1/12/2024 - ajm2573 wrote:

This wine was flat and almost dead. TCA possible. I have 5 more bottles and I’m worried!

1/11/2024 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

{magnum} This PnP was in fine shape, and drank well, if slightly different across two days (I preferred day two). There's nothing terribly complex about this, but it's earthy, gentle, and elegant natured all in the framework of a medium>med+ body made it pretty irresistible when considering another glass. Lots of soil, some forest, tobacco and a pretty mixture of black and red fruits form the core. In this format, it's still got the goods/freshness I seek, and it's therefore a solid companion to food. Thank you, Corey. Easily recommended

12/10/2023 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

Found these on line. I was not familar with the label. But very familar with BS Georges III vineyard and seeing fruit from there at this price point ($75)...well I had to give it a try. The old saying, if it seems to good to be true than it probably is applies here. I know in Napa, it all starts with quality fruit, but this goes to show it is also important as to the rest of the process. This was all fruit - just a gooey mess. If tasting blind, I would have thought a $20 bottle

11/3/2023 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

Decanted 3 hours. Med purple/ruby, med/full nose. This wine is spot on and simply delicious. A touch lighter than the CA big boys if nevertheless shows power for an Oregon. Fully resolved tannins, super smooth and integrated, the balance is ideal. One could pound down the entire bottle in short order. Drink now, nothing off. Rob's bottle.

10/22/2023 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

Decanted 2 hours, returned to bottle for service 1 hour later. Served cool. Clear, purple with a touch of red. This was a fantastic wine, especially for the price point. Med body, balanced, integrated with a touch of tannin on the back after a long finish. Red/Blue fruit, fresh, slightly tart. Delicious and a great value at $35. Nothing off.

8/29/2023 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Much better than I was expecting, given its age - but not until the second glass. Initial pour was exactly what I was expecting - big fruit, some torrefaction, wafting honey and pineapple on the nose, etc.; palate was, initially, just as uninteresting. I was drinking this next to a 2004 Breze from the Loire (f'n brilliant), so this was, I thought, completely doomed, banished to the shadows. But, as this bottle still had an excellent color and fill, it was like the racehorse that came from far behind on the final stretch; it didn't overtake the Breze, but it put up a good fight, offering more depth and freshness to the fruit, and even some minerals that were not at all apparent on first pour. It was a a solid pairing with butter poached lobster, corn bellini, crispy potatoes, and osetra caviar. The 14,8% abv was fairly well integrated at this point in its life cycle. A good surprise; thankful for its vg condition. Still has some years, but I see no reason to wait. recommended

3/17/2023 - N.Bonaparte wrote:

This still requires a 3 plus hour decant. Fruit forward and moderately polished with a touch of heat on the backend. This is in its prime and will drink well for a decade. Revisit magnum in 2029.

8/13/2020 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

BNO

3/17/2021 - MrSkimo wrote:

Exotic bouquet upon opening, but completely disappeared after a few minutes. All the taste is on the front of the tongue. Black pepper, green pepper, vegetable notes, hint of tobacco and forest floor. No red/blue/black fruits. Not a bad flavor, but hits a single note. No orchestra.

A little disappointing. I knew this had good pro reviews and I had accumulated 6 bottles over the last year without opening. Just saw it for $100 on Last Bottle so thought I would open one up and see if I should get more.

I have loved everything I’ve had from ToKalon, but I saw a recent note that the Mondavi ToKalon is close, but a different vineyard. I know this is still too early to open, so I can’t expect too much. I don’t have enough experience to judge whether this will dramatically improve as it ages or not.

I will see what happens on my five bottles in the future. I won’t be buying more.

3/13/2021 - schott Likes this wine:

Popped and poured with no decant. We expected that this might be over the hill. We found that it was soft, very well balanced, and with a long finish. It might be missing the initial punch it had when younger, but a very nice bottle.

