In the proper drinking window for my palate. Opened 1hr before dinner. Did not decant. Black fruit, lightly smoked meat, olive, herbs, and spice. Long spicy finish reminiscent of peppered bacon. Some minty undertones. Wanted a US wine to pair with a July 4 dinner of steak, peppery broccolini, and potato and this fit the bill perfectly. This is the last of 3 bottles consumed over the past 7 years and was the best of the 3 for me. IMO: Drink up.
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We have been collecting bottles of different age statements for Nuts and Bolts and this 2011 is really wonderful. Rich, full bodied, fruit forward, well balanced and finishes so well.
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dark crimson, medium/full body, aromas of cherry, flavors of sweet black cherry and raspberry, low/medium tannins, medium acid, medium finish excellent qpr
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Insanely good, and shows how a big wine can still have a ton of finesse. After a long decant, the flavors of dried cranberry, dark ripe raspberry, green olives, mint, and violets were amazing.
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Wow, what a beautiful surprise. After trying a 2016 Nuts and Bolts, I was prepared to find very heavily extracted/jammy fruit here too (I enjoyed the 2016 but didn't find it super complex nor convincingly balanced). After hearing that Russell did awesome things with the cool 2011 vintage, making a rhone-like wine even over 15% ABV, I had doubts...but he really did. Not mistakable for a Rhone, but shows a clear ability to harness the savory nuance of syrah while still capturing that dark, rich fruit in an effective way. Did so far better than a 2012 Pax Griffin's Lair Syrah, even being a full point higher in ABV, and for a slightly cheaper price too.
Incredible, harmonious, wafting nose of rich blackberry liqueur, cappuccino, black cherry, subtle black olive and floral tones, a pinch of bacon fat; alcohol is obviously present but amazingly shows more as a cooling menthol than jammy heat. Doesn't 'explode' from the glass, but very persistent. Weirdly classy and collected. Palate is less complex, but very well-balanced considering the style. Plenty of black fruit and tangy acids, at least a solid medium acidity if not higher, bringing more than enough lift for this rich, dark style to feel ultimately elegant. Tannins are still hanging around, but have softened into a dense silk. Long black cherry finish showing a touch of jamminess, but by that point, so lovely that it doesn't matter. I'd drink now before the energy dips down.
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Decanted. Bottle showing heavy sediment. Aromas remain masculine and bold showing notes of camp smoke, grilled meats, blackberry reduction, black licorice, violet pastilles, lavender, blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, pepper, cola, clove, nutmeg and hints of caramel, herb, chocolate mint and old car leather. The palate shows richness and some bit of suaveness. Tannins are resolved and still firm and gripping. Acidity is still mouth-watering. Smooth textures and a dense mid-palate. Flavors show off cooked blueberry, smashed ripe blackberry, vanilla, violets and lavender, pepper, baking spices, black licorice, grilled meats, smoke and a hint of herbs. The Gripping finish lingers with intensity. Still showing well, just be sure to decant for sediment.
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Completely different then my last two trys at this. This is more like when first released, but a bit more Cote Rotie savory notes to it. Lots of black fruit, pepper and tar. Acidity is high but mellows out with some time in the glass. I had thought I made a mistake with buying a bunch of these and thought they would only drink young, but am very pleased with this bottle. I am not convinced that this will go on for many years, but should be good for the next few.
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Better than my last taste (although I didn't leave notes) but not better than when tasted on release. The fruits are there, but they just don't seem as genuine as when drank on release. Something happened. Still good juice and I have two remaining, but just not that excited about them.
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Beautiful nose of dark fruit — plum, baked cherry, oak. On the palate brooding dark fruit with a cherry cough syrup element (not unpleasant). Luscious on the palate with evident tannins and acidity that provide a wine of structure. I have to think this wine still has a number of years ahead of it. This wine is a warm blanket on a cool evening. Unlike Sauvyfan’s note below, the wine was terrible on day 2.
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Holding up surprisingly well; with rich black fruit, a lively structure, and a bit of alcohol showing through. The alcohol is just held in check by the fruit... drink now.
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Purplish garnet color with medium legs. Interesting nose of smoke, bacon and blueberries. Flavors are similar to aromas and are well integrated. A little jammy but otherwise well balanced. Low tannins with some acidity. Improves over time so decant.
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Dark garnet color. A little funk on opening. Develops complex plum, cocoa, and berry fruit aromas. Berry jam flavors lead to leather and spice. Continues to evolve over dinner
John Karen before Fresno.
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HdR Opening Tasting: A bit off from the 09 and 10. Just a bit less ripe. A little bit of a vegetal note. A very good wine, but not quite at the level of the others.
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2011 were not our favorite year for Paso wines, but of course, Herman Story wines are different! Took about 1 1/2 hours to open up and then, wonderful as usual. Lovely clean fruit forward taste. Drinking very nice now.
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Didn't like as much as the first bottle I had a year or so ago. Was dark and thick, but fruit was a little muted. Hard to say if this is going to get better with age. Sensed more mineral/dirt aspects at this point.
