5/22/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Beautiful dark color and cherry aroma on opening that got earthier with time. Dark cherry, raspberry blackberry moss and spicy earth. Love it and the Lamb isn’t out of the oven yet

3/28/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Dark and medium to heavy body. Blackberries with a good earthy spice dose. Needs to find just a bit more complexity in the coming couple of years. Very Good.

3/19/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Still improving and wonderful tonight w tomato basil pasta and goat cheese. Just enough acidity and it opened with more fresh fruit than I remembered previously. The vanilla and dark cherry came later. What a great buy

3/16/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Has continued to mellow out and evolve a bit since my last note. Had this at a dinner party with corned beef (St Patrick’s) so not as much of a contemplative tasting as it deserved. That probably cost it a point or two. No issues with alcohol, or oak. Good comments from the hostess too.

3/8/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

My last 2015 and better than my last tasting 3 1/2 years ago. Continues to evolve. Tannins still crisp and can go a couple more years. Dark, with Blackberry, cherry, and solid finish. Super QPR @ $14. Day 2 is still excellent. No drop off.

3/4/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Used for Osso Bucco and served that purpose well. I liked it. Found some Blackberry, black pepper, and espresso. Medium body and perfectly good as a Costco buy about 3 years ago

3/2/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

My 2nd bottle, and just as good as #1. I get the cherry, blackberry, and vanilla that others mention. Really very nice and the QPR remains outstanding.

2/11/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Deep color, solid Shiraz, like the old days. Spicy and full bodied. Alcohol fully integrated but there’s a fair amount. Really nice with Shepherds Pie

2/11/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

The Wife opened this to make a Shepherds Pie as I figured that might be its best use. Surprised later as I tried a glass. Much better than expected with the Corvina showing through and quite enjoyable cherry flavors with just a hint of herbal undertones. Very drinkable and I would actually buy another bottle. Drink now.

2/1/2024 - DB Lawton Does not like this wine:

Thin and a bit bitter, not for me

1/18/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Same as last notes. Great QPR on this wine

1/16/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Far less grippy drying tannins this time around. Still dark, with spice and leather. Fruit maybe starting to fade a bit going towards tart. Drink now. I probably should have pulled this last bottle earlier. Day 2 was much richer, better fruit. Raised my score.

1/13/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Really great, each bottle improving over time. Very happy I hung on this long. Dark color and tastes of dark fruit. Got a little cola early but that blew off. Tannins and the roughness mentioned on first bottles long gone. Fantastic QPR

1/6/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Fantastic, dark Chianti withe cherry and good acidity. Had with pizza. The Daughter thought she picked up oysters in it and did not abide

1/6/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Served w short Rib Ramen. Nice dark fruits mellowed tannins. Good finish but a bit syrupy for me

1/5/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

A bit lighter in body than some other Malbecs I’ve had recently. Cherry and Strawberry on the front with a bit of spice on the back.

1/3/2024 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Did not live up to expectations as it opened astringent but mellowed after 30 minutes. Some herbs, lavender, but didn’t come together on day 1. Let’s see Day 2 progress. Indeed Day 2 showed additional softening and more pronounced plum flavors and I have reflected that in my score

12/31/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Another strong showing. Fresh, with dark fruit and a little extra that is very appealing

12/29/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Surprisingly rich and better than the 2017 Catena from the evening before. Had w Roast Chicken Nachos and everyone liked it. One more bottle on hand

12/28/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Approachable from the start, cherry, blackberry, orange zest, oak. Nice with Miss Dee Dee’s chili. Cookie and the Wife approve.

12/15/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Dark with firm tannins. As it opened up after about 30 minutes became more approachable.

12/11/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Another solid bottle and good QPR. Drank at a dinner party with Lasagna.

11/23/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Last of the Drago’s on another great Thanksgiving Day. Opened about 2 hours before we ate and it came around beautifully. Still tasting fresh with drying tannins and a mix of dark cherries and earthiness. After about 5 hours, the last glass is super tannic, but it was a wonderful bottle.

