4/19/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

A little gamey. There was some bright fruit right off the bat but it went away quickly and the rest, was, well, just ok. Maybe not a wine for ageing and 5 years is too long? I get that Chile is trying reeeaaaly hard to find their own "signature grape" like rivals "Argentinamalbecwine" but somehow I don't think that this is the answer....(at least not this wine).

4/14/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Farmer's fizz is what the back label calls it! It certainly is a fun easy going bottle. Nothing serious but then who cares! Throw it all together and see what happens.

4/8/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I don't drink enough champagne! This was great. Tiny bubbles, clean crispy taste of lemon and green apple. Bottle didn't last long, lol.

4/5/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I use to think that Pfeiffer was particularly good value for money but then they went ahead and sold themselves to King Estate (?). Anyway, I guess the deal allowed them to keep their existing inventory and all of a sudden it seemed the prices doubled (or even more!). I understand that that doesn't change the wine in the bottle and this wine was very nice - not much of a hint of oak, and lots of raspberry, strawberry and maybe even a little cherry. But QPR is totally gone.

4/2/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Another Garagiste find. Nice easy drinking sparkler from Luxenbourg no less. And I liked the price.

3/29/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Too much the C-noir, big clunky, cola cola, ripe.

3/25/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Hard to score this but it was yummy! Apple cider ice wine. First time I ever ran across it. Fun, from a half bottle. Strange that I was the only guy to like it so far. Oh well.

3/23/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

This must have been a spoiled bottle - varnish on the nose and palate although it blew off after a while and the rich creamy fruit began to show through. Still.....

3/20/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

This wine was a big surprise as I'm not generally accustomed to an Aussi Chardonnay with this depth and balance. Wonderful stuff and I'm going to get more if I can.

3/16/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I wanted to like this more (I generally love most of their bottlings) but this was just too generic O-noir to score any higher this time around. It was fine but an everyday drinker (Garagiste special so low $$).

3/14/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

At the right price this is a buy but in terms of "itself", just a Village wine with some of the tastes you would expect but none of the depth or intensity.

3/11/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Better than a lot of the dreck that calls itself Rose these days but ultimately, its just a Rose (Rosado) with the depth and nuances that implies. Fresh. Fun.

3/8/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Good value for money. Also a decent introduction to the genre but not what I would really call old vine (Amador County OVZ start at 75 years and many go well past 100!)

2/18/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

It has that "etherial" quality that many/most Pinot's just can't seem to capture in bottle. Fragrant, light bodied, full of deep flavors, smoke fruit earth flowers spice that go on and on and on. Drinking very nicely but should still improve over the next few years.

Paired with roasted salmon (the perfect PNW pairing!)

2/17/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

We really liked this wine. It was smooth, balanced, nice fruit/wood ratio, long finish, and a good price. Would definitely buy again - such a nice change from the heavy California sock you in the face style of Cabs.

2/16/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Nice enough but nothing special. Oh, sure the place where it comes from is special. Oh, and yes, the Garagiste write up was super special. So lots of specials going around. Unfortunately, this wine shoudn't be included in that grouping. It is recognizable I-noir (Italian Pinot Noir) but beyond that was fairly simple. It lacked the aeromatics of something from Burgundy, Oregon, California, or New Zealand for example. It lacked the subtle uplift that you find in NZ, Oregon or Burgundy (sorry California, NOT you). It was more sour cherry than raspberry (which is fine but just "different") and lacked any depth. Certainly very drinkable (and we finished the bottle so not a problem there) but no one wanted much of a second glass.....

No real improvement with another year in bottle. Drink up.

2/15/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Sadly (perhaps) I grew up learning all about Syrah from a little place called Crozes Hermitage. While not every Syrah lover's particular favorite, the general characteristics have carried me through for 30+ years now so when I try a "new world" version of some Syrah blend, all I seem to come up with is fruity, cheerful and OK (like this version). I long for the hint of leather, savory and garique.

Fruity, cheerful, OK. I will say that Troon wines seem more "alive" than comparable wineries and this one was no exception.

2/14/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Certainly pleasant enough but nothing distinctive. Fresh green apple and lees on the nose, apple grapefruit on the palate. Nice minerality in the core.

2/12/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Very nice. Tropicals and stone fruit, enough minerals and stuffing to carry this through to a nice ending. Grapefruit finish.

2/11/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

A little too soft, flabby and grapey for what I look for in an aged (somewhat anyway) Moulin A Vent. Lacked depth. Needs more minerality and uptones to score higher.

