9/11/2017 - Just Grapes wrote:

I thought this wine was extremely well balanced. Nice fruit on the attack with a soft silky finish. It was so good I ordered 6 bottles of the 2015 today. I decanted this wine for an hour before enjoying it.

2/20/2017 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

This Cabernet is in the zone right now. I think the community drinking window is a little generous stretching to 2022. I would recommend drinking this by the end of 2018, if you want to experience the wine a it's best.

8/22/2015 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

10 years old and still a great bottle of Zinfandel. Fruit has not subsided. White pepper and spice notes dominate. Tannins have woven themselves seamlessly into this wine. Fantastic! Consumed my last two 2005's and both were very consistent with one another.

8/3/2015 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

I tried this wine basically to see if I wanted to buy more of it. I purchased the 2013 in magnum and 750ml format and really enjoyed the wine. This wine is racy with vibrant tones of green grass, good acidity with a refreshing grapefruit characteristic. I rated it 90 points now because it was really nice for $19. I think this wine is very young and I probably won't have another bottle for 6+ months. I feel this wine has an easy 4 or 5 years left in it with it probably being in top shape in 2017.

It was interesting to read the post that gave it an 84. I always say trust your own palate and use others as a guide or reference, as we all taste and like different characteristics in the wine we drink. I liked the wine he did not. There is nothing wrong with that because there is no shortage of other Sancerres to try.

1/31/2015 - Just Grapes wrote:

This wine was halfway down the no turning back slope. I'm glad I don't have any more and I was not impressed at all with this wine. I might note that this wine was purchased from WTSO and somewhere along the line (not in my hands) it looks like it was not stored properly. For $45, I'm going to let them know. I've only had 4 bottles that were flawed in 4 years of buying from them. Unfortunately, 3 of those have come in the last 3 weeks. My cellar is constant at 55 degrees and 70% humidity so I know it's not occurring on my watch. Based on the drinking window it may have just been old but my cork had the runs.

12/31/2014 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

Decanted an hour before the first glass. I wrote a response to another CT member's comment, after the first taste. The wine was average and definitely not worth the price. After decanting for 2 1/2 hours, the wine started to show a little more of itself. It is by know means a $350 wine! This wine lacks a heart and sole. The only reason it was memorable is because I was an idiot for paying $350 (x2 btls). We also had a 2004 Colgin along with it and that wine had all the stuffing and more for its price tag. Those of us who bought the 2004 vintage of LM got swindled to the highest extent (kind of like those Chinese folks who bought Yao Ming's Cab for $600). This wine was screwed up in the barrel. Bob new he had an issue so he held the wine longer and made us wait. It was a poor business decision on his part and we all paid the price. IMO I would never buy another bottle that he makes because of it. I had a 2007 Cuvaison Mt Veeder last night that knocked the socks off of the LM and I paid $25 for it. I would rather have another case plus of that in my cellar than the 1 remaining bottle of LM.

1/4/2015 - Just Grapes wrote:

corked

11/3/2014 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

A very nice Champagne for $23 however normal retail at $35+ would drop my score a couple of points. This is a crowd pleaser with nice fruit, a touch of RS and subtle acidity on the back of the palate. I'm glad I have more.

10/14/2014 - Just Grapes wrote:

Young needs time. Very good the second night. Hold for 2 years.

9/4/2014 - Just Grapes wrote:

- Purple color. It's in total harmony with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Just a fantastic bottle as it should be for the price. If you like over the top RP cabs, this probably isn't the wine for you. However, if you enjoy a wine with incredible balance, nice fruit structure, a kiss of oak and a very long and persistent finish, this is a GREAT wine to drink and enjoy.

9/4/2014 - Just Grapes wrote:

- Ruby color. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, vanilla and oak with a medium body. Round texture with a medium finish - Solid Cab for the price $24. Drinking well now but I don't see any reason to hold this wine past 2014.

8/27/2014 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

I wish I had more of this vintage. Drink now as the oak is starting to rear its head in this wine and the fruit will become secondary in a year (just my opinion). Very enjoyable now, dark and rich.

8/1/2014 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

This Barolo absolutely blew me away with its balance and elegance. I would say this is one of the finest Italian wines that I've consumed period. Unfortunately, I only purchased 3 bottles.

