1/18/2014 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Striking label... For the price it was decent... It was a bit washed out on the nose - definite fruit - but bit non-descript. Fast legs / hot wine with a bit of a rush upfront - higher in alcohol - and the flavors were also a bit washed on the palette, then (finish) all of the sudden - it was gone.... Its a decent wine for the price - but not something one would use with expensive cheeses. Tried with 3 yr old NY Cheddar - wasn't the best choice, but worked well with spicy bread dip and garlic/blue cheese.

10/28/2007 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

2007 Magnum - Very Good - Heavy and Full Bodied definate STEAK vino - hearty - long long long finish, but color had started to go, and on the nose it was weaker than expected, would have neared 90 had color and nose held. Tobacco, pepper, smokey...

10/23/2011 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

20111023 MKE - Butch's Old Casino Steak House...
Bit young, as it acted more like a Cab Sav vs. Zin. Was still worthy - as untainted on palette with a woody bite, matched well with the purist fillet - it didn't have the bold finish most zins do, but was still nice. Pd 45 - no regrets, just with it had another couple of years to bring out more of the zin bit and flavors. However, it wasn't a hot wine as most young zins are. Complexity was limited by cool service - it didn't warm to newer flavors - but stayed at its baseline - which was still pleasant... Tar, slight mocha/java, bit of sweetness on initial, but flowed through tannins (slight) and woody/earthy undertones...

4/6/2013 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Had lost its color. Great Aroma but non-distinct floral. Long on palette bit tart, very dry. Only hints of Leather, stone, bit of licorice... Would have been much better 5 yrs ago. Guess it would have been in the high 80's a few years ago, perhaps even more... Snoozed and lost...

2/28/1995 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Seemed under ripened - needed a few years...
Color was intense, on the nose cedar, vanilla...
On the tongue it lacked the same enthusiasm, but the finish was almost buttery with berry undertones.

4/4/2008 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

May have waited a year too much - color was off, as was the nose...
Still was full bodied, with tar and currant, bit of leather and... stoney... bang for the buck. Not too much change on the tongue or nose as it warmed.

5/12/2013 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Great bouquet... Flat on the tongue though... Hints of certain items, but very unpronounced.
Perhaps a year or two more...

2/14/2012 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

Nice finish - smooth - lots of berries, perhaps some vanilla... Definitely full bodied - great deal.

10/1/2005 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

Very nice wine - nice tannins, pepper, currant, with a touch of chocolate. Might have been more defined in a couple of years - still was great. Often the wines age better in larger volumes, as I've had the same from a 750ml and it wasn't as good...

1/13/2012 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Purchased 4 bottles in 97, drank on 2000, one 2003, one 2007, and this one. Should have drank this on in 05-07, and although it would easily stand up to most shelf bought Pinots - it was better a few years back (you never know when you might get lucky)...

She had lost about 20% of her color and the bouquet wasn't very pronounced. On the palette she was still good, as that which edged her in color and smell, didn't effect the taste.

Still not burgundy earthy, but better than most $15-20 grocery store Oregon Pinots.

On the initial - tip of the tongue - it was strange, almost like alloy for a moment... subtle but enough to draw a bit of attention. Had a big mid-punch of vine berries and a bit of 'root'. Finish was smooth but short. Still liked it, just remember the earlier bottle.

10/21/2011 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

deep garnet color with soft edges - bouquet was heavy with age - even a bit acidic, but still notes of wet floral... it was exceptional on the tongue and changed from a woody bite upfront with a minor tone of current, to berries with earthy undertones when it warmed... complex - although it was a bit empty in the midst of the taste - the finish was long and pronounced. Would have been even better a few years ago. Not too many inexpensive wines give such a transitional surprise, for which I think I may have given a few too it for that...

8/4/2004 - BrettMansdorf wrote:

Decent low cost white for summer's eve on the deck. Light, not complex, nor deceptive. Had with vegy's and fruit.

12/18/2010 - BrettMansdorf Likes this wine:

Hint of Tobacco & more of currents, smooth. Liked it very much (with soft cheeses). Longer finish vs. previous bottle two years prior. Color was still good, but had lost something vs. previous - but what it lacked in color, the finish improved. Although edged towards the downhill run - overall, preferred this bottle versus its predecessor.