11/29/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for only 30 minutes and consumed over the next three hours. Another wonderful wine from Yates. Ripe rich fruit, low acidity with just enough tannins to balance.

11/24/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

I have to agree with Optimus Wine's note of 05/31/2021. We are big fans of Darioush Merlot and purchased a case of this vintage. We have consumed eight bottles and all have been earthy and rustic. Not typical of previous vintages that have been rich, pleasant to the palate with well balanced tannins on the finish. We always decant at least an hour and consume over the next two or three. Anyone else with a similar experience with the 2018 vintage? Disappointed.

8/10/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Purchased six bottles at the winery based on tasting. Decanted the first three and they just seemed disjointed. The most recent bottle was double decanted and consumed at a local sushi restaurant. This time around the wine was silky on the palate and the fruit was delicate and pleasant to consume.

8/10/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

I agree with " whudock" on the first four bottled we consumed. Decanted the most recent both for 90 minutes and were pleased the rustic edges were dissipating. Purchased nine bottles based on tasting experience at the winery but was disappointed with the first four attempts.

8/6/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for 90 minutes. Decidedly tart and acidic and unenjoyable. Unlike any PS I have ever consumed. Bad bottle?

6/7/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for an hour. Unusual Burgundian earthiness, round and rich fruit accompanied by very fine tannins. Better than some other Petit Verdot's that sell for nearly $200.

4/23/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted and had some bramble around the edges. My bad and will leave in the decanter for at least an hour next time.

3/10/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted briefly. This is definitely a Cab drinker's Pinot Noir. Dark fruit accompanied with noteworthy tannins. This was our fourth experience with this wine and all were consistent. We are glad we still have several bottles remaining.

2/18/2023 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for over an hour. This is such a compelling wine, I felt I should write a note with my humble assessment. As with previous reviews, this is a rich and luscious Merlot with lengthy finish coupled with those wonderful Switchback tannins. It's difficult to describe the fruit and mouthfeel since they put my pleasure centers into overdrive. I may be biased, but Kelly and her family are some of the kindest folks in the business (not to mention their stunning winemaking).

11/30/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for 30 mins. An outstanding Syrah with a wonderful nose coupled with earthy nuances, full and rounded fruit and fine tannins on the finish. Ready now..

9/8/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Recommend not serving at cellar temperature but rather decant for at least an hour so the wine can open and the acidity blows off. This wine definitely needs more time since it was very good after a few hours. Will hold until 2024 before trying another bottle.

8/21/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

drank on 6/22

7/20/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

My oh my. This only required to be poured into the decanter and it was ready to rock immediately. I'm usually not a fan of Howell Mountain wines because of their burly edges. But this Hall Cab had a great nose, elegance and a wonderful lingering finish of fine tannins. It is in its sweet spot....drink now!

7/17/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Very brief decant. My favorite varietal is Petite Sirah, however this Pinot may induce me to go over to the dark side. Smooth as silk but with rich, plush fruit and a wonderfully lingering finish. Another homerun for Mike Reynolds and his team at Walt.

7/14/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for an hour. Another stunning Cabernet from Hall. Restrained dark fruit with a lingering finish of fine tannins.

7/11/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Double decanted for about one hour and consumed at local restaurant. This is a stunning wine from nose to finish. Do not corrupt with food but enjoy in of itself.

6/25/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for an hour. Expecting PS characteristics and instead found a wine with a reticent nose, fruit forward, sickening sweet acidity and tannins were missing in action. Bad bottle?

5/14/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted. I believe the fruit was given a little more hang time since the wine is ripe, concentrated, full-bodied with just enough tannins to keep it from becoming a fruit bomb. I have yet to be disappointed by any Vintage of Jack's Masterpiece.

3/25/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for one hour. Stunning Petite Sirah that has a little more fruit than what I am used to, but good all the same. Tannins made their presence known as they should in a good iteration of PS. In a good place right now....so drink "em if you have 'em.

3/21/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for about one hour. Well balanced and delicious. I'm not a Zinfandel fan but this one makes you want to go to the dark side. Beautiful iteration by MTP.

3/3/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Two bottles, same result. Decanted 90 minutes, initially earthy and reticent fruit, finish had overwhelming acidity (which I detest). May be suitable for red wine reduction sauce.

3/1/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

I'm scratching my head trying understand the previous reviews. First, you need to decant this wine for about 90 minutes. Then you will discover a Zinfandel with no edges or brambles. It is silky smooth with a purity of fruit with a hint of candied ripeness. This will appeal to most including me, a hardcore lover of the Harley Davidson of wines, Petite Sirah.

