3/20/2019 - fred o. Likes this wine:

Dark ruby color with light translucence at the edges and bit of browning; flecks of sediment towards the bottom of the bottle. Nose smoky and meaty, black pepper with some violets. Palate silky texture, tart bing cherries with a profoundly rocky/wet stone minerality, savory black olives per J, faint pyrazines on the finish.

Hits all the notes of classically structured cool climate Syrah, just skirting the edges of underripe to me but wears its “11 1/2%” abv well overall, some richness to the red fruits surprisingly and gratifyingly. Could see it going a few more years left and developing more. Nice complexity right now, great with food. 92 pts

3/22/2019 - PDX-S wrote:

Lean, not much to show. Either a bad bottle or indicative of less than stellar juice with little upside.
Tannins were mostly integrated, acid was there, but very lean fruit and vegetal flavors were akin to weak tea.
There were no off flavors, just not much of interest on this evening.

10/6/2018 - spicy1 Likes this wine:

Think I will review the cork covering on this bottle, in the hope that the folks at Arnot-Roberts read these reviews (I know that Bedrock winery does). Instead of a foil covering, this bottle is covered with a hard, white plastic material. When you try to get to the cork the
plastic material comes apart. Some in chunks, some in white particles, some in dust. No doubt some of it gets into the bottle for later tasting. There must be some advantage to using this material but I'm thinking it's not worth the mess.

8/2/2018 - Outplaying wrote:

I came home from work and Ann had a bottle of wine in a brown bag on the counter. Game on. Smells like crushed pepper, with a fair amount of darker fruit. A little alcohol, too? Immediately thought Syrah, and probably northern Rhone. On the palate, darker fruit, again crushed pepper, and some meaty notes. Medium bodied, solid acidity, and fine tannin. Definitely old world. Thinking northern Rhone, or possibly a old school CdP producer. I went with my first impressions and guessed northern Rhone Syrah.

As this opened over an hour or so, it started to show some red fruit tones, baking spices, cinnamon, and a little sappy, slightly sweet fruit. Dark honey. I'd like to think if I didn't rush to judgement I would have come around to CdP, but who knows? Either way this is pretty good and showing young. Should be better in 5 to 10 years. I'll wait a while on the others.

8/1/2018 - Eric Guido Likes this wine:

The nose was vibrant, showing bright crushed raspberries mixed with dusty sweet spices, an unmistakable note of fennel, smoke and peppery nuances. On the palate, I found velvety textures giving way to ripe blueberry and black cherry, with hints of sweet spice and violet candies, as brisk acidity added freshness. The finish was medium-long and actually quite pretty as lingering red and blue fruit slowly faded, leaving hints of dry spices, and light tannin. This performance was quite enjoyable, and although some time in bottle may bring out more layers, I find it difficult to keep my hands off already.

7/4/2018 - Rollerball wrote:

Oh my goodness: YUM!! Smells, tastes, and feels like heaven then sinks for minutes into the most comfortable, delightful finish, as if into a soft leather couch. So much going on yet perfectly internally complementary ... not to mention scrumptious. Like swimming in a rainbow. I will never forget the first sip of this, where I was standing, where the sun was in the sky, everything. It's been a while since a wine took my breath away like this.

3/9/2018 - dpolivy wrote:

Vindredi (Barolo & Barbaresco) (Bellevue, WA): Tasted blind. A little menthol, spice, and tar on the nose. Light and pretty body with dried flowers, potpourri and a soft, pretty palate. Light-to-medium acid with fine tannins on the lengthy finish. Beautiful.

6/19/2018 - Cabernetdialectic Likes this wine:

Deep purple upon initial inspection, although there is also a decided reddish cast. Rich aromas of black and red plums, Morello cherries, lavender, candied rhubarb, pen ink, a little volatile acidity poking up through the fruit. Smooth textured and more complex than expected: crunchy cherries and plums of both colours, a purple popsicle including the stick. Medium finish. The alcohol is robust at 14.5 but I find it rather well-concealed. Tasty enough, this.

