2/6/08: Pretty much the same impressions. 85-86

10/19/07: Man, I just don't know what to say about this strange grape. Rich tropical fruits burst from an insanely explosive nose. But just like many viogners, the palate doesn't really follow thru. There's an element here that is closer to cat piss then I get from NZ SB's. Perhaps I'm just into strange smells and tastes, but I wasn't even bothered by said cat piss. It was kinda interesting, adding some complexity. There's a haunting finish to this too, of I know not what. Fairly rich on the palate, with a hollow spot that really detracts from the overall experience of liking this wine, which I'm really close to doing. Just needs a little more zip. But worth the cost of entry. 86

We loved the '04, were not as happy with the '05, and I'm very happy that the '06 is back to being spot on. Oaky, vanilla spice thing mixing with the tropical fruits on the nose. The tropical fruits continue on the palate, and finish with wonderful juicy acidity. This way overdelivers for the price point, and is another esteemed by the cae buy. 88+

Very muted nose. Probably shouldn't have tried this after the much more flamboyant Alamos. Nice acidity, very restrained. 83-84

This was a great chard. The nose carried a beautiful minerality. Great fruit, but the high acidity carried this off as refined. Much more burgundian wheras the other Catena chards veered more toward new world. With air, tropical fruit started coming out. Beautiful wine. 92-93

I seem to be in the minority in not enjoying this wine. Slightly earthy nose. slightly sour on the finish. Fairly fruit forward. Doesn't really scream pinot to me, or anything, for that matter. 81-83

Well, this seems to be a popular wine. Dark purple color. Touch of earth behind the full fruit. Quite pleasant. 87ish

The nose immiedately offered up cinammon spice, before falling back to dark fruits. Very fruit forward, ripe, and easy driking merlot. Well done for a tenner.

Rasberry and vanilla on the nose and palate. Super fruit forward, and very ripe. This veer more toward the Aussie style. But it's friendly, and works as an uncritical quaffer. 85-86

Easily my favorite tilia product. Still super ripe like the other wines, but with a touch of spiciness from the syrah, and with a little grip. Nice effort. 87+

Bright, fruit filled nose. Some mint hits on the nose and following through on the palate. Full concentration, clean, and very well made. There is some judicous use of oak which I found well integrated but I could see bothering some. 88-89

The color is already showing a bit of age. Explosive, impressive nose. Blackberries and mocha. Acidity keeps this vibrant, great fruit, and an extremely well made cab at a price that California can't touch. 89+

This was a rocking bottle of wine. Beautiful nose. Stunning on the palate, with a seamless integration of the myriad flavors and structural components. Nothing sticks out. A great mesh of rustic flavors and phenolics with super smooth fruit and soft oak. Ridiculously easy to drink right now. I would have been happy with this even if it was priced like the Zapata... 93-94

Phenomenal nose, although not as impressive as the Malbec. Concentrated blackberry fruit mingling with the spiciness of oak. A real stunner of a cab, but it doesn't rise to that next level of the Malbec. 92+