I found another bottle! I think this was the best of the bunch, well integrated oak, minerals, a fair bit of nuance. Everyone enjoyed it a lot. It is still drinking wel!
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Beautiful aroma, sexy color (no apparent browning, just jewelly purple-red throughout), and fully softened. Fruit is slightly faded Think Lauren Bacall in her 60s: an everlasting beautiful frame that harkens back to a fabulous prime years ago.
Edit: bumping up to a 92, a third hour in decanter considerably opened up the fruit expression.
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Oak, spice, cherry compote. Not really layered, but a very good and enjoyable wine. I think it's my last bottle, database says I have 2 more but I don't see them.
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plum red, little clarity, ruby hue Nose: plum, chocolate, earth, tobacco, clove, green pepper, green herbs touch oak Pal: plum, chocolate, earth, tobacco, clove, green pepper, green herbs, marjoram, touch oak Feel: medium, light, touch acidic Finish: medium, short T7 (could be an 8)
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All kinds of grilled meat, baconfat, and herbs, but those components somewhat overshadowed the fruit. Pretty well balanced, but it struck me as a little flat. Probably headed downhill. At $25, however, it's a very good value.
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The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. Getting better each year. Wish I had more than 2 left.
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Dark fruited and bright with soft tannins. Sweet and rich "cocktail wine" without much complexity and also without any flaws. For 2011, I'd call it a success for the style.
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Very nice Santa Barbara syrah. Not quite as full as a Paso syrah, but this is only a $20 wine. That considered, this is fine wine with very good QPR. Two hour decant made a big difference from my last bottle. I give it a 90.
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medium plum red, medium clarity, ruby hue Nose: tart cherry, plum, cranberry, chocolate, earth, dust, vanilla, green herbs, silver, oak Pal: cherry, plum, chocolate, earth, dust, vanilla, silver, green herbs, cola, oak Feel: medium, savory, round Finish: medium T8
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This bottle a little different than the last a couple of months ago. A bit weaker overall but still quite good. Muted fruit, light spice...very smooth. This is in its downward cycle but it's still very good. Very smooth drinking, nice round mouth feel, beautiful dark fruit...medium finish, well-integrated tannin. Again, smooth comes to mind. Very good wine for the QPR.
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Anita really enjoyed it. So did Maria. Everyone seemed to be topping up their wine glasses with good pours. Definitely using quality grape. Full bodied, not sugar ladened, nice finish with a slight hint of dryness but not a deal breaker
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Supposed to be near the end of its drinking window, but I don't think so. This is still going strong. PNP 2 bottles with friends over a 2-3 hour period after work one night this week. Still dark in the glass, no weak edges, great Syrah nose. Pencil shavings, licorice and the blackest of fruit, maybe the slightest of candied cherries. Very smooth on entry, moderate weight in the middle and at the end with maybe a little bit of cola. Acidity is weakening a bit but in a perfect place right now. Tannins have integrated nicely, not the least bit heavy, gritty or overbearing as some Syrahs can be. Mild spice. I'd say this has a good 2-3 years left at this rate.
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Overwhelmingly funky on the nose, barnyard and funky cheese. Not that appealing honestly. Better on the palate, with sour blackberries, black pepper, cured meats. Fairly long finish, particularly on the acid, medium tannins. Maybe needs a longer decant for the funk to blow off, wasn't too happy with this one.
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This was so absolutely funky I would have sworn blind it was a Walla Walla in the Rocks vineyard. Cayusian without so much complexity. Blueberry compote, smoky meats, black olive, but mostly the funk. But strange as I don't see other notes mentioning, so maybe not typical of these bottles. (I think these were unsulphured prior to this vintage, and bottle variation was common, but don't think this was.)
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Geez, this is good. Bright, floral, fully concentrated. Northern Rhone-like in style. Good finish. Drinking beautifully now but has the structure to reward long-term cellaring.