2/10/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Definitely "as smooth as silk" (back label boasting) but you gotta love the VERY prominent bottle label proclaiming a 98 from none other than Luca Marone!! A closer read reveals that the 98 isn't so much for this particular wine but for the Best Producer in the "Quantity-Quality Index 2020". Don't worry if you were misled either - I had to use my iPhone's magnifying app to see anything besides the 98, and Luca's name, lol.

The wine is smooth alright, but a little grapey/jammy and simple beyond that. While an easy drinker, it doesn't live up to the back label hype proclaiming that its an "...extrordinarily captivating wine..." (I could go on but I won't - you get the idea). At under $12 a bottle not a bad deal.

2/9/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

In the sea/flood/deluge of rose d’Pinot Noir that we are currently soldering through, this one stands out as something pleasantly innocuous and cheap! I’ve paid double for something from France or Spain that wasn’t as good. Still, I hope we get over this phase and return to real wine soon…..

2/1/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Blue toned, light and fairly simple. Tasted against the recent Garagiste/Cedric C-noir and this one lacked complexity and depth. I often find Alsatian Pinots a good value (undiscovered gems) but this one not so much. Just too simple.

2/1/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Tasty light weight acid leaning C-noir. Ready to go.

1/31/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Nice! Clean, crisp, hint of anis and cut grass on the nose and initial palate. Savory notes and an almost chalk like finish. Paired well with a light mushroom pasta dish and roasted cauliflower.

1/30/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Cellar Tracker lists no less than 12 (!) different Jackson-Triggs chards with the word "Reserve" in the title/label so any thoughts of something special or exclusive should be burried in the deepest darkest dampest corners of your cellars..... But of course if you don't have a cellar and are just looking for a quick PnP, this wine will suit nicely. Its a medium bodied, slightly more on the chardonnay side of things than neutral, not overly sweet or cloying, crisp-ish and will be fine with all sorts of neutral foods or as a stand alone sipper (well chilled, thank you). Anyway, its OK. But not a lot more.

1/29/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Soft and sweet (I think off-dry is how the winery describes it). If your tastes run in this direction for whites, but you don't like really sweet wines like a sauterne, you will find this wine quite enjoyable. Its fairly neutral in an unoffensive manner (which is a good thing - not trying to criticize here) and can pair easily with a wide range of bland foods and sauces. It could use a little jolt of greater acidity imho but otherwise its nice. Tropicals and florals on the nose and palate.

1/28/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Certainly very serviceable, its a touch ripe, heavy and cloddy with sweet grape notes, and a nice touch of smoke. Acids are hard to find so it presents as rather sweet and smokey. I've had many worse but this wine reminds me of a very inexpensive C-noir (and I mean Californian, not Canadian in this instance.....). It is recognizable as a pinot so points there, but beyond that, it needs to lighten, lift and find a little minerality to bring the whole package to a better place. Maybe if they picked a little earlier?

1/27/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Time has helped this wine come around. Its a little rounder with nice acid and minerality (tasted upon release at the winery, no note posted). The fruit is still green apple/lemon dominate but its clean and lean! I have another bottle or two and plan on holding them for 3-5 years to see what it grows into.

1/26/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I mean I like this wine a fair bit but, whoasa, two earlier reviews emptied the whole wine tasting dictionary on this stuff! Seriously? I'm not sure whether to be impressed or annoyed. I don't think I've ever tasted that much in a single bottle in my life! I get that the guy from Houston might have connections (the winery is owned by a couple from Texas) and therefore needs to keep up the side (so to speak, Texans are like that...) but the other guy? Anyway, it's an enjoyable wine (full disclosure, I am a member of their wine club after all) and definitely worthy of trying.

Whether or not your mouth will experience the rapture that others have experienced is an open question and one for you to explore. But I stand by my 88.....

1/25/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Drinking nicely right now. Dark cherry berry and earthy savory with a nice black tea finish.

1/24/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I liked this inexpensive Chardonnay for everything it wasn't! It wasn't Cali sweet or Oregon sour. It wasn't Cali oaked or hyper extracted. Its just a simple, balanced, flavorful version of what it could be when it (the vines) grow up. You can taste the potential even if its a bit "light". Its held up nicely (screw caps have that tendency to better preserve than our beloved cork alternatives) but is ready to go. Enjoy with light fare.

1/23/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Delish (a technical term denoting almond, cherry, a dab of dirt and smooth tannins). Strong QPR - thank you Garagiste.

