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

2016 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

 Russian River Valley more
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4/1/2018 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 99 points

Blueberry cobbler, braised duck, portabello mushroom, vanilla bean, blackberry capote and Chinese five spice. The palate is salient during the front, middle and back; the tannins are microfiber, and the ostensibly echoing finish continues for minutes. Typical of Russian River Valley Syrah, the acidity is evident, and in this case, at the perfect amount. Many levels of depth are within. This soon-to-be legendary bottling is even more enthralling than ‘14 and ‘11. Absolutely iconic and my favorite Carlisle yet. This is near perfection. 2016 might possibly end up being Carlisle’s best vintage ever. Drink 2019 - 2033.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    4/1/2018 4:30:00 PM - wrt thinking 2016 might be their best vintage, Mike recently told me that he shares that opinion, so you're in good company :)
Red

2014 Roessler Pinot Noir Black Pine

 Anderson Valley more
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12/13/2016 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 89 points

Dark crimson in color, this wine reveals fruitcake, clove and cherry cola on the nose. The mouth feel is medium bodied with subtle spices and vanilla elements. The finish brings bright acidity and more red fruits and spices. 13.8% abv.

Purchased for $16US, this was my first tasting of the 2014 vintage. I'm liking is more than the 2013 vintage. Glad I bought six of these.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    12/15/2016 8:31:00 PM - Thanks for the great TN, couldn't agree more. Stopped into their new tasting room off the square in Sonoma last week and was amazed at how the entire lineup of ~$20 wines performed, and not just the Pinot, but the Rhone-based blends too. If you're ever in the area I think you'd get a kick out of trying the full lineup. Only took one of these home with me due to suitcase capacity, but Last Bottle ran it this afternoon during their marathon for $16 and probably will again over the next day or two. FYI in case you're looking to re-up.
Red

2014 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard

 Carneros more
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3/1/2018 - Hammar Likes this wine: 93 points

As wine drinkers, quantifying a wine into a rating includes so much more than the wine itself. Where were you? Who were you with? Sometimes it's a meal at a restaurant, sometimes it's sitting on a couch in sweatpants watching TV. The trick is to sterilize the environment and focus on only the wine, however that is much easier said that done as wine drinking itself is an experience and affects the environment as much as the environment affects the wine.

This wine was enjoyed on the couch in sweatpants watching Netflix while my three small children slept quietly. It had an inviting nose of black fruit, which the subsequent tasting reinforced. A good amount of heat initially that dissipated with each sip that lead into a nicely balanced, long lasting finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed every sip of this wine. It has 5 good years left in it, so drink or hold.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    3/1/2018 3:27:00 PM - loved this TN :). great storytelling, and struck a chord w/me instantly. I'm home sick, working on my couch in pajama bottoms, and have a bottle of Carlisle keeping me company that is absoLUTEly affecting the environment more than the environment is affecting it. Literally spilling happiness into the room. Anyway, thanks again for the TN, and hope you contribute more of them in this format soon!
Red

2013 Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor

 Paso Robles Red Blend more
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10/18/2017 - bonedoc wrote: 92 points

Well made, balanced, concentrated wine. But, 99 PT’s from Jeb is just silly - this wine is nowhere near 99 and reduces my confidence in his ratings.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    10/18/2017 5:28:00 PM - Side note, that review was under WA's jurisdiction, where I think you're contractually obligated to add at least five points to every score. Will be interesting to see if his scores come back to earth now that he's no longer shilling for them.
Red

2013 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines

 California more
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5/21/2018 - e.Rock Likes this wine: 92 points

Firing on all cylinders. Very well balanced and ready to go now. Muled a bottle to Croatia to represent USA zinfandels against plavac mali. Split decision, but I think it was edged out by the more complex Stagnum.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    5/21/2018 8:12:00 PM - This literally made me do a double-take. Turley OV vs. Stagnum PM, on the latter's turf?? That's one of the coolest wine face-offs I've ever heard of. Cheers.
Red

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Papera Ranch

 Russian River Valley Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more
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7/15/2017 - tomherer Likes this wine: 93 points

