4/30/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: pale straw
Nose: pear, yellow apple, honey, daffodils
Palate: honey, ripe pear, lemon cream
Mouthfeel: soft and smooth start, moderately acidic finish

Unlike my last tasting of this wine, this bottle is still amazing. Great balance in acidity and sweet and floral flavors

4/28/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark brick red, slightest tinge of brown
Nose: still big cherry, cranberry, violet, eucalyptus, some alcohol
Palate: fresh cherry, big tobacco, cedar, grape stems
Mouthfeel: start is a bit flabby, but boy it moves to tannic, low fruit

Paired fabulously with a heavily peppered ribeye but needs a big protein but the fruit is fading.

4/27/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: medium light yellow
Nose: magnolia, honeysuckle, jasmine, very floral
Palate: ripe pear, lemon curd, ripe yellow apple, white pepper, graham cracker
Mouthfeel: great balance of soft start and full body

This is drinking amazingly even at 9 years!

4/21/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark, brick red, touch of orange/brown edges
Nose: earth, cherry, menthol, tar
Palate: cherry, red fruit, big black pepper, oak
Mouthfeel: soft, juicy start, big spicy tannic finish

Drinking very nicely right now but probably just past it’s prime

4/7/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: very dark garnet
Nose: cedar, fresh tilled earth, blackberry
Palate: blueberry, blackberry, white pepper
Mouthfeel: mild, light, with a short finish

Paired with smoked whole chicken

3/31/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: brick red, rust
Nose: sour cherry, earth, undercurrent of barnyard, eucalyptus
Palate: black cherry, cocoa, cedar, pepper, blackberry
Mouthfeel: nice balance of fruit and tannin, pepper stills says around

Paired well with lamb leg roast.

3/31/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: yellow gold, can see a touch of age
Nose: mild honeysuckle, mild white pepper
Palate: lemon curd, lemon meringue, citrus
Mouthfeel: very soft start with a bit of flabbiness. Medium acidic finish

Definitely past its prime but still very drinkable.

3/26/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark, dark purple
Nose: blueberry, cedar, chocolate covered cherry, menthol, mint
Palate: brown spices, black pepper, unripe blackberry, stems
Mouthfeel: juicy, fruity start, big spicy, jammy finish

Still drinking very well 8 years in.

3/24/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: light brick red, a tinge of brown
Nose: sour cherry, cedar, green grape leaf backdrop
Palate: big sour cherry, big black pepper, oak
Mouthfeel: soft and well balanced start, tannins pick up after an hour open

Think this wine is in its peak right now.

3/5/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Drank with Fern and Nikki on our cruise.

3/7/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Drank with Fern and Nikki on our cruise.

3/7/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Drank with Fern and Nikki on our cruise.

3/6/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Drank with Fern and Nikki on our cruise.

3/17/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark brick red
Nose: cherry, herb spices, brown spices
Palate: cherry, pepper, fresh raisin, earth, tobacco
Mouthfeel: big spice start, medium tannic finish

3/15/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: pale straw
Nose: white flowers, beeswax, ripe pear
Palate: quince, lemon, lime peel, some minerality
Mouthfeel: soft, smooth with a medium dry finish, lightweight throughout

Paired with a spicy Mediterranean meal and went very well. Great value for the price.

3/14/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Bottle opened and vacuum sealed a week before tasting notes.

Color: dark, maroonish-purple
Nose: eucalyptus, mint, dried herbs, menthol
Palate: red fruit, cranberry, black pepper, oak
Mouthfeel: smooth, balanced start moves to big tannins at end

3/11/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: medium gold
Nose: white pepper, dried green herbs, melon, touch of alcohol
Palate: minerality, gravel, white pepper, lime peel
Mouthfeel: short soft start, but huge acidic finish; touch lightweight

2/13/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: pale yellow
Nose: yellow flowers, lime peel, dry gravel
Palate: lime soda, unripe yellow apple, white pepper
Mouthfeel: medium body, solid balance of fruit and acid

Very enjoyable everyday white wine. Like the value prop.

2/10/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: garnet/brick red
Nose: dry earth, violets, unripe blackberry
Palate: oak, unripe raspberries, green stems
Mouthfeel: fairly light start, thin-ish very dry finish

Really enjoy this wine but I'm not ready to anoint it >90 yet. The mouthfeel is a tad to thin and doesn't provide enough support for the other really nice flavors. Very good for a $24 St Emilion.