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This Syrah is drinking really well right now. Lots of blackberry and bacon and a bit of olive on the nose. Medium-long finish. Pop & pour tonight was great. You could do a short decant if you want, but I don't think it needs it. Evolved quite nicely in glass with dinner. Great value.
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Solid Cali Syrah, with plenty of pepper and meaty spice. Solid fruit core but not overbearing. Fruit finish with a hint of toast. Really delivers at this price point.
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Deep color. The nose shows aromas of dark fruits, smoke, flowers and hints of pepper. This is medium bodied on the palate, with ok concentration and decent class. The medium length finish lacks some acidity.
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Medium deep purple in color. On the nose, lots of varietal syrah character, with brambly blackberry and plum fruit aromas and lifted floral notes of violets and potpourri. There’s also a savory smokiness that pairs with the ripe sweetness of the fruit to make a sort of mesquite impression. On the palate, more masculine and structured than the nose would suggest. The ripe fruit is there, but is not heavy or plump. Nice freshness. The smokiness carries through and is joined by an earthy, gravelly mineral side. Bone dry on the finish, which leaves behind a meaty, peppery flavor and—my one complaint—alcoholic heat. I like the expressiveness and the flavor profile both on the nose and palate, and I like the focused, brawny structure, but there’s just a bit too much alcohol for the frame, in my opinion. Still, very enjoyable, high quality, and good value.
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Beautiful purple red color. Was a bit tannic when first opened and I would say started off as a 88-89. After about 1 hour after the decant it was really, really nice. Tannins softened, fruit came out. Delicious. I would recommend a 1-2 hour decant on the next bottle.
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ripe fresh blueberries, little bit of smoky meat, nice touch of acid in the finish to balance. I don't really get any green notes I see a couple of others complaining about. The 14.5 is fairly well hidden. This is very nice wine for the price and I think a good example of the quality of Syrah fruit that can be achieved in Santa Ynez area
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I might be in the minority here, but I was underwhelmed again by this. Struck me as very green, yes, there is still some nice dark fruit quality, but i can get past the green.
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Solid QPR. Expressive nose of pepper, meat, violets, and a little smoke and olive. Crunchy palate with acidity up front. A bit hollow and disjointed in the mid palate with a non-integrated smoke/toast note distracting. Moderate finish with repeating notes and espresso. Great expression of syrah for the price.
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Tasted blind. Clear, medium (+) purple, no signs of aging. The nose is clean, youthful, medium (-) in intensity, with black cherry. The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity and tannins. Alcohol is high at 14.4%. Overall, this is nicely balanced, with medium (+) body and flavor intensity. This wine is drinking well now, but it should improve with several more years of aging.
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Needs some time but still a tasty wine. Black cherry and red fruit with herbs and some fine tannins on the finish. Will no doubt be better in 2-3 years, but drinkable now. At the Princeton Corkscrew pre-Thanksgiving Wine Tasting. $26.10 / bottle that day. ($24.65 / bottle by the case)
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Short decant, thick meatiness and blueberry in the nose followed by a palate that continues both and adds oak and pepper, the dominant taste staying with the meat and held up by solid tannins, great QPR, a nice syrah, paired with various cheeses including a triple cream brie that enhanced the flavor in the wine well.
Had another bottle the following night and found it to be consistent with this note.
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Blackberry, pepper, smoke, pencil shavings and smoked and grilled meats. Nice tannic finish (meaning this could sit for a few more years) but the tannins go well with grilled/bbq'd meat.
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- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry and black currant. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of blackberry and black currant with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish.
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Some critics have given this wine an excellent review but I dissent. Decanted 1 hr. ahead. Deep ruby with purple tones. Very shy nose suggesting black pepper and plums; a bit of meatiness comes much much later. Smooth and rich on the palate, with a welcome bit of tartness, but little to add in the way of flavor; the body of this wine is well-made. Finishes well, with orange peel notes ahead of light grip and moderate tannins. It's good, yes. And it's well-made, yes, for an almost mass-produced wine (5000+ cases). But the nearly blank nose, at least on this bottle, causes me to hesitate.