Agree completely with Tomlee, per usual. This is nothing like Carlisle's version from the same vintage (haven't tried WS's), but the level of quality is about the same. A little more restrained, lean, and high-toned than the Carlisle. Beautifully fragrant and complex. Black cherry, raspberry, tar, earth, spiced tea, and some citrus on the finish. The fresh, lively profile and chalky tannins suggest many great years ahead.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    7/18/2017 11:14:00 AM - Hard to say, honestly -- last time I had the Carlisle, it was the differences that stood out more than the similarities. More bass notes and creaminess. It was also pretty unruly, so was going to wait a couple years to try again. Sorry :). That said, I am trying to line up a '14 horizontal between the two on the Carlisle Vineyard as well as the Limerick Lane vyd (maybe throw Biale in too if one can be found). Will be sure to post TNs when it happens!
Rosé

2013 Charles & Charles Rosé

 Columbia Valley Rosé Blend more
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7/18/2014 - tomherer Likes this wine: 88 points

This is going to be a go-to all summer long. Strawberry, cherry, and very tart/bitter citrus are super refreshing. Plunk down $10, drain on patio, rinse, repeat. Nice lingering finish. Bone dry and I expect will stay vibrant for a couple years.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    7/19/2014 7:10:00 PM - Just had the 2012, just starting to show signs of slipping. Maybe 12-18 months is the right window for this.
Red

2012 Roblar Pinot Noir Mission Ranch Vineyard

 Arroyo Seco more
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3/15/2016 - kietkopelli Likes this wine: 92 points

Unless there are some huge bottle variations I do not agree with the other reviewers. I think this is one of the best QPR PN that I've have in a long time at $10. My biggest complain about is that it has the backbone of a twig so drink now because time will not be kind to this wine. On to the tasting notes...

On the nose it starts out floral and ends with a combination of earth and dark fruits. In the mouth it has tart cherries and burnt toast. Finishes a bit hot and hollow but way better than any $10-15 PN and no worse than most $20 PN you find at supermarkets.

Again complexity and structure is lacking but this a $10-15 PN with good balance of fruit and earth. Drop $13 on a bottle, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    3/15/2016 11:06:00 AM - Hot and hollow, lacking complexity and structure, 92 pts?
Red

2012 KITÁ Spe'y Camp 4 Vineyard

 Santa Ynez Valley Red Blend more
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12/4/2015 - tomherer Does not like this wine: 85 points

I love Grenache, even when it veers towards ripe and candied, but this is a chore to drink. Flabby plum, candied flowers, and some minerality as it gains air. A sticky, ponderous sweetness overwhelms and doesn't encourage another sip. Will labor through my remaining bottle and move on.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    12/21/2015 10:05:00 AM - Hard to imagine that it will -- there's just not much of a backbone to it, so my guess is that it'll slump further with age. Although, I'm starting to second-guess myself a little, especially with the last post that compared this to light pinot -- maybe the bottle I had wasn't representative? I'm going to reach out to the guy that I split the LB four pack with and see if he'll pop one of the corks and chime in.
Red

2012 Josh Cellars Merlot

 California more
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9/6/2015 - gstuff wrote: 50 points

Good

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    7/30/2016 8:56:00 PM - Da fuq!?
Red

2012 Tikal Júbilo

 Mendoza Red Bordeaux Blend more
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4/11/2015 - Zinlady Likes this wine: 94 points

Loved this wine. Typical Merlot nose. Big - Nice finish - Went well with cheeese Filled your mouth.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    10/30/2015 6:12:00 PM - I didn't think there was a drop of Merlot in this blend?
Red

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Papera Ranch

 Russian River Valley Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more
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10/31/2016 - tomherer Likes this wine: 91 points