2/12/2021 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Aerated in decanter 90 minutes, followed over the following 2 hours. Bold, deep and rich, this is a classic for the ages. Powerful, very fine tannins, and lots of layers of red/dark red fruits on a background of soil and forest notes. Elegance and power in an exceptionally structured package. I think I'll wait another 4-6 years minimum even if this was a lot of fun today. highly recommended

http://www.italianwine.blog

2/13/2021 - schott Likes this wine:

This wine has been stored properly since we received it. Popped and poured without decant. Lighter ruby/garnet red. Light legs. Relative to other Sonoma Pinots this is a lighter wine. Is it past its prime? Hard to say since I did not test it earlier. Still enjoyable as a lighter Pinot which I personally enjoy.

8/19/2020 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

PnP, tasted after 1 and 3 hours glass time. Impenetrable, black/mahogany color with deep purple edge. Very minor sediment. Thick, long, stained legs. Wow, this is weird stuff and not at all what I was expecting considering a white grape. Definitely a dessert wine (if you call this wine), similar to port or sherry but without the strong barrel influence. For sure the most intense, concentrated, powerful drink of this type I've ever had. Unbelievably complex and varied tasting traits, fig, ripe plum, prune, liquorish, tobacco, apricot, earth. Very strong, so much so I could hardly deal with the big boozy nose. Rich, thick, creamy with still hints of fruit and acid. Mouth coating finish that lasts forever. Almost too strong for my tastes but so worth trying. Special as it's my birth year and celebrating my 65 birthday. This will age forever if properly stored. Hard to say if there was anything off as I just don't know. Unreal experience. Bottled in 2014, just under 17%. I can not rate this. $225 through wine broker.

3/8/2019 - air guitar & pinot noir wrote:

I don’t know really what to think as this is the first Cirq bottle I have opened and consumed. Clearly I had high expectations based upon the price point of the wine as well as the occasion of my wedding anniversary. It seemed like the perfect time to experience this bottle. It started out very tight and restrained. The nose was dusty rose, herbs and cherry wood. The palate was tart and clipped. It seemed like the structure was there and the components for success, but upon the first few sips I was non plussed. I exhibited patience and walked away to allow some air and time to unlock more. Upon revisiting there was only a slight discernible difference. It had smoothed out some, but it had already unfolded. The fruit seemed a bit tired and reticent- not even integrated, but rather absent. Was there a flaw in this bottle? Had I set the bar of my expectations too high? Unfortunately, in any case the bar was not reached, let alone cleared. Sadly I can think of outstanding wine I have in my collection that I could have had two bottles more of at the price point of this one bottle

10/17/2018 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine:

After trying several bottles of the 100-point 1946 in the past, tonight we opened a birthday bottle of 1955 for a friend. This vintage maintained the gossamer palate, perfect sweetness, and light body of the 1946 without quite as much magical spice. Still a beautiful wine if you're willing to pony up the tariff. Certainly great for a birth-year treat.

3/19/2018 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

Pw/2 hr. decant. Clear, med ruby/purple. High intensity nose. Med body, well developed and integrated. Nice fruit, tannins fine and resolved with a touch of tartness on the finish. Paired well with Lasagna. Nothing off. $67

12/28/2017 - bemeyer Does not like this wine:

Very disappointed. Berries are light and out of balance

12/6/2017 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

PnP, room temp, no decant. Clear, med purple/ruby color and legs. Med to full intensity nose. A continuation of CA style change from a decade ago. What used to be from the more premier producers was a fat, powerful, highly extracted product. Although the power is still there, this bottle drank much leaner with less cola, more red fruit and plenty of acidity. Good integration and balance, this will easily hold for years. Delicious, a wine you won't tire of drinking. Nothing off. $73

4/15/2017 - schott Likes this wine:

A gift bottle. Properly stored in 2 cellars. Cork broke in half on opening - not soft, wet or otherwise rotten - typical stain level for the age. Significant sediment in neck and on cork. Decanted. Quite dark and opaque violet red. Zero bricking visible. Significant alcohol on nose initially. Initial taste on opening is very promising. In decanter for 2 1/2 hours. Alcohol has diminished, but still medium high. Great dark fruit, cola, coffee, and aromatic spice. Tanins very resolved and really perfect now in my opinion. Medium to short length on finish. This was a very good bottle and not the least bit too old. Perfect with steak, potatoes au gratin, asparagus, and dark chocolate for dessert. Drinking very well now. 91-92 pts.