6/11/2018 - Heynetty wrote:

Wine Dojo - Week 13 - A Sticky Situation!!! (Annette's Place): Tasted Blind

A: Pale amber
N: Caramel, nuts (pecans and hazelnuts), salt, burnt sugar, acetylaldehyde, coffee and as K pointed out, malt. Medium (+) intensity.
P: Dry, medium (+) acid, full body, medium (+) intensity and long finish. 19% alcohol
C: This seems fully developed and BLIC? balanced, good length and intensity. Very Good quality. $21/bottle

GUESSES:
Guessed this was a Amontillado sherry but palo cortado is richer with more roasted flavors, coffee and molasses.

MISTAKES:
The coffee and molasses were apparent. should have called it.

2/18/2018 - WalidN wrote:

I agree with the last reviews. This wine is bad. On top of being de la piquette (as we say in french), it was muddy. I am afraid my second bottle is going to be the same...

6/14/2018 - kend707 Likes this wine:

Best among 8 brunellos tasted tonight. Best among all 2010s I have tasted also. This wine most typifies what historic brunello tastes like to me. Lovely fruit, lots of fragrance, underbrush, cedar and black fruits. Tannins are strong, but accommodating to the fruit. Don't pass this up if you can find it.

6/8/2018 - Onthelees wrote:

Consumed over three days. Medium garnet with purple highlights. Muddled nose of bramble and raspberry. Palate was savory and reflected the nose in a unidimensional manner that evolved little with time. Third day was the the best albeit marginlly. Moderately light bodied, light acid and tannins, moderate intensity and OK complexity. Average length. I never felt this wine completely delivered on it’s promise. Will give the next bottle another six months.

A half glass left the next day. The melange of the savory green notes, the bramble, tannins and terminal bitterness caught my attention. Will see where it goes.

7/15/2017 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [4 Whts, 5 Reds, & 1 Shared Cru Beajolais] from 07/14/17 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): "Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) from vines over 60 years old in vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba."

N: Attractive toast & vanilla with notes of spice & coffee

P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish oak/frt met by slightly swtish pucker, this FAIRLY seamlessly only somewhat resolving by the LONG, tangy finish with notes of coffee & choc. Deserves (NEEDS?) cellaring into mid '18, poss mid '19, then drinking into the mid 2020s? FASCINATING stuff! :) 97 pts Suckling, 95 ea WA & '17 Decanter World Wine Awards [although @ another time a different Decanter panel gave it 91], 93 WS & #65/100 Top Wines of '16 @ $55, 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson, and 16/20 El Mundo Vino. [IF this vendor still has any of this @ $41.95, the price would be $3 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's EARLY June 2018 postings.]

12/13/2017 - msuwine wrote:

A buttery and intense Chardonnay that has more power than finesse - and improves a bit with air. Light yellow in color, medium in body, nose of lemon meringue pie, popcorn, and almond. Tastes of orange marmalade, quince, butter, and hazelnut, with a tart and sour finish. 14.5% alcohol. I'd hold for another six months.

I used to enjoy Ramey's Chardonnays, but I've drifted away after being exposed to CA alternatives that offer more focus and precision, without sacrificing richness or depth (e.g., Aubert, Morlet). Even after a few hours, this wine lacks integration - too buttery at one taste, too inward the other. This has potential; it just needs more time in order to integrate better.

11/24/2017 - AGELVIS Likes this wine:

Three hour decant. Dark purple/maroon color. Nutmeg, black pepper, molasses and pomegranate on the fruit forward nose. Very smooth palate. Peppery, medium finish. This ver well made, but I’m realizing that Zin is low on my list of enjoyable varietals. My wife loves this wine. I can see/taste that it’s well made, but I don’t love it.

11/19/2017 - Alaskawino Does not like this wine:

Going garnet with a good purple rim. Slightly corked nose with blackberry backing. Never had such subtle corked smell and taste.

9/29/2017 - spicy1 Likes this wine:

As a trout fisherman I love the name--can just picture the fish hanging in the gulch. Unique label with not a word on the front. Plenty of mineral but I am thinking the lemon overwhelms at this point. I would wait at least a year for it to gel.

2/2/2014 - Onthelees wrote:

Sweet and Lambrusco-like with a melange of fruity flavors and some balancing traits. Not my thing but my daughter will love it.

