3/2/2021 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Worth saving.

1/11/2020 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Excellent, right where you want a 12 year old Leonetti to be. Great wine, my wife loved it.

11/23/2019 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I’m not sure if it will ever shed it’s tannin structure or if it will integrate. 3 hours of air, great fruit, a bit unbalanced.

10/18/2019 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

This was much different than previous bottles. Straight from Coravin, all eucalyptus and menthol on nose and palate. My wife said it was like a Halls drop but surprisingly not in a bad way. After 25ish minutes all the secondary flavours crept in and the eucalyptus blended with everything else. The fruit was very minimal which was surprising after the last few bottles. Iron, garrigue, tar, other minerals all came together harmoniously. Even the alcohol blended in well and the acid level kept it very fresh. I’m assuming bottle variation as I couldn’t believe the low to nonexistent level of fruit after knowing this wine well. It was a treat to maybe see where this is going? Still I would have wanted a little more of that luscious dark fruit I’m used to with the Deux Ex Machina.

10/5/2019 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

A beast of a wine. Huge structure, that only mellowed slightly after being open for 2 days. I'd suggest having it with food. Tar, leather, red fruits, acidic and high tannin. I'm not sure this will ever mellow harmoniously but still a pleasure to drink.

10/5/2019 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Coming along nicely. Everything you would expect, deep dark mountain fruit, a higher level of acidity than before but mellows well with air and a med tannin on the finish which are integrating into the wine. A solid wine.

1/24/2019 - Bryan004 Does not like this wine:

This was not what i expected at all. Color was extremely light, nose and palate matched an average Oregon Pinot Noir. I really like CdP, and this was nothing like one.

12/17/2018 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

91+. Still hard tannin. Mnt. Fruit, dark tight berries. Still getting more skin than fruit. Quite good yet still unbalanced. Curious of the future.

11/15/2018 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Wow...see previous note as the nose and mouth were similar but the components have really integrated since my last bottle. Everything was so balanced. Even the alcohol level was a positive this time around. This is coming along beautifully. This has the potential to be a perfect Chateauneuf-du-Pape

11/15/2018 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

classic Oregon, decant for an hour or i would prefer to wait a couple years. On the riper side, tannin still resolving, medium acidity. Has the stuffing to go 2023.

11/1/2018 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Big brunello, needs some time to integrate fruit with structure. Well made modern style brunello.

8/22/2018 - Bryan004 wrote:

Well made, tropical, butter, heavy oak

12/25/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Really tight upon opening. Simple light citrus, minerality and acid. After a couple hours it really started picking up. The oak while nicely integrated could still use a year or two. I believe these are for early consumption or a good ten years from vintage date with plenty after.

12/24/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Note to come-great wine that still needs years to shed that coat of tannin. The question is, will it?

10/5/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Drank months ago but from memory, perfectly aged CdP. Everything integrated perfectly

8/14/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Coiled tight with great components. Wait at least a few years. Agree with RP on this one.

8/14/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Same as previous note but turned a little austere toward the 3 hour mark. No rush to drink.

7/30/2017 - Bryan004 Does not like this wine:

Still, just bad! Thin, one dimensional and that dimension is terrible. Pedigree of fruit coupled with the credentials of the maker equals embarrassing.

7/21/2017 - Bryan004 Does not like this wine:

Sub-par on typical box wine standards.

7/14/2017 - Bryan004 wrote:

Hold 2-3 years

6/13/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Last hour, 5th hour open, 95. Came together phenomenally. Cellar 1-2 more years.

5/17/2017 - Bryan004 wrote:

Great vintage for early drinking. Field of ripe strawberry on the nose and palate. Tar, violet and fresh red fruit follow the mid to a long structured finish. Good value for mid cellaring and now with air.

4/27/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Xavier's note is pretty spot on, nothing much else to add. Great vintage to seek others out.

3/3/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

After 2 hours of air this opened up. High acid, resolving tannin, nice fruit. Leaned towards the red fruit spectrum with light cigar box-tobacco. Super long finish. I'd say 2 to 3 more years to peak and should hold for many after. drinking really nicely now though with proper air. I've been very pleased with 2010. Score is probably conservative...pleasantly surprised .

1/21/2017 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Getting there...1 hour decant. Wait another year. Fantastic vintage really shows.

1/6/2017 - Bryan004 Does not like this wine:

Not so much up my alley. Heavy and clumsy wine with a bit of artificial quality to it. Others really liked it

12/28/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I loved this. Quite a bit of weight on this now. Ripe melon, touch of bitter fruit, great oak with fresh acidity. Also a nice hint of roasted nuts. I imagine when this sheds its baby fat it will be even better.

12/28/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

In a great spot. Integrated tannin and acidity. Dark plum, black/blue fruit, coffee and a refreshing green note. Everything balanced, has years left.

11/13/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

93+ Spot on WA cabernet. 2 hour decant, very big, full bodies wine. Great integration of oak at this point but could use another couple years. Dark fruit, cassis, mocha....tannins present but enjoyable. I'll open my next in 2 years

10/8/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I think my last bottle was flawed as this was absolutely typical of this bottling. Great fruit, resolving tannin and med acidity. The benchmark for Napa cab at this level.

10/8/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I will refrain from rating because this bottle was just shut down. Everything great one would expect from this wine but needs some time to sleep. I don't even think decanting would have opened this one up much. Let that goodness integrate and be patient!

10/8/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Better than last bottle. That beautiful pure fruit has faded and given way to great secondary flavors. A little hot on the nose and palate but not intrusive. I wish I would have drank them younger but still a very well made wine.

