8/5/2008 - Colima74 wrote:

You haven't seen her in a while and aren't sure what to expect. She's older now, and you can't help but wonder if the age will show and how you will feel about it. Well, you needn't have worried. She seems as young and fresh as the first time you met. It's hard to believe, really. You would be hard pressed to guess her age. And, yes, she smells as nice as your remember...maybe better. How does she do it? It's hard not to fall for her all over again.

2/27/2010 - Colima74 wrote:

Opened at Legend Cellars party. Showing its age a bit, but still lots of life. Mature fruit, but still enough tannin and acidity to make this interesting. Great value at $25

8/4/2010 - Colima74 wrote:

This was hitting on all cylinders tonite. Did not betray its age at all. Nice red fruit with background tannins and structure. Nicely integrated and full flavored, this was CA Cab at its best. Great buy from WTSO recently. At China Panda with white wine group.

9/18/2014 - Colima74 Likes this wine:

Excellent color, big acidity on opening. Plenty of red fruit with expected Bordeaux secondary flavors. Very well structured. Drunk with 1999 Heitz Martha's. Both very nice with years ahead of them.

10/25/2008 - Colima74 wrote:

Dinner at Cal Poly, all pre-1995 wines. Fruit still bright, no visible signs of aging. Wonderful secondary flavors that one associates with bdx. A joy to try over 3 hours.

2/23/2007 - Colima74 wrote:

Taken to Eldon's Pets tasting...notes to follow...

12/12/2014 - Colima74 Likes this wine:

Absolutely delicious. Bright and lively flavors, in perfect balance. A hint of anise on the finish adds to the complexity.

Excellent. I could drink this every day.

7/8/2014 - Colima74 Likes this wine:

Red fruit and right amount of acid. Still young, but fully resolved and smooth as silk. Serve at cellar temp. Delicious.

At Kobe's in PS with Henry and Brenda.

3/21/2017 - Colima74 wrote:

Yet another SI that is damaged. Real corks please. Or screwcaps.

2/25/2015 - Jonathan T Likes this wine:

I've had a bottle of the 2003 or 2004 Reva or both in each of the last few years, and the 2004 has consistently lagged behind the 2003. Not today. The 2004 Reva has caught up, and was absolutely mesmerizing today. This was a particularly fantastic bottle, purchased retail, and it was simply popped and poured. It was incredibly pure, fresh juicy red and blue fruits, surrounded by game meats, finely ground white pepper, grilled tomatoes, lavender, thyme. The exotic floral notes in particular kept evolving through the duration of the meal. The nose blew me away and the finish lasted an eternity. Texturally it was liquid velvet. I am shocked by the alcohol content on the label. There was less noticeable heat on this than just about every Saxum I've ever had.

11/5/2014 - Paul Lin wrote:

Brought this to dinner at Morton's to go head-to-head against the 2005 Abreu Thorevilos. Decanted both but both were pretty much ready to go right out of the gate. The Futo, which I thought was going to get smashed by the Abreu, held its own, but not in a way that I had expected. It was bright, cheerful, and voluptuous: the wine equivalent of Kate Upton. The nose is what made so distinctive. It smelled like Smarties — you know, those pastel-colored candies you used to eat as a kid. But there was also gobs of vanilla, raspberries, mint, red licorice, and creme de cassis — on both the nose and the palate. Rich, decadent, and delicious. Long finish. The only thing that it suffers from is too much heat; otherwise I would have scored it higher. But for lovers of big in-your-face wines, this is a real treat. Shared tastes with somm and a few of the servers. Each one, without fail, uttered the same thing: "WOW!"

8/26/2014 - Wine Canuck wrote:

A Visit to Arcadian Winery (Lompoc, CA): I found this wine to be absolutely spectacular. The intoxicating nose is wildly complex of baking spice, ash, tar, blood orange, strawberry, soil, sawdust, nutmeg, soy sauce, beef broth, undergrowth, anise and incense. At a beautiful stage of maturity today, the elements of whole cluster have almost completely integrated. Palate is pure silk, very low tannin, with wonderful red fruit. Finish is long. A wine that you can smell and taste for hours, and is burned into your brain for months. I figured I would be way out in left field with this score, but I always strive to call them like I see them. While not many are quite as high as me, it is comforting to see Keith Levenberg even higher at 97. Looks like we're on the same page here. A stunning wine and my highest rating ever for a California Pinot Noir. A wonderfully savoury, old world styled Pinot Noir.