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A little tight on the first day, despite having been open for a few hours. By day two it had settled down. This wine is big and brooding, with dark fruits, tobacco, meat (bacon) and other notes. Not for the faint of heard, for sure.
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Splash decant ... This is really in a perfect place right now. No heat. Fruit has calmed, but is still bright and juicy. There's smoke and game on the mid, and a plushness at the finish that really rounds this one out nicely. Less creamy and more savory, than other Bolts, I really like the flavor profile here. Smooth, easy drinker with some real style.
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Had a 2-day blind tasting pitting this against Syrahs from Eric Kent and K Cellars, and the Nuts and Bolts emerged as the clear surprise winner. As others have said, it's big and complex and not for the faint of heart, and next to it the others were boring, even on the second day. I had a second bottle on its own more recently and was again impressed by the intensity of the favors and the balance of fruit and savory notes. This is just terrific wine.
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Good solid syrah that showed best after a few hours in the decanter. Blackberry with loads of tar, some savory herbal notes, and black pepper. A crowd pleaser.
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PNP. Deep inky purple color. On the nose upon opening - cigar, leather, tar, pepper, spice, and alcohol. On the palate, dark fruits, some oak and spice. Rich with a medium finish. It evolved and mellowed out significantly over the course of the evening. Highly recommend 2-3hr + decant.
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A big, hedonistic wine with an explosive nose of red and purple fruits. The palate follows the nose with a pronounced black pepper finish. For a wine that carries 15.1% ABV, this wine is surprisingly well balanced and fresh with no apparent heat.
Not a wine for everyday, but proof that a brawny wine can sometimes produce pleasant surprises.
Update: Day 2 was notably smoother with the pepper notes more prominent. Recommend a decant of at least 3-4 hours.
91-92
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Brought by Corey N. to Chicago Offline Day 1. This is a very nice wine. I do not thing I have ever had a Herman Story wine before, at east not that I remember. This is an excellent mix of Cali fruit forward syrah combined with pepper spice a bit more prevalent in Northern Rhone. No one will mistake this, however, for Northern Rhone, because the fruit obviously predominates in a powerful mix of favors. Not for everyone and not for the faint of heart at 15.1% ABV, but an excellent wine if this is your style.
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So I smuggled my last bottle of 2011 N&B down to Aruba to drink on vacation.
PNP--A little mustiness on opening (something I have never really encountered with one of Russell's wines). Further aromas of tar, fruit punch, bramble, spice box. The fruit seems a little deflated here on the palate (not as robust as previous bottles) and finds the heat on the finish. The mustiness makes this initially seem like it leans toward an old world wine.
After 1.5 hours: Much better and more focused (mustiness has blown off). Fruit arrived into a linear palate and a long finish. Not as much dimension as the last bottle. Last bottle was a 93, this is 91+. This should easily hold up for another 5 years.
Final Words: Still good, but a bit different than the last bottle.
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Just wow. Splash decanted and drank over 2 hours. Deep red and unable to see though it. A little tight on the nose - it should have been allowed time to open. Nose was blackberry, burnt toast, peppered jerky and a bit of pine. Med + body with well integrated tannin and good acidity. Palate was bramble, blackberry, herb garden, venison and anise. Amazingly focused mid palate. Long finish which was a touch too hot.
Defenitly decant if drinking now. This has the focus and drive to last a while. I'll give the next 2 more years at least.
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pop n pour. Decanted through a wine funnel. Wish we had more time with this wine cause it's a beauty. Solid structure. Big fruit. A little burn. Like to grab another and leave a few hours. Big bold fab. Triple yum
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another delicious bottle from herman story. only my 2nd bottle from them, but both have been really solid. agree with the previous comment on toning done the oak, but otherwise, a big, fruity syrah.
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A really nice Syrah. Reminded me a little of the great K syrahs of yesteryear, but a little grittier. Decanted for 3 hours and it could have gone a lot longer. Holding the rest of my bottles for another couple of years.
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Popped and poured, tasted--then left the rest to sit for an hour. Notes are on par with what others have said. This isn't just good juice, its great wine! Actually, I bought a few extra bottles and gave as gifts over the holidays.
Probably one of the best pop-n-pour HS Wines I can remember. QPR is pretty good and at least a notch or two up on most Central Coast Syrahs. Not sure if this would last til 2022--and frankly, why would you want to wait? Its drinking well now, and will be for the next few years easily. If scoring, I would say every bit of 93...and maybe a little more with a proper decant. Really a great effort! Man I can't wait for the 2012 vintage!
Final Words: Pair with some Santa Maria BBQ or Blow 'em Away at your "Under $40 Syrah" Tasting.
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A beautiful deep red/purple. Medium earthy, spicy aroma. Strong black cherry and allspice flavors and a long finish. Excellent! I will hold the second bottle for another year or so if I can resist temptation!
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Great stuff. I am finding that I enjoy Russell's wines when they are young. This one does not fail to disappoint. I got one more bottle and now I don't need to feel guilty if we drink it sooner rather than later.
