8/5/2018 - S1 wrote:

Some little wines are made of sugar and spice…
and that’s really just about all.
Typical Torrontés with gingery grapefruit, lemon zest, light pineapple and other tropical notes with a little white pepper and decent acidity. It’s pleasant enough, but I would have to really ponder at ~15 bucks.

S1/HRH rating
“Quaffable but, uh, far from transcendent."—will consider another bottle.

7/1/2017 - S1 Likes this wine:

Ending a weekend Anniversary celebration with some Cellar Tracker buddies: It is what it is.
This was way too young, but still a terrific drink. There is rich glycerin, black & blue fruit, and an impression of sweet, oaky vanilla. On the palate there is the promise of better things ahead, with lots of menthol and licorice, with tannin already integrating. I hope to try one in 20 years.

11/9/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): I think I have decided that 20ish years might be the perfect age for Grange. I thought this one was perfect, with classic notes of menthol, Eucalyptus, blackberry, glycerin, Indian spice, blood orange.

12/8/2013 - S1 Does not like this wine:

Tasting Syrah Blind in the Sunroom (It's for charity, after all): Slightly grapey but mostly blackberry jam with some grape jam. Then there is alcohol heat followed by a little raspberry jam. The acidity on the finish is unpleasant although it does make it easier to swallow the jam. No more for me thank you.

9/8/2012 - S1 wrote:

another blind Saturday at S2's house: Blind. Strong tannins, mixture of plummy red and brambly black fruits. Glycerin. Really grapey from the Shiraz. This one is a real fooler--I never get aged Aussie wines when tasted blind. Delicious right now.

1/15/2012 - S1 wrote:

My dad used to know an alcoholic who drank shoe polish. I'm just sayin'... I used 2/3 of the bottle in a braise with Indian spices and was morbidly curious about the drinkability of the JC. On the nose, a little black tea, red fruits and alcohol. On the palate, a little black tea , red fruits and alcohol (and high fructose corn syrup). I need a shower to try to wash away the shame. No numerical score (or any other kind of score).

12/21/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Another Blind Saturday (S2's): Blind Saturday Group
I called ripe-style Grüner. Waxy/oily mouthfeel with below average acidity and pointy yellow fruit in the midpalate. Very enjoyable.

6/21/2017 - S1 Likes this wine:

While not overly exciting or complex, this wine really delivers classic Nigl Grüner flavors. There is typical white pepper with a slightly viscous lanolin waxy quality. There is also a slight Citronella aroma which adds to the yin/yang perception of sweet vs. dry. I hope age provides greater complexity; I've had great results with aged bottles of this wine.

12/27/2018 - S1 Likes this wine:

Another week, Another Burgundy Thursday: This wine is just delicious. It is a mineral-laden, zingy acid version of GV, with lots of lemon, grapefruit, and a tiny hint of honeyed beeswax. Ridiculous QPR.

12/28/2016 - S1 Likes this wine:

Great bottle, but lacking some of the intense mineral cut I usually get from this producer. There was more richness/fatness than I expected. Still, this is fantastic Austria, with green apple, layers of spice and a hint of dried tropical fruits. Glad I have more.

10/21/2012 - S1 wrote:

Still retaining nice acidity. Very little of the expected white pepper. Has a bitter spicy quality up the middle of the tongue. Slightly creamy texture. Drink soon.

12/22/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

There are hints of stewed plum mixed with black fruits, fresh red cherry, a hint of earthy tobacco, and seaside minerality. Dry tannins pucker te lips, but there is enough fruit to balance. While rustic and not very complex, this wine is very pleasant.

4/12/2012 - S1 wrote:

Just too young and tight to judge adequately. Loads of cherry and tobacco.

11/16/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Served with local shrimp in a rich lemony shellfish broth over soft polenta. I really like this wine a lot. Full mouthfeel, but still really crisp, with rich lemon curd, stony minerality, yellow stone fruits and acidic green apple. There is also a compelling wild herb/spice blend that keeps me coming back for more.

11/16/2021 - S1 Does not like this wine:

Served with Dalmatian fish stew (but Lowcountry ingredients). Decanted for thirty minutes as advised by the importer. There is immediately an explosion of sweet cherry with purple flowers, wid herbs and dry tannins. As the bottle progressed the tannins became more and more assertive, eventually overwhelming the fading fruit. I would love to try a few bottles without decanting to see how they develop in the glass.

