10/31/2023 - amswine Likes this wine:

I’ve been impressed with this wine - nicely balanced with generous fruit and good acidity - will buy again

10/31/2023 - amswine Likes this wine:

Classic rioja notes - drinking beautifully now and will age gracefully.

10/7/2023 - amswine Likes this wine:

Excellent. Fresh crisp and fruity. Very balanced and will buy again. Great qpr.

10/7/2023 - amswine wrote:

Drinking beautifully but with some legs to last longer. Ripe fruit with some spice.

12/29/2022 - amswine wrote:

This vintage really grew over the last 2 years and is a fine accompaniment for stews and grills. The classical flavors have melded to make a very drinkable wine.

12/29/2022 - amswine wrote:

Sorry to see the last bottle consumed - excellent qpr and worth the cellar time to see how this evolved - a fine CdP

11/14/2022 - amswine wrote:

Nothing subtle about this one - intense fruit and bramble and at 16 a real mouthful. I love zins for their flavors and value but I prefer them a bit more dialed down.

11/13/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

I have 2 bottles left. Opened and it tasted thin and dry but within an hour it was opening and the following day it was a revelation. According to the recommendation it should have been finished years ago - I guess you can’t get it right all the time ! What a wonderful surprise

10/10/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

We had 2 bottles with company - the first had some cork issues but was drinkable and enjoyed. The second had more intense flavors, sharper color and better mouth feel although lighter than many CdP’s.
Remains good value and would buy again

8/22/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

Unfortunately my final bottle - and it tasted fresh with a wonderful nose of rich forest floor notes and an impressive balanced finish. The only sign of aging was that it peaked after 45 mins but by then there were only drops left…..very good value and another fine example of this appellation.

4/23/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

Blackcurrant and cherry hit the nose on opening and it takes a while for the mouthfeel to catch up so I’d recommend opening well before drinking. Indeed on the second day the last glass was possibly the best with fruit and tannins in full harmony. As others have said great qpr and looking fwd to more !

4/18/2022 - amswine wrote:

Vegetative more than fruit on the nose but shades of dark cherry and blackberry are there. Give it some breathing time and you will be rewarded as the tannins become more immersed. Not my favorite from this region but good value and an ideal accompaniment with grilled meats, in my case second day cold leg of lamb.

3/26/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

Peak condition and my last one. Heady fruit with soft oak undertones and wonderful long finish with few tannins present on the aftertaste.

3/12/2022 - amswine Likes this wine:

Liquourice and cherry are to the fore with smooth tannins that made a great accompaniment to hearty tomato based pasta dishes. Probably at its peak now and will finish up over 2022.

7/27/2021 - amswine Likes this wine:

My idea of a CdP - that delightful blend of fruit and earth - long finish that retains intensity and a great buy. Patience is rewarded - a few more to enjoy as well

7/27/2021 - amswine Likes this wine:

Powerful fruit on the nose and deep color that gives anticipation - blackberry and brush evident with first taste and delightful after taste - no one put their glass down and went for the second taste ….
There is so much relative value today in Petite Syrah, Zins and Merlot and their cousins in Europe

3/9/2021 - amswine wrote:

Merlot is so under rated and under valued. I’ve had several bottles over the past 2+ years and all have been reliable and a nice accompaniment to a variety of meals. Good texture and balanced acidity with fruit - not too jammy thankfully .....great value

1/3/2021 - amswine Likes this wine:

Cherries and bracken - very smooth soft tannins and long finish ....really good

12/30/2020 - amswine wrote:

I opened my last bottle - I only had a few but each time it improved and I’m wondering if I should have edited the drink up date ...the color and nose suggested it was either at its peak or it was still developing. If you like heavily perfumed Pinot then this may not be your favorite - but the texture and range are quite good for the price paid

12/30/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

This is the final bottle of this brand I have - and very sorry to see it finish. Over the years I’ve enjoyed the Pinot and petite Syrah and it never failed to please. Always excellent qpr.

11/27/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

Last 2 bottles - elegant, fruitful and still drinking very well - had these and others for several years and it rewards itself

8/13/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

Elegant and in its prime - cassis and earthy notes- smooth with no harsh tones in the aftertaste - a v good example of why this group can produce exceptional value - wish I had more than one left

6/21/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

very intense fruit mouthful almost overwhelming with jamminess yet balanced in the mid range and long lingering after taste. It will be interesting to see how the other bottles mature - great drinking now but plenty of time available to drink up.

5/5/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

It needs a little air time but after 30 mins this becomes a very drinkable wine displaying above average balance in this price range. Recommended qpr and perfect with hearty food.

4/22/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

This still maintains its characteristics - has improved since my last tastings and is high on my all time ripasso list. Ripe fruit and balanced tannins and will beat most Amarone’s at the lower end of the quality range. Great QPR and very approachable at this time.

4/14/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

No signs of discoloration and strong earthy tones with vegetative and fruits of the forest at the forefront. Opened an hour before tasting and even the next day the underlying structure and balanced tannins were evident. A delightful wine drinking well by itself but a perfect accompaniment to roast lamb.