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pnp, consumed over 3 hours. started out tight, minerally and maybe a little dirty. but that blew off after 20-30 minutes and this really showed itself to be maybe the best n&b I've ever had. this one has oodles of structure and depth and persistence, the stuffing to age for a long while, vs previous bottlings that, while delicious and hedonistic, punched you in the face with obvious flavors and aromas. this one is outstanding, and drinks like a $60-$100 Syrah. a tremendous effort. 93-96 points. can't wait to see how this one evolves.
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Decanted about 4 hours. Aromas are deep and extracted with hearty notes of grilled game meats, campfire, deep caramel, blackberry syrup, cola, pine needles and ground cloves. Bold and concentrated on the palate with a burst of acidity that is moderate-plus met with ripe, softer tannins. Flavors of blackberries dusted with ground toasted fennel seed, vanilla, toasted oak, toffee, smoke, cinnamon, maple syrup, chocolate and pressed cherry juice. The finish is moderate plus intensity and long in length while the lingering flavors transition on the palate, evolving gracefully.
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This is probably the best Herman Story wine I've ever had even with a pop and pour. Drinking well now with lots of upside. For future bottle I will give them a 1 1/2 hour decanting. An awesome wine. Thank Russell
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Tasted first time at fall release party, missed spring. This is another big bold Syrah from Russell. Added more bottles so that at can watch it develop , probably open in 2 years. 08 is drinking great now.
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Popped and poured and immediately stuck my nose in then drank, which was a mistake. The acidity was overpowering, almost to the point of undrinkable. I really thought this was corked, though there was no indication on the nose. After about 10 minutes it settled down and all was in balance. Strong pepper, meat and tobacco flavors shine through to a silky finish. I left a little for day 2 to hopefully compare to a Saxum. We will see.....
Day 2 up against Saxum Broken Stones 2005. Held up very well, but the Saxum is somehow in another class. Still the Nuts and Bolts is one of the great values out there..
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Tasted blind. On the nose olives, smokey meat, dark fruit. More of the same on the palate with lots of blackberry, blueberry and baking spices, combined with the smokey meat, earth and olive. Medium to medium plus mouth feel. Smooth lingering finish. Scoring way out of its price range. Exceptional QPR. If scoring 93-95.
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this started out a little rubbery/matchsticky/sulfuric, but eventually came around to its normal hedonistic self. i think it was slightly off, but still enjoyable.
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Just got back from a friend's house where I had the third bottle that I've experiennced from this vinntage in the past 2 months. A wonderful wine.
Can't say a lot more than Dagalaifus mentions below. I think he hit it well. Although it's a Centtral Coast Syrah and you'd expect more of a Southern Rhone or Australian Style wine, this one really delivers more like a very good quality Northern Rhone. In the words of my friend who joined me on this wine, ". . . how much is it? Heck, it's well worth the money!"
Now I am hearing some really great things about the upcoming 2012 vintage from all over California. Very curious how it will compare . . . but in the meantime, I am picking up a coupla' more bottles of the 2011.
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Drank at a friend's house. All I can say is WOW. Could be one of the best wines dollar for dollar out there. Nose was white pepper, tobacco (ashtray), meat. Taste was like dark fruits and velvet. Very similar to Ramey's Rodgers Creek. Would love to put this up against a Saxum and SQN blind and see how it stacks up.
Very dark, with earthy, mineral and leather aromas. Mineral earthy flavors over more subtle blueberry fruit in the background. Some cinnamon and warm spice as by others. A little more acidity and slightly less body than 2009 or 2010 with great all around balance. Drinking nicely now.
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This wine was popped and poured. It's inky purple in the glass with a pronounced nose of smoked meat. On the palate, it's full-bodied but not as extracted or Port-like as some of Russell's earlier vintages with the same smoked meat, as well as cherry, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, toasty oak, earth, cinnamon and hints of pepper and black olives. It has a lengthy finish. This wine is 100% Syrah with fruit from seven of the best vineyards on the Central Coast, but with a flavor profile that reminds me of a northern Rhone. Since there's no Viognier in the blend, I suspect that the smoke and earth notes are a product of the unusually cool 2011 vintage. While Russell's 2008 Nuts and Bolts received great reviews from the established critics, I'm going to go out on a limb and pronounce the 2011 even better. In fact, this might be the best Nuts and Bolts he has ever made. The fruit and tannins are sufficiently integrated that the wine can be enjoyed now after an hour or so decant, but it should age nicely for at least 3 years.
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Outstanding Syrah! Best of this variety we've had. Big bold, complex and very interesting. Our first impression was a fascinating smokiness after breathing a wonderful dry fruitiness came forward. Great nose and super long finish. This is a great stand alone wine.
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Massive, beefy, thick raspberry and salt. A little streak of lemon on the finish. Reminds me of some of the best Petite Sirahs like Valdez, Macauley, or Switchback Ridge more than a Syrah. Delicious and interesting, but not for the faint of heart.
-- Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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I drank it over two days. a fine second day evolution, Dark plum with Blackberry notes, deep texture, lots of tar and an excellent finish. Russell S. can make great wines.
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Drank at offline then again at The Wine Closet over past week. This wine is ready to go, imo. I love the big briny, bacony, earthy character. Black olives, salt, black pepper, blood, iron, pickled meats. There is plenty of fruit there in the background as Susan says, but to my palate the balance of bacon vs. fruit is in a really good spot. Reminds me of Cayuse, just not as funky. By far the best CA Syrah I have ever drank.
Revisited bottle on Day 2. Blackberry compote fruit much more prominent, and the more interesting (to me) briny components have subdued. I wonder if those would come back later on, but for me this wine is an early drinker.
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Splash decant ... This is a baby Bolts, and way too young to properly appreciate. But, even knowing that, we decided to give it a try and see what the two cases we laid down have in store. (And, needs must, a planned long decant to test didn't occur. Oops.)
Right now, the signature fruit is a bit hidden behind the gamey smoke and bacon fat, which kind of overwhelm the profile at present. Given past experience, I expect those elements to better integrate and let the blackberry notes shine through, at least to open given some more bottle time. I have no plans to pop another one of these for at least a year, so 91 for what we had right now (a too-young, pop-and-pour) with the potential to be another mid-90s Nuts given a bit of patience.
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7/5/2022 - DanTheRhoneFan Likes this wine: 93 Points
In the proper drinking window for my palate. Opened 1hr before dinner. Did not decant. Black fruit, lightly smoked meat, olive, herbs, and spice. Long spicy finish reminiscent of peppered bacon. Some minty undertones. Wanted a US wine to pair with a July 4 dinner of steak, peppery broccolini, and potato and this fit the bill perfectly. This is the last of 3 bottles consumed over the past 7 years and was the best of the 3 for me. IMO: Drink up.
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4/20/2022 - EyeDesign Likes this wine: 96 Points
We have been collecting bottles of different age statements for Nuts and Bolts and this 2011 is really wonderful. Rich, full bodied, fruit forward, well balanced and finishes so well.
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1/8/2022 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 92 Points
dark crimson, medium/full body, aromas of cherry, flavors of sweet black cherry and raspberry, low/medium tannins, medium acid, medium finish
excellent qpr
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9/4/2020 - YourSomm wrote: 95 Points
Insanely good, and shows how a big wine can still have a ton of finesse. After a long decant, the flavors of dried cranberry, dark ripe raspberry, green olives, mint, and violets were amazing.
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8/19/2020 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow, what a beautiful surprise. After trying a 2016 Nuts and Bolts, I was prepared to find very heavily extracted/jammy fruit here too (I enjoyed the 2016 but didn't find it super complex nor convincingly balanced). After hearing that Russell did awesome things with the cool 2011 vintage, making a rhone-like wine even over 15% ABV, I had doubts...but he really did. Not mistakable for a Rhone, but shows a clear ability to harness the savory nuance of syrah while still capturing that dark, rich fruit in an effective way. Did so far better than a 2012 Pax Griffin's Lair Syrah, even being a full point higher in ABV, and for a slightly cheaper price too.
Incredible, harmonious, wafting nose of rich blackberry liqueur, cappuccino, black cherry, subtle black olive and floral tones, a pinch of bacon fat; alcohol is obviously present but amazingly shows more as a cooling menthol than jammy heat. Doesn't 'explode' from the glass, but very persistent. Weirdly classy and collected. Palate is less complex, but very well-balanced considering the style. Plenty of black fruit and tangy acids, at least a solid medium acidity if not higher, bringing more than enough lift for this rich, dark style to feel ultimately elegant. Tannins are still hanging around, but have softened into a dense silk. Long black cherry finish showing a touch of jamminess, but by that point, so lovely that it doesn't matter. I'd drink now before the energy dips down.
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7/10/2020 - pnurnberg Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep jammmy red fruits, dark cherry, mulled spices, all spice, fresh moss, tobacco, leather
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5/24/2020 - Carsten Madsen wrote: 94 Points
Better than in 2015, on the top now. Not to heavy, more like a big Mature north Rhône Hermitage, a little more sweetness compared to EU
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5/8/2020 - pnurnberg wrote:
Notes from Russ: 2011 was a cooler year. Beefy, earthy, iodine-y, like a Rhine Hermitage.
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3/30/2020 - bjamesclark wrote: 92 Points
Decanted.
Bottle showing heavy sediment.
Aromas remain masculine and bold showing notes of camp smoke, grilled meats, blackberry reduction, black licorice, violet pastilles, lavender, blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, pepper, cola, clove, nutmeg and hints of caramel, herb, chocolate mint and old car leather.
The palate shows richness and some bit of suaveness. Tannins are resolved and still firm and gripping. Acidity is still mouth-watering. Smooth textures and a dense mid-palate. Flavors show off cooked blueberry, smashed ripe blackberry, vanilla, violets and lavender, pepper, baking spices, black licorice, grilled meats, smoke and a hint of herbs. The Gripping finish lingers with intensity.
