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

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah California

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12/27/2023 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 90 points

More subdused than I was expecting, solid fruit and a decent rhone flavored mid palate (wish it had more black pepper and barnyard) with nicely blended tannins. I believe I might have overpaid though at $32 (warehouse style store) since the comm average is $7 lower.

One small dig here - why exactly is this bottle labelled as "caliifornia." Sounds like there's some Lodi or Central Vallley fruit in this wine. Sorry but between Sonoma and Napa there should be plenty of areas that could be sourced to make this one an 85% designation eligible bottle.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    12/28/2023 5:24:00 AM - Thanks for the clarification. Do you have any more specifics on the vineyards that were sourced for the blend? I saw on your webpage that some of your SB fruit is pulled from areas close to White Hawk. Cool stuff there!
Red

2018 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/16/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

This doesn't suck.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    9/13/2023 1:45:00 PM - Have you experienced many '18 Bords that you would classify as "sucky?" It's definitely not the vintage for all Bordeaux lovers so I was hoping you could expand on your take. Much thanks!
Red

2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch

 Russian River Valley more
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1/20/2019 - Motz wrote: 92 points

Here we go, with a couple of caveats first.

My palate leans heavily to varietally correct, terroir-driven, layered and balanced wines, regardless of provenance. See, for example, my note on the 2016 Bedrock Wine Co. Bedrock Heritage, and the note that proceeds this one, on the 2014 Birichino Grenache Old Vines Besson Vineyard, which I tasted alongside this wine over two days and found more satisfying.

Perfect ripeness, however desirable, can lead to wines that lack depth and structure, as ripeness can take a toll on acid levels. See, for example, my notes on the heady, yet overhyped 2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich Kabinetts.

Tasted over two days.

The appealing: Heady bouquet of all things ripe berry, blue, purple, and black. Ultra juicy berries, absence of lumber, and medium to medium plus acid.

The less appealing: Other than saturated berriness (Is that a word?), there is very little to this. One might find wafting hints of sarsparilla, sweet pipe tobacco, fruit-flavored milk-chocolate, and spice, but that is about it. Specifically, there is little sense of variety. One might surmise, based upon the juicy fruit, that Zinfandel is present, yet the peppery, sappy, sometimes meaty and smoky pithiness that characterize Zinfandel are all but absent. There is no sense of place, other than New World, and probably California, based upon the crowd-pleasing style. And, other than the aforementioned acid level, Zinfandel usually offers a certain level of powdery tannins, which are not present with this.

The unappealing: The wine features an strong sense of manufacture, or chemical manipulation. One might be able to make something that tastes similar with two parts concord grape juice, one part blueberry juice, one part blackberry juice, articial berry flavors, and grape spirits to equal 15 percent abv.

All this aside, the wine must be judged on its merits: intoxicating perfume, very good structure, shut-the-wine-brain-off tastiness, and for these reasons I cannot score it less than 92 points, however grudgingly. Drink over the near term, as it lacks the substance to improve.

Who knows what the pros were thinking. Perhaps they were seduced by the sirens.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    1/23/2019 4:14:00 AM - By "pros" do you mean one Mr. Fish? Reading his take on Mike's wines over the past few years and his score here, the style you describe seems to be to his liking. And I don't doubt your take on this wine for a minute, but every C Zin I've had over the past six vintages have really settled down wonderfully after those first two or three years in the cellar. Or else Mike has finally gone over to the dark side completely in '16. Only time will tell....

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    11/23/2021 5:42:00 AM - I just opened up a third bottle of this '16 Paps and three years in I'm starting to think that everything Motz had said almost three years ago is playing itself out with time in bottle. As a comparison I had the '16 Bedrock Vineyard Zin about six weeks ago and it had none of the same issues as this Papera. And I've been drinking Papera now back to '11. While the Bedrock was a beautifully balanced RR Zin at three plus years this one continues to show itself as just "off." I think it's mostly due to the alcohol level and something else that transpired in the fermentation process. The undertones are still promising but everything at the top of the tasting in the mouth is just feeling exactly like Motz said, some unseemly sense of manufacturing. Two bottles of this vintage left for me and I'm REALLY hoping that in another 3-5 years something will have changed in the mix. Time will definitely tell.
Red

2016 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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3/19/2021 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 89 points

Really good solid mouthfeel for a Kirkland label. Maybe we just expect less when the big K is on the front? Anyway, excellent background of salinity and underbrush to go with enticing red fruits and surprisingly easy tannins. Excellent minimizing of any subtracting oak and even a nice subtle acidity to add some zip to the finish. Yeah, definitely would grab a case at this price if you can before those 16s have been replaced by the not so likable Josh Cabernet!