10/20/2014 - Purple Tooth wrote:

Being a Bordeaux junkie, I can not even pretend to possess the delicate palate that I feel is needed to pick champagne apart and enjoy. But I must say that every time I have had the pleasure of sipping vintage Champagne from Tattinger, in the form of a Blanc de Blancs, even a Champagne dummy like me is moved, enlightened, and inspired.

The wine component is pure, yet rich. The richness has a very creamy, caressing mouthfeel that carried into and through the long, rich finish.

The Champagne component is bright, and crisp, with the acidity in perfect check to bring freshness and balance out all the richness from the wine.

Just fan-freaking-tastic!

10/19/2014 - Purple Tooth wrote:

This wine has reminded me to be patient. I have always enlisted the discipline of waiting for 10 years before opening a promising bottle of Bordeaux, but curiosity gets the best of me.
An attention demanding nose of cold graphite and steel, with seriously snobbish elegance. The appearance is very polished, with a syrupy, yet transparent core, that behaves like mercury in the glass. The flavor profile was one of sweet plum and ripe cherries wrapped in sandalwood, with the graphite component buzzing in the front and in the back. The finish was quite long, with grip that became stronger with air, suggesting long life ahead. Very elegant and a brilliant Paulliac. I hope that Bordeaux doesn't abandon this classic style of wine making and give way to the bigger wines it has been producing in the recent years..
This wine has come a LONG way in a year. I feel it has bloomed, but it has much more to give. By the way, this was a little 375!

10/10/2014 - Neecies wrote:

Stewed fruit, simplistic, lighter body. Nothing here showed syrah typicity and it's a wreck as an example of California syrah in general and Arcadian quality in particular. Took to a wine lunch with friends and was totally embarrassed. Possible heat damage? Hate to admit I have two more bottles. Oh woe.

3/29/2014 - Paul Lin wrote:

This wine is in a really good spot right now. Required an hour decant to blow off some residual signs of reduction, but after that it was singing. Surprised to find notes of ripe black cherries and black plum as this wine showed more cranberry and pomegranate in its youth. But I'm not complaining, as I loved it. Supple on the palate. Kind of short on the finish. No heat. Not a really complex wine, but very yummy nonetheless.

12/29/2013 - Amerique wrote:

effervescent, closed, chalky

5/7/2014 - Jonathan T Likes this wine:

This is really delicious. This is quintessential, impeccably made, Santa Rita Hills pinot noir. It doesn't remind me of Burgundy, but it's exquisite in its own way. At the start on the palate, it's dark cherry, pomegranate, dried plums. Then follows layers of asian five spice and hoisin. On the finish, I recognize what others have described as bitter stemminess. For me, it's brussels sprouts and root vegetables that I do enjoy. There is a little heat that is noticeable, but for my palate, I didn't find it distracting. One taster who was familiar with Kistler, Williams-Selyem, Sea Smoke, thought it was the best pinot she's ever had. I wouldn't go that far, but I do think it's the best Melville I've ever had. I have one more '05 Carrie's in a large format, and I can't wait to taste this again.

5/2/2014 - AllRed wrote:

Aromas of iron, red currants, plum and dark fruit. Medium-bodied, with red berries and plum, with spice and a slight vegetal tone on the finish. Would not have guessed Pinot.

4/28/2014 - BRR Likes this wine:

Very nice Chardonnay but, I have to say, I might prefer the While Hill to this. This was, however, my first Golden Slope, so I'm going to have to sample much more than one to formulate a solid opinion. Oh darn.

So much of what I love about the WH bottling (the nervy acidity, the brisk mouthfeel, the minerality) were all less pronounced in this. I noticed more oak, more suppleness, with great citrus and stone fruit flavors. I guess it was more closely aligned with prototypical upper-end Cali Chardonnay than I felt the truly standout White Hill is. Still, very good, but I'm not positive I think it's worth the extra coin. Hmmm...

4/2/2014 - Patrik H Likes this wine:

On the nose, Gun powder, honey, rubber, toast and a fresh summer wind over a summer meadow that hits you straight in the nose.
On the palate, A certain smokiness, almonds, sweet rubber, hint of mineral and yellow apples. The acidity is very present and at this time i would let the bottles rest for a couple of years.
Long finish

3/17/2014 - mye wrote:

Compared to the White Hill.. not as aromatic on the nose.. a bit more tropical and rich.. notes of oak as well which the WH did not have.
I think i'm a bigger fan of the WH although this is delish as well.