7/17/2014 - Just Grapes Does not like this wine:

I had this wine at Gram and Dun in KC. The wine is serviceable, at best, for a Napa Cab. I enjoy older Caymus Cabs and have them in my cellar and this wasn't even close. This is the Meiomi Pinot Noir (use that lightly since it is 25% something else) of Cabernet for 2012. I just don't get the reviews on this wine. This was such a fruit bomb that it almost tasted like Port. The bottle had only been open for 30 minutes or so. Thus, the wine in the bottle wasn't oxidized. I'm kind of scared to try the 2011 that I purchased and have in my cellar.

7/14/2014 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

Shared with friends over dinner as a starter wine. This is an excellent crowd pleaser for the price. As with most Oregon Pinot Noir, this wine tends to really open up with time and food. Very reliable bottle of wine for under $20. Darker red fruit than in previous vintages that I've had, more weight in the mid-palate, a little more tannin (representative of the 2012 vintage?) and very well balanced, which is how I like my Pinot Noir.

12/23/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This wine showed a lot better than my first bottle. It has started to come together and has become more balanced. The first bottle was way out of whack in 2012. If I had another bottle, I would try it in 2 years.

12/31/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Very elegant and polished wine. Drink now!

12/31/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This wine was consumed over 3 days ( a glass each day). The 2005 still has plenty of life in it. Thus the reason I didn't consume it all in one night. I wanted to see where it would go and it didn't disappoint. This was the only vintage that I purchased from the winery. It was a shame that they raised the price $75 a bottle. I will hold my last bottle for 2 years minimum. Dark fruit, oak was well integrated on the first and second night but showed itself on night 3.

12/17/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Solid QPR as are all of the Philippe Prie Champagnes.

11/17/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

The Philippe Prie line up is rock solid and offers a great QPR from WTSO. This particular champagne had a slight sulfuric note to it out of the bottle. It disappeared after the wine got some oxygen. I like this wine and would buy it again but it is not my favorite in the Prie line up. I believe the blend is 60% PN 40% CH.

8/25/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Fantastic wine. Fruit is all there with no signs of a near term meltdown. This is why I love Stelvin Caps. I would buy all of my high end wines with them, if given a choice. I will try my last bottle in a year or two.

8/16/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Off the charts QPR for $40. Just bought 6 more. Taste like $100+ bottle easily and better than most at that price.

6/29/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Drink now and do not decant.

6/23/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This is holding up very well compared to the 2002 vintage.

6/6/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Very good value for $21.99, which is what I paid on WTSO. This is a very soft and easy drinking Cab. The fruit has held up very well. The tannins are like silk. In the zone right now.

5/26/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This bottle tasted better than the first so I will bump my 85 to an 88 and say for $20 it has a good QPR rating. I still won't buy it again. Maybe my expectations were just lower this time around. 2 more to drink.

5/14/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Overrated 75% Pinot Noir.

5/14/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

- Garnet color - This has a lot of Syrah or some other varietal in it. I think Sea Smoke is extremely overrated and thus the reason I stopped buying this wine with this vintage.

5/8/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This is one of those wines from WTSO that I don't feel like I got my money's worth out of. We are big fans of Champagne not sparkling wine and this taste like CA sparkling wine. Let's just say this wine less than amused us. Now there were no flaws, in fact the bottle was extremely fresh, it just doesn't compare with the other really good Champagnes that I've purchased from WTSO. This is definitely more of a food wine instead of a stand alone. We do enjoy grower Champagnes but once again this is very entry level and was probably $5 too much. 3 more bottles to consume.

4/29/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

- Orange color with small pearls.

4/25/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This is a massive wine right now. Give it time in your cellar or allow a good 2-3 hour decant. I had this at home after a 1 hour decant and then a week later at a Blackbird dinner. At the dinner, the wine had been decanted for 2 hours. It had evolved a lot more in the glass so time will be kind to this wine. It is a good value in the 2010 vintage.

2/2/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

This bottle seemed a little more alive than my last '06. Maybe it was because I decanted it for a good half hour before diving in. The fruit was still good all be it is starting its decline. Soft tannins made this very appealing wine. I'm now ready to start drinking my '07's.