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    3/29/2021 6:04:00 AM - Much thanks good sir, a very informative blog indeed! Yes, the Kirkland under $10 selection is always a problematic landmine field if one hasn't tasted all of their bounty previously. I will reference this site going forward to make wiser and hopefully tastier choices.
Red

2016 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon

 Walla Walla Valley more
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2/8/2021 - Levinsb wrote: NR

Black cherry cola blueberry some dark plum. Texturally soft and smooth for a stout cab only 4-5 years old but a bit fruity dare I say jammy for my tastes. Would be an ideal pairing with charred steak , extravagantly rich. I won’t rate it with a score because this isn’t what I typically drink but an opulent treat nonetheless.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    3/6/2021 1:12:00 PM - So if comparing to Napa cab or a left bank red, which ones would cork mind? I saw two bottles in my local Wegmans and was pushed to buy it. Would appreciate any reference point you could provide.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    3/6/2021 6:25:00 PM - Apologies for the confusion. I was asking which Napa cabs this reminds you of. More fruit bombs like a Caymus or a more nuanced one like Spotteswoode? If Bordeaux then I was referring to a Rolland wine possibly.
Red

2016 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Les Champauvins

 Red Rhone Blend more
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7/21/2019 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 91 points

Drinking like a dark souled bruiser, with plenty of verve rightv out of the gate. Fruits are all black, more plush than normal for a s rhone, and very entertaining in their complexity. Almost burly tannins and some solid earthiness with this one. It reminds me of an '07 in the good ways and makes me want to think this vintage will award those who went long on the ripeness quotient. Gonna grab more of these if I can find them under $18.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    12/7/2020 1:36:00 PM - Planning on revisiting soon and see if this one still needs to be muzzled and locked down. Hope that's not the case. Too bad it's my last one.
Red

2015 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage

 Syrah more
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5/9/2020 - Mr.Overhill wrote: flawed

Bottle was questionable from the beginning and only got worse under air. Somewhat sour taste and fruit was not at all lively. By day three it was borderline vinegar flavors and a strange ethanol on the nose. Would opt for a bad case of VA on this bottle.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    12/1/2020 2:42:00 PM - Yes, I think that VA would be a prime candidate for the flavor I was getting from that bottle. I have one more remaining so hopefully that will be a better experience.
Red

2015 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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9/18/2020 - Gscwinecellar Likes this wine: NR

Opened this bottle to celebrate international grenache day. Wine is very early in its drinking window and presents itself with tightness, dark fruit, and herbal notes on the nose. Medium to full body with soft tannins. Will let this air in the glass and revisit this tasting note in a little while.

30 minutes later...
Starting to open up a little. I will revisit tomorrow to see if there is much of a change.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    9/18/2020 6:06:00 PM - Same here! Love having this day for the world’s most planted red! And I couldn’t agree more, this donjon is not disappointing in the least. Beautifully open and still dancing the tango with garrigue aplenty and onderfully seductive dark fruits. Hope it gets even better by tomorrow. Cheers to you!
Red

2012 Marqués del Toro Mencía Finca La Moura

 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León more
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3/4/2020 - tominasia Does not like this wine: 70 points

Sour candy on the nose. Bracing sourness on opening. It's been in the decanter for over 2 hours now and most of its forward flavor has gone, which is good, but leaves a sour and bitter finish. I'm struggling to find something pleasing about this wine. What was last bottle thinking...?

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    3/7/2020 11:16:00 AM - I was trying to be judicious on my score but share your opinion on this wine completely. I think it was a bad batch that they realized was compromised but needed to move along! In their defense it was one of the few losses U hav e purchased from them in the past nine years. Will use the rest of my allocation for cooking.
Red

2016 Château Tour Saint-Christophe

 St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more
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2/2/2019 - Purple Tooth wrote: NR

Theres something unpleasant about squeezing Merlot too hard and it shows in this wine...Drank alongside a 2015 Dufrey Vivant from Margaux, it was almost unpleasant, especially in the bouquet. It came across hot and racy, but it was clearly a powerful wine. What was killing it next to the Margaux wine was the bouquet. It had chicken coop features (not to be confused with barnyard/brett), like what a Monstrall/Mourvedre throws off. I just received my case and my magnums and I'm a bit deflated and miffed. I won't rate this until I try another bottle...XXX