Still showing well, just be sure to decant for sediment.
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3/23/2020 - EvanJB wrote:
Excellent. Still big
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2/1/2020 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
Completely different then my last two trys at this. This is more like when first released, but a bit more Cote Rotie savory notes to it. Lots of black fruit, pepper and tar. Acidity is high but mellows out with some time in the glass. I had thought I made a mistake with buying a bunch of these and thought they would only drink young, but am very pleased with this bottle. I am not convinced that this will go on for many years, but should be good for the next few.
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8/29/2019 - bablues wrote: 90 Points
Better than my last taste (although I didn't leave notes) but not better than when tasted on release. The fruits are there, but they just don't seem as genuine as when drank on release. Something happened. Still good juice and I have two remaining, but just not that excited about them.
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2/5/2019 - davidspieker wrote: 91 Points
Warm dark berry aromas. Rich, earthy and velvety with a seamless and lengthy finish.
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1/26/2019 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 93 Points
Excessive Yumminess. Beef, Blood, Olive, Stem, Sulfur, Raspberry, Funk. Whacks you upside the head and you pay attention.
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6/17/2018 - Ortiz Brown Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beautiful nose of dark fruit — plum, baked cherry, oak. On the palate brooding dark fruit with a cherry cough syrup element (not unpleasant). Luscious on the palate with evident tannins and acidity that provide a wine of structure. I have to think this wine still has a number of years ahead of it. This wine is a warm blanket on a cool evening. Unlike Sauvyfan’s note below, the wine was terrible on day 2.
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5/13/2018 - brinko99 Likes this wine:
Holding up surprisingly well; with rich black fruit, a lively structure, and a bit of alcohol showing through. The alcohol is just held in check by the fruit... drink now.
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1/26/2018 - v_skogh Likes this wine: 91 Points
Jag gillar ju detta. Men inte alls samma djup som jag är van vid. Kanske på väg ut. Köp nyare flaskor
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11/19/2017 - ewasowicz wrote: 88 Points
Nose: light with some dark fruit bites
Taste: a lot of tannins for a Syrah with fruit forward. I was expecting better.
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10/8/2017 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 84 Points
disappointing; decent fruit that dissolves into messy middle and shrill, spicy finish; poor qpr
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4/24/2017 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 89 Points
nice nose, but to hot on the palate. Again showed better on day 2.
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4/14/2017 - davidspieker wrote: 92 Points
Lush dark berry aromas. Rich and velvety with a seamless and lengthy finish.
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2/4/2017 - lushlife wrote: 93 Points
drink beautifully now dark fruit, spice and smoke, seamlessly smooth
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1/16/2017 - fredman wrote: 92 Points
One hour decant. Very good bottle of wine. Drink or hold but really no reason to hold, so drink and enjoy.
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12/4/2016 - joraesque wrote: 91 Points
Tasty. Drink soon.
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10/5/2016 - Bluffan wrote: 93 Points
SF Giants win over Mets helped make this bottle sing!
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10/5/2016 - wendyinwlv wrote: 95 Points
Jammy and well rounded with tobacco and leather on the nose. Loved by all
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8/24/2016 - RockyII Likes this wine: 91 Points
Purplish garnet color with medium legs. Interesting nose of smoke, bacon and blueberries. Flavors are similar to aromas and are well integrated. A little jammy but otherwise well balanced. Low tannins with some acidity. Improves over time so decant.
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5/21/2016 - redzins Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark garnet color. A little funk on opening. Develops complex plum, cocoa, and berry fruit aromas. Berry jam flavors lead to leather and spice. Continues to evolve over dinner
John Karen before Fresno.
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5/17/2016 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quite similar to 3 years ago. Holding steady with dark color, savory, meaty flavors and slightly subdued fruit. Nicely balanced for a big, ripe wine.
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4/18/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 90 Points
HdR Opening Tasting: A bit off from the 09 and 10. Just a bit less ripe. A little bit of a vegetal note. A very good wine, but not quite at the level of the others.
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4/14/2016 - wendyinwlv wrote: 90 Points
2011 were not our favorite year for Paso wines, but of course, Herman Story wines are different! Took about 1 1/2 hours to open up and then, wonderful as usual. Lovely clean fruit forward taste. Drinking very nice now.
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3/13/2016 - drrobvino wrote: 91 Points
Delicious and satisfying as always, full bodied, juicy with a long and tasty finish. A hint of bacon and leather. Drink now through 2019.
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2/28/2016 - sayward wrote: 91 Points
Didn't like as much as the first bottle I had a year or so ago. Was dark and thick, but fruit was a little muted. Hard to say if this is going to get better with age. Sensed more mineral/dirt aspects at this point.
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12/19/2015 - Central Coast Wino Likes this wine: 90 Points
A little tight on the first day, despite having been open for a few hours. By day two it had settled down. This wine is big and brooding, with dark fruits, tobacco, meat (bacon) and other notes. Not for the faint of heard, for sure.