3/23/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

This is an approachable wine with intense plum overtones and a slightly vegetative entry that worked well with braised pork loin but with its balanced tannins could be enjoyed on its own. I have a few more that l’ll open over the next few months and look forward to exploring further. Good value and perhaps needed more bottle time than previous reviews.

3/16/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

I have another 2 bottles and I’m not in a hurry to finish these. it has improved a lot from the first bottle last year and still has some legs, evidenced by day 2 drinking. More subtle than punchy zing flavors but good finish and sound qpr

3/14/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

This continues to be a wonderful CdR - a 2011 still drinking well and arguably improving in 2020 puts it closer to CdP drinking recommendations. Unfortunately it’s the last one so I’ll move onto a later vintage !

3/6/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

Continues to evolve and 2021 looks to be a fair drinking up threshold although previous vintages have held up beyond their end date. Terrific value continues to be found in CdR and CdRV and in appelations in close proximity.

2/17/2020 - amswine wrote:

Still drinking well - just a couple more over the next few months to enjoy

2/5/2020 - amswine Likes this wine:

Needed 30 mins to open. Solid structure and fruit friendly initially then greater complexity with brush notes. Drink up.

7/29/2019 - amswine wrote:

Just about made the distance and paired with roast duck and pork loin it made for a nice meal. Flavors and tannins were balanced but there was no second look at the glass and excitement of surprises to come.....

7/23/2019 - amswine Likes this wine:

Last one of this vintage and still delivers after giving it some breathing time. With chicken kebabs and grilled vegetables. Fruits of the forest with lighter tones and tannins in balance.

3/22/2019 - amswine Likes this wine:

I must have a word with the cellar manager as I discovered 4 bottles well past their drink date - we tried one and lo and behold it was not only drinkable but bordering on delicious - I will not wait too long to finish the others but those intense flavors and mouth feel make amarone's a personal favorite - very drinkable by itself but with Italian sausage pasta in a rich tomato sauce this became a good match up.

2/22/2019 - amswine Likes this wine:

Fruits of the forest and jammy with forest floor in the mid range and clean after taste - drinking well and showing few signs of age - good with stews and in this case cheese steak but fruit forward to sip by itself

2/13/2019 - amswine Likes this wine:

Continues to age gracefully and has matured to resemble the 2007 - classic aromas and real depth and balance to the wine....a few more to look forward to - must have had a few cases of the 07 and 08 and we are big fans - put it in amongst other more recognized and certainly more expensive wines at the dinner table and see which runs out first

2/8/2019 - amswine wrote:

The only previous reviews were in 2014 - in 2019 the wine initially offers nice floral notes and a good balance of acidity - after a couple of hours it's still agreeable but those floral notes are more hidden. I can't remember what I paid for the 4 bottles but patience is rewarded ! It's not exceptional but perfectly good for everyday drinking.

2/4/2019 - amswine wrote:

Holding up - not remarkable but given 30 mins breathing a very acceptable companion to a beef stew with dumplings in a thick broth.

12/15/2018 - amswine wrote:

Nothing exceptional but good QPR and enjoyed with pasta tomato dish with chicken

12/15/2018 - amswine Likes this wine:

Impressive cab enjoyed over 2 days with no signs of aging - nice balance of flavors - no need to hurry drinking up

10/26/2018 - amswine Likes this wine:

I'm happy I was patient with this vintage - when I tried one in 2016 i thought it might develop and went well past the 2017 recommended drink up date - it's drinking well and on the nose when first opened would have had me guessing cab before it develops a more earthy tone reminiscent of a rhone style....great value and happy I have a few more.

10/13/2018 - amswine Likes this wine:

I moved the end drinking date to end 2018 based on a recent bottle drank with lamb Ragu which was a perfect accompaniment.

8/26/2018 - amswine Likes this wine:

Still drinking well but it is my last - a little beyond the 2017 recommended date but holding its color and freshness and wonderful as an aperitif or as today also with spaghetti bol......lovely depth came with aging

4/7/2017 - amswine Likes this wine:

Agree with the previous review - over Sicilian dishes that were hearty - our companions stopped talking and started discussing the wine - excellent QPR - wonderful mouth feel with tannins and fruit balanced.

12/31/2016 - amswine wrote:

No change from previous posting - no a ha's from the group.

12/31/2016 - amswine wrote:

With roast rib of beef and roasted vegetables - this has opened up since 2014 - greater depth of fruit and balanced tannins. Enjoyed by the group and will open another in 2017 but drinking well now.

12/31/2016 - amswine wrote:

I do like pn's that give a floral nose and some earthiness to accompany its fruit notes. This bottle was enjoyed by others but for me it did not stand out from others we have enjoyed in the same price range.

11/6/2016 - amswine Likes this wine:

This was one of several wines over the evening with friends out to dinner and I only managed to get half a glass because it was finished quickly. Concentrated blackberry with some earthy notes and with lamb shank polenta and roasted beets it was a good match - drinks well now but I'm in no hurry to use the others in the cellar. I'd like to have given this more breathe time. Like many petite Syrah vg QPR when you get it right.

6/2/2016 - amswine Likes this wine:

Last bottle of this vintage and still some legs ....took 45 mins to open and then classic earthy, bramble tones with a smooth finish. I have the 12 and looking forward to these.