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    7/13/2019 11:10:00 AM - I'm going through a split right now and until you mentioned the chicken coop effect I didn't even think of it, but yes, there's a certain chemical taste on the finish that makes it last much longer than expected that would suggest this flavor. I really like the wine on the front of the tongue and even though the merlot is a bit too hot for me, it's still a very solid effort if you like more of a fruit bomb profile. Maybe the coop will dissipate once it's been in bottle for another year or two? I definitely didn't get this aftertaste on the 14s and 15s of the SC..
Red

2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard

 Sonoma Valley more
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5/26/2019 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 90 points

Surprisingly subdued for a 13 from Mr. Mike, more fruit and tartness which unfortunately could not carry the midpalate oomph, which to me seemed suspect and hollow. It also got tarty sour more sooner than I would have expected, especially after being open for day two. Wish that it had seriously improved by day three but it was already sliding. I don't see it being ad long lived as I thought it would be two years ago.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    5/29/2019 7:28:00 PM - Hopefully it will. It wasn't so much of a Barolo essence as it was a lighter style zin.
Red

2016 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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12/9/2018 - dagij wrote: 89 points

Deep ruby colour, almost violet at the rim. Intriguing aromas of strawberries, raspberries and cherries, in addition to some balsamic tones with hints of leather (sorry for being so dramatic, but this wine is complex). Full bodied, sweet attackt on the palate, almost without tannins, but with very high acidity. The taste is dominated by the red berries found on the nose, but with additional aromas of iron and stone. This is so young, and still so approachable. Should be cellared for at least five years, probably more. I wonder whether the mineral tone will become more present over time. Super wine.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    4/1/2019 7:15:00 PM - Was wondering how you would compare the '16 to the '15, especially in terms of complexity? I've had two bottles of the '15 and am very impressed with both the high amount of garringue and the solid tertiary flavors that are showing for a wine of barely two years in bottle. If you've had both years do you like the '16 more in bottle at this time?
Red

2015 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

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3/16/2019 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 90 points

Still somewhat restrained, but with good tangy cherry flavors and some nice zingy spiciness. Not at all to hot or fat. And it should age nicely considering the acids, which were enough to be noticed. Great qpr for under $30.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    3/28/2019 10:09:00 PM - Nothing like getting homer price deals!
Red

2015 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Terrunyo Block Las Terrazas

 Pirque more
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1/28/2019 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 93 points

Agree with other tasters, really good juice at this pricepoint. Really impressive mix of stoney, tight black fruits - more plum than anything else, but with a nice undercurrent of sour black cherry - solid and very attractively tight tannins with a nice streak of acidity. It's definitely drinkable now but it's gonna be a real beauty in 5 or more.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    2/1/2019 9:10:00 PM - You're welcome and I also need to grab more before the Costco selection is gone.
Red

2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Old Vines

 Russian River Valley more
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9/19/2018 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 90 points

Feels like it needs more time to develop, but the bright red fruit is tangy and promising. Much more bing cherry than I was expecting, with rich vanilla undertones. Maybe it's the sharper acids that are giving me pause at this time. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid wine but I think it needs at least two years to really come together.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    9/23/2018 6:52:00 PM - There was good news for the last glass, which I finished after two more days - it had softened noticeably and the bright fruit profile was still quite noticeable. I think that this zin will age with distinction.
Red

2003 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor

 Puente Alto more
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8/18/2018 - libero wrote: 93 points

Still very good

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    9/14/2018 11:34:00 AM - How goog is it exactly?
Red

2007 Chalk Hill Estate Red

 Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/10/2018 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 91 points

Still a big fruit bomb of a bruiser, wikt plenty of black fruits and tarry/earthy flavors. Not sure if the Merlot is giving it a sweet strawberry profile of a fruit roll-up, but it's definitely not.solely cab influenced on the tongue. Wish it wasn't so flabby on the finish. Definitely a good wine with fatty rib-eyes and it opens up nicely in the glass two hours or so in. Should continue to drink nicely for at least another 4-5 years.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    8/17/2018 11:18:00 PM - I definitely think that the 07s still have plenty of upside, especially the ones with more acidic backbone. The Chalk Hill had enough fruit freshness to give me hope in its short term future, but I don't think it will be a long term keeper. Has Laube done a ten year retrospective on the 07s yet? If not, his notes should be very inf.
White

2016 Lichen Estate Pinot Noir Blanc

 Anderson Valley more
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6/22/2018 - tomherer Does not like this wine: 81 points

Recent LastBottle offering -- they billed it as the sort of wine that people will think you're cool for bringing to dinner, and also described it as, and I quote, "singularly fascinating". Well, it isn't. And I don't go to a lot of dinners where bringing white Pinot Noir buys you street cred, so this wine doesn't do a whole lot for me.