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10/28/2015 - 818wines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Huge and tasty. Give it time, air, a big steak, or all three.
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9/3/2015 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 93 Points
Splash decant ... This is really in a perfect place right now. No heat. Fruit has calmed, but is still bright and juicy. There's smoke and game on the mid, and a plushness at the finish that really rounds this one out nicely. Less creamy and more savory, than other Bolts, I really like the flavor profile here. Smooth, easy drinker with some real style.
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8/29/2015 - dontime wrote:
Wonderful as expected. Rich dark fruit, olives, meat. Smooth with the alcohol in check. If scoring 92-94.
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8/10/2015 - Mark3548 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had a 2-day blind tasting pitting this against Syrahs from Eric Kent and K Cellars, and the Nuts and Bolts emerged as the clear surprise winner. As others have said, it's big and complex and not for the faint of heart, and next to it the others were boring, even on the second day. I had a second bottle on its own more recently and was again impressed by the intensity of the favors and the balance of fruit and savory notes. This is just terrific wine.
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6/23/2015 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 92 Points
One of my favorite Herman Story wines this bottle was really singing. Wish I had more.
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6/22/2015 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 92 Points
Excellent and smoother than I remembered. Losing its baby fat and turning into a very interesting wine.
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6/7/2015 - BrianMc wrote: 93 Points
Still evolving, great fruit, big flavor and gonna rock in a couple of years
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5/9/2015 - Carsten Madsen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Extremly nice syrah, heavy berry nose with leather and spices. Long taste with finess. Had it to Pulled pork, where it had the right power and stile
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5/6/2015 - Redguy wrote: 91 Points
Good solid syrah that showed best after a few hours in the decanter. Blackberry with loads of tar, some savory herbal notes, and black pepper. A crowd pleaser.
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5/5/2015 - r4Cali wrote: 91 Points
PNP. Deep inky purple color. On the nose upon opening - cigar, leather, tar, pepper, spice, and alcohol. On the palate, dark fruits, some oak and spice. Rich with a medium finish. It evolved and mellowed out significantly over the course of the evening. Highly recommend 2-3hr + decant.
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5/2/2015 - CMN Likes this wine: 91 Points
A big, hedonistic wine with an explosive nose of red and purple fruits. The palate follows the nose with a pronounced black pepper finish. For a wine that carries 15.1% ABV, this wine is surprisingly well balanced and fresh with no apparent heat.
Not a wine for everyday, but proof that a brawny wine can sometimes produce pleasant surprises.
Update: Day 2 was notably smoother with the pepper notes more prominent. Recommend a decant of at least 3-4 hours.
91-92
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5/1/2015 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine: 91 Points
Brought by Corey N. to Chicago Offline Day 1. This is a very nice wine. I do not thing I have ever had a Herman Story wine before, at east not that I remember. This is an excellent mix of Cali fruit forward syrah combined with pepper spice a bit more prevalent in Northern Rhone. No one will mistake this, however, for Northern Rhone, because the fruit obviously predominates in a powerful mix of favors. Not for everyone and not for the faint of heart at 15.1% ABV, but an excellent wine if this is your style.
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4/16/2015 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 92 Points
outstanding. Deep rich fruit. Reminiscent of Hudson Vineyard. Weighty mid-palate. Voluptuous finish. Better on day two. Rounder, more delineated.
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1/2/2015 - garyty wrote: 91 Points
Very big wine. Ton of fruit on the nose. Needed about an hour or so after opening.
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9/5/2014 - TriggerFingers Likes this wine: 91 Points
So I smuggled my last bottle of 2011 N&B down to Aruba to drink on vacation.
PNP--A little mustiness on opening (something I have never really encountered with one of Russell's wines). Further aromas of tar, fruit punch, bramble, spice box. The fruit seems a little deflated here on the palate (not as robust as previous bottles) and finds the heat on the finish. The mustiness makes this initially seem like it leans toward an old world wine.
After 1.5 hours: Much better and more focused (mustiness has blown off). Fruit arrived into a linear palate and a long finish. Not as much dimension as the last bottle. Last bottle was a 93, this is 91+. This should easily hold up for another 5 years.
Final Words: Still good, but a bit different than the last bottle.
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8/10/2014 - caeleric Likes this wine:
2 hour slow ox, consumed over 5 hours. notes are the same as december 11, 2013. lightning in a bottle here.
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8/2/2014 - aaronl3182 wrote: 93 Points
Just wow. Splash decanted and drank over 2 hours. Deep red and unable to see though it. A little tight on the nose - it should have been allowed time to open. Nose was blackberry, burnt toast, peppered jerky and a bit of pine. Med + body with well integrated tannin and good acidity. Palate was bramble, blackberry, herb garden, venison and anise. Amazingly focused mid palate. Long finish which was a touch too hot.
Defenitly decant if drinking now. This has the focus and drive to last a while. I'll give the next 2 more years at least.
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7/15/2014 - tomherer wrote: flawed
corked.
