1/3/2010 - crickdog25 wrote:

Almost undrinkable at first: floating sediment, harsh vinegar-like assault on nose and taste buds. But it opened up beautifully after several hours. Had a burgundy texture and roasted vegetable, mineral and floral taste. Long finish. Very unusual and really grew on me over the course of an evening.

2/26/2009 - crickdog25 wrote:

Good balance, tastes like a young barolo. Better after an hour or two.

1/19/2009 - crickdog25 wrote:

Excellent cab for the price -- just the right amount of oak and vanilla notes and nice peppery sensation.

10/4/2008 - crickdog25 wrote:

Strawberries and spice but not too sweet. Tasted a little young -- a little too juicy. In need of some refinement but very enjoyable.

2/18/2008 - crickdog25 wrote:

Delicious and very drinkable right now. Black cherry and smooth chocolate with some cedar and tobacco. Doesn't overpower or dry you out. Great food wine and a real find at this price.

12/30/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Good rosso-like blend. Great value with a bit of sophistication. Drinks easily but needs a brief decant.

12/30/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Maybe the best CA Syrah I've consumed. Concentrated but not heavy. Dark and earthy but alive with red berry fruit and winter spice. Two bottles back to back -- both were identical and a pure joy.

12/30/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Very jammy and earthy, ripe with strong tannins. Well-wrapped and brought together on the close.

10/17/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Beautifully rich, full-bodied Ribera with dark fruit and coffee flavors. The alcohol is a little upfront and hot, but the wine opens up very nicely.

8/31/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Earthy with beautiful, long finish. Not a blockbuster Brunello but tastes right. Very drinkable and gets softer and more mellow with air.

7/20/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Full bodied with plum and raspberry tones, well integrated alcohol and great finish. Excellent value and drinking beautifully now but should age well.

5/21/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Gobs of fruit -- blackberry, cherry, plum --and hint of spice tea on the aftertaste. This is still coming together and might strike some as too sweet, but hard to find cab this good at this price.

4/2/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Big, rich fruit that is nicely tamed and lightly spiced. Would probably be even better with age.

3/28/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Silky, seductive syrah blend that is surprisingly refined and light weight for such an inky wine. Lots of sediment and needs a quick decant.

3/20/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Silky smooth with a little leather and a slight Pernod flavor. Not a memorable or blockbuster wine that changes in the glass but sophisticated, complex and thoroughly enjoyable.

3/6/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Elegant wine with raspberry and floral notes. About as good as the 2001 which was more earthy but equally enjoyable. One of the better affordable riojas around. Seems ready to drink right now.

2/27/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Solid cab, well integrated tannins, smooth and delightful.

2/27/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Big concentrated wine with plum and blackberry, slight oak and exotic sweetness. Inky and mouth-filling; it was great fun to drink.

2/27/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Deep berry-flavors, some spice and wood and black currant. A mouth-coating, textured wine with beautiful finish. Can be consumed young -- better the second day.

2/20/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Deep, rich fruit-loaded wine with complexity and smooth finish.

2/20/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Slight mustiness upon opening. Raspberries and cherry along with slightly funky earthy taste. Complex and very enjoyable wine.

2/10/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Good body and deep finish but gamey, barnyard notes overwhelmed

1/22/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Beautiful wine. Some leather, slight cedar, blackberry and liquorice notes. Very balanced and smooth. Needs a quick decant.

1/22/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Tastes pedestrian, slightly thin.

1/18/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Very good syrah for price. Not especially complex or sylish but vibrant cola notes and enjoyable finish.

1/13/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Earthy wine that evolved in the glass. Slight metalic flavor but very enjoyable overall.

1/5/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Musty, thin barolo. Had a slighty bitter after taste.

1/5/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Intriguing wine that grew on us over the course of an evening. It tasted almost like a burgundy -- lower alcohol, higher acidity. Not anywhere near as good as the 2003, which featured a wonderfully smoky, bacon fat richness. Needs more time in the cellar.

1/5/2007 - crickdog25 wrote:

Whopper of a wine with huge fruit and good assimilation. Has a bite at first but smooths out after an hour or so. At current price it's hard to beat. Among the best I've tasted of a varietal that is often disappointing.

12/29/2006 - crickdog25 wrote:

Slightly off taste even after decanting but improved later in evening. Good mineral flavor with blackberry and plum. Good structure and balance but not much of a finish. Other bottles in case tasted better.

12/29/2006 - crickdog25 wrote:

Plush wine for the $. Well integrated tannins. Slightly smokey, plum and cocoa flavors and good finish. Even better the second day.

12/29/2006 - crickdog25 wrote:

Very concentrated, fruit-driven pinot but cloying sweetness. Too rich for my taste.