| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2013 Ridge GeyservilleSonoma County Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more |
7/15/2020 - BRR wrote: 92 pointsNot decanted. Aromatic nose combines raspberry coulis, coffee shop, and cherry syrup. Showing its evolving adolescence, in a good way. On the palate, this is still very exuberant, not showing its age as much as on the nose. Masquerading as a classy Bordeaux blend with cherry and spice. Long finish. Delicious. Drink now or hold. |
| Red |
2014 CT Barrel Project Syrah SJR VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
5/18/2016 - BRR Likes this wine: 91 pointsI decided to take a very early "look" at one of these. Decanted for only about an hour (restaurant setting). Clear dark ruby color with pink edges. A nice, peppery note wove through the dark cherry, soy, and light jerky flavors. The nose was closed, and the palate didn't expand. Excellent stuffing but, not surprisingly, this is just too young. This will take on weight and palate presence with time in the bottle I'm sure. I, personally, will wait 3 more years before my next. |
| Red |
2012 Rôtie Cellars Northern BlendWashington Syrah Blend, Syrah more |
1/9/2017 - BRR Likes this wine: 92 pointsNot decanted. You can surely smell the impact of the 3% Viognier, with a slight floral/stone fruity note amidst the darker fruit and spices. This wine is very silky and juicy, with oodles of dark cherry, pepper and baking spices. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years. |
| Red |
2014 CT Barrel Project Cabernet Sauvignon Hommage a' Drycab DuBrul VineyardYakima Valley more |
9/2/2016 - BRR Likes this wine: NRI couldn't help it, but I should have: this is too young. I left a glass in the decanter for two days, and that was better than the first few. Great stuffing in there, and the early going was very primary red fruit, slight olive notes, and very fine (but forward) tannin. This wasn't hard to drink nor was it un-enjoyable, but it was just so tight and lacked the depth I know will come. Glad I have 5 more. |
| Red |
2013 Ridge GeyservilleSonoma County Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more |
10/28/2019 - BRR Likes this wine: 93 pointsJust a superb showing. Not decanted. Full but perfectly balanced slightly peppery and brambly fruit. Great supporting acidity and a long finish. Thoroughly enjoyable. No need to wait on these, but no need to hurry either. |
| Red |
2017 Delmas Syrah SJR VineyardThe Rocks District of Milton-Freewater more |
4/3/2021 - BRR Likes this wine: 94 pointsFive Syrah, blind (four WA, one OR), plus two Reynvaan non-blind: Tasted blind. This was the first wine poured and I knew, almost without a doubt, this had a good amount of Viognier in it. The nose was all red fruit: raspberry and pie cherry, but with an underlying subtle peachy note that, to me, screamed Viognier. A big wine, but quite light in color and in weight, so my "big" is in the concentration and flavor that just exploded. Long and fine on the finish. My mom said, "wimpy," but I totally disagree. Finesse is a word I used. While young, this offers a ton of enjoyment now. Not sure ageing is needed, although it won't harm the wine I wouldn't think. This was my favorite of the tasting. |
| Red |
2011 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet SauvignonMt. Veeder more |
12/18/2022 - BRR wrote: NRDecanted for about two hours before consuming, although I took a quick sip upon opening. Perfect cork. Consumed in Gabriel Glas stems. The nose, after decanted, was red fruit and a bit of leather. The wine was medium-to-light bodied and was somewhat dilute. My wife said, "This tastes kind of watery." The red cherry and underripe plum fruit was way in the background, and greener notes were to the fore. There was definitely acidity and some evident tannin, but not too much of either. We only drank one glass each because, quite frankly, we didn't enjoy it that much. 5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2008 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakvillemore |
3/23/2015 - BRR Likes this wine: 93 pointsThis was a reminder of how fun it can be to enjoy well-made Napa Cabernet. Rich aromas and flavors of blackberry jam, currant and charcoal were supremely enjoyable. It's all about fruit, and the alcohol does peek through on the nose some of the time. However, it's well-structured and the tannins and ample fruit could still use a year or three to soften just a bit more. |
