch of heat, but I'm extremely happy to have picked 6 of these up at auction for the paltry sum of $19/bottle (including BP!). Can't believe that nobody was bidding against me on this lot, as newer vintages of this go for $160/btl!

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    10/14/2022 5:05:00 PM - Hey, that was 3 years ago - $25/btl is a darn good deal with this recent inflation! I hope they show well for you!

Red

2019 Tempo d'Angelus

Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend more

9/12/2022 - Dominic Roy wrote: 88 points

Nose: Blackberry. Cassis. Dried fruits. Vanilla. Medium intensity.

Palate: Strawberry. Blackberry. Medium plus tannins. Medium plus acidity. Medium body. Medium minus finish.

Good! Drink now to 2024.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    9/13/2022 7:53:00 AM - Curious drink date. With a Bordeaux with this kind of structure, I usually don't even think of drinking it until at least 6 years after vintage (after the early check-in to evaluate). You must like them young and fresh, because I would put the drinking dates between 2025 - 2039.

Red

1985 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast

more

3/26/2010 - PIntag wrote: NR

Cork soaked only 1/5th up but broke when removal was attempted. Not sure of the provenance of this bottle - my dad had it the entire time but it was uncellared in a garage for several years. In any case, this was completely gone. Smelled somewhat port-like, but there was no fruit and very little secondary flavor at all. Nothing horribly offensive, but nothing to enjoy either.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    8/15/2022 8:12:00 AM - Hi Flitcroft. Yes, you're right. That was 12+ years ago! I've taken the score off...

Red

2016 Amisfield Pinot Noir

Central Otago more

5/27/2022 - PIntag wrote: NR

Another good bottle. Oak influence a little too prominent at this stage for my palate - perhaps more time will integrate it better. Plenty of fruit to help cover it pretty well.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    5/28/2022 9:35:00 AM - Thanks for your thoughts and sharing your experiences Goldstone. I'm a fan of screwcaps -- I've had quite a few older (2008 - 2004) California Pinots under this closure in recent years and all showed well. I do think development in bottle is slower, though...

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    5/28/2022 8:17:00 AM - Yes, it is screw capped. I tend to agree with you -- hang on to a few of these for a while longer and let them evolve. This wine, in particular, has the fruit and structure to develop for many years.

Red

2018 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly

Gamay more

4/22/2022 - North Willis Likes this wine: NR

This bottle has me thinking the wine needs more cellar time to develop and for its components to marry. More complex that last bottle drank six months ago; showing higher acidic notes with primary fruit aspects receding a bit into the background. Definitely hold - I agree with PINTAG assessment.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    4/23/2022 6:30:00 PM - Thanks for the shout out. It's nice to know that someone is actually reading one of my 4000+ tasting notes!

Red

2014 Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py

Gamay more

2/14/2022 - PIntag wrote: NR

Opened this to pair with my wife's amazing salmon filet and spinach ravioli. The pairing was Ok, but I was left disappointed for the most part. First, there is some brett influence here that I'm not a fan of - not too much, but noticeable. Second, there is a slightly elevated amount of VA - also not a fan. Third, it seemed to not really have evolved in a good way -- it just didn't have the freshness that it had in its youth that I liked so much. Still, it was moderately enjoyable paired with the Salmon, just not as good as I had hoped. Maybe the bottle was slightly off. In any case, if I was scoring this bottle, it would be 88 - 89.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    3/6/2022 4:16:00 PM - Yes, not completely flawed, but a little off for sure -- at least, compared to the other recent notes here.

Red

2000 Brander Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Brander Vineyards

Santa Ynez Valley more

2/26/2022 - JackCMac Likes this wine: 95 points

Amazing together with a rich vinous nose and fantastic mouth feel. Tannins are all now very mild with a almost sweet after taste that lingers. A tribute to Fred Brander and the Santa Ynez Valley for producing such a long lasting cabernet.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    3/4/2022 3:09:00 PM - Hi Jack - glad your bottle showed so well. Did you notice any brett on your bottle? As you can see from my note, there was way too much brett for me to enjoy my bottle.
    BTW, good to see someone from PVE here - I grew up there and still visit my folks regularly there.