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7/6/2014 - hawki5 Likes this wine:
never disappoints.
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5/13/2014 - Martnmac wrote: 91 Points
pop n pour. Decanted through a wine funnel. Wish we had more time with this wine cause it's a beauty. Solid structure. Big fruit. A little burn. Like to grab another and leave a few hours. Big bold fab. Triple yum
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4/11/2014 - daniel.jay wrote:
Solid fruit, but hot with alcohol. Unusual for a HS wine. I think this was an aberrant bottle. If scoring 87.
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4/2/2014 - Hammar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Coravin - Very nice, opened up in the glass, got better after around an hour.
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3/24/2014 - wiscgrad wrote: 92 Points
another delicious bottle from herman story. only my 2nd bottle from them, but both have been really solid. agree with the previous comment on toning done the oak, but otherwise, a big, fruity syrah.
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3/24/2014 - mhewitt wrote: 94 Points
This is an excellent Syrah. I'd like to see the oak backed down slightly, but this is a great wine nonetheless.
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2/23/2014 - sayward Likes this wine: 92 Points
A really nice Syrah. Reminded me a little of the great K syrahs of yesteryear, but a little grittier. Decanted for 3 hours and it could have gone a lot longer. Holding the rest of my bottles for another couple of years.
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2/20/2014 - Mapleglo330 wrote: 91 Points
Big, bold and fruity. A real pleaser. Need to pick up a few more bottles.
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2/16/2014 - Amerique wrote: 96 Points
Smooth, rich, delicious, full-bodied, very balanced
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1/14/2014 - TriggerFingers Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured, tasted--then left the rest to sit for an hour. Notes are on par with what others have said. This isn't just good juice, its great wine! Actually, I bought a few extra bottles and gave as gifts over the holidays.
Probably one of the best pop-n-pour HS Wines I can remember. QPR is pretty good and at least a notch or two up on most Central Coast Syrahs.
Not sure if this would last til 2022--and frankly, why would you want to wait? Its drinking well now, and will be for the next few years easily. If scoring, I would say every bit of 93...and maybe a little more with a proper decant. Really a great effort! Man I can't wait for the 2012 vintage!
Final Words: Pair with some Santa Maria BBQ or Blow 'em Away at your "Under $40 Syrah" Tasting.
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1/10/2014 - 9-Toes Likes this wine: 92 Points
A beautiful deep red/purple. Medium earthy, spicy aroma. Strong black cherry and allspice flavors and a long finish. Excellent! I will hold the second bottle for another year or so if I can resist temptation!
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1/7/2014 - michal Likes this wine:
Great stuff. I am finding that I enjoy Russell's wines when they are young. This one does not fail to disappoint. I got one more bottle and now I don't need to feel guilty if we drink it sooner rather than later.
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1/1/2014 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
PnP and was open right away. Tons of pepper on the nose and palate. Very consistent with my first note.
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12/29/2013 - rickfell-new wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful, black fruit, spice and meaty
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12/11/2013 - caeleric Likes this wine:
pnp, consumed over 3 hours. started out tight, minerally and maybe a little dirty. but that blew off after 20-30 minutes and this really showed itself to be maybe the best n&b I've ever had. this one has oodles of structure and depth and persistence, the stuffing to age for a long while, vs previous bottlings that, while delicious and hedonistic, punched you in the face with obvious flavors and aromas. this one is outstanding, and drinks like a $60-$100 Syrah. a tremendous effort. 93-96 points. can't wait to see how this one evolves.
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11/3/2013 - bjamesclark wrote: 92 Points
Decanted about 4 hours. Aromas are deep and extracted with hearty notes of grilled game meats, campfire, deep caramel, blackberry syrup, cola, pine needles and ground cloves.
Bold and concentrated on the palate with a burst of acidity that is moderate-plus met with ripe, softer tannins. Flavors of blackberries dusted with ground toasted fennel seed, vanilla, toasted oak, toffee, smoke, cinnamon, maple syrup, chocolate and pressed cherry juice. The finish is moderate plus intensity and long in length while the lingering flavors transition on the palate, evolving gracefully.
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9/24/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is probably the best Herman Story wine I've ever had even with a pop and pour. Drinking well now with lots of upside. For future bottle I will give them a 1 1/2 hour decanting. An awesome wine. Thank Russell
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9/21/2013 - EvanJB wrote:
Tasted first time at fall release party, missed spring. This is another big bold Syrah from Russell.
Added more bottles so that at can watch it develop , probably open in 2 years. 08 is drinking great now.
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9/6/2013 - bablues wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured and immediately stuck my nose in then drank, which was a mistake. The acidity was overpowering, almost to the point of undrinkable. I really thought this was corked, though there was no indication on the nose. After about 10 minutes it settled down and all was in balance. Strong pepper, meat and tobacco flavors shine through to a silky finish. I left a little for day 2 to hopefully compare to a Saxum. We will see.....
Day 2 up against Saxum Broken Stones 2005. Held up very well, but the Saxum is somehow in another class. Still the Nuts and Bolts is one of the great values out there..