3/18/2014 - Simplyterry wrote:

A bit past it's prime. Really good citrus fruit.

2/28/2014 - Screameagle Likes this wine:

Another great bottle that is definitely continuing to be in it's prime. I bought a case of this wine upon release and have loved every bottle. 3 bottles to go plus a mag and no rush to drink them. This wine has high alcohol but fortunately doesn't show it when drinking at room temperature. 2006 is not a good year for wine however I have drank many of them that I have liked including this cab.

2/21/2014 - Paul Lin wrote:

At 8 years old, this wine is still bursting with youthful vigor. Taut and edgy upon opening, it needs at least 30 minutes in a decanter to loosen up and settle down. Displays a dense, lively core of grilled plums, boysenberries, black raspberries, beef blood, licorice, and tar. The wonderfully rich palate, however, is thrown slightly off balance by the rather acidic and angular finish. A really enjoyable wine nonetheless.

4/22/2010 - Colima74 wrote:

Still young, and when popped and poured it showed the Rosella's grapefruit and spices. Great nose. On day 2, there was a bit more dark red fruit, so I'm not sure what to make of this. Will it age gracefully or should I drink my other bottle soon?

3/10/2013 - WetRock wrote:

Very dark in character for a Grenache blend though I do not know the percentages versus the Carignan and Syrah. Fleshy and almost chewy with a good dose of soft tannin late. There is plenty of sediment telling me the filtering is minimal. Generous fruit and decent complexity. Very nice if you like darker, robust styled Rhone blends. There is certainly no rush to drink this as it seems very young and has the fruit concentration to go long but there is variation in the TN's here so that may give one pause for further aging. And it's open enough to drink anytime. Good stuff.

1/22/2012 - JonGray wrote:

Gift from Fed's parents way back with Fed was here. Drank with Federico and the Croneys the Thursday before Mike's wedding - great after dinner drink - like port with a grape skin finish. Very nice!

12/25/2013 - jasonh Likes this wine:

A simple note on a Christmas starter. This is coming along nicely. Aromatics are very lively. Nice white fruits and some grass notes but no one thing sticking out above the other. On the palate I would say tasty, balanced, nice texture and maybe a bit of sweetness. Really easy to drink on its own but matches of with food perfectly.

12/10/2013 - OCgasman wrote:

Disgorged in 2012. Obviously very young, but drank really great. Fantastic bouquet, succulent fruit. Loved this tonight.

11/1/2013 - Colima74 wrote:

Wow. I opened this nearly 8 months ago! I remember thinking, this is ok, maybe a little rough. While rearranging my drinks cabinet, I found this in the back. Oh oh.

Nope. No oh oh. Delightful. Smooth and creamy with slightly sweet red fruit. And it goes amazing well with TJ's Ridge Cut crisps. And on it's own too.

Glad to have a few more bottles.

10/30/2013 - NickBurwood wrote:

Corney & Barrow Tasting at Millbank Tower. Brief notes.
Flattered to deceive. Jammy strawberry/red fruit aromas showed potential, but excessive greenness on the palate and an overdone oakiness took away any pleasure and masked any residual fruit that may have been present. Verging on the faulty.
£29.95 per bottle; no way!! Wouldn't pay £5.00 for this.

SUBSEQUENTLY: Clearly this bottle must have flawed based on comments received, so I now reserve judgement to another day.

7/18/2013 - Todd French wrote:

I'm guessing all these have long since passed their viable drinking windows.

8/6/2013 - Jonathan T Likes this wine:

The one adjective my dining companion used was "ethereal". My first thought was "fruit purity". The intoxicating nose seamlessly transitions to the bright red fruits that envelope the palate in silk. The flavors were authentic in a way I rarely find in Cali pinots. This was not cherry pie, or cherry cola. This was grazing perfectly ripe cherries at the farmer's market. The analogue in the culinary world would be a chef who starts with the freshest ingredients and then gets out of the way. The wine must have given us subconscious cues as we skipped the cheese course and opted for a plate of simply sauteed chanterelles that were a heavenly pairing. Burg aficionados may quible that this Echezeax is simplistic and lacks some of the depth and complexity of the finest Grand Crus. Perhaps. But, the components of the wine were so in balance with nothing out of place. In my opinion, this wine is "simple" in the same way that great risotto is "simply" cheese and rice. Consumed at Marche Moderne in Costa Mesa. Bottle purchased on release from Premier Cru.

