7/16/2017 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Drinking nicely even with limited decant. Aerated and enjoyed first glass with some ribeyes. Bright and explosive flavor with notes of violets, raspberries, and cedar with a light smokey undertone. Digging this one for sure. Medium finish. The tannins still need to chill out quite a bit, although having a second pour now and happily enjoying. Will probably wait a few months to open another.

4/2/2017 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Should have decanted more. Nice structure and depth, would buy again for under $20.

This would do very well as a pairing with lamb loin or rack with a blueberry balsalmic glaze or something similar.

2/25/2017 - Apark101 wrote:

Medium body, cherry anise. Strong acid, good food wine but can do a lot better for sipping.

5/1/2016 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Surprised with this. Will rotate in the casual bubbles playlist, far more interesting than most budget brut and prosecco. Strawberry, kiwi, honey and thw chalkiness described by others. Very nice, even on day 2.

6/1/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Still really enjoy this after a few weeks of drinking (plenty of) other juice(s).

Consistent with previous note but feeling more descriptive this evening.

Light nose, some citrus and apple. On palate, the acid is electric so make sure to serve this well chilled.

In one sentence, this wine is what I imagine granny smith apple juice would taste like if it were diluted slightly, then treated with a dash of olive juice and muddled with lemon peel and some savory herbs. Very interesting.

Both times I've actually really enjoyed it with food due to that bracing acidity and savory profile, but as other notes suggest, it may have a better place as apertif. Either way, for the price around $10, huge QPR and I will buy more to have on hand.

5/24/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

On the nose, graphite/flinty, and brooding earth notes with black fruit, reminds me of a carmenere.

On the palate: bursting with ripe blackberry, Dr. Pepper, cocoa and spice. This wine is big, and the upfront power carries through to a very solid finish, with lingering notes of stewed black fruits and the pungency of cigar smoke.

Very memorable Zin. Those who like this big bold style should appreciate the quality in this. Wine Enthusiast called it a "lusty" wine and that is an apt description.

5/14/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Stone fruit on the nose. On the palate, impressive layering of citrus notes with tart, underripe apricots and pluots. Round, waxy mouthfeel carries this wine to a very reasonable finish leaving notes of almond, walnut skin and lemon zest.

Very approachable with food but can hold a conversation on its own.

At 12-16, a nice value, for under 10, a steal. Will be stocking up for summer. I imagine this wine would make good friends with anything containing Parmesan.

5/14/2015 - Apark101 wrote:

Clean and simple. Some grapefruit and lime, green apple also. Not much to contemplate here, would pass if over $10.

5/14/2015 - Apark101 wrote:

Expected a lot more out of this. Medium fruit, medium oak, middle of the road in all respects.

5/14/2015 - Apark101 wrote:

Raisin, molasses, plum. Reliably tasty and held up well over a few weeks in the fridge. Not spectacular but no complaints.

4/26/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

This pinot has wonderful aromas of berry and cedar, which carry through to the palate. A supple and satisfying food wine, but also delicious on its own.

4/5/2015 - Apark101 wrote:

Meh. Bright and refreshing. Not much else there.

2/14/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Considering how far past peak I expected it to be, what a happy surprise. This still has tannin and enough berry and cola too be interesting. Light, aromatic and tasty. Will pour for Valentine's Day dinner.

2/6/2015 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

This wine has a rounder mouth feel than most sav blanc or gruner, which are similar in acidity and body. Apples and herbs. A super herbal white.

Amazing partner to a duck papardelle dish with herbs and Parmesan.

Would happily drink again.

12/16/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Not a memorable wine but paired with pizza this does quite well. High acidity to cut through the cheese and meat, dark red and blue fruit with depth but not overly heavy. Blackberry pops the most for me, with some herbal notes as well. Fairly nondescript, but enjoyable. Reminds of old vine California zinfandel, maybe a touch less blue fruit.

Could do better on a quest for Barbara d'Asti but this isn't bad.

12/14/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Medium body good character, would buy

10/7/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Trying to sort out whether this bottle was a little compromised or if it is just me tonight. There is an abundance of youthful tannin (?) and astringency here that doesn't make sense. Hopefully breathing will help. Besides that, the wine has nice elements of smoked meat, pepper, plum, pomegranite, herbs and melted licorice. Wish I had a rack of lamb right now, it would make good friends with this juice.