One glass Coravin access, let breathe 30 mins or so. Red fruited Zin nose, very expressive. Palate is mostly tart and shut down to begin with, but it's unfolding nicely after an hour. Raspberry, licorice, tart strawberry, plum, and a faint hint of coffee and cream towards the end. Acidity dominates the finish. Great wine, and should improve. Still too early to tell, and granted, the blends are a lot different, but the Carlisle from the same vineyard/vintage feels more complete, and would choose it over this one for even money at this stage of the game.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/2/2016 8:12:00 PM - Yah, great point -- they are two entirely different profiles, with the Carlisle being more hedonistic. IIRC, the Bedrock's brightness was a standout but the complexity was modest, but that's off one glass so who knows. Was coincidentally talking to a friend yesterday about these producers and sharing the fruit from their vineyards -- afaik at least five swap back and forth, Carlisle, Bedrock, Biale, Turley, Limerick. I don't think it's totally reciprocal, but I'm pretty sure that Carlisle <=> Bedrock is in most vintages. Since you've compared the two before, wondering if you've ever done a horizontal from the same vintage? We were thinking of putting a a vintage side-by-side to see how each worked with the other's fruit, e.g. four wines -- Carlisle estate and Bedrock vineyard, and vice versa. If you have any ideas how to structure that tasting better or can point to a vintage with interesting differences, would be all ears, cheers.
White

2012 Treana White

 Central Coast White Rhone Blend more
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11/22/2014 - tomherer Does not like this wine: NR

Clearly a polarizing wine, and I'm landing more on the hate end of the love/hate equation. Agree with every TN here on some level; there is some viognier typicity, complexity, finish, and aromatic appeal here. But it just suuuucks to drink. So sweet, rich, and overpowering that I wish the respectable finish would just stop.

Weird wine; can't score. Probably a great find for a fan of the style at the half-off NHLS closeout price, but I'm dumping the rest and moving on.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    2/15/2015 6:33:00 PM - You're absolutely right -- I believe it's a completely dry wine, and didn't mean to suggest that it's literally a sweet wine. Appreciate you pointing that out. Rather, meant that there's an unpleasant perceived sweetness due to a lack of balance. In my experience, great white Rhone varietal wines have a refreshing foil -- e.g. the bitter pit of a stone fruit in addition to its flesh. If memory serves, this wine doesn't, and the result is a wine that tilts hard to the ripe/flabby side. Hope that clarifies.
White

2012 Michel Gassier Costières-de-Nîmes Nostre Païs Blanc

 White Rhone Blend more
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8/16/2014 - jonahfactor Likes this wine: 93 points

There's a lot going on in the glass, starting with an enchanting aroma that instantly transports you to a New World barrel room. Deep straw hued, luscious legs and a bouquet that moves from barrel room to fields of flowers. I would have gladly stopped there. But the palate is equally enthralling. Gobs of honeyed white plums, mandarin oranges and flecks of grapefruit zest and lemon pith, complemented by notes of brook-soaked pebbles and minerals. Air reveals some nutty butterscotch notes, all kept lively -- and food friendly -- by precise acidity. Full bodied. Great texture. A blend of four varietals, mostly Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Such precision, freshness and flavor, all for only $13. I'm thinking this won't be a candidate for long-term cellaring, since it's so fresh, lively and complex right now. Plus, I won't be able to resist cracking open the remaining bottles. Try it with lobster or sand dabs. Delicious!

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    8/16/2014 5:26:00 PM - Love your TNs, this one no exception. Every Gassier I've had from the past few vintages has been a home run -- will make sure not to skip this one per your endorsement. Cheers!
Red

2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman

 Russian River Valley more
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9/4/2014 - mfortunek wrote: NR

So here is the definitive note on this wine (arrogant, right? - just wait). If you have a refined palate and a cultivated nose for pinot noir, there is a strong chance you will be repulsed. However, if you are new to wine or more of a beer/liquor drinker, you will find some pleasantries here; and that's okay. The rub is that this bottle retails at $40. If you're not a wine drinker, that's too much to pay for a bottle of pinot (i.e. you aren't going to be drinking this), and if you do have a more refined palate you will instantly compare this wine to far, far better pinots at the same price point (and below) and become vituperative. This is a wine without a market; a man without a country. It's too expensive for the people who will actually enjoy it, and too basic/syrupy for the people who will pay $40 for a Caymus family wine.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    9/8/2014 6:55:00 PM - Appreciate what you're saying about the quality of the wine, but don't think you can call QED. The wine has a market; the Wagners in large part helped create it. There's a consumer somewhere between the deep-pocketed connoisseur and the novice that splurges on Coppola. Cakebread doesn't pump 25,000 cases of Chardonnay (mostly) through restaurants for $80-100 a pop every year because it's life-altering. It's because expense accounts embrace pleasure and consistency.