2/4/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

I have to laugh at some of the reviews for this wine. "Corked" ahh it's in a Stelvin Cap enclosure so that pretty much tells me there might be an issue with the taster not the wine. I've been drinking this wine since the 2008 vintage. The Wine Spectator Top 100 list got me hooked and this winery has definitely continued to make a rock solid Pinot Noir for the price. Let's not forget what the cost is here (usually under $18). If you want to step up, their REX HILL line is fantastic (also a Spectator Top 100). Oregon is like Burgundy in that the vintages are different year in and year out. Some are great and some are good. 2008 was ideal, 2009 was hot, 2010 was wet, 2011 was warm and 2012 was fantastic. For me, the 2011 A to Z PN is a star. It shows wonderful fruit characteristics that I have not seen in the previous three vintages. It's plush and has a little more weight in the mid-palate this year. The acid is in perfect balance with the fruit. I've been a long time buyer of Oregon Pinot Noir and have yet to come across one that is 100% ready to go upon release. My advise is to decant them for an hour, if you open one after the first three months of release. These aren't the sugar bomb/Syrah & Zinfandel infused wines from CA. If you like 25% of another varietal in your Pinot Noir, don't venture to OR or Burgundy. My score is based on wines in this price point. This wine hands down smokes 90%+ of the Pinot Noirs under $20.

1/25/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

- Yellow gold color and has flavours of butterscotch and hazelnut - Bottle number 2 was very good. Mousse is subsiding, toasty, carmel goodness so drink them now, if you have any in your cellar. Still an excellent bottle for the price.

1/25/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

Wine was oxidized. Getting credit from WTSO

1/19/2013 - Just Grapes wrote:

I'm still confused after drinking this wine over a two night period. I believe this is the first Rivers Marie wine that I've been disappointed in. The Chardonnay is disjointed (unbalanced) with racey acidity and subtle oak. The PH is way to high in this wine and I like Oregon Chardonnay, Chablis and Sauvignon Blanc! This was the first vintage of Chardonnay that I've ever bought from RM. I can't afford to take another $40 gamble this year. I will pass on this wine in the future and stick with buying their Pinots and Cabernet.

1/20/2013 - Just Grapes Likes this wine:

This was a wonderful Cabernet that is ageing beautifully. I recommend at least an hour in a decanter prior to serving. The wine continues to evolve in the glass as it breathes. Very dark in color, dark fruits, supple and well integrated tannins. Very happy to have 2 left in my cellar.

11/12/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

This a fantastic Champagne, if you like toasty notes and carmel. I bought a bunch of it and I'm glad I did! For 24.99, it was a steal.

11/12/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

This Champagne improved as it opened up and became very enjoyable.

11/12/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Fantastic bottle of wine.

8/17/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Krug Grand Cuvee sure doesn't deliver like it did in the 90's. LVMH had to have changed the formula on this wine. They obviously raised the price. I think this would be a good Champagne at $50 but it is unreasonable over $120. This was my last bottle and I will not be buying this Champagne again. There are too many other small houses out there making some fantastic wine for 1/3 the price.

6/17/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Absolutely loved the finish on this wine. Great nuttiness almost like Frangelico. A steal for the price on WTSO.

4/15/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Drink this year for max enjoyment. Still a very nice wine.

4/16/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

This may have been one of the best wine experiences that I've had and I've been in the business for 19 years. This bottle was fantastic! Everything is still there but it is drinking perfectly right now. I'm so glad I have one more bottle and I'm even happier that I only paid $66 for each of these on a closeout deal!!!

4/5/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Pop and poured from a 375ml. Still youthful and opened up beautifully over an hour. If you have it in your cellar, I think this has a good 4-5 years of life left so don't be in a rush to drink it. The wine would show perfectly with an hour in a decanter.

4/5/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

I could not believe that this wine was still very good. It's definitely a drink now wine but still maintains its vibrant shiraz quality. I was surprised that the oak wasn't the dominant characteristic in this wine. Very impressed. It was my last bottle.

3/14/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

This was one of the best Chianti Classico's that I've had in years. For $19, this is a steal. Silky tannins, elegant, finish is long. Going to go back and buy 6 more.

3/17/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

This wine still is youthful but man was it good with a 2 hour decant. This held it's ground with 07 Scarecrow, 06 Colgin and some other $150 - $400 bottles of wine. Based on the results from our tasting, this was an excellent value at $90.

2/17/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

Solid CA Cab. It did open up a bit more after an hour in a decanter.

2/20/2012 - Just Grapes wrote:

For the price, this Rose really delivers. I actually purchased three bottles to try and went back for another 6. Philippe Prie delivers across the board on their NV, Brut Vintage and Rose. I have not had a bad bottle yet. The fruit and structure of the Champagne Rose were wonderful. I believe this has some cellar time left in it as well.