9/24/2013 - Jonathan T Likes this wine:

Not too shabby for presumably a 2nd-tier producer. Definitely shows its Grand Cru pedigree from an excellent vintage. Complex, old world flavor profile that doesn't remind me of any Cali pinot. The only thing "new world" about this wine is that the fruit was perfectly ripe and not lean as Burg can sometimes be from lesser vintages and less esteemed vineyards. The flavors are expansive beginning with red and dark fruits and continuing with earthy notes of dried mushrooms and forest floor. The finish is a wonderful tea-smoked duck. And everything delivered with subtlety and grace. This wine has been impressive each time I've tasted it, but I sense that it's only begun its evolutionary ascent. The secondary characteristics may add more intellectual value to the wine, but I find it quite delicious right now and have no regrets opening my final bottle of this wine. Consumed at R+D Kitchen in Newport Beach.

9/5/2013 - Neecies Likes this wine:

Finally. FINALLY! Finally one of these 99 LB's actually tastes like real wine that deserves to be drunk. I've wasted countless bottles, finding no one home when others said this vintage was drinking well. This time, it was all there. Will still reward further cellaring.

8/28/2013 - gregg g wrote:

Totally different than my previous bottle last year. This was purchased in the OC. It was sweeter and more like a non descript chunky RRV pinot. I have a few more I got from John, so hopefully it will show that tart cranberry seamless PN I grew to love.

8/8/2013 - Floyd77 Likes this wine:

A luscious, seductive wine. Cherry, licorice (twizzlers, not anise), and lots of red fruit. The label says 14.5 percent alcohol, but no obvious heat. Elegant -- complex and layers of depth, but not overly concentrated. This wine has the structure to age, but is drinking great right now. It is hard to imagine it getting better than this. Incredible.

7/29/2013 - Colima74 Likes this wine:

Drinking brilliantly. Floral notes on nose, unctuous mouth feel. Stone fruit and minerality with the right balance of acid. We powered thru the bottle at lunch.

5/21/2013 - jackchaput wrote:

I am the winemaker and i would like to say thanks for all your comments on this website. My pleasure is your pleasure. Wine is sharing...
I have uploaded some new pictures for all our wines. Do not hesitate to post news about our wines. Sorry for my approximative english !!!

4/30/2013 - DaleW wrote:

, quite nice, very full, good crispness, tropical fruit with citrus peel and mineral. Nice length. Pretty sure I wouldn’t guess SB blind. B+

4/24/2013 - yofog wrote:

There's some real body here, and very mineral! Like someone dissolved some rock dust in the bottle. Quite complete.

4/2/2013 - Lord Rodney wrote:

This wine was slightly over the hill. Drinkable but tired and too many notes of prunes. Alas.

3/31/2013 - 83AJ wrote:

decent pinot, but all over the map. The blue- berry cab style and toast seem to cover up the elegance. Maybe this will clean up over time, and the best stuff will surface. My plan is to leave the last 12 for at least 5 more years. Or give them away as gifts to Cali burghounds.

3/29/2013 - jwsobeck wrote:

A disappointing bottle. Nothing like the first one I had. Smelled great, but lacked any mid-palate or finish. No acid. Watery.

3/9/2013 - Wine Canuck wrote:

Dave's Super Tasting (3 of 6) (Dave's House): Unfortunately poured into a soap tainted stem. I've really loved this wine in the past, and this time despite the soap it seemed notably more youthful. Interesting. I'll have to try another bottle out.

3/8/2013 - The Drunken Cyclist wrote:

Loring is known for rather big and bombastic wines. Starting with ripe Clos Pepe fruit getting such a wine is not a stretch. Since I generally eschew those blockbusters, I held on to this for a while. I think Brian Loring would agree that he thinks his wines should be consumed young, but this really held up. Sure the fruit was more muted, sure it was not over the top. But it was good. Outstanding even. My type of Pinot.

2/7/2013 - ktrh wrote:

Surprisingly weak and anonymous Musar, consumed a week after the splendid 2005. One of the least impressive vintages of Musar I've tried (two bottles tried with similar results)

12/7/2012 - Ewhite30 wrote:

Having been a proponent of 07s I was looking forward to this bottle, and while good, like others have mentioned it felt a bit out of sorts. Tart nose - raspberries and cherries - which continued on the palate initially... then the green notes took over, but not in a subtle or integrated manner. Maybe everything rounds out with more time?

2/15/2011 - A&C wrote:

This wine did not really stand out. It was rather pedestrian and flat. Nothing offensive. Fine for a during-the-week wine with dinner sort of thing. I don't think I would purchase again.