OK, an hour to breathe and warm to room temp helped it chill out a bit. The mouth feel is not as abrasive with this glass.

My only gripe is a lack of finish.

9/14/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Not the most intense expression of this DOCG but a tasty and balanced wine.

6/19/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

wonderful, even early on. this wine has a lot of potential.

7/7/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Fun. Green apple, lemon and also faint touches of a fuller chard in there at the finish, which is nice to provide some depth. Could enjoy this with roasted nuts, buttery salmon, scallops with ginger, lots of things come to mind. Or, on its own it is nice as well.

7/2/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

This is a big Zin. Deep color, heavy fruit nose but also character and intrigue - I get whiffs of licorice, plum, chocolate covered cherry. On palate: blackberry, tobacco, plummy, blueberry. The spice and white pepper comes on strong at the back. Some time has given the tannin a chance to chill and boy is this a smooth wine. Loving it with salame and fresh herb pizza.

5/31/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Pleasantly surprised with this. Agree with other comments about the meaty and bark notes. Some herbal qualities and cherry as well. Did better after an hour or so decant.

5/31/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Straightforward but fun. Was good friends with the smoked
pork rib sandwiches we made. Not sure I would buy more but no regrets drinking it.

5/24/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Loved this, wish we bought more. The blend is amazing. Dark red fruit penetrates through solid tannins and a variety of earth and floral notes. The finish is lengthy. Danced with red meat and rabbit also. Expertly crafted wine.

5/25/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

OK with food. Nothing much else to say.

4/20/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Compared with the other bottle, this one decanted a while longer first. Maybe it was just a different mood but this seemed like a totally different wine. A complex nose of earth, leather and soot, not revealing what fruit lies within. On the palate, raisin, tarragon, roses and finishing with graphite and tobacco. Really finding this wine to be complicated and willing to challenge the palate. I can imagine the care that went into crafting it.

4/20/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Agree with other notes. An example of a full but not overdone Chard, with excellent bubbles. Toast, yeast, nuts, some meyer lemon, and pineapple. Really tasty. Went back and bought 3 more bottles. For the price, can't think of anything else I'd rather have to mix it up from our usual casual prosecco options.

4/14/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Brooding wine with some very appealing things happening. Tannis are big, fruit is bold and a little chewy on the palate, but, there is also a grittiness and astringency that holds things together.

But, I feel a little lost trying to assign a memory to this wine. Good in the moment, but, nothing that sticks around for long.

It was very nice as a complement to some rare lamb steaks with mint chutney.

4/1/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

This wine is everything you want in Viognier. Big, aromatic nose displaying white flowers, stone fruit, honeysuckle and melon. There is a round mouth feel with rich flavors of honey and fruit. Acid is definitely present to provide backbone and some pucker, almost like biting into kiwifruit. A reasonable finish with a note of petrol, which I find interesting. Excellent food wine and very nice on its own.

3/23/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Lots of zippy citrus on the nose. Tart green apple, corriander, lime and some vegetal qualities on the palate. The tropical notes are very understated for me, if present at all. Finish is short and reasonably crisp. Just okay, we'll see if it grows on me any more.

3/23/2014 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Lychee, apple, and refreshing. Not comparable to top tier dry Rieslings but something to consider stocking in for occasional pop and pour nights.

3/15/2014 - Apark101 Does not like this wine:

Poor effort from them. Guess I will stick to their Carmenere, which is actually pretty solid for the money.

3/15/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Not much on the nose, and very basic viognier flavor profile. Some white flowers, honeysuckle, green apple maybe. Short and a little flabby on the palate. Wish I only bought one bottle but it will quaff ok on a hot summer day.

2/24/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

Medium bodied cab with strong cedar and spice nose. The cedar gives way to leather and mint on the palate. Something else there too, maybe blueberry or red plum. The tempranillo really gives this wine a whimsical feel despite the cabernet backbone. Tannins are soft, if not smooth, straight from the bottle with a few swirls.

Liking this restrained take on cabernet. Might not stand up to the richest of red meat dishes, but, nice on its own and would play well with a lot of foods.