1/14/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this wine but drank it without taking notes!

1/13/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: garnet red
Nise: dark cherry, mint, wood smoke, eucalyptus
Palate: cherry, pomegranate, oak, wet stone, pepp
Mouthfeel: smooth and juicy, very dry tannic finish

1/3/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark cherry red
Nose: cherry, red plum, alcohol, mint
Palate: mint, eucalyptus, white pepper, green leaves
Mouthfeel: gritty, very tannic woody finish

I’m slightly disappointed in the overall balance and fruit expression coming from this bottle. Will hold my others for awhile.

1/1/2024 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark garnet, nearly purple
Nose: ripe black cherry, violets, roses
Palate: black cherry, slight tobacco, touch of cocoa, stem/green flavors
Mouthfeel: moderately tannic, surprisingly long dry finish

Paired with slow-smoked pork ribs and was a great mate. On its own, it is still young and I’m looking forward to holding my remaining bottle.

12/31/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: garnet
Nose: eucalyptus, blackberry, clove, nutmeg, violet
Palate: sour blackberry, dark plum, bitter chocolate dust, green pepper
Mouthfeel: soft, somewhat thin start, moderate tannic/gritty finish

Paired with pizza with my smoked pork and steak proteins plus fresh jalapeños and OMG! Incredible $15 value!

12/29/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: golden yellow
Nose: very ripe fruits: peach, papaya, yellow apple, honey, mead, magnolia flower
Palate: tons of yellow and white fruit, pear, lychee, honeysuckle
Mouthfeel: soft, velvety, touch of white pepper finish

12/20/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: garnet/dark cherry red
Nose: sour cherry, anise, touch of cherry cordial
Palate: cherry, big pepper, green leaf bitters
Mouthfeel: nice smooth start, moves to a serious dryness, very nice

Easy 90 pointer. Paired with fantastically well spaghetti and homemade meatballs.

12/16/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: very, very light straw
Nose: very floral, yellow apple, honeysuckle, some brine notes
Palate: white peach, beeswax, starfruit, white pepper
Mouthfeel: soft with light acid throughout, little change through the sip

Awesome bottle of 7 year old PG. Very glad I held onto it. Having said that, I would definitely drink now.

12/12/2023 - JohnRachelWine wrote:

Color: light straw
Nose: yellow flowers, biscuit
Palate: pear, yellow apple, tartness at the end more Granny Smith-like
Mouthfeel: smooth, a little juicy, mild acidity

Pleasant, slightly sweet but biscuity balanced sparkling that paired very well with a hearty chili.

12/10/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark red with a shadow of rust. Tawny edges
Nose: black plums, herbal, mild cloves, and a touch of chocolate
Palate: cranberry, pomegranate, stemmy and green, pepper at the end
Mouthfeel: steady tannins through the sip, woody finish

12/4/2023 - JohnRachelWine wrote:

Color: medium dark garnet
Nose: red flowers, hint of blueberry, touch of fresh wood
Palate: brown spices, clove, black pepper, new oak
Mouthfeel: great balance throughout, excellent tannin backbone

Love this wine!

11/23/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: medium cherry
Nose: eucalyptus, lavender, red licorice
Palate: cherry, cedar, oak
Mouthfeel: lighter and thinner than I expected, medium finish

Decent but overall underwhelming

11/19/2023 - JohnRachelWine Does not like this wine:

Color: dark cherry red
Nose: purple flowers, red plum, slight gravel notes
Palate: ripe cherry, rose, cocoa

Fruit forward but too sweet for me due minimal tannic balance.

11/8/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: light gold
Nose: pear, yellow flowers, lemon creme
Palate: mellow but ripe lemon, chalk, white pepper
Mouthfeel: two days open but resealed, balanced start and moderate acidic finish

11/7/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark cherry red
Nose: black pepper, clove
Palate: big black pepper, dry cranberry, green stem
Mouthfeel: nice balanced start, big dry finish, bracing tannins

11/2/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: light gold
Nose: pear, yellow apple, gravel, green leaf
Palate: yellow apple, lemon zest, white pepper, clove
Mouthfeel: juicy with decent acidity, medium finish

Very decent Bordeaux blanc. Enough complexity to keep it interesting especially at $13!