6/22/2011 - S1 wrote:

Burgundy Wednesday--22 juin 2011: Still creamy mouthfeel with an explosion of honeysuckle, jasmine and great Gewrtz spice. Apricot and ginger. Very yummy.

6/22/2011 - S1 wrote:

Burgundy Wednesday--22 juin 2011: Alsatian. Soft with no petrol or intense minerality. Oops, ok a little petrol now. Also a little creamy with soft acid. Once again very elegant.

8/25/2012 - S1 wrote:

Very sad that this is my final bottle. Lots of apricot, waxy honeycomb, a little quince and some lemon curd balanced by light acidity. Mineral component really integrates with the fruits. Faint and natural oxidation from its age.

6/22/2011 - S1 wrote:

Burgundy Wednesday--22 juin 2011: Bought this one and had it with dinner in Paris. Much more elegance than power. Pear, citrus, serious wet stone minerality, asian spice, coriander. Obviously Alsatian. A little creaminess in the middle. Acid, petrol and a touch of sweetness on the finish. QUINCE and ginger!

11/3/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): Mushroom, forest floor, Fruit mostly gone. Very pleasant, but not the best showing of HB, but still a wonderful experience.

8/10/2013 - S1 wrote:

After a meh tasting at LWS, we adjourn to drink wine (S2's House): A nice wine that has come together well. There is a slight rough/rustic edge to the tannins but then it transitions to smooth cassis, a little blackberry with some wild strawberry. With time in the glass green herbal flavors emerge with lilac perfume and some chalky grape Sweet Tart notes. This is showing nice balance. It's a shame this estate has discontinued the wine; it was always a nice drink.

8/2/2013 - S1 Likes this wine:

Still at the Mountain House--Tim Strikes Again: This has really calmed down compared to a bottle we had a few years ago. The tannins were sweet and soft, rich black fruits dominate and the wine is really coming into focus and balance. The acidity was just about right to match a dry-aged ribeye. We'll wait 3-5 years before trying the next one.

9/8/2012 - S1 wrote:

another blind Saturday at S2's house: pop and pour at cellar temperature.
A bit restrained and tight initially. As it warmed dark cherry, a little blackberry and red plums emerged. A touch of sweet saddle leather but a green streak dominates (almost a juniper). Still a little tight and bitter on the finish but enjoyable. 2015 is not a long enough drinking window end. I would START there.

11/8/2015 - S1 Likes this wine:

Another Blind Sunday (Chez S1): Fruit is a little stewed by the hot vintage. Some red plum and cassis with bright tannins. Drinks very fresh and almost new world. Soft mouthfeel. A pleasant enough drink for the money.

11/9/2012 - S1 wrote:

Dinner at Jack's House: Popped and poured and drank over 3 hours. This one would have fooled me. There is a big whiff of a dried fruit/raisin quality to this wine. On the palate the dried fruit is present with zingy acidity. This is high octane fruit which resembles an aged new world wine right now. There is the taste of red currant, but with an interesting sweetness which is even more present and evolves to really sweet tobacco as the evening progresses. There is a spicy quality that leans toward cinnamon.

3/24/2012 - S1 wrote:

On the nose a little mothball greenness. Mostly red fruits. Muted red raspberry. Smoked paprika. Medium body. Good acidity. A little sweet tobacco. Very tasty and well-integrated but without many complex layers.

11/2/2022 - S1 wrote:

Charleston Offlineorama VII; 11/2/2022-11/6/2022 (Various locations): Muted fruit due to a little TCA, but still showing some lovely leather and spice.

7/4/2014 - S1 wrote:

~5 hour slow ox
This bottle leads with an immediate punch of cassis and follows with some saddle leather and some really dry, toasted oaky tannins. The alcohol seems a little out of balance initially but the bottle calmed down after about an hour in the glass. Decent QPR.

11/5/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): Lots of oak up front with mostly red tart plum with tannic skin. Very aromatic and lovely. I really like Palmer tannins

11/5/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): Really soft tannins with layer after layer of power, Great structure with lovely perfume. Beguiling mix of fruit with polished soft tannin. Wonderful

11/9/2012 - S1 wrote:

Dinner at Jack's House: Popped and poured and drank over 3 hours. This was a bit closed initially, but a powerhouse trying to beat down the door. Interesting cumin and a little coriander spice. While the cassis is ever present there is also a hint of blackberry and loads of blueberry. As the evening progresses it remains a bit shy; these really need more time. After 3 hours the final glass has hints of roasted meats, a little tart barnyard quality and a few notes of chocolate. There is incredible richness which will repay those with the time to let this sleep longer.