1/22/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Generic Nebbie. Don't get me wrong -88 is a good score from me and I liked the bottle. It was light, balanced and flavorful. And at the right price it could be a great introduction to the greater mysteries of Nebbiolo in the Piedmont (and beyond). But as I found this particular bottle, it was simple and lacked depth. Although nice, the range of flavors was pretty nebbie-standard/basic. Ready to drink.

1/21/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Last tasted almost 2 1/2 years ago. Still a nice light weight inexpensive Barolo that may not deliver the highlights but is still drinking fine right now. This particular vintage is probably long gone from the market but it's holding up well and if you have any, there's no particular need to rush to drink it. Just remember to pair it with lighter fare.

1/20/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

An excellent old vine Zin with characteristic sweetness and muted earthy dark toned notes.

Don't confuse this with a young fruit Zin, all big brash spicy jammy. These really old vine Zins (100 yrs + in some instances) barely exist anymore outside of Amador County. These wines are not for everyone. But if you have acquired the taste, run don't walk, to visit this living gem of a winery before it's gone.

1/19/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Very nice. A little juicy for some but the general consensus found it earthy smooth and dark fruited.

1/18/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Too young. This bottle was raw and powerful but nothing else. Past bottles seemed mellower. I have more and will wait a few more years.

1/17/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Very solid effort. Not the biggest St. Innocent Shea I've had, but perfectly balanced with smooth rich flavors. I use to kid that this wine was a Cab lovers Pinot and after another bottle, let's stick with that description. Not the flashy bright berry flavors of many local O-noirs, still, this heavier earthy plum tilting version was drinking wonderfully. I usually recommend waiting at least 10 years for Mark's Sheas but in this vintage/version I think it's good to go at present. Enjoy!

1/16/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Very pleasant medium bodied wine. Red apples on the nose, balanced and smooth on the palate, clean finish. No particular depth but definitely enjoyed by all.

1/14/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Easy drinking O-noir with a slight candy finish. Gentle tannins and savory, lots of bright fruit. PnP, not sure of its ageing potential but I have a few more bottles and I will lose them for another 4-6 years and see what's up.

Did @MJNARO post a typo and mean 89 instead of 79? None of his other 250+ reviews drop below 87? Sadly he didn't leave any tasting notes so can't tell if it was a bad bottle, a typo or an actual opinion. ?

1/13/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

A little less rounded and more linear than past bottles (although it opened and mellowed somewhat after an hour or two). I agree with @brianglas on this one - just not as interesting as past bottlings.

1/12/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Fresh fruit followed by savory. Balanced. Nice.

1/11/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Lovely stuff with ripe round flavors, almost sweet but not in a C-noir way (no cola cola finish). Earlier reviews have noted asian spices and tea? Perhaps, but it reminded me of warmer Willamette Valley sites with softer acid profiles and richer fruit. Anyway drinking very nicely at present!!

1/10/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

I’ve had darker reds that have been called Rose, but the lack of heft translates into a very nicely balanced light weight C-noir! On the nose and initial palate it was slightly more blueberry than raspberry with orange peel, red apple, savory and neutral acids nicely combined on the finish. Touch of cola cola reminds the drinker that it’s Californian and not Oregon.

Certainly a nice little charmer but not enough depth across the palate or finish to score higher.

Regarding QPR: What ever you paid, it was worth what I got it for via Garagiste.

1/1/2024 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

It took a while for the funk to blow off and the fruit to emerge but after an hour or so it began to find itself. Paired nicely with food. Fruit was clear and clean nebbie with a touch of mountain minerality, but no "sweet" notes that you can sometimes find in a Valtellina. Nice

12/31/2023 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Still on an upwards trajectory with the fresh lemon stone flavors showing a nice honied roundness towards the finish (as a well made, well aged Muscadet will). Very nice and in no rush. This wine will continue to age for another 5+ years under ideal storage conditions.

12/30/2023 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Drinking great, and my prediction back in 2019 to hold on to this for a few more years was spot on! A hint of oak showing in the vanilla tropicals towards mid palate paired with green apple and pear. Amazing QPR, especially when you think about another "value" producer who's Freedom Hill offerings sell for almost double! This wine tastes fresh and nicely integrated. Wish I had a lot more.

12/28/2023 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Absolutely delightful. Bright balanced tasty red fruit with a clean crisp finish. I would never have guessed 10 years!

12/27/2023 - UpfromtheCellar wrote:

Continues to drink nicely. Last tasted in August with same tasting comments noted.