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Pop & pour, enjoyed with a grilled grass-fed ribeye and broccoli. Awesome nose, blackberry, wood, and nice meatiness. Flavors of grilled meat (gives my steak a run for its money!), black fruit, oak and ending with a nice mocha flavor. I've always loved Stolpman's Syrahs, and this one is one of the better vintages I've tasted.
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Love this wine at only $23. Nice nose of blue fruit, baked boysenberry pie, mushroom and earth. Beautiful purple color in glass. Medium plus mouthfeel gives to a medium plus finish of chewy meat, smoke, and earth. This wine screams to be paired with lamb or wild boar.
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I bought this wine because I've enjoyed other wines from the same Ballard Canyon area, namely Blair Fox and Jaffurs. I was hoping for their level of complexity and balance. At pop and pour there was a glimmer of hope: smoked meats, dark fruits and stems on the nose. The palate with air time was mostly sweet red fruits, some pepper and a little cola. Time could help, but the sweetness is just too much now.
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More impressed than with a previous bottle, which I found to be a well-made 'standard Syrah.' This bottle kept deepening its pitch and length with more charred meat flavor emerging through the creamy black and berry fruit.
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Very nice indeed. Agree with wine critics that this is much more like northern rhone with strong floral presence on nose and strong minerals and dark fruits on palate. Lovely. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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Dark ruby red. Nicely balanced, but somewhat closed. There is more there than currently meets the nose and palate. The fruit is there, but not yet bursting with flavor or complexity as I expect it will with another 6-12 months of cellar time as it all comes together. Looking forward to the next bottle in 2104.
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Wonderful notes of lilacs, lavender, smoke, pepper, bright red raspberries. So much going on with campfire, asphalt, such balance of juicy red fruit and secondary notes of wet earth and herbs. Hard to find flaws, and trust me I was searching to knock it down a point or two.
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12/23/2023 - laetulos wrote: 91 Points
I found another bottle! I think this was the best of the bunch, well integrated oak, minerals, a fair bit of nuance. Everyone enjoyed it a lot. It is still drinking wel!
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11/1/2023 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful aroma, sexy color (no apparent browning, just jewelly purple-red throughout), and fully softened. Fruit is slightly faded Think Lauren Bacall in her 60s: an everlasting beautiful frame that harkens back to a fabulous prime years ago.
Edit: bumping up to a 92, a third hour in decanter considerably opened up the fruit expression.
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11/12/2022 - laetulos wrote: 90 Points
Oak, spice, cherry compote. Not really layered, but a very good and enjoyable wine. I think it's my last bottle, database says I have 2 more but I don't see them.
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11/3/2022 - Crusty Reader Likes this wine: 93 Points
Shared with friends at Wallace House dinner.
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8/10/2022 - Minnesota wrote: 93 Points
Still in drinking window. Very well-balanced fruit and tannin backbone.
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3/29/2022 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Shows Syrah typicity - smoked meats, olive, ripe black raspberry. Opens quickly. Prime time. Drink. Winebid find for $20.
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1/23/2022 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Has aged well, opens quickly and fruit is fully on display.
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10/10/2021 - David J Cooper wrote: 89 Points
Still fairly dark. Berry fruit, hints of pepper and roasted meats. Dry berry and pepper flavours and a dry light finish.
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5/28/2021 - Frijole wrote:
plum red, little clarity, ruby hue
Nose: plum, chocolate, earth, tobacco, clove, green pepper, green herbs touch oak
Pal: plum, chocolate, earth, tobacco, clove, green pepper, green herbs, marjoram, touch oak
Feel: medium, light, touch acidic
Finish: medium, short
T7 (could be an 8)
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11/18/2020 - twain Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last of my case. Drinking really well, fruit, acidity and tannins all in balance. Prob good a few more years.
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1/1/2020 - Night Train Likes this wine: 88 Points
All kinds of grilled meat, baconfat, and herbs, but those components somewhat overshadowed the fruit. Pretty well balanced, but it struck me as a little flat. Probably headed downhill. At $25, however, it's a very good value.
