4/28/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP w gracious restaurant hosts. Looks like a pinot and tastes like one w depth and weight. Nicely balanced red and raspberries w sufficient tannins for short term aging and plenty of interest through dinner.

4/27/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Restaurant purchase in Rhodes, and our first foray w local red wine this trip.

Old world nose thats heavy in fig, creosote and aged, black fruit. While it sits soft across the palate you can still sense its tannic youth.

No experience w greek wine beyond the chards and Sauv blancs weve had this week, but this 7 YO wine is truly enjoyable and paired well w my grilled lamb chops

4/21/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

It's been about two hours since I pulled the cork; did not decant this. Forest floor, smoke, pipe tobacco on the nose. Nicely balanced with super dark black fruit dominating, and plenty of tannins with a slightly sweet edge to their finish.

This is the most enjoyable of the four bottles I've had thus far, and l suspect they're in the heart of their drinking window; Great right now, this can easily last through 2028. I suspect I'll drink my remaining bottles in 2-3 years Has some of my earlier bottles have not been as solid as this

4/20/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

About 2 hrs after decanting theres a blend of dark red fruits, flowers and evergreen trees after a rainstorm on the nose. As noted in prior tastings, this is smooth, sweet and relatively light across the palate.

Although it took 30 minutes to open up and soften it's rough edges, this paired very well with tonight's chicken breast in a brandy/shallot reduction; It would also go very well with many seafood dishes, but I sense it's a tad sweet for moo-cow.

Easy to drink on its own or with softer foods as noted, this isnan easy crowd-pleaser and a reasonable QPR

4/19/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Purchased a series of assorted half bottles, tonight's my first opening of a bottle of The Debate.

Nice grip on the stems that slowly drips down into the bowl. The nose shows dark fruit compote (blue and blackberry) and oddly enough, there's some sea spray as well.

Rather tight on the palate, this comes across as dry and exceptionally youthful. You can see there's dark berries buried somewhere beneath it all, but hard to find with the little air given thus far.

90 mins after opening there's still less fruit than I'd expect but it's better balanced and approachable. Would really enjoy trying this in a couple years as I think it's got great potential. 91-2 today, can easily see this reaching 94+.

4/19/2024 - davidandrose wrote:

Coravin'd a healthy glass of this several weeks (months?) ago, and pulled the cork tonight. Right out of the bottle this show modestly aged tannins with little fruit, and frankly comes across a bit flat and one-dimensional.

After 90mins I'm calling this death via coravin (yet again!). Will cork and revisit tomorrow to see if I'm wrong, but Mrs Davidandrose is making filets au poivre which deserve something more enjoyable than what I'm getting out of this.

4/18/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Received as a gift, coravin'd a glass 2 separate evenings before pulling the cork tonight. Raspberries, fig jam and barrique on the nose.

While the tannins aren't as evident as the first time I cv'd a glass, the wine itself is well balanced and an easy quaff. This is a solid high-production wine thats reasonable by Napa standards.

4/16/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Coravan'd a decent-sized glass. Reddish black berries on the nose along with some cedar. Well-balanced across the palate and easy to drink, this stood up much better to this evenings grilled tenderloin roast than the Ashes and Diamonds red blend I also sampled.

Although a gift, based on the prices I've seen this is a decent QPR.

4/16/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Coravan taste from a gift bottle. Relatively light in every regard, if tasting this blind I might take it for a heavy burgundy rather than a Cali cab blend.

4/15/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

While still tight right out of the bottle, this isn't as backwards as it was during my last PNP tasting.

Solid value that should continue to become more approachable over the next 2 to 3 years, and drinkable for 5+.

4/14/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Pnp. 90 minutes after opening there's bramble and black/blueberry pie on the nose.

Tannins are fully integrated and while present they are clearly soft and fading. This is super-easy to drink and has the capacity to pair w anything from seabass to tonights moo cow.