Not sure how much I paid but would be good value around $14-17.

1/11/2014 - Apark101 wrote:

On the nose, brooding, charcoal, wet brick.

Tastes of earth, leather, tobacco, some light herbal tones. Rounded by some prune and crushed cherry flavors.

A little astringent and the finish leaves one wanting. The first glass with food was nice, but not as impressed by the second glass.

I find this to be reasonable carmenere for the price, but, there are better ones in this budget range.

9/2/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Good depth, rich jammy blueberry and blackberry. Finish could be longer. Overall quite nice.

11/9/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Complicated for a bottle of Grenache under $20. Fruit is nice but there is more to this wine. Very nice way to mix up your every day drinking lineup, will be buying more. Paired a blue cheese burger with caramelized shallots beautifully.

11/2/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Very approachable bottle. Went well with cioppino and would have stood up to heartier dishes even better.

Good fruit and the montepulciano provides soft tannins. This could be a great go blend given the price.

9/19/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Beautiful rhodolite garnet color. Aroma is interesting, not as fruit centric as expected; some leather, tobacco, and reminding me of damp fall leaves collecting on the ground.

I enjoyed reading about the veronese technique to slightly dehydrate (a la raisin). Not sure if I can tell, but, I will say that for a fruit forward wine, this was really nice. Cherry and currant dominate, but some subtle notes of anise, leather, tobacco. Not as much going on as a cabernet, not as spicy or black fruity as old vine zin, and not as simple (gasp) as most merlot, this was fun. And pretty delish with some homemade bruschetta. This wine liked the sweet acidity of tomatoes and balsamic.

Would buy again, good value.

9/19/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Getting even better. Bright, lemony, nutty, and viscous enough to savor without going too far. A treat.

9/5/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Excellent summer food wine. Grapefruit and pear, crisp, and gulpable.

9/1/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Okay but I was expecting a lot more from this.

8/17/2013 - Apark101 wrote:

On a second pass with this wine, the strawberry was not as pronounced for me; prunes and cigar box this time. Still able to find some red fruit and clove, but, definitely more subdued spice notes than I remember previously, which, honestly, better fits the profile of Nero...maybe I was over thinking it the first time. Still not a bad quaffer though. Paired better than expected with a summer salad of sausage, mushrooms, peppers and fennel.

Still a value play at best, however, sometimes that is exactly what you need.

8/12/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

This was a happy surprise for me. Really really pleasant wine here, both for sippin and with food. Admittedly not the most aromatic Gewurz you will find, it has a complex profile on the palate, which, for me, includes grapefruit, pear, honeydew, and a little bit of the typical lychee flavors. What was surprising is how well balanced it was. Off dry and enough acid to stand up to the cherry and maple glazed salmon we had for dinner.

Will definitely seek this out again as a go to any day Gewurz. Nice representation of the style, while bordering on the drier side.

8/6/2013 - Apark101 wrote:

Nice acid to manage some of the sweeter notes. Mouthfeel a little heavy. Overall, nice with food, good value.

6/23/2013 - Apark101 wrote:

Solid food wine. Bright acid, notes of citrus, white flowers, apricot, and a steely minerality to finish.

Good but not something I would seek out. Nice value though.

6/23/2013 - Apark101 wrote:

Seems to be a little past its prime. Was not sure how this one would age, but based on 2 other bottles we had, I decided to let the third sit for a few years. Still nice, with cassis, cherry and leather, but a tad flat.

5/25/2013 - Apark101 wrote:

One of the best bottles of white I have enjoyed, ever. Beautifully complex and loooong on the palate. Bought to pair with seafood paella and it was certainly a match worth remembering; i can't think of anything else that would have been better. The slight oxidation does give a subtle sherry note, but there is so much more in here, ranging from popcorn to lemon zest. Only regret is not having more!

5/25/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

Very well balanced and solid elements playing together here, but, for me, way overshadowed by the blanco we had first, which was spectacular. Still very worthy though, would happily enjoy again.

6/20/2013 - Apark101 Likes this wine:

What I have been looking for in a summer rose. Guts but not too thick. Excellent of its own and better with food. Will get more.