8/16/2016 - JazzQueen wrote:

Pretty big disappointment; very one-note. All Twizzlers and tannin. Don't think it will improve much.

8/30/2015 - JazzQueen Does not like this wine:

This is a big, oaky, hot mess. All coconut and vanilla, with fruit hiding beneath it. Such a disappointment.

2/15/2015 - JazzQueen wrote:

Balanced and tasty, but so over priced as to be ridiculous! Could find a comparable Bordeaux for half the cost.

2/7/2015 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Lovely dynamic wine that showed very differently based on serving temperature. Initial taste was on the warmer side (my preference) - it was loaded with spiced golden apples and framed with a steely minerality that carried through the finish. Day 2 - bottle was pulled out of the refrigerator and showed a dry Riesling-like limey tartness with the same mineral notes. Bright acidity, 16g/l rs, although my guess was more like 8. What a vibrant effort from such a tragic vintage!

2/3/2015 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

One of the best California wines I have had in a long time. So balanced - the perfect hybrid between California and Burgundy. Strawberry and black cherry, with an herbal smokiness and damp forest floor emerging after open for several hours. This one needs time to wake up, but patience is well rewarded. Can't wait to get more - and such a great value!

2/2/2015 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Very approachable at this stage. Tannic at the start, but two hours in a decanter while I made dinner made this perfectly balanced and lovely. Black fig and dates, dried currants, and a lamb-like gamey finish dusted with spice. Glad I have a few of these left.

12/29/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Very approachable after about 90 minutes in a decanter. Smoked meat, menthol and dark plum notes filled the palate, with soft tannins to frame it. Quite enjoyable.

12/25/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

This was slightly spritzy initially, and much drier than I expected. Sitting at 9% abv, this is the leanest Auslese I have ever had; it drinks more like a Kabinett! So delicious as a table wine; it was delicious with broccoli ham casserole. There was a bit of honeyed apricot note with a steely mineral frame. Will hold my remaining bottles for a few years to see how this develops. Such a phenomenal value.

12/25/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Enjoyed with Christmas prime rib dinner. This will be a fabulous wine in a few years. Needs a couple hours in a decanter to come alive. Classic Muga. I think the 2010s will be better than the past couple of vintages, but not as approachable at first.

12/22/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Goofy label but happy wine. Classic juicy Gamay with an herbal undertone. Excellent value.

12/24/2014 - JazzQueen wrote:

Drank from a 187ml. Oxidized; lots of cidery notes. Not undrinkable, but not what it should be. Hopefully the larger format bottles will have a longer life.

10/31/2014 - JazzQueen wrote:

A true field blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Grenache Gris, Macabou, Terret. Full bodied and very grapey, with spice on the finish. Pleasant wine, but a bit pricey.

10/24/2014 - JazzQueen wrote:

Nice blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan. This wine reminds me of the Hochar Père et Fils wine by Chateau Musar. Medium bodied and rustic with bright red fruits and a hint of barnyard and spice. Very food friendly. 12.5% abv.

10/15/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

A unique rosé from Aramon, a grape commonly grown only in the Languedoc. Intensely colored, this wine is as delightful to behold as it is to drink. Tart raspberry and watermelon rind with a dry mineral finish. Lovely pairing with spicy Indian food.

10/15/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

So vibrant and lacking the oxidation that I have found to be the norm in the younger Lopez de Heredia I have tried. The fruit and oak dance in this wine - lush cherry pie notes with a floral tobacco throughout. Not dried cigar tobacco leaf, but flowering night scented tobacco plant. There is also a meat/blood/iron component to the finish that comes out more when paired with proscuitto, speck and coppa. Very aromatic and nicely structured - this 20 year old wine has a very long life ahead.

9/11/2014 - JazzQueen wrote:

Pleasant but simple. Drinks nicer with a slight chill. For my preference, there are better values to be found in other regional French reds. Puffeney's Trousseau is much more worth seeking out than this.

8/13/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Juicy and spicy - totally gulpable! With a slight chill, this is the perfect summer red.

8/4/2014 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Wonderful value. Drank from a Jeroboam with several friends. Lively accompaniment to charcuterie, cheese, gazpacho, etc. Fruity and soft with a rustic backbone that was pleasing to everyone.

8/22/2013 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

This wine was really difficult at the beginning. Tasted just after opening - the aromatics were lovely, light and peppery, but the tannin was unbearable. Nice bright fruit and pepper spice upfront, but the flavors drop abruptly and a wave of teeth-ripping tannin overwhelms any other sensation. So odd for such a light-medium bodied wine. Decanted part of it for 2 hours and the flavors were a bit longer lasting, but still overwhelmed by dense tannin. Only after having the bottle open for 11 hours did that change. I would not have thought this was the same wine. It was lithe and elegant and well balanced. I can see the potential in this wine, but best to let it sleep for a couple more years (unless you have all day to let it sit open before enjoying).

4/19/2013 - JazzQueen wrote:

Rainier cherry, pineapple & green banana; sweet but backed by loads of acidity so finishes sweet/tart. Very long finish. Way over-delivers for the price. 10.5% abv.

4/18/2013 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Slightly muted nose initially. Completely blossomed as the bottle warmed up. This is one you definitely don't want to drink too cold! Golden apple, pear and toast on the nose. Ripe apple, bosc pear, and lemon meringue on the palate. Just the faintest hint of minerality. Velvet texture with meringue lingering through the long finish. 13.5% abv, stainless steel fermented, aged sur lie. Excellent value.

2/19/2013 - JazzQueen wrote:

Beautiful golden shimmer; loaded with apple blossom, lychee, and fruit cocktail flavors, with a slightly saline finish. Prime state for drinking now.