6/25/2017 - BasilNew wrote:

Overall, given the pricetag ($38) I was a little disappointed. Not bad, but nothing special either. None of the complexity of a decent base St Julian in a similar price range. Juicy blackberry fruit, smooth, almost velvety, but quite boring overall...something the British refer to as a "Fat Bastard", wines from warm, vintages with high alcohol but lacking complex notes.

6/4/2017 - mrmikemtr Likes this wine:

This is not a 94 nor a 97. It is 91 best. Sorry, my opinion. I've had better. Ever have a 1994 mersault charmes? Stunning. This is ok, but overpriced imo. Good but worth 58? Absolutely not. I would leave this open 30 mins or so after dragging out of storage. Open it to let it breathe.

6/3/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote:

Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant (Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant): Muddy pink rosé color.
Earthy semicarbonic notes with dirt, mushroom, and slight VA- smells like skin contact.
Dry high alcohol med plus acid. Med minus tannins-nice and grippy. Medium bitterness. Notable petillance. Old watermelon rinds. I don't really understand this wine.

2/6/2017 - deetz Likes this wine:

Aromas of bacon fat, swamp, cherry cola, black tar, charred tobacco, and fire pit. Quite metallic, herbaceous, and swampy. Can feel the heat on this wine!

3/12/2017 - chasr3 Likes this wine:

Drank with a grilled salmon. Expecting a little more. A little too much lemon . Have drank by the glass at aa Casa d Angelo in Boca with some pastas. At a $60 a bottle it's ok vs. 20 a glass at Casa. Probably won't bt retail again

3/22/2017 - Rktekt3 wrote:

There is no way this wine is ever going to come together. Ever.

Usually my go to wine which is why I ordered so much of it. Clearly other people knew something because this wine is a disjointed mess. PNP on first night was crazy not right. 2 days later and I am getting bath soap flavor on the palate. Not a good sign. Great color though.

3/24/2017 - cultdrinker wrote:

About the 4th bottle for me in the last 2 months, and I continue to be impressed. $25 a bottle for this cuvee. Thanks Larry. In my book at least, your wines are making your name a legend.

3/15/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote:

Broadbent Vinho Verde, Port, Madeira: Medium ruby. Slightly floral with faint pyrazines (very dark green bell peppers). Structured with ripe tart blackberry flavors.

Score: Around 8.5-9.

8/23/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote:

A private lunch (Restaurant Le Bernardin ***, New York City, NY, USA): Very pale colour, quite orange-y, tawny rim; fragrant nose, fresh and mineral, not unlike a mature cool-climate Pinot Noir, tobacco leaf, sweet strawberry, rosehip and a touch of undergrowth, just like with the Sandlands tasted yesterday, the Ahr comes to mind; the palate is light and fresh and pleasantly grippy, more so than the Sandlands was, with some ripe sweetness from the fruit but slightly drier too, transparent, pure and precise; has some black tea on the finish, hint of earth, very good length. Lovely wine, stylish.

4/7/2016 - rocknroller wrote:

A Mixed Bag of Frenchies and Italians (Heirloom, St.Paul, MN): Light green gold color. Drank 1 glass over an hour. This was supposed to be the 2010 La Forest, but alas, we had to "settle" for the 2010 Vaillon. Certainly no slouch, this was showing more earth and some spice on the nose and palate, more citrus, mineral, youthful. Very good, need a year or two. (corrected)

1/12/2016 - Onthelees wrote:

45 min decant. Experience essentially identical to Nostrabacchus describes except it was it was just a little rough at the edges especially compared to the more elegant 06 Uccelliera. Nothing that time will not cure which will only make it that much better. Outstanding

5/13/2013 - Onthelees wrote:

Ruche requires the right mood. Per my wife's superior olfactory sensors, the nose offers French raspberry hard candies in the tin and a hint of cloves. The palate flows quickly through red fruit with clove and other spices followed very quickly by tongue tingling spicy tannins which endure longer than expected. Not quite right alone but still trying to find the right culinary match. Pretty good

10/24/2015 - JohanPe wrote:

Dark red fruit, plum and blackcurrant. Meaty with lots of power and weight and on the same time cool and fresh, very good. The palate is even better with the same fruit in the same cool, sunny expression. Undergrowth, stem, green herbs, pepper and olives, the green ones. Complex and beautiful wine, long finish, the price is high but when it delivers like this it's good value.