| Red |
2007 Full Pull & Friends Cabernet SauvignonColumbia Valley more |
1/7/2014 - BRR Likes this wine: 91 pointsDecanted for two hours before tasting. I think this is too young and will improve with another year or two. Dark and brooding, with aromas of cassis, dark cherry and spice. Similar flavors, held in check by medium tannins that still manage to overshadow things just a bit. Lots of stuffing here, and potential...hold. |
| Red |
2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine ZinfandelCalifornia more |
5/28/2019 - BRR wrote: NRI'm withholding rating, as this is simply too soon to drink these. I was surprised how unyielding it was. Sure, it was tasty, but it was all forward with little depth that I have no doubt will evolve with time. Sappy red fruit and spice now. Hold. 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2013 Ridge Merlot EstateSanta Cruz Mountains more |
1/8/2018 - BRR wrote: NRDon't drink these right now. This was unyielding through the two hours we enjoyed a couple of glasses. There isn't a wall of tannin, but the fruit and other complexities are just...tight. It didn't evolve or change over the two hours either. Hands off for at least 5 years. I have a glass left in the corked bottle and will update. |
| White |
2015 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate BlancColumbia Valley Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
10/1/2018 - BRR Likes this wine: 92 pointsConsumed alongside another Washington white-Bdx blend, the 2015 Efeste Sauvage. This was the more "traditionally" styled wine in the pair with mineral accents and lemon pith, albeit with a slight waxiness about it (Semillon?), and a kiss of green apple. Give me some oysters, please! Very, very nice. This should age well. |
| Red |
2010 Virage VineyardsNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/4/2022 - BRR Likes this wine: 92 pointsI bought this as part of a 2010-2011-2012 package offered as part of BerserkerDay 13. Not decanted, served in Gabriel Glas Gold stems. The nose was youthful and showed the deep berry scents I associate with great Cali Cab: huckleberry, blackberry maybe. The palate didn't have much tannic presence anymore, but it wasn't flabby or lacking in structure. Rather, it showed rich but balanced currant, huckleberry preserves, and slight spice flavors. While the fruit is still up-front, this doesn't need any more age necessarily. I think it'll drink really well for another 5 years. Delicious stuff, and I'm glad I bought some. |
| Red |
2012 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon EstateSanta Cruz Mountains more |
3/25/2019 - BRR Likes this wine: 90 pointsNot decanted. Nice sweet fruit on top of a ton of leather and tobacco notes. The middle was hollow, though, so I think this could use time, although it was quite expressive. My wife and I were surprised at how leathery and Bdx-like this was in some ways, but with sweeter fruit. Very unique. Drink or hold. |
| Red |
2010 Cadence Bel Canto Cara Mia VineyardRed Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/16/2024 - BRR wrote: NRDecanted for an hour before tasting. I am well aware that, in general, Cadnece wines benefit from aging, but this might be better with even a few more years in bottle than the 13 years it already has behind it. Peppery ted fruit and florals were delicious and complex. Drink now with a decant or keep aging for another 2-5. Excellent. |
| Red |
2018 Château Thivin Côte de BrouillyGamay more |
2/27/2020 - BRR Likes this wine: 90 pointsNot decanted. This immediately strikes me as a less fruity version of 2017 (which was a vintage I loved) with a little more structure. Aromatic, but the red fruit isn't very extroverted, and mineral notes stick out a bit with high acidity. Hold. 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2008 Betz Family Clos de BetzColumbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
7/27/2015 - BRR Likes this wine: 91 pointsThis was a tough wine to gauge. There was more sweetness to this bottle than I have had in my Betz Bdx-style wines, which was good. But, it's still a bit unyielding and dense. The black cherry, kirsch, and mineral flavors and aromas were there, but a bit muddled together. There is definitely some tannin up front still, suggesting that this will still benefit from more age. I'll hold my other for another 3 years. |