4/3/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Stunning. Tasted today during the Grandi Langhe event in Neive. In a room full of Barbaresco wines from dozens of producers, showing many vintages (to show a vertical context), this wine was in a category all its own. Electric was the word that kept repeating in my head, this is so fresh, so balanced. This may be my favorite new release classico in the past decade; likely even more than that. It's thrilling. Medium-bodied with great cut, the layers of red fruit come with plenty of citrus and pomegranate/strawberry aromas and flavors. If you're a fan of this house, I strongly suggest you consider multiple cases. May well end up being one of those wines that's always going to be on point; a life of 20+ years should be no problem at all. A masterpiece of freshness, structure and elegance. highly recommended+

https://ItalianWine.blog

2/19/2017 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

PnP, chilled. Clear, light straw color. Nice nose. This was beautiful stuff. Good Chard characteristics, bright, intense, powerful. Slight stony edge, minor oak, well balanced and integrated. Better as it had more air time. Long fruity finish. Well done, nothing off. $69

3/17/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Searing acidity now, this is good, but could approach very good with another year or two in the cellar; light>med salmon color. Always reliable, and always over-delivers its very modest price, this shows excellent balance, and offers a tasty blend that slightly favors fruit over soil; excellent food wine. I have one left to try before deciding whether or not to buy a case, and I'm going to aerate it to decanter for an hour and make my decision based on that showing. As it stands now, I am likely to repurchase, but if it shows as I think it might with enough aeration, I will certainly repurchase. Precise and understated BDX blend in this rosé. Thru 2022. recommended

Screwcap, served non-blind.

1/26/2017 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

Stupendous, like always.

12/25/2016 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

PnP. Clear, deep dark purple. Nose of big, concentrated dark fruit. At first pour, sight funk and excess extraction which blew off in literally minutes. The change was dramatic. Super balanced/integrated, clean for a big wine, proper black fruit and correct Malbec taste. Ideal drinking window. Smooth and perfect with Bone-In Prime Rib Roast. Med to full body and med finish. No hint of harsh/bitterness, often found with lesser Malbec. Excellent drinking, nothing off. Good value, $17

10/5/2016 - Tim Heaton Does not like this wine:

A friend insisted, had to share, they said. A travesty, on every level. I gagged, more than once, and was unable to finish the glass. What a sad, sad commentary.

9/19/2016 - COWineLover wrote:

Opened and slow oxidized for about 90 minutes from 55 degree cellar. The aromas on this were very promising. This has great definition with cassis, saddle leather, charcoal, incense, lilac, and crushed black cherry.

What followed next was an incredibly disjointed wine. This started out with tart red berries, sour cherry, and slightly dry tannin. This was hollow after the tart/sour notes faded with nothing to show as this had a modest chalky note into the finish. No complexity and nothing noteworthy.

The aromas here are a pure tease. Very disappointing and a very poor QPR. I can't believe I was waiting to open this bottle for over five years. A huge letdown.

Will see if it can develop overnight, but I am not optimistic.

Day 2 - Modestly improved on the palate overnight though this remains hollow and uninspiring given the price. Similar to some 2007 Beringer single vineyards, and Hall Cabernet from 2007, I am starting to doubt the fanfare bestowed on the 2007 CA wines. Score 87.