The palate is totally monolithic, with nothing but a salted lemon Warhead flavor to offer. There's actually some great intensity here, as the flavor pushes on and on, but if you're like me and don't actually enjoy how the wine tastes, this isn't much of a bonus. Overall this was a disappointment, as the wine isn't interesting, delicious, or even cheap. Would still like to try some other Lichen wines, but this one gets a hard pass.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    8/1/2018 2:59:00 PM - Thanks for the note. I'm waiting for my order as well. I bought for the same reason you did. Do you think that the overpowering fruit profile will settle down once it's been in bottle for at least a year? Any chance that it was an off bottle?
Red

2015 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

 Russian River Valley more
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2/13/2018 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 94 points

Dang but is this ever a slutty and oh so sexy wine. A smorgasbord of dark red fruit flavors, red raspberry meets prune and definitely some macerated cherry on the back end. It somehow holds all of these rich sugars in check, but just barely and really is drinking beautifully right now. My only real complaint is that the finish is somewhat hollow, the midpalate was somewhat sour as well. Have half a bottle left, will see if it changes on day two. Am hoping for some M.O. magic to ensue!
Good news from day two, the extra air time reduced the sugars somewhat and added more midpalate complexity, deepening the tannins on the back end and adding some zesty spices. This is definitely a big winner from both vintage and this vineyard. Congrats to Mike for another killer performance in '15.

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    2/14/2018 3:46:00 PM - This one's more than just a little - ooh la la!
Red

2015 Château de Chantegrive Graves

 Red Bordeaux Blend more
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11/28/2017 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 89 points

Very approachable vin rouge, with a good acidity to balance out the bright red fruits. Not much depth to the mid palate but definitely a quaffable newbie. It's kind of like getting behind the wheel of a Boxster. You want to be driving a Carerra but since you can't you'll enjoy what you're given at the moment. Will it age? Why wait and find out. Enjoy it now while you're able to do so!

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    12/3/2017 1:11:00 PM - I didn't find it too young at all; instead it feels like it was made to be opened right away. I expected much heavier tannins and noticably strong oak. Neither was the case. Is the '15 vintage overall supposed to be an early drinking one?

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    12/8/2017 11:51:00 AM - No, I don't think it's too young right now, but at the same time the longer it stays in bottle the more the tertiary flavors will develop. I think that a lot of the lower priced houses are making their wines much more accessible for the first few years in bottle for those who don't want to wait 10+ years.
Red

2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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11/3/2017 - fCOT Likes this wine: 89 points

profound, firm with persistent flavors of sour cherry, herbs, licorice and spices. still alive with a good grip on the finish

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    11/3/2017 8:46:00 AM - I just opened my last bottle from this vintage and read your review. It's still very bright and feels wonderfully young. Your note is spot on as far as the glass I'm swirling is concerned. It will be interesting to see how it opens up as the day progresses. Planning on having it with beef brisket for dinner.
Red

2012 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor

 Puente Alto more
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5/18/2017 - Mr.Overhill Likes this wine: 94 points

The Don rules (again!)
In the 26th reiteration of this hallowed (my words not CyT) vineyard they hit a towering home run, with wonderfully dark and lush cab fruit, and thank the Dear Lord that this time around we're talking ALL fruit and little terroir for what is a beautifully fruit driven beast of dark cherries, rich plum and beguiling brambly blackberry. I'm li, li, liking this baby. Yes, you can wait another 3-5 years to see how the tertiary flavors develop but if you've only got one or two bottles you owe it to yourself to open right away and enjoy this smorgasbord of the olfactory senses immediately. And you can thank me later fellers (and the occasional lady who reads these notes) for this suggestion.

94PLUS but going well higher in time, gahr-aun-teed!

  • Comment posted by Mr.Overhill:

    5/18/2017 6:45:00 PM - Time in the bottle for this Melchor. It's just so young now I don't know if the other flavors will develop enough to make it as good as the 2002 and the 2005.

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