June 12, 2018 - The last of my Ed Sellers wines... The wine held up remarkably these 11 years with a touch of deep red fruit remaining but plenty of tertiary interest to be found. Acid soft but still in check and fully integrated tannins to round things out. One of Amy Butler's wines... be sure to check out here Carignans under her Rancho Cellars label.
May 2, 2015 - Brown-tinged dark ruby. Strawberry pie, oak, earth and spice nose. Full bodied, dirty raspberries, pepper, chocolate cherries, well integrated tannins, tobacco, sharp acid, and a long finish. Good with food and good without. Very nice wine.
May 30, 2013 - Improved with cellar time.
May 18, 2013 - With a little cellar time, this is becoming spectacular. Popped, poured, and enjoyed!
May 7, 2012 - Slightly cloudy dark red. Strawberry, earth, and vanilla nose. Medium bodied, thickly spiced raspberries, chocolate cherries, white pepper, full grainy tannins, good acid, smokey tobacco, and a medium+ finish with a bit of pucker. This was good on day 1, but even better on day 2.
March 25, 2012 - 2012 Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting (San Francisco, Fort Mason Festival Pavillion): Smokey, baking spice, dark red fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, velvety with silky tannins, and dark cherry, raspberry, and vanilla spice flavors. Blend of Grenache (71%), Mourvèdre (16%), and Syrah(13%) Syrah
December 13, 2011 - Classic California Rhone profile: ripe, round, smoky and brimming with dark red and blue fruits. Predominantly Grenache with some Mourvedre and Syrah. Solid beam of acidity makes for a nice backbone. Medium-to-full body with polished tannins. Hefty but not overwrought. Very drinkable and showing beautifully now.
March 28, 2010 - Grand Tasting, SF, Rhone Rnagers
strawberry, plum, tannins and acidity well balanced, drinking nicely now