7/30/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Taking a moment to get caught up on some notes for wines that have stayed (read: haunted) with me since tasting at various times this year. In the instant case, we have a wine that really schooled me. I had no idea a Banyuls could last this long and be this good. Holy smokes, this is a masterpiece as all the components have not only survived > 50 years, they're totally on point. Full-bodied, in the best of (read: resolved, harmonious, with excellent depth) ways, this has another 5 -- or 10 years ahead of it. Having said that, I'm reminded I was already schooled once, this could live another 40 years, what do I know. In closing, we all know Banyuls and chocolate pair well. But what most don't know, is just how magical a 50+ yr old Banyuls and chocolate pair. Wowsers (and not for its age, purely on what was in the glass). recommended

Served non-blind; maybe I got lucky and our bottle was in better shape than the one BA had, sure seems so.

8/30/2016 - domco wrote:

Confirms that we just don't love the KB's. A bit too big, alcohol coming through.

8/30/2016 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

PnP chilled. Clear, bright med straw. Clean, bold and fruity nose. Full body and flavor. Strong acid, profile of tart green apples, touch of oak/vanilla, lemon. Clean, sharp finish. Classic big CA Chard. Paired w/ bacon wrapped scallops and mussels. Balanced and integrated but will hold easily yet for years. Nothing off. $69

5/27/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Love the exciting color; the marriage of underbrush and sweet fruits is equally as exciting, though it's far from reaching the apogee of its complexity. And even though this was Audozed overnight, this was still holding back - I suggest at least 7-8 years of rest; if your cellar is cold, let it rest for 15. Served blind, I guessed the producer, but not the vintage. What an unexpected treat, and a great way to wind up a 3 month long tour of Italy's wine regions.

4/5/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Destemmed, all in stainless, powerful peachy fruit on then nose, has that salty tang. With a big salty mid palate, incredible, this is a very good vineyard. On yellow soils, that is really lovely. He thinks maybe its a wine making style but man, that is good stuff.

5/5/2016 - Tom Warden Likes this wine:

This is an exceptional RRV Pinot. Rich with fruit, a bit of minerality to keep it from going over the top. WS rated this at 91 points... I am starting to lose my faith in their CA Pinot ratings as a result. Count me as grateful for having it in my cellar. It will likely get better over the next few years but don't be afraid to have some now.

5/5/2016 - Parkster Likes this wine:

Loved the berries and floral bouquet. Mid-palette was a bit flat for me and finish was missing some structure. I definitely did not get the kind of satisfaction as the other reviewers but then again, my palette also leans towards the classic burgundies with a well structured finish. Going to let it breath for longer next time as it only decanted for about an hour before we drank it

4/26/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

An epic masterpiece. The type of wine that immediately becomes an experience, transporting you to that special, private place that is somewhere in between your mind and infinity. Words alone cannot express the beauty within, the purity that reaches out and takes your hand and says follow me - but you've already surrendered as you would to anything so noble, so virtuous. Buy all you can find. One of the greatest expressions of Sangiovese I've ever encountered. very highly recommended

Opened just 30 minutes before tasting at the winery with my new friends Carlo Lisini Baldi and Ludovica Lisini. This wine will be released in July, their 2010 Brunello Riserva, in September.

https://italianwine.blog/

4/19/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Ok, here's the story for this wine that I had to create in CT - it's in Gaiole, in the heart of Chianti Classico if you will, and it's vinified by the Enoteca I bought it from, Montagnani. The woman here, most likely one of the owners, as I could hear her TV in the adjoining living room - of her house/store (damn I love Italy!) doesn't speak a word of English, but after I'd bought a few bottles of semi-famous names (also ones that I really like), I asked her to pick one, and it had to be traditionally made. I told her I didn't care who made it or how much it cost, it had to be good, and it had to be traditionally made. She picked this wine, and honestly, I never even looked at the label, until I got back to my place about 30km from her, and realized they made it and sold it - their own private label. With all that out of the way, this little €8 bottle was the bomb. Rustic, feral, perfectly ripe in the best of old school ways. A touch of brett that yields after the first glass to new leather, dusty earth, day old cherries, and old leaves. Nothing fancy about it, nothing overly complex, but the honesty here - the transparency, the acidity - is so engaging, so satisfying. Grown, not made. Rant/note over. 13,0% abv. thru 2022, highly recommended