Red

2003 Privé Vineyard Pinot Noir Le Nord

Yamhill County more

2/18/2022 - PIntag wrote: NR

14.6% abv. Recent auction purchase.
Rich and ripe with impressive depth of fruit at this age. I never tasted this in its youth, but I'd say this must be holding up nicely as it is drinking really well for an almost 20-year-old WV Pinot. Yes, it is not a crisp, light Pinot for sure, but I think it has some OR character even though it does come across as RRV as a previous post noted. Still, I did not have high hopes for this bottle and it definitely exceeded my expectation. OR Pinot purists may not like this wine much, as it does toe the line with stewed fruit character. Not my favorite style as well, but I still managed to find a lot of interest and enjoyment with it. Held up on the second day as well (after vacuum sealing it overnight). ARTHROVINE's suggest to hold another 5 years (in a 2015 note) was a good one I think. LEARNINGANDENJOYINGWINE's 2009 note suggesting to drink up was definitely off the mark. If scoring, I'd put this in the 89 - 91 range, but it's hard putting a number to the experience, given the age.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/20/2022 8:03:00 AM - Kudos for not taking my mention of your note as some sort of personal criticism. I appreciate all perspectives on CT notes. In fact, your note (and others) helped me set a ceiling on how much I would pay for this auction lot (I only paid $15/btl in a 3-bottle lot after BP, BTW -- very happy about that).

Red

2003 Privé Vineyard Pinot Noir Le Nord

Yamhill County more

10/27/2015 - arthrovine wrote: NR

Popn poured followed over 5 hours. 1/2 bottle corked and tried next day with little variation

Striking youthful red/purple color with no meniscus. Youthful aromatics with fresh red and blue fruit. Palate was also fresh exuberant fruit even a bit of glycerine. Slight cola. Mild secondary flavors. Finished medium length with some heat. Correct for the hot 2003 vintage. Definitely not porty or gloppy, just exuberant. Blinded, I would have guessed California..RRV.

Good for a tough vintage and the fruit has held up. I would hold for another 5 years to see how this 12 year old matures?

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/19/2022 4:51:00 PM - Good instinct on this wine - it's still alive and vibrant.

Red

2003 Privé Vineyard Pinot Noir Le Nord

Yamhill County more

3/25/2009 - learningandenjoying wrote: 92 points

Opens nicely in glass. Starting to reach end of cellar time, slight oxidation; recommend drinking any 2003 stock now. Still elegant, smooth, excellent fruit, seems a little acidic on a medium-long finish.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/19/2022 1:01:00 PM - I'm happy to report that your suggestion to drink these up in 2009 was a little pessimistic!

Red

2008 Wind Gap Wines Syrah

Russian River Valley more

4/19/2021 - PIntag wrote: 91 points

14.0% abv. 1st of 3 bottles from recent auction purchase.
Not going to go crazy over this like SID_LOVES_WINE, but I found this to be drinking very well, and his/her note is a very good writeup. On the pop 'n pour, I thought this to be a little too tart, but after an hour or so this settled down and became more integrated, showing a nice mix of savory, iron, blood, and fruit in the flavor profile in a nicely balanced frame. It was even better on the second evening. In its prime drinking window right now and should hold for many more years, as this has the fruit and structure to handle long aging.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    2/6/2022 8:39:00 AM - Yes, great QPR on this for under $20 for sure. Seems they're gone now, unfortunately.

Red

2003 Midsummer Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Mann Vineyard

Napa Valley more

10/30/2021 - PIntag wrote: NR

13.5% abv. Recent auction purchase.
Interesting Napa Cab. There's a little bit of a roasted note that points to the hot vintage, but it's not too bad. Seems kind of tight and wound up still, even on the second evening (stoppered overnight). Acid was pretty high and stuck out a bit. Not the most attractive flavor profile but an interesting drink for the $22 I paid for it.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    11/24/2021 9:40:00 AM - You got an email solicitation for this low-production 2003 Napa Cabernet? Or do you have it in your cellar from long ago?

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    10/31/2021 10:04:00 AM - I usually score the wines I write a note for, but sometimes I don't feel like assigning a score. For this wine, I'd go with a range 87 - 89, definitely not a 90 for me.

Red

2001 Surh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe Vineyard

Rutherford more

11/15/2020 - Klugi Wine wrote: 91 points

I’m starting to get old, find more and more wines I don’t remember where I bought them. Luckily this lovely Napa CabSauv is still in good shape (good cellar;-)). Bouquet of some cassis and eucalyptus, one could have almost placed it into Barossa Valley. Quite powerful but balanced in itself this was an enjoyable Burger Wine and graciously aged.

  • Comment posted by PIntag:

    11/20/2021 1:05:00 PM - I'm glad you didn't snipe me at the close! My workplace is only about 2 miles from the Spectrum retail/auction storage site, so I don't have to pay shipping either. Nice folks that work there, too.

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