10/21/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: cherry red
Nose: petroleum, rose, black spices
Palate:sour raspberry, oak, black pepper
Mouthfeel: long dry finish wraps up a soft finish

10/17/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: very pale yellow, very clear edges, quick legs
Nose: yellow flowers, gravel, very mild white pepper
Palate: yellow apple, quince, lime citrus
Mouthfeel: soft and juicy that spins a little towards acidic at the end

Enjoyed with a chicken curry-ish dish. Really nice wine and wish I had more.

10/14/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark red, close to garnet
Nose: eucalyptus, cherry, white pepper, pine
Palate: red cassis, oak, black pepper
Mouthfeel: very pleasant, well balanced transition from start to finish

10/13/2023 - JohnRachelWine wrote:

Color: pale lemon yellow
Nose: slate, yellow apple, yellow flower
Palate: mineral, yellow apple
Mouthfeel: simple and easy

10/7/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: lemon, brassy yellow
Nose: white flowers, lemon
Palate: slate, daffodil, gravel
Mouthfeel: very mild, well balanced

Drinking very nicely right now.

10/7/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark coral pink/orange
Nose: bready, biscuity, strawberry, plum
Palate: orange citrus, light biscuit, unripe strawberry
Mouthfeel: sharp acidic start, long light finish

10/1/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: brick red, slightly murky
Nose: red fruits, cherry, earth
Palate: sour cherry, green asparagus, parsley, white pepper
Mouthfeel: super smooth and soft start which continues throughout

9/28/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Note: Rating based on Day 2

Color: mahogany and dark red
Nose: red fruit, plums, purple flowers
Palate: ripe strawberry, cocoa, black pepper
Mouthfeel: soft start but big spicy, sharp finish

Very interesting wine. Lots of fruit but also very tannic and peppery. I really like this but I’d prefer a more “elegant” PN.

9/27/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: ruby, brick red
Nose: blueberry, chocolate, coffee, violets
Palate: raspberry, leather, black pepper, new oak
Palate: well balanced throughout, med-long finish

This is drinking fantastic right now.

9/24/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark brick red, garnet, slow forming slow legs
Nose: eucalyptus, alcohol, herbal spice, anise, raspberries, candied plum
Palate: sour plum start, tart blackberry, black pepper, green stems
Mouthfeel: medium weight start, ends with moderate dryness

Paired with slow-smoked pork ribs and was fantastic - easily a 92+ pointer. On it’s own, the tannins become unbalanced and knocks it back a few points.

9/22/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: beautiful red-purple
Nose: licorice, violet, menthol, black pepper
Palate: blueberry, oak, tea
Mouthfeel: starts dry and finishes drier!

This vintage is drinking frantically!

9/22/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: rusty brick red, many quick running legs
Nose: sour cherry, raisin, wood, plenty of alcohol
Palate: cedar, leather, dry leaves, dry earth
Mouthfeel: incredibly huge tannins stills, thin-ish weight

Very pleasant flavor notes that coalesce around earthy things and at 19 years old fade pretty quickly. Also, the tannins are overly intense. The tannins have years left but the fruit is past the drinking prime.

9/19/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: dark purple, dark lavender edges, slow, thick edges
Nose: muted blueberry, earthy
Palate:unripe blueberry, rose, oak wood, touch of baker’s chocolate
Mouthfeel: relatively smooth and limited in textures

Solid Malbec if simple. I definitely get some course gritty oakiness that tends to overshadow much of everything else. Not going to rock anyone’s world but for less than $10 it’s not bad.

9/17/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Drank as part of mimosas at the 9/17 tailgate.

9/4/2023 - JohnRachelWine Likes this wine:

Color: garnet red, many thing drippy legs
Nose: violet, menthol, nutmeg, blueberry, alcohol; but all mild
Palate: unripe blackberry, campfire smoke, woody notes
Mouthfeel: big berry juiciness, softer than expected

Won’t call this a big fruit bomb, but there is plenty of that. The other notes give it more diversity, especially the woody/smoky notes. Very nice wine for robust meals (ours was a salt and pepper flank steak).