PnP, served over two days (fantastic! with Parm-Regg btw), with consistent results. Natural cork.

https://italianwine.blog/

3/20/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

An absolute wow wine, couple that with the fact that it was just €28 off the list at San Giorgio e il Drago in Randazzo (honestly, where can you buy a perfectly aged, beautiful wine that's in its sweet spot just now for that kind of money - read: GET yourself to Sicily!). This was full of beautiful, savory, smokey tertiary notes with a gentle, almost feminine mixture of red and black fruits. The medium-bodied palate is full, dense, but also weightless thanks to loads of fresh acidity and fine tannic build. I could drink this every night - all the more reason to let your Nerello Mascalese/Etna wines get some good bottle age on them. highly recommended.

Served non-blind, PnP.

https://italianwine.blog/

1/15/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Wow, what a beautiful, exciting wine. Crystalline straw, big watery edge. Explosive aromas of lime pith, seashells, green apples and the nearly fully-hidden touches of honey and slate. Dry, with excellent balance of acid and fruit, i.e. not any enamel peeling going on here; light>medium-bodied. This has moderate structure but is clearly meant for consumption today and over the next year or two. If i were teaching a class on entry-level Riesling trocken, this is my bar. Another TT homerun. 12,0% abv., highly recommended

Screw N Pour, served non-blind.

12/27/2015 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

When this wine was first released, the 14,8% abv on the label had me worried. Well, after 90 minutes of aeration in decanter and over the following 90 minutes that it was enjoyed, this never once showed EtOH or ripeness/jam, etc. Instead, this was lovely cool-climate, red fruits tossed with earth and a handful of mushrooms. Just the slightest bit of tart cranberry on the lengthy, cool and very classy finish. Going to see if there is more I can buy, as this was just great. recommended, drink thru 2019

Served non-blind.

12/27/2015 - Tim Heaton wrote:

My wife called it a fruit bomb - I'm not sure I'd go so far; ripe, certainly but balanced for what it is, too. This 2011 bottling contains 28% Cabernet Franc, with as much richness and sweetness as one would expect from both the label/producer and the region. Ripe red fruits dominate, with a backbone of black fruits and glossy, sweet tannins providing the frame. 14,9% abv noticeable on PnP, and fully resolved thereafter. I preferred this on night 2 as the sweetness seemed to have integrated more. Just ten barrels produced. Good now and for the next 5-7 years.

PnP, served non-blind and consumed over 2 nights.

12/27/2015 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

jvg's note is spot-on. This is better (for my palate) on the warmer end of the spectrum. Corn, sweet peas, sea bed/oyster shell, it's all here. Nicely fruited and very ready for drinking. 12,0% abv., recommended

SnP, served non-blind as an aperitif; a Michael Skurnik import.

12/24/2015 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

Crisp, clean and bright, this is mineral-driven and cut like a stone. Disgorged only 11 mos ago, this could use another year or two to soften up, or if you prefer (as I do), drink now. Very good value at $60, and excellent as an aperitif.

This was allowed to breathe in bottle for 30 minutes before serving.

12/10/2015 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

Pw/4 hr decant. Clear w/some minor sediments. Med purple/ruby/black cherry color. Nice intense nose. Good intensity for an 11 vintage. Balanced, integrated, med body, nice CA Pinot fruit, not over exacted or lean. One of the better wines from this vintage. Nothing off. $59

11/5/2015 - Barry Notes Likes this wine:

P/24 hrs prior, decanted and returned to bottle. Clear, very slight thin sediment. Med/deep purple color. Nice big nose. Med/full body classic tasting GdLT. Moderate tannins, needs more time to balance/integrate. Keep for 3 more years. Nothing off. Gift.