Inventory shows i have 1 last bottle; if so ill drink within the year for safety's sake; this wine has played a great round on a glorious day, but we're on the 18th green w just a putt or two till we're off to the clubhouse

4/12/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

After one hour in the decanter, the nose is very fragrant; all sorts of flowers, white pepper, and freshly hewn wood. Still very dark and tight across the palate, which is dominated by tar And take grand tannins that don't rest as heavy as one might expect from Howell Mountain this young in the wines life.

Certainly hope this opens up as the evening wears off; based on today, This needs several more hours or years.

4/10/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

First experience with us property, these are coravan pours from home. Clean/polished, bright fruit on the nose; Blueberry, blackberry and lavender too.

Nice purple grip on the stems, you can see this is still quite young but the fruit is vibrant and the tannins aren't too overpowering though this obviously needs more time to come into balance and soften up a bit.

The wineries website isn't very deep and there's no information on this particular wine; can't tell if this is the same fruit siurce as Hourglass, though I don't recall seeing another Blueline estate elsewhere.

While this is my only bottle I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a few more and let them sit for two years

4/7/2024 - davidandrose wrote:

Should've opened this a year ago, passed its prime. Virtually no fruit left but some faint tannins remain.

When I switched to a Pinot glass this became more interesting and should actually pair reasonably well with tonight's mussels two ways, traditional white wine and a tomato-based provincale.

4/6/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Was much better a few nights later after pulling the cork. Bother some green note was gone, and a real crowd pleaser as our 2nd wine of the evening

4/6/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

About an hour can't, a great final bottle for the night. As enjoyable as always.

4/6/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

75 mins decant. Great grip on the stems with lush dark notes on the nose. While heavier on the tannins, this is otherwise nicely balanced

4/5/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

30 minutes after decanting there's freshly-hewn wood on the nose along with graphite and blackish blue fruit. Palate is completely fruit driven, a bit watery and lacking structure or backbone; i'm also catching a faint green note on the finish.

While I enjoy and expect Mike's fruit driven profile, I'd like to see more structure and depth, providing more layering and depth and yielding. longer finish and ability to age.

While this is certainly good and a cery easy drink, IMO Switchback's own wines (Peterson Vineyard) all deliver a more compete package / QPR.

4/4/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP from a 375. 30 minutes after pulling the cork there's faint dark but sweet fruit on the nose, accompanied by old cigar leaf. Great grip on the stem.

Perfectly balanced, there's the slightest bit of tannic bite along with lush dark and sweet fruit. Blackberry, creme de cassis, pencil lead all envelop the palate, offering a 25+ sec finish. You can see that this is mountain fruit but its not in the least overpowering; i cant understate the balance.

This is truly singing and a great merlot. No rush, this still has 3 to 5+ years ahead of it, but I'm enjoying it so much I doubt my remaining bottles can last more than another year or two.

4/3/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Coravin'd a glass as today as I received the offer for and purchased a few bottles of the '21 Daze 21. Frankly this leaves me wanting more...not OF the wine but rather FROM the wine. Odd given how much we enjoy Mark's wines.

Soft and approachable mouthfeel but an odd green note mars the finish. Seems like theres a cab franc component but l cant find what else is blended into this cab label.

Certainly not the best vintage in general but this was also the year the winemaker abandoned Carter and left one or two others. Maybe a lack of focus or attention?

4/2/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

How is this only $10?? Purchased at the winery, this has ample apricot and lemon zest on the nose. There's butter across the palate but its not overpowering nor does it dampen the fruit. Insanely enjoyable, this was a nice pairing w Rose's version of Ikea's swedish meatballs

4/1/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP, about an hour after pulling the cork. Dark coloring w a nice grip on the stems. Nose shows dark fruit with earthy notes and a pleasing purity.

The heavy Merlot component (51%)) makes this imminently approachable, with enough tannins to provide layering and a good 20+ second finish.

We paid eiither $17 or $21 for this, an absolute screaming deal. Buy more on next visit to Spire.

3/31/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP followed over 2.5 hrs. A solid bottle thats easy to drink and sufficiently light and fruity to pair w tonite's smoked pork loin. Will definitely pick up a few more bottles of the latest vintage during our forthcoming visit.