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11/9/2019 - jmbladen wrote: 94 Points
The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. Getting better each year. Wish I had more than 2 left.
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6/22/2019 - Night Train Likes this wine: 89 Points
Took to a party, so no detailed notes. Looks, smells, and tastes about what you would expect. Holding up well and may still improve.
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5/19/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Coravin # 2 - better with some air. Light fruit, high acid. Blueberry with some spice.
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3/29/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fading a bit. Losing fruit. High acid. A little flabby.
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11/30/2018 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice, servicable syrah at a good QPR. Drinking well now. Nice but not overwhelming Tar. A keeper.
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10/13/2018 - F_&_M wrote: 90 Points
Great wine.
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10/2/2018 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 88 Points
still a bit tannic. Very tarry, typical of syrah.
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8/21/2018 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 89 Points
Proper QPR. Clean wine. Definitely tarry and smoky like a syrah should be but not the complexity of Stolpman's higher end wines.
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2/7/2018 - rama wrote:
Dark fruited and bright with soft tannins. Sweet and rich "cocktail wine" without much complexity and also without any flaws. For 2011, I'd call it a success for the style.
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12/15/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice Santa Barbara syrah. Not quite as full as a Paso syrah, but this is only a $20 wine. That considered, this is fine wine with very good QPR. Two hour decant made a big difference from my last bottle. I give it a 90.
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11/29/2017 - SLOFred wrote: 88 Points
Not as good as other Stolpman's I have had. I will reserve judgement until I drink another bottle.
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11/25/2017 - Frijole wrote:
medium plum red, medium clarity, ruby hue
Nose: tart cherry, plum, cranberry, chocolate, earth, dust, vanilla, green herbs, silver, oak
Pal: cherry, plum, chocolate, earth, dust, vanilla, silver, green herbs, cola, oak
Feel: medium, savory, round
Finish: medium
T8
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8/12/2017 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle a little different than the last a couple of months ago. A bit weaker overall but still quite good. Muted fruit, light spice...very smooth. This is in its downward cycle but it's still very good. Very smooth drinking, nice round mouth feel, beautiful dark fruit...medium finish, well-integrated tannin. Again, smooth comes to mind. Very good wine for the QPR.
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8/8/2017 - thoughtdujour wrote:
Anita really enjoyed it. So did Maria. Everyone seemed to be topping up their wine glasses with good pours. Definitely using quality grape. Full bodied, not sugar ladened, nice finish with a slight hint of dryness but not a deal breaker
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6/23/2017 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Supposed to be near the end of its drinking window, but I don't think so. This is still going strong. PNP 2 bottles with friends over a 2-3 hour period after work one night this week. Still dark in the glass, no weak edges, great Syrah nose. Pencil shavings, licorice and the blackest of fruit, maybe the slightest of candied cherries. Very smooth on entry, moderate weight in the middle and at the end with maybe a little bit of cola. Acidity is weakening a bit but in a perfect place right now. Tannins have integrated nicely, not the least bit heavy, gritty or overbearing as some Syrahs can be. Mild spice. I'd say this has a good 2-3 years left at this rate.
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6/12/2017 - oenophilemoose wrote: 89 Points
Decanted and consumed over the next few hours. Distinct earthy notes that is common among many Syrahs and Pinots. Decent entry level wine.
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6/10/2017 - ChristyLeighNY wrote:
Overwhelmingly funky on the nose, barnyard and funky cheese. Not that appealing honestly. Better on the palate, with sour blackberries, black pepper, cured meats. Fairly long finish, particularly on the acid, medium tannins. Maybe needs a longer decant for the funk to blow off, wasn't too happy with this one.
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4/5/2017 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ageing well, deep fruit and earthy funk.
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3/5/2017 - MindMuse wrote: 91 Points
This was so absolutely funky I would have sworn blind it was a Walla Walla in the Rocks vineyard. Cayusian without so much complexity. Blueberry compote, smoky meats, black olive, but mostly the funk.