9/22/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Less ripe fruit than previous. More secondary, earthy, mild tobacco. Fruit seemed more dry than mouthwatering, enjoyable.

9/16/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Gorgeous right out of the bottle. Deep red fruit, integrated ripe tannin and med acidity to balance it out. More fruit than previous bottle and other tasters have noted. Cigar box and spice would have you guessing BDX but only for a few seconds before that CA fruit shines through. Would definitely agree this is a feminine cabernet.
I originally scored this a 93 but after 2 more hours of air it just kept getting better. Added layer upon layer of fruit, mineral and acid. Actually got more balanced and deep with the last sip being the best. I would say drink now with air but don't see it fading in the next few years. Classic bottle

7/27/2016 - Bryan004 Does not like this wine:

This has improved to semi drinkable swill. Tart, absolutely hollow, lacks any characteristics of a Napa can from 2012. If I had this blind I have no idea what I would guess it is. A very small step above simply feeding the drain.

7/25/2016 - Bryan004 wrote:

As usual, Jeff Leve pretty much summed this up. Waiting at least 5 years on remaining bottles.

7/19/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

91 with room for higher. Typical Oregon PN, bright red fruit, dirt, mushroom, med acidity. Great value and has the stuffing to improve.

7/18/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Only slightly closed at first but decanted for a couple hours. Opened nicely, classic Napa. Dark fruit, licorice, integrated tannin but could still use more time in bottle. Med acidity carried it nicely to a long finish. Alcohol was high but never got too much in the way. This will improve and hold for many years.

7/11/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

well now...finally opened another from a case. Started very muted for a few hours in the decanter. Underwhelmed after a glass. Then.....Boom, the big boy reputation came in full stride. Huge dark/dried fruits, powerful yet integrated alcohol, nice acidity and grippy tannins. Notes of violet, licorice and iron carried through the palate to a very long finish. After 5 hours it was on top. Got darker and a bit more raw towards the last sip. This wine never gave up and only kept changing in a positive way. The alcohol while big never really got much in the way. I'm very happy purchasing this at the release price and only see good things in the long future. I accept it for what it is and that helps with a wine like this.

6/18/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I'm not going into the the discussion of what it should be....new world/old world...this was fantastic. Vivid raspberry, cherry and leather on the nose with a gorgeous toast...really nicely integrated oak. Perfectly ripe tannin coupled with med-plus acidity just kept it going. It got better in the three hours open but I wouldn't say by much. Just lovely, nose matched the palate. This went perfectly with Icelandic lamb and candied sweet potato. i'll contradict my opening statement and say it leans in the 'new world' direction but it was just delicious. I would imagine another great 10 plus years. For the price this has always been a fantastic deal, a true Gran Reserva and I'm extremely excited for the 2010. 94+

4/16/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

In it's prime time. Bigger than a typical Oregon Pinot but that's how Sineann rolls. Big red fruit with silky tannin. Secondary flavor coming in, earth, mushroom. Nice acidity to carry everything through to a long finish. Very well balanced. I've been on the fence with how Sineann ages but this a great bottle and well worth the wait. It was decanted for about an hour and drank over 2 never losing a step. Great job Peter!

3/8/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

A stunning bottle with everything going on. This is entering a sweet spot. Huge nose that matched the palate...dark fruit, wet leaves, touch of menthol, spices, flowers..great acidity....the only thing that detracted from it was the heat. It was noticeable and almost worked with the huge but very balanced wine.

3/1/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Showed really well after an hour. Big wine, dark fruit, great acid, med plus finish. No rush but in a great spot. Heavy sediment

2/25/2016 - Bryan004 wrote:

Two weeks ago, no notes other than still pretty confusing to me. went through many phases, really light and pruny to start, too acidic later, really came together and gained serious weight and fruit after a few hours, then seemed to fall apart. try again in a couple years.

2/25/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

holding up just fine, great fruit still, balanced acid. Black raspberries, clove, spice and a little Oregon dirt. The only complaint was the alcohol threw off the balance of everything else. I'm not sure this wine was built for 14.5%. Still quite enjoyable, everything has really melded together over the last ten years.

1/10/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

This was a gift from Patrick at Sineann. Very tight when first opened, after an hour of air this was in the sweet spot. Waves of dark fruit washed over my whole mouth, sweet ripe tannins and a little acidity which carried it for a great finish. Definitely showed where the grapes came from. Only got better and sadly but much to my delight, the last sip was the best. Drink with air or hold.

I first tasted this at the winery when it was just bottled, great experience in showing how great raw materials come together and mature.

1/5/2016 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

Limited notes, took a couple hours to open up but was quite a nice change from the typical Napa big boys I've had lately. Very pretty red fruits, cigar box, herbal and crushed rock really came through with more air. Elegant yet packed a punch. Met my expectations from reading previous notes. To me it's not worth the asking price but was enjoyable.

12/27/2015 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

First from this producer. Really blown away by the quality. Definitely CA but the minerality with the fruit, acid and toast/butter was just magnificently balanced. Burgundy/Meursault was what came to mind by the third hour. Really happy I have a few of the 2012s. Great price vs quality.

12/27/2015 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

First glass was a little tight but after a couple hours of air this was a really nice wine. Dark red fruit in a big spice box. Happy with the purchase. No real hurry it seems.

12/19/2015 - Bryan004 Likes this wine:

I was skeptical upon opening from the varied tasting notes. Strong nose, matching palate. Dark chery, roasted fig, plum...ripe fruit, mostly mellowed tannins. My first DM. Only had a hint of the menthol and green that I was expecting. All aspects were well balanced. Very good wine but strangely not too memorable. I could have almost confused if for Napa.