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8/31/2013 - dontime wrote:
Tasted blind. On the nose olives, smokey meat, dark fruit. More of the same on the palate with lots of blackberry, blueberry and baking spices, combined with the smokey meat, earth and olive. Medium to medium plus mouth feel. Smooth lingering finish. Scoring way out of its price range. Exceptional QPR. If scoring 93-95.
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8/18/2013 - caeleric Likes this wine:
this started out a little rubbery/matchsticky/sulfuric, but eventually came around to its normal hedonistic self. i think it was slightly off, but still enjoyable.
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8/18/2013 - MoTheMan wrote: 94 Points
A solid 94!
Just got back from a friend's house where I had the third bottle that I've experiennced from this vinntage in the past 2 months.
A wonderful wine.
Can't say a lot more than Dagalaifus mentions below. I think he hit it well.
Although it's a Centtral Coast Syrah and you'd expect more of a Southern Rhone or Australian Style wine, this one really delivers more like a very good quality Northern Rhone.
In the words of my friend who joined me on this wine, ". . . how much is it? Heck, it's well worth the money!"
Now I am hearing some really great things about the upcoming 2012 vintage from all over California. Very curious how it will compare . . . but in the meantime, I am picking up a coupla' more bottles of the 2011.
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8/16/2013 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
Drank at a friend's house. All I can say is WOW. Could be one of the best wines dollar for dollar out there. Nose was white pepper, tobacco (ashtray), meat. Taste was like dark fruits and velvet. Very similar to Ramey's Rodgers Creek. Would love to put this up against a Saxum and SQN blind and see how it stacks up.
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8/14/2013 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dark, with earthy, mineral and leather aromas. Mineral earthy flavors over more subtle blueberry fruit in the background. Some cinnamon and warm spice as by others. A little more acidity and slightly less body than 2009 or 2010 with great all around balance. Drinking nicely now.
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7/30/2013 - TPowe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine now. Will be even better in a few years.
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7/28/2013 - pmotley wrote:
- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's somewhat balanced with a medium body. Bright texture with a medium finish.
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7/27/2013 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine was popped and poured. It's inky purple in the glass with a pronounced nose of smoked meat. On the palate, it's full-bodied but not as extracted or Port-like as some of Russell's earlier vintages with the same smoked meat, as well as cherry, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, toasty oak, earth, cinnamon and hints of pepper and black olives. It has a lengthy finish.
This wine is 100% Syrah with fruit from seven of the best vineyards on the Central Coast, but with a flavor profile that reminds me of a northern Rhone. Since there's no Viognier in the blend, I suspect that the smoke and earth notes are a product of the unusually cool 2011 vintage. While Russell's 2008 Nuts and Bolts received great reviews from the established critics, I'm going to go out on a limb and pronounce the 2011 even better. In fact, this might be the best Nuts and Bolts he has ever made. The fruit and tannins are sufficiently integrated that the wine can be enjoyed now after an hour or so decant, but it should age nicely for at least 3 years.
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7/25/2013 - Sniktaw Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding Syrah! Best of this variety we've had. Big bold, complex and very interesting. Our first impression was a fascinating smokiness after breathing a wonderful dry fruitiness came forward. Great nose and super long finish. This is a great stand alone wine.
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7/1/2013 - Gestalted wrote: 90 Points
Massive, beefy, thick raspberry and salt. A little streak of lemon on the finish. Reminds me of some of the best Petite Sirahs like Valdez, Macauley, or Switchback Ridge more than a Syrah. Delicious and interesting, but not for the faint of heart.
--
Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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6/26/2013 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 91 Points
I drank it over two days. a fine second day evolution, Dark plum with Blackberry notes, deep texture, lots of tar and an excellent finish. Russell S. can make great wines.
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6/20/2013 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 94 Points
Drank at offline then again at The Wine Closet over past week. This wine is ready to go, imo. I love the big briny, bacony, earthy character. Black olives, salt, black pepper, blood, iron, pickled meats. There is plenty of fruit there in the background as Susan says, but to my palate the balance of bacon vs. fruit is in a really good spot. Reminds me of Cayuse, just not as funky. By far the best CA Syrah I have ever drank.
Revisited bottle on Day 2. Blackberry compote fruit much more prominent, and the more interesting (to me) briny components have subdued. I wonder if those would come back later on, but for me this wine is an early drinker.
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6/19/2013 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Splash decant ... This is a baby Bolts, and way too young to properly appreciate. But, even knowing that, we decided to give it a try and see what the two cases we laid down have in store. (And, needs must, a planned long decant to test didn't occur. Oops.)
Right now, the signature fruit is a bit hidden behind the gamey smoke and bacon fat, which kind of overwhelm the profile at present. Given past experience, I expect those elements to better integrate and let the blackberry notes shine through, at least to open given some more bottle time. I have no plans to pop another one of these for at least a year, so 91 for what we had right now (a too-young, pop-and-pour) with the potential to be another mid-90s Nuts given a bit of patience.
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