10/2/2015 - Elvis1969 wrote:

Lite för mycket nya världen för min smak.

9/21/2015 - fjl0907 Likes this wine:

Gift from Barb. Enjoyed this with grilled burgers and bison lasagna.

7/22/2015 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wrote:

Popped and poured.

5/3/2015 - RajivAyyangar wrote:

Alsace Intro: Riesling and Pinot Gris (Home): bottle 64761-278
@home

Summary:
Dry with elevated alcohol (13%) and high acidity. A bit thin in midpalate and aromatics for that level of alcohol. Strong acid (significant tartness) on the finish. Overall a bit lean and hot.

Score: Between 8.5 and 9

---------------------
Full Sensory:

Visual:
Clear, day-bright (slightly brighter than the first wine).
Bright straw in the glass with reflections of lemon yellow and green.
No gas or sediment.
Light tears.

[taste - dry]

Nose:
Moderate intensity, clean.
The “Beach Ball” note makes sense to me! I definitely get a beach ball / shower curtain / petrol (TDN: 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene). It presents as a whiff of plasticky pool toy to me - images of pools and inflatable toys). Primary aromas of ripe Meyer lemon, dried lemon, dried orange, beeswax.
Secondary aromas of petrol/pool toy, cheese rind - a sheepsmilk cheese like Ossau-Iraty or Petit Basque. N1 (light sniff off the top) is the best on this - sweet and ripe lemony flavors.
Primarily savory, driven by ripe lemon and wax. There’s an implied earthiness that permeates this and the last wine, as if the wine is real, detailed, analog, organic, non-airbrushed, continuous instead of discrete.
No evidence of oak.
This wine is complex and developing.

Palate:
Dry. Medium body, medium alcohol (12.5-13) that feels hot in the context of this wine.
The palate overall seems a bit lost in alcohol, though there are moderate intensity flavors of ripe lemon and wax on the midpalate. No oak evidence.
Acidity is high - a nice push of strong, energetic, tartaric acid at the start of the finish followed by a modest pucker of malic acid.
No tannins or impression of phenolic bitterness.
Finish is moderate plus in length, with the lemony waxy character continuing with malic acid. I’m not so much a fan of the way this finishes, or the somewhat hot nature of the midpalate, but it is balanced in a particular way.
The balance seems to me analogous to nebbiolo - floral and high-toned in aroma and flavor, but with some alcoholic heat and acidic punch.

Conclusion:
This has to be the ’07 Riesling. I’ll say a bit more:
Old world style based on the acid profile and the overall savory nature. Seems cooler in climate than the Pinot Gris, though that could be varietal.
France > Alsace > Riesling > Hugel
It’s from a cooler vintage - the acidity is high.
Alcohol is 12.5% [Close! 13%]
Overall I don’t particularly enjoy the dry, higher-alcohol expression of Riesling that this embodies. I think I much preferred the lower-alcohol Weingut Knoll riesling (Wachau, Austria).
This makes me think of a quiet folk singer struggling with a cold and a slight pitch problem. It just isn’t able to sing clearly.

Actual:
2007 Hugel et Fils Riesling “Jubilee”
13% Alcohol
6.5 g/L RS
7.7 g/L TA
Grand Cru: Sporen (top of the Haut-Rhin, just south of Ribeauville)
Soil: stony clay-marl

Other notes:
2007 Vintage, from Romana Echensperger (GuildSomm):
"2007: Very good classical vintage. Very long ripening period and no excessive rain."

3/29/2015 - the godfather wrote:

Don't think I'm hipster enough to get it

2/20/2015 - Rieslingfan Likes this wine:

Refreshing and balanced, this has a crisp, lemony first impression, with some apple skin and mineral back end depth. Light to medium bodied at most, this is the leanest version of this wine I have tried. A whole bunch of this wine could get consumed over the summer if all the snow around here ever melts.