7/4/2014 - S1 Likes this wine:

~5 hour slow ox
This wine is starting to drink quite well, showing a nice mix of red and black fruits, bramble berry, graphite and a touch of leather with balanced acidity and integrated oak. I think it will be better in 2-3 years.

10/28/2012 - S1 wrote:

Another Blind Sunday in the Sunroom (Chez S1): I really thought this tasted older than 2000. Nice leafy tobacco with tart plum and sweet cassis. I would expect more power from this at this stage of evolution but still a really nicely integrated wine with a decade or two ahead of it.

11/10/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): (blind) Messy cork. Messy bottle. Messy sediment. Great wine. Old Bordeaux with the classic markers.

7/4/2014 - S1 wrote:

~5 hour slow ox
This one started with a big dose of green bell pepper and finished with rather bitter tannins. It is more red fruited than I expected and much of the fruit has faded, leaving the tannins to dominate. It isn't bad but not particularly exciting either.

4/7/2012 - S1 wrote:

Saturday at S2's House: dead. Total loss of fruit with nothing remaining but dark musty tannins.

11/4/2022 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama VII; 11/2/2022-11/6/2022 (Various locations): Typical Lynch-Bages. Green and tasty. Lots of spice. Tobacco. Orange

11/10/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): (blind) Green as you would expect from the vintage. Nevertheless it has lots of complexity and fruit, and shows no sign of going away.

11/9/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): from magnum. A bit shy at first. Then pointy tannins emerge with bell pepple, leather, black cassis and some red. Spice. Orange pekoe. Goes on and on.

11/2/2022 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama VII; 11/2/2022-11/6/2022 (Various locations): still lots of mix of red and black fruit. Decent acidity. A little sweet. Lots of floral. In a perfect spot right now.

11/5/2021 - S1 wrote:

Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): (from Mag) Slightly corked. At first it was just muted fruit but worsened.

11/9/2012 - S1 wrote:

Dinner at Jack's House: Popped and poured and drank over 3 hours. This was the wine in the best place right now of the four '89s we drank tonight. On the nose there is an immediate soy/teriyaki quality and a giant hit of cassis. On the palate, holy crap, in your face cassis dominates with a really structured support from red currant and a little cherry and sweet plum. It still has vibrant acidity and wonderful clove and Indian spices. As the evening progresses it just gets busier and busier with tremendous structure supporting all of the fruit. A great bottle.

7/1/2017 - S1 Likes this wine:

Ending a weekend Anniversary celebration with some Cellar Tracker buddies: This was pretty classic 1985 for me--pretty red fruit, a nice tannic grip, and lots of Bordeaux bell pepper. After several big bottles of Syrah preceding this bottle, this acidity almost acted like a palate cleanser. I expected a bit more floral quality and subtle spice, but this bottle was a bit more straightforward. Still delicious.

11/9/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): Soft tannins, smoke, cassis is more like red currant, and there is a bunch of bell pepper.

11/5/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Chas Offlineorama VI, Another embarrassment of riches; 11/3/2021-11/7/2021 (Various locations): All cherry and cassis with integrated tannins and a great floral perfume. Many year of life remaining.

11/18/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

Really dry green tannins with light red fruits. Tasty.

11/9/2019 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama V; 11/7/2019-11/10/2019 (The Holy City): from magnum. Very 2000. Plum, Cassis. Dark. Brooding. Beautiful

12/4/2021 - S1 Likes this wine:

OLD Birthday Wines (a few days belated) (Chez S1): Saturated cork easily extracted with Durand. The nose is reticent at first bit evolves in the glass. Dark cassis and hints of red cherry dominate, with tertiary levels of black licorice, fresh green herbs, cinnamon, and tobacco, enveloped in powerful but balanced tannins. This wine still has quite a bit of life remaining.

8/2/2013 - S1 Likes this wine:

Still at the Mountain House--Tim Strikes Again: Soft and saturated cork, but still extracted in one piece. We had worries at first but the wine was OK, just perhaps a little tired fruit. Still shows firm tannins with leather/tobacco, pleasant herbaceous qualities and tart red fruit with just a hint of black fruit. Perhaps a bit of soy near the finish.

11/4/2022 - S1 Likes this wine:

Charleston Offlineorama VII; 11/2/2022-11/6/2022 (Various locations): Totally Lalande perfume with power. Sweet tobacco. Still showing great fruit. Rich mouthfeel. Beautifully sexy wine.