7/27/2014 - stanb wrote:

Not a pop and pour wine. needs time to open up. Decant for about an hour or two before consuming. nice example of a california grenache. true grenache lovers can appreciate this bottle for what it offers. sweet fruit, acid and spice in balance. heat can be a bit dominating but that's what's expected in this varietal. balance is key. this offering is close.

2/10/2014 - stanb wrote:

Disappointing. Lots of oak and dark fruit on the nose and palate. Minimal acid and tannin...out of balance.

1/31/2014 - stanb wrote:

PnP. Too sweet for my palate

12/30/2013 - stanb wrote:

Way too young, hold for another 3 -5 yrs

11/12/2013 - stanb Likes this wine:

Extremely complex and perfectly balanced
Wow.
*Consumed on day 3

11/4/2013 - stanb wrote:

Better on day two

8/2/2013 - stanb wrote:

Gorgeous aromatics, very well structured, balanced, outstanding precision.

6/24/2013 - stanb wrote:

Wow! Initially rated 92. Day 3 pulled out fridge and opened up beautifully. This wine is extremely young and need a good 5 to 7 years to really show it's itself. Now showing plenty of dark fruit to back the oak and gripping tannins. Great mid palate, fantastic finish

4/25/2013 - stanb wrote:

Way too young. Hold for another 5 years

3/30/2013 - stanb wrote:

Very fruit forward. Great entry, mid palate lacking, nice finish. Buccella still makes the best California merlot.

1/11/2013 - stanb wrote:

Not a bad wine, but not great. It's good for the price. It definitely has some heat but not enough for me to dump down the drain. Got hotter the following day. Drink now or in the next two years.

12/27/2012 - stanb wrote:

Not too different from my last review...still disappointing. Got a bit of a green bitter finish.

11/19/2012 - stanb wrote:

A bit earthy on the nose but not in an old world style...not too much going on in the nose. Sour cherry, new toasted oak on pallet. Medium light body. Very bitter finish...wondering if its whole cluster pressed and fermented...lots of green tannin.

11/9/2012 - stanb wrote:

Nose has an overripe scent, raisin like, little heat. Great on the pallet. A bit grassy, lots of blackberry. Nice long finish

10/29/2012 - stanb wrote:

What a disappointment...TN - grapes...that's it. All fruit, no tannin, no structure, no complexity, no finish. Drinks like grape juice with a hint of oak. I'm not sure if Schrader was going for this style or if i got a bad bottle (or if this is what Lake County taste like) but it is not good. Gift this bottle to a non wine drinker.

11/13/2011 - stanb wrote:

Best I've ever had. I can't imagine another sauvignon blanc being any better than this. Extremely balanced, unbelievably complex with a very long lingering finish. This to me is the perfect sauvignon blanc and should be experienced by all non believers.

10/7/2011 - stanb wrote:

Big bold full bodied wine with flavors of lush black cherries, ripe blackberry, toasted oak. The epitome of a big california cab. Great stuff, velvety tannins but still needs time to age; 4 - 5 years as the alchohol can be overwhelming when first opened.

10/7/2011 - stanb wrote:

Cedar, charcoal, blackberry and fresh cut grass on the nose. Blackberry jam, crushed rocks and dusty on the palate. Nice balance on minerality and acidity . Still showing some fruit. Drinking perfectly