3/31/2024 - davidandrose Does not like this wine:

Took a quick taste Before serving to less discerning guests. Super sweet, almost candy like.

In my humble opinion, I would recommend re-shackling this prisoner And keeping him out of the public eye.

3/30/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

When I pulled the cork bright blue fruit raced out of the bottle. After three hours slow ox blu fruit remains on the nose along with graphite, tight wood, some heat and clay.

Nicely balanced but fruit is more prominent with the structure a bit light, offering 10-15 sec finish. Blueberries continue to dominate along with watery blackberry and well-integrated tannins. 15 1/2% listed alcohol seems close but maybe a bit light.

I have two more bottles which I'll drink in the next three years. Disappointing QPR, would rather have two bottles of Quilceda Creek for each of these.

3/29/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Pnp, not decanted. Smokin' great from the start to the all-too-fast end of the bottle. Solid grip on the stem but it comes across very approachable and well-balanced. While you know his is cab-driven, its soft enough to easily pair w tonights halibut puttanesca.

Don't think my bride could've drank this any faster if she had a straw. Bravo...yet again!

3/27/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Coravin from the broadest "by-the-glass" list I've seen in any hotel. Bottle was initially accessed 3 weeks ago. Nose shows soft dark fruit mixed with forest floor and a bit of heat. Soft and very approachable across the palate; alcohol is more prominent. Easy and enjoyable to drink, I'd guess this as a Cab-driven Napa blend that's much older than an '18. My first experience w Fortunate Son, this doesn't require much aging and I'd frankly be concerned about holding these too long. Cheers!

3/26/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Coravin'd my first glass of several bottles purchased. Right off the bat the nose shows gobs of lush black fruit, boysenberry and roast turkey...that might be the first time i used that descriptor.

Tight across the palate as others note but you can see theres a lot going on here. Its a screaming value for the $43-5 paid and can see this will only improve w time. Get more.

3/24/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Strawberry is most prominent on the nose, with clay and some other Celestial Seasonings flavored tea that i cant discern. As others note, acidity was a bit strong at first but after two hours the wine has mellowed out.Tannins are more obvious than in many Brunello's but it allows this to pair with moo cow dishes that are on the lighter side.

Have one more bottle I picked up at the winery, which I'll hold till 2026 or beyond for comparison purposes.

3/23/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP. Dark berries and a bit of heat on the nose. Darker and more rich than you'd expect from a merlot there's sufficient tannin and very approachable. Great value.

3/23/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP. Dark berry flavors are prominent in this soft, approachable wine. First experience w this Last Bottle purchase, i don't believe its got a long lifespan but ill happily pick up a few more as near-term quaffs.

3/22/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Pnp from a 375. Lather, rinse, repeat. Dark fruit still has some front palate bite, indicating this is nowhere near the end of its life after downing 18 full and half bottles of this. So easy to drink......

3/21/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Restaurant pnp. Nose shows red cherry fruit but is on the softer side. While the fruit is tannic and dark at first, it quickly softens into an easily approachable quaff.

Wouldn't ever decant this and while not as complex as the 2020, it's an easy drinker and a good value. I'd happily pick up a few of these for weekdays and summer afternoons in the pool.

3/20/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Sorry for the lack of detail but truly enjoyed by all. Get more

3/20/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

After the fact, but very enjoyable; lush, deep land lots of room to grow.

3/20/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Pnp. Bit of heat on the nose which is dark fruit dominate. Bright dark fruits w nice layering cross the palate with tannins that provide a medium weight but long finish. Not even remotely worth the wineries price but a solid and enjoyable wine

3/17/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP from a 375. Dark and deep but easily approachable, the restrained nose reveals tons of graphite, loam and stone as it crosses the palace. While there's an opportunity for this to develop, it doesn't in the least take away from its drinkability today with minimal air. Will get a few more of these and its siblings.