    I'm as incensed as you are about this misfire of a wine, and would like nothing more than a refund for my remaining bottles. But that has nothing to do with the fact that the market will absorb every. last. oneofthem.
Red

2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman

 Russian River Valley more
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1/18/2015 - tomherer Does not like this wine: 85 points

Last bottle, and good riddance. Was hoping it would come around with a little more cellar time, but you can't polish a turd, as they say. Gloopy, saccharine, woody; just can't see how this resolves, ever. The core of pure fruit puts it a rung above apothic. I'm not exactly one of the pinot cognoscenti du jour that's turning their cellar over to 100% Rhys and keeps a pinup of Rajat Parr in my gym locker, either. Loves me a full-throttle RRV pinot, but this should never have been released for $45.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    1/19/2015 8:20:00 AM - Yah, that's a more than fair point, especially given how backwards the northern CA pinots are touted to be in 2012. But I thought about it a lot after each $2 sip and am really of the opinion that this is the biggest underperformer in the BG portfolio since probably 2007. The oak, thickness, and sweetness seem more like flaws than disintegrated components. Time will tell of course, and I agree that it should improve a bit with more cellar time, but see no hope of this ever becoming outstanding pinot, fwiw.

    That said, I shared it with my sister, a wine novice, who loved it and took the rest of the bottle home, so yah, your bottles still will prob go to good use regardless :)
Red

2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman

 Russian River Valley more
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11/4/2013 - tomherer wrote: NR

Cautionary tale in not taking notes at a tasting event. Was at a trade event a couple months ago, had the Dairyman, loved it. Bought a few bottles of the 2012 -- convinced what I tasted was the 2011, cause this in no way compares. Worst bottle of BG I've had, and I've enjoyed quite a few.

The fruit is primary, sappy sweet, and homogeneous. Cherry? Plum? Who knows/cares. Then there's the only other discernible note -- oak. To call it overwhelming doesn't do it justice. Mouth-splintering oak, makes the wine completely uninviting. The weird thing is that the last grapes for this wine were harvested almost exactly a year ago; one would think imparting oak this heavy would take more time?

Anyway, no score for now -- not because I don't have (a low) one in mind, but because it's the youngest BG I've ever tried, and because I can envision the oak folding into the fruit a year or two from now. Not expecting great things from it regardless, but will revisit/score down the line.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/6/2013 11:21:00 AM - Sounds you fell into the same trap I did :). Meiomi is a good analogy -- this tastes sort of like an average vintage of that to me. Simple, oaky, off-balance.
White

2012 Claiborne and Churchill Edelzwicker Proprietors' Blend

 San Luis Obispo County White Blend more
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11/17/2013 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 88 points

I should have tried these in the reverse order. I know that, particularly since I have had my fair share of Edelzwickers in my day. I studied in Strasbourg, France and had a limited budget, which usually meant that beer was the drink of choice (we would buy liters of Kronenbourg from the gas station for about 50 cents–trying to keep it classy).

When we opted for wine, the choice was Edelzwicker. It was relatively inexpensive, had some great acidity, and usually a hint of sweetness–the perfect gateway wine for Coca-Cola swilling Americans. The term comes from German, as you may have surmised: edel (noble) and zwicker (blend). Thus the wine was originally a blend of the noble Alsatian varieties: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat (but has since been deregulated and Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner can now be included)–kind of a kitchen sink approach (the C & C is a blend of Gewürz, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc).

Before I twisted open the Claiborne and Churchill Central Coast version, I was worried. I had never seen an Edelzwicker outside of Alsace (not even in Paris), let alone on these shores. I figured that the Pinot Noir was really good, though, so one out of two is not that bad at all, and I would suffer through the Edelzwicker.

Another surprise.

A great floral nose that really underlines the Gewürz–floral and fruity, with mango and papaya. Light on the palate, where the mango really comes through. The residual sugar nicely balances out the vibrant acidity. This is a very nice wine that would work well on the patio, with some grilled fish, and even on the Thanksgiving Day table. Very Good. thedrunkencyclist.com

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/29/2013 4:22:00 PM - Really enjoyed the storyline AND the TN. Thx much.
Red

2011 Meiomi Pinot Noir

 California more
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11/21/2012 - Martnmac wrote: 89 points

Triple Yum! Extremely easy to drink. Bright fruit. Light. Balanced. Triple yum taste at double yum price! Buy often!