11/6/2015 - Tim Heaton wrote:

Held since release to find it's riddled with VA. Going to take another look on night 2 as it was not at all approachable on this night. 13,5% abv

Aerated to decanter 1 hr, returned to bottle and served non-blind 2 hours later.

10/31/2015 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:

A dark ruby core with no sign of age. Acids are still fresh and the fruit and tannins are ripe and balanced - this is in a nice place, and will no doubt stay there for another 8-10 yrs of pleasurable drinking. It began on the lighter side of full-bodied, but gained layers and complexity with each successive glass; last glass was the best, 2 hours in. Proved a perfect match for wood-grilled filets of beef with Butcher's rub. 14,2% abv. recommended

Slow-ox 3 hours, served non-blind. You may want to decant for sediment as there's plenty there.

7/25/2015 - Tim Heaton wrote:

held since release only to find it's corked. so pissed.

7/26/2015 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine:

SO nice to break away from the Burgundy vortex every now and then…..this has always been a fan fav for me…..Pauillac on the cheap back in the day…….can't believe its been 6 yrs since my last bottle of this? Still very youthful….smooth and silky, yet still firm with a dusty tannic grip. Might not be fully open for biz just yet…..still statuesque….but the flavors are totally tasty Bordeaux…leather, pencil lead, smoked nuts, dried currants, raspberry, licorice, purple flowers, dusty cedar spice……super smooth feel…then kicker of spice and dried fruit finish. SO fun to sip on…..and more interesting than most Ca. cabs. Plenty more in the tank on this one…wish I had another case!

7/15/2015 - mflesh wrote:

This wine didn't show well tonight and it's definitely not because it's DONE, but it was just very restained and had a very thin presentation. Uncorked to a very lovely gingerbread cookie and blackberry and baking spice on both the very dark stained cork and on the nose. Poured a deep maroon into the glass. Decanted about an hour and served over an hour. Nose was actually the nicest part of this wine. Upon the entry, it was flat. Fruit seemed to be there, but not as punchy. A little while back I was thrilled to enjoy a 2006 of this wine, and it was 1000% more dense and complex than this was. It wasn't corked. It still had a nice middle, a good finish, but was just subdued. I really wish I had another few of these so that I could open another one next year, and then the year after that. No such is luck. Seemed to get perhaps a bit more interesting towards the second hour but was still a little underwhelming. I am not going to lie, I am a little disappointed in this wine tonight, but reserve a rating as I think (compared to library vintages) that this one is just in a strange place. Drink with caution at present, or decant 3+ hours (perhaps that's what this one needs is a ton of air at present).

1/24/2015 - StefanAkiko wrote:

Epic bubbles (blinded) (Zorg's place, Umeå, Sweden): Soap bubbles, autolysis (the unclean version) that renders the nose a big question mark for me.
Much better on the palate. Balanced. Acid-driven (far too high levels for my taste).

5/28/2015 - Tim Heaton wrote:

An utter disappointment in that it didn't speak Nebbiolo to me, nor did it speak Langhe. Muddled red fruits, with all too brief moments of floral perfume. Instead, (over) ripe berries, and a full mouth-feel. This is (more akin to) a cocktail wine, not something I want when reaching for a wine from Barolo region. I've saved 1/3 of the bottle, and will revisit on the second day, with updates if this somehow manages to redeem itself. Tasting this wine four years after its release is like running into the High School quarterback at the 25yr reunion to find he's 150lbs overweight with a face so red it's the color of a Christmas stocking, and remarking to yourself that 'he's really let himself go'. 15,0% abv.

Aerated to decanter 1 hr, served non-blind at cellar temp.

https://italianwine.blog/