3/17/2024 - davidandrose wrote:

This moved with us multiple times cross-country and sadly had very little fruit evident. Both Bordeaux and burgundy sommelier stems showed more tannic depth than std cab stems, but neither could breathe more life into this tired lady. NR

3/16/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP. Jammy, fruit-driven and over extracted. Easy to drink if this is your jam. Lots of sediment from both the start and bottom of the bottle

3/15/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Tangerine and apricot most dominant on the nose. Theres nice minerality early on, but after an hour lts less evident. Clean polish across the palate with a hint of silky butter.

Really enjoyable one, sadly, this is our only bottle, purchased directly from the winery a few years ago.

3/14/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Two hours slow ox. Nose shows dark but modest restrained fruit. Similar to my last tasting there's something here but it's just not particularly rich or complex. A solid midweek wine, this is a nice change of pace from some other weekday wines like Kenefick or QC CVR, but a glass is easier to enjoy than the QPR.

3/11/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

From coravin, 30 mins slo ox in glass. Hints of green and eucalyptus on the nose; green actually seems to be expanding on the palate vs my initial PNP. Lots of acidity, I'll be interested to watch this evolve. Potential to add several points if/as this sheds some of the green i don't particularly enjoy

3/10/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Right out of the bottle this comes across very similar to my prior note from October. With four hours slow ox The nose is more dark than floral; dark black fruit, crushed stone, graphite, and REALLY FAINT vegetal components.


Across the palate this is Cabernet meets Malbec. Super dark in every regard, but not as heavy or dark as one expects from these varietals. Charcoal, crushed stone, insanely dark fruit and while there's plenty of tannic structure its surprisingly approachable. Not sure id take this as a CF but can assure you I don't care; It's a solid wine and that's all that matters. Good through 2028+.

3/9/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Concur w my prior note that this is very reminiscent of a Drinkward Peschon. Initially decanted a portion of bottle; Right off the bat this was very rich and dark, dominated by vibrant black and blue fruit with modest+ tannins. After 75 minutes it's softer and fully integrated, a wine that you could literally drink with almost anything.

At this point from the bottle (rather than decanted) there's lavender, crushed stone and distant dark berries on the nose. Super-fine tannins indicate this can comfortably run through 2026-7+. Well-balanced
fruit has enough weight to enjoy w almost anything, and enjoyable in any environment.

3/8/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

From 500ml, love this format! Right out of the bottle I caught a little port like funk on the nose so I decanted; while it remained after 90 mins it had blown off after 3 hrs (or my nose was shot at that point.)

Charcoal, tar, old barrel. Last bottle and while its fine im not in love.

3/7/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Pnp. Dark nose shows graphite, ink and some floral components. Tons of fine-grained tannins hit the front palate but as the wine sees more air these soften and integrate better.

Heavy and dark, you know this is all dark fruit; while really hard to discern any particular flavors, you can clearly pick out young oak. As others note this will benefit from a bit more aging. We can regularly find this on sale for $42 in a local supermarket chain, and it clearly We're over delivers for the price

Has the potential to add a point or two with time.

3/5/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed my last bottle of this, but not as stellar as a year ago. Right out of the bottle the nose was largely muted. After a 3 hr decant we're catching ripe blackberry on the palate though there's still plenty of room for this to open further.

None of the green oddities one often sees in a CF are present.

3/5/2024 - davidandrose wrote:

Really iffy on this. Based on my last tasting a year ago this has to be corked; Just nothing at all on the nose or palate.

Guess this off and will offer to return to Spire on our next visit. Opened another CF from their collection instead, a 2016 Mt Brave

3/4/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

PnP Monday celebratory bottle for our daughter getting into her top choice med skool. No detailed notes but an awesome day on so many fronts!

Lush blue, more blue and then blackberries on the nose. Perfectly put together for a wine at this price point and age. No rush and lots of good years ahead of this.....but why wait?

3/3/2024 - davidandrose Likes this wine:

1hr after pulling the cork this has the nose of an aged cab or Bordeaux; earthy notes, aged cask and old cigar leaf.

This is extremely similar to my last bottle eight months ago with dark, earthy fruit and black tea most prominent on the palate. Sadly, my last of well priced three pack from Last Bottle, this is in a great place, but still has several solid years ahead of it.