2/18/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for over an hour. Too acidic for my palate as a stand alone. It needs food to consume.

2/4/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for one hour and consumed over the next three hours. Stunning Zinfandel for Cabernet lovers. Rich dark fruit and tannins made the presence known. In its sweet spot....drink up.

2/2/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for over an hour and found nothing special. Fruit forward and tannins were missing in action. This wine is to be served to those who truly do not know the characteristics a good PS should possess.

2/1/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for one hour. This effort rings the bell. Absolutly stunning dark fruit and enough tannins to keep the finish satisfying. Drink up, this PS is at its prime.

1/12/2022 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for over an hour. This was not the tannic monster that I expected after reading reviews from WS and RP. Instead, I found ripe dark fruit and very fine tannins. Drink up, it is now at its peak.

7/11/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Even after hours in the decanter, this wine was too acidic for my palate. Tannins were missing in action. Either a bad bottle or a poor $180 wine. Update: 7/29/2022 - After consuming four bottles, I've come to these were flawed bottles. Update 11/6/202 - After consuming all six bottles, two were very good but unfortunately, four were badly flawed. As info, I keep all of my wine in a subterranean. temperature and humidity controlled wine cellar. Sad to see three $180 bottles of wine go down the drain.

7/11/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Second flawed bottle and/or poor wine with four more to go. I don't have much hope. Horrible! Purchased from WineBid.com with no hope of returning for refund or replacement. Caveat emptor!

6/22/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for one hour. Dark as India ink, dark fruit profile as the Petite Verdot is dominant which gives this effort a restrained and elegant experince (contrary to JD'S assessment). Fine tannins on the finish and I was expecting more grip.

5/30/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Requires at least an hour decant at this stage. Aromatic nose and silky mouthfeel. However, the persistant acidity on the finish was off-putting and required hearty food in order to enjoy the wine. I must point out that I do not enjoy acidic wines.

5/5/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted and poured immediately. Pleasant iteration of Zinfandel but unremarkable.

5/3/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Highly acidic and unconsumable.

4/30/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Opened first bottle in April 2020 and the wine was flawed since it was thin and acidic. This time around we decanted for 30 minutes and had a totally different experience.

4/30/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Give this wine 60 minutes in the decanter so it has adequate time to open up and you will be richly rewarded. Great QPR.

4/20/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Thin and acidic.

3/26/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Thin, bitter and harsh. Unable to consume. Bad bottle? 12/04/2021 - Excellent bottle.

3/13/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted. Decent on the palate but the finish had a nuance of sweet oak which is something I don't particularly enjoy. However, my wife loved it.

3/9/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted. Wonderfully rich, dense and dark fruit accompanied by a finish that goes on for infinity.

3/8/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted and consumed immediately. This wine is in its "sweet spot". inviting aromatics, delicious dark fruit and a wonderfully plush and balanced finish that goes on forever. Drink up!

2/8/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted, normally I give 30-60 minutes to breathe. Consistently, year after year, the Peterson Family has the most extraordinary PS in Napa Valley. Elegant on the palate and finishing with wonderfully gripping and lengthy tannins. It is the quintessential example of what a PS should be, the melding of elegance and power.

2/8/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

In 2016 RP said to give this wine 5 more years and can age three decades. In my humble opinion, it's definitely not ready for for prime time. After about an hour in the decanter, this wine was primary and tart. Will wait a few more years.

1/19/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted and started consuming after about 30 minutes. Nothing remarkable. A good quaffing wine.

1/19/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted for about 30 minutes before consuming. One of the better Turley Zins, with elegant fruit, low acidity and a wonderful finish.

1/19/2021 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Horribly acidic and undrinkable. Bad bottle?

11/10/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted. Another brilliant wine from Mike Smith. Dark, dense, rich and elegant.

10/17/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted before consuming. Fresh, compelling fruit but elegant at the same time. Liquid silk.

10/12/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted before consuming. Dark, dense, concentrated and structured. We were stunned by this entry level wine from Hall.

10/5/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Decanted and consumed immediately. Dark, dense and concentrated. Incredibly delicious fruit. Refined tannins resulting in silkiness on the palate. Absolutely stunning wine that would impress the most critical oenophile.

6/12/2020 - oenophilemoose wrote:

Briefly decanted. One of the best efforts from an outstanding wine making team. Restrained elegance with grip.