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    12/14/2012 8:53:00 PM - I'm with you on the triple yum, but light? Might pour it on my pancakes tomorrow morning.
White

2011 Sanguis Incandescent

 Santa Barbara County White Rhone Blend more
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11/2/2014 - tomherer wrote: 89 points

Impulse purchase upon seeing the bottle (literally just seeing it; this stuff doesn't get anywhere close to Maine) at AZ wine co. Been picking at it for a few hours tonight; trying to hold it up to the cult expectations and high admission fee, but to no avail. There's no lightning in this bottle.

Varietal characteristics line up mostly with the roussane, and are nice. Peach/apricot, honey, almond, some bitterness. Starts sweet, and quickly swings over to raw in a way that's not at all integrated. Some spice on the medium finish.

It's a good wine, but feels like I'm drinking more of the label. Revisiting the second half of the bottle tmw in case a little air helps it along some.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/3/2014 7:21:00 PM - Checked in on the rest of this today; let it sit out a while to loosen up. No dice. It's just not great -- punches in a class at least half its weight.
White

2011 Yalumba Viognier The Y Series

 South Australia more
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5/27/2012 - jagmundi wrote: 82 points

a little overly alcoholic and acidic

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    6/23/2012 7:59:00 PM - don't think the 13.5% abv is exactly over the top
Red

2011 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman

 Russian River Valley more
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11/19/2013 - Champagne Lady Does not like this wine: 75 points

Having been a long time fan of Belle Glos (Claark & Telephone Vineyard) I bought a bottle of their new release of Dairyman. It was awful. The cherry favor was over the top and tasted much like cherry cough syrup. I was so very disappointed. Where was the balanced fruit, the lovely aromatic tones, the delightful Pinot? And I live in the wine country with an abundance of great wines. For me, it was a waste of good monies and such a disappointment :((( back to the Clark & Telephone Vineyard which I understand is being ripped up and won't be available for years. Argh.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/22/2013 7:07:00 PM - Are you positive it was the 2011 and not the 2012? '11 wasn't the new release as of your TN date, and IMO is up to C&T standards..
Red

2010 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard

 Santa Maria Valley more
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12/14/2012 - Grenik Likes this wine: 91 points

Typical of the Santa Barbara style. Lots of bright fruit, but this one has some interesting darker cherry notes, spice, and some hints of forest floor. Well integrated right now with a good, balanced finish. I am not as optimistic as others about it's ability to age and keep in balance.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    12/14/2012 8:41:00 PM - Concur re: aging -- many CTers say this has room to grow, but every BG Pinot I've had since the 08 vintage feels like it was bottled at peak. Some of the "older" bottles are already starting to taste sloppy.

    My policy on BG Pinot, across the board is: drink now.
Red

2010 Herman Story Syrah Nuts & Bolts

 California more
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11/13/2012 - caeleric wrote: NR

pnp consumed 3/4 day 1, the rest on day 2. gloriously massive and gooey black fruits and the blackest of black cherries, with violets and spice buttressing the roasted fruit aromas. substantial in the mouth, with more juicy and driven dark fruit flavors. the finish brings in brown and burnt sugar, with plenty of tumbling dark fruit and nice acid. this did not come across flabby in spite of its high alcohol and extremely ripe fruit. love herman story! if scoring, 92-94.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    11/14/2012 8:30:00 PM - Had this last night at Roaring Fork in Scottsdale -- they're pouring it by the glass atm. Agree that the fruit is big but not flabby -- my glass was firm and structured. Great TN, thx!
Red

2010 Novy Family Wines Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands

 more
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1/17/2014 - Arch57 Likes this wine: 92 points

An absolutely gorgeous wine packed full of fresh dark fruit, smooth tannins, smoky notes and a long finish. Case worthy as a "power buy" in NH state stores. Great weekday wine and the screwtop makes it easy to handle after a long day at work.

  • Comment posted by tomherer:

    2/26/2014 5:42:00 PM - Read this note in the power buy section of the NH liquor store, of all places :). Really enjoyed it -- thanks for TN/reco.

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