| Red |
2009 Adams Bench ReckoningColumbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/14/2014 - BRR Likes this wine: 92 pointsWow - very nice wine. Deep, focused currant and black cherry, with subtle spice notes and a very good finish. It's meant to drink now, I think, and wouldn't be a great cellar candidate. That's what the rest of the AB lineup is for! Very, very good for an "entry level" wine. |
| Red |
2014 CT Barrel Project Syrah SJR VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
4/12/2017 - BRR wrote: 84 pointsHmm...I really didn't like this wine a whole lot, as much as I really, really wanted to. The wine wasn't flawed or off. I'm hoping that it's due to age (or lack thereof, more specifically). The nose and palate are definitely funky and meaty, but I thought it was too dull, under-fruited and thin on the palate. It just felt like a so-so wine in a weak vintage. I sure hope this adds weight and the fruit comes out a bit more, as this wasn't very exciting or good to me. I hope I'm proved wrong. 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2) |
| Red |
2006 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de FamilleColumbia Valley more |
11/1/2020 - BRR Likes this wine: 94 pointsNot decanted. Wow! My last bottle was in 2013 and this has improved even since that great showing. Beautifully sweet fruit (raspberry, cherry) is the focal point, with perfect balance. Zero heat, nice structure, but tannins are an afterthought at this point in its evolution. This is maturing slowly, but I think it's into its peak window and will stay there for, dare I say, 10 years or more. Absolutely delicious. THIS is why one ages Betz Bdx blends! 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2016 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett RanchOak Knoll District more |
5/8/2020 - BRR Likes this wine: 94 pointsDecanted for one hour. Dark purple with the saturation that makes the bubbles appear purple. The nose is absolutely pure Cabernet, no doubt about it. Just a fantastic melange of blackberry, currant, concrete / dust. The palate is pure as well, with elegant and seamless fruit saturating the entire mouth. The very fine tannins are there, but don't prevent total enjoyment. Great now, and will likely improve a bit with a few more years. I don't see any reason not to drink and enjoy these now, however. |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande CuvéeChampagne Blend more |
7/1/2018 - BRR wrote: NRThis was suffering from a little more oxidization than it should have shown, but it was still good. Quite yellow, with nutty notes with citrus and apricot. Better with food. ID # 412040, so put under cork in the fall of 2012 with wines ranging from 1990 to 2007. |
| Red |
2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine ZinfandelCalifornia more |
5/11/2015 - BRR Likes this wine: 91 pointsThis was quite nice. It put on weight as it sat in the glass, so I'd recommend a 1-2 hour decant. Some domestic Rhone style blends come across as too simple and frankly fruity to me, but this was quite nice with layers of raspberry, earth, spice and red currant. Nice, long finish and pleasant acidity. |
| Red |
2015 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek VineyardSt. Helena more |
3/6/2021 - BRR wrote: 92 pointsI decanted this, but it didn’t need it. Plush, with excellent fruit. Blackberry preserves, licorice, currant all meld together in a very tasty wine. Little tannins showed. No need to age this, in my opinion, and I don’t see it improving. No danger of decline anytime soon, but this strikes me as a wine to drink for its exuberant fruit, not one to lay down. |
| Red |
2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The UnnamedWalla Walla Valley more |
7/5/2017 - BRR Likes this wine: 94 pointsGoing from memory on this, so no specific notes. This was the WOTN, besting a 2014 Reynvaan Foothills Reserve Syrah, and a 2014 Cayuse Cailloux Syrah. Just what I want in a Syrah: packed with flavor, tons of complexity, but bright and lively in the mouth...very non-monolithic. A treat now, but will hold if not improve over 5+. 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2) |
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- Tasting notes: 835 notes on 742 wines