10/18/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

With Riley

10/20/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

With Shrimp and Grits

7/24/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Drank on Bob’s Boat

6/2/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Had with Asian Noodles at Jim & Brenda’s.

3/11/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

2nd bottle as good as the first. This time with friends at Oak Island, NC. Steamed mussels with chorizo

2/26/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Really solid Red Blend and was highly appreciated by the Wife and guests

3/6/2023 - DB Lawton wrote:

Pretty disappointing on day 1, but improved to just OK on day 2. Not much Zin character.

2/8/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Used for a bolognese which was delicious but this $11 Costco find was great by itself. Much better than expected with dark cherry and tobacco. Excellent QPR. Ready to drink.

2/1/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Bottle sill fresh with good fruit and acidity. Really nice finish. A bit of leather and tobacco in there too. In my cellar for 5 years and I have another bottle. Will drink that one soon.

1/28/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Penned heavy on alcohol but that seemed to blow off after 20 minutes. Dark color, medium body, very smooth and easy drinking. I get cherries and milk chocolate but the fruit seems slightly stewed, probably should drink now if in the cellar.

1/10/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Still beautiful, dark inky color. Nose came along in about 15 minutes and the dark fruits are so fresh. Really nice with a bit of tannin left. Super enjoyable but just loses a point or so on complexity. Great buy over 4 years ago. Got back shelved a bit but is fully ready.

1/4/2023 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Reading all the notes, I haven’t been excited about getting into the case of this wine that I purchased a couple years ago. Light in color and body for sure, it looked like it might be a poor buy, but like others I found a wine that had some redeeming qualities and was enjoyable. Cherry and dark fruit flavors, integrated tannins, very drinkable by itself. The QPR is pretty undeniable here. No big flaws and I do think some of our friends who enjoy lighter styles will like it.

12/25/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Still beautiful this Christmas, just like the wife, who gave it thumbs up again with a roasted Beef Tenderloin. Fully recommend drinking this one up.

10/9/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Drank at Haycraft wedding. Great color, body, and finish.

9/30/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Dark, rich, and a bit heavy, but delicious and it obviously needed extra time. Great long finish is an added benefit

9/20/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed with the Wife at Bacchnalia in Atlanta. Dark with cherries, a bit of blackberry and great smooth finish.

8/16/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Opened all bright raspberry and cut softened and darkened a bit. Got mine for $12 soa good buy

6/6/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Very nice, dark, extracted Cali Pinot that we had at a friends with Burgers. Ready to drink now.

4/23/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Great extraction. Full, dark and aromatic. Had at Nigerian dinner. Great match for the Curried Goat.

2/26/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Super solid, drank at Oak Island, and dinner w/ Jambalaya

2/16/2022 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Still holding up after a few years. A bit medicinal but on the whole a pretty good bargain that the wife used mostly for Shepherds Pie.

12/31/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Opened this on New Year’s eve with charcuterie. Pretty heavy wall of tannins that night prevented much enjoyment. After two days it had mellowed and opened up quite a bit, but I still think I am a couple years too early. Should have held off. Great structure and beautiful fruit for those with more patience.

12/25/2021 - DB Lawton wrote:

No rating, as unfortunately the kids carried this away into the night on Christmas evening. They report it went great with the bonfire out by the pool…

12/25/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Just outstanding at Christmas dinner this year, with a Standing Rib Roast. Dark, with a really great balance and finish. The wife was also impressed.

12/18/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Consistent performer but overshadowed last night among wines with a bit more pedigree

12/18/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Served at the Holiday dinner party and it was the #2 wine of the night. Big olive brine nose and taste after opening but that settled down after a bit. Fully ready to go, my last bottle.

12/18/2021 - DB Lawton Likes this wine:

Served at Holiday dinner party. Smooth and solid but not super memorable