12/5/2014 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine:

Air and temp is your friend here….drink this like a Puligny Montrachet/Chablis….very bright lemon, nectarine citrus fruit…creamed up with pear, apple, melon fruit. Has killer salty minerality..crushed stones, sea air……raw peanut, rain water, white flowers, chalk. Very fresh, clean, and vibrant….yet complexes as it warms. Reminds me of a two headed Louis……Domaine Louis Michel Chablis and Louis Carillon Puligny Monty! This wine rocks!

11/20/2014 - t_moderne wrote:

The bottle arrived today and there was a tiny hairline crack in the bottle such that there was the smallest leak. Single drops of wine. The winery was kind enough to send a replacement, leaving me no choice but to open the leaking bottle before it emptied, small drip by drip, onto the cellar floor.
Pop and pour and served without food
crisp bright tart red fruits, cranberries and fresh basil. the whole cluster is evident. Wonderfully bright and inviting. Enjoyable.

7/16/2014 - bonedoc wrote:

Same as last note, burnt, pepper undertones, a little heat. Make sure you pair this right, otherwise it will not show well.

10/2/2014 - JVG wrote:

WSET Level 3 Class.

Clear, medium lemon. Clean, medium-intensity, developing nose, with aromas of rubber band (petrol), lemon, peach, and blossom. Dry on the palate, high acid, medium body, medium alcohol, medium(+) intensity, and a flavor profile similar to the nose but more citrusy, with strong lemon and lime, pineapple, and herb. Medium(+) finish. Very good, can drink now but will improve.

8/15/2013 - Italiana wrote:

This bottle consumed way too early. Very aggressive -- needs some time to calm down.

8/12/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Earthy, fresh, spicy fruits with a peppery, zippy personality, leaving you with an impression of sweet, ripe, black raspberries and kirsch in the lush finish.

10/5/2013 - Grinner Likes this wine:

PHMG WAG: Tour de France 2013 (Chez Lyon in Eugene, OR): Wow, this is great! A white wine that grabs you by the shoulders from behind and "pulls your head out". What you were doing is irrelevant, the wine is now in control.
"We have assumed control, we have assumed control,..."
White stone fruit, grapefruit and other citrus flavors, with spice and mineral notes all dance with the sparkling acidity. That dance goes on and on and your palate parties on... I'm tired. Now or later; matters not.

8/12/2014 - gondrik Likes this wine:

We have had several bottles with same wonderful experience. I agree with ONTHELEES elegant review but would add pineapple as a tasting element.

7/30/2014 - bevetroppo Likes this wine:

Ok, what about that color? Like Crazy Eddie, it's insane!!! An otherworldly almost dayglow candy cherry. Could it be radioactive? No, it's just the product of fer-mentation, ie it's a rose from the indigenous fer servadou grape.

Pretty nose of raspberries and flinty minerals. Light bodied and quite dry, with attractive raspberries and a stony, dry impression on the finish.

This wine will make a statement on the table with it's wacky vivid color, and back it up with its taut fer-vent flavors.

7/18/2014 - cltean Likes this wine:

Tasted at Total Wine in McLean, VA on July 18, 2014. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. My second time tasting this and seems to be a little better than when I tried it 6 months ago, but don't think its worth $40/bottle.

6/11/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Why the IGP instead of the Vacluse designation? Big and spicy and lots of structure. And hey oh, its $80! Its really good, but really, $80? Its delicious, shows some oak tannin, massive, not sure if I am missing something here.

7/11/2014 - wgmccallum Likes this wine:

Medium ruby. Forward aromas of earth and berry. Pure sweet ripe berry juice on the palate, with a well-matched acid frame, bracing tannins, and a clear medium finish. An enticing wine, full of clarity and promise. 55+12+17+8.

6/1/2013 - Sheila wrote:

This is a BIG wine. Deep, dark, rich purple color. Lots of spice and a lot going on.. licorice, blackberry, earthy notes followed by a smooth fruit finish. In my young experience of holding wines then drinking (held this one for 3 yrs), this Turnbull Cab was a most pleasant, enjoyable, surprising experience... one that was shared with good friends, a great meal, good conversation and a lasting memory.