1/20/2013 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Delightfully warm and inviting - this wine is ready to drink NOW! A lovely introduction into the world of Bergstrom Pinot Noir, this beautifully simple example is fresh and lively. Lots of tart, bright fruit (cherry, cranberry) lead to a subtle spicy finish of clove, cinnamon, and whole peppercorn.

1/5/2013 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Tasted first on the day it was released at the winery (11/1/12). Had the vibrant cherry fruit and peppery spice with the light body characteristic of the 2011 vintage. Out of the bottle (1/4/13) it was tight and tart; seemed to be a bit shut down. Would probably give this one a few more months to rest before enjoying.

3/13/2011 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Incredible nose of apple blossom, honeyed apricots and mango with mango carrying through prominently on the palate. The most interesting and delicious Gewurtz I have ever had!

1/23/2011 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

25% Zinfandel, 20% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7% Blaufrankish, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec,1% Merlot

Ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum on the nose and palate with thyme, juniper, dried leaves, cocoa, licorice, and damp earth.

1/16/2011 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Simple but delightful. Dusty cherries and red flowers on the nose; cherry, red plum and earth on the palate. Balanced acidity and smooth tannin. 13.5% abv. Unoaked. Good pasta or pizza wine.

12/25/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Very approachable - ready to drink now.

12/21/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Absolutely lovely! Loaded with juicy raspberry, redcurrant, delicate violets and dust. Smooth tannin and silky mouthfeel. Great value.

11/6/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

I received this wine as one of my K&L Premium Wine Club wines for November. This is a K&L label wine, made by Testarossa Winery, $18.99 ($14.99 to wine club members). 14.2% abv.

Appearance: Clear, straw yellow just starting to turn golden; med + viscosity.
Nose: Lemon zest, pineapple core, green papaya, toasted almond, baked scone
Palate: Preserved lemon, candied pineapple, roasted macadamia nut, buttery pound cake, ; med + acidity, med +/high alcohol; 10 sec + finish.

I'm not normally a California Chard fan, but I was really impressed with the balance of this wine. The oak is there, but not overwhelming, and the richness from the MLF is balanced by strong acidity. Very nice with the roasted garlic, potato and kale soup I just made myself for lunch. Really great value and one I'd recommend, especially with food.

9/29/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Lemony, bright and crisp - really lovely with falafels and curry fries!

9/21/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Very funky burnt rubber on the nose which blew off after decanting for an hour. Dark berry and black cherry, chocolate, leather and spice on the palate. Not bad for $9, but nothing special.

9/8/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Found this for $10 in a bargain bin at a wine shop in Chicago. Didn't expect much, but this really knocked my socks off!! My only other experience with Scheurebe was a TBA, so had no idea what to expect. Think the body and crispness of Gruner Veltliner meets the petrol-y aromas of a good Riesling. Tons of pine nut and petrol on the nose, lemon and zippy acidity on the palate. This blew me away and I will definitely have to hunt more down. Would be trancendent with food.

9/8/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Very little fruit comes through, nice chalky minerality and crisp acidity. Would be lovely with food.

8/25/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Such a lovely wine! Notes of mandarin orange, golden apple, lilac and rosewater on the nose; silky on the palate, flavors confirmed nose. Must find more of this wine, because the winemaker is not producing a 2010 vintage.

7/14/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Ripe blackberry, cocoa on the nose. Blackberry preserves, clove and nutmeg on the palate. Pretty hot, but not unpleasant. The fruit mellows and spice comes through after being decanted for 2 hours.

5/28/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Lemon pith, saline, and coconut on the nose; green mango/papaya, lemon pith, and green bean on the palate with med acid and finish.

5/28/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Lots of funk - moldy hay, ammonia, green banana, grapefruit pith with medium acidity and short finish. Would pass on this one next time - much better S.B. from NZ and Chile.

5/28/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Pale straw with glints of green; passionfruit, kumquat, gooseberry, lemon basil, pineapple core on the nose; palate confirming nose with racy acidity and medium long finish.

5/28/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Key lime, honeydew rind, asparagus, freshly cut hay and sweet clover on the nose. Lime zest, dried hay, fresh lima bean on the palate with bright acidity and medium finish. Very pleasant wine and great value.

4/14/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Very nice with spicy Thai curry. Off dry with crisp acidity - great food wine!

4/11/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Absolutely exquisite with lamb stew and asparagus salad. Will buy again.

4/6/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

This is absolutely the best bottle of S. Rhone that I have had under $20. Really delicious - full bodied, tannic. Black raspberry, red plum stand out and lots of earth, black pepper, and cedar chest. I have to find more of this!

4/4/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Nice to cook with and easy to drink. Pleasant, tart and simple Italian white. Much more interesting than Pinot Grigio.

4/4/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Really, really perfect with rack of lamb and confit guinea fowl. Will buy another bottle to drink on its own and take notes. Very approachable after 2 hrs in the decanter.

3/29/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Pleasant with turkey, but overpriced and lackluster. Would not buy again - there are much better value Beaujolais out there.

3/27/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

Absolutely perfect for making mimosas! Didn't try on its own, so can't give great tasting notes, but will definitely buy again for $8!!

3/27/2010 - JazzQueen Likes this wine:

I have a really hard time believing that this wine is 10 yrs old. The color indicates that it is in the 5 yr range - much too ruby in color to be that old. Kind of one-dimensional when you first pour it, but it evolves into something much more lovely in the class. Classic sangiovese, but med. bodied, great acidity. Wonderful with our grilled steak dinner. Not a great value though at $20 - have had better for less.

3/24/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Not as good as the '06. Pleasant and easy to drink though.

3/22/2010 - JazzQueen wrote:

Intensely, mouth-puckeringly tannic. Ok with food, but way too tough to drink on its own. Maybe needs a couple more years to mellow out?