But strange as I don't see other notes mentioning, so maybe not typical of these bottles. (I think these were unsulphured prior to this vintage, and bottle variation was common, but don't think this was.)
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12/8/2016 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Geez, this is good. Bright, floral, fully concentrated. Northern Rhone-like in style. Good finish. Drinking beautifully now but has the structure to reward long-term cellaring.
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11/10/2016 - signotim wrote: 84 Points
Juicy and tasty but rather soft and simple
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6/21/2016 - CieloVista wrote: 88 Points
...juicy and jammy
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5/8/2016 - maxmanx wrote:
OK. Many other Syrahs including Bedrock I'd rather drink at this price point.
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4/16/2016 - CieloVista wrote: 88 Points
Dark red; rich plums and ripe blackberries.
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3/25/2016 - RobDM Likes this wine: 91 Points
This Syrah is drinking really well right now. Lots of blackberry and bacon and a bit of olive on the nose. Medium-long finish.
Pop & pour tonight was great. You could do a short decant if you want, but I don't think it needs it. Evolved quite nicely in glass with dinner. Great value.
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2/22/2016 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid Cali Syrah, with plenty of pepper and meaty spice. Solid fruit core but not overbearing. Fruit finish with a hint of toast. Really delivers at this price point.
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12/15/2015 - aajder wrote: 86 Points
Deep color. The nose shows aromas of dark fruits, smoke, flowers and hints of pepper. This is medium bodied on the palate, with ok concentration and decent class. The medium length finish lacks some acidity.
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11/1/2015 - JVG wrote:
Medium deep purple in color. On the nose, lots of varietal syrah character, with brambly blackberry and plum fruit aromas and lifted floral notes of violets and potpourri. There’s also a savory smokiness that pairs with the ripe sweetness of the fruit to make a sort of mesquite impression. On the palate, more masculine and structured than the nose would suggest. The ripe fruit is there, but is not heavy or plump. Nice freshness. The smokiness carries through and is joined by an earthy, gravelly mineral side. Bone dry on the finish, which leaves behind a meaty, peppery flavor and—my one complaint—alcoholic heat. I like the expressiveness and the flavor profile both on the nose and palate, and I like the focused, brawny structure, but there’s just a bit too much alcohol for the frame, in my opinion. Still, very enjoyable, high quality, and good value.
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7/15/2015 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful purple red color. Was a bit tannic when first opened and I would say started off as a 88-89. After about 1 hour after the decant it was really, really nice. Tannins softened, fruit came out. Delicious. I would recommend a 1-2 hour decant on the next bottle.
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7/5/2015 - mcook Likes this wine: 91 Points
ripe fresh blueberries, little bit of smoky meat, nice touch of acid in the finish to balance. I don't really get any green notes I see a couple of others complaining about. The 14.5 is fairly well hidden. This is very nice wine for the price and I think a good example of the quality of Syrah fruit that can be achieved in Santa Ynez area
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6/30/2015 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Again excellent and solid value. Wonderful peppery syrah character with plenty of cut and acidity.
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3/17/2015 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with prior.
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3/17/2015 - galewskj wrote: 87 Points
A small pour at a tasting. It seemed an odd combination of a vegetal note combined with modern fruit. Not my favorite, but not too bad.
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3/15/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 88 Points
I might be in the minority here, but I was underwhelmed again by this. Struck me as very green, yes, there is still some nice dark fruit quality, but i can get past the green.
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2/22/2015 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great QPR and great for an estate bottling. Nose is plush and all the dark fruit shows thru. Hits all the notes and finishes well with mild tannins.
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2/21/2015 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid QPR. Expressive nose of pepper, meat, violets, and a little smoke and olive. Crunchy palate with acidity up front. A bit hollow and disjointed in the mid palate with a non-integrated smoke/toast note distracting. Moderate finish with repeating notes and espresso. Great expression of syrah for the price.
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2/11/2015 - Votefordennis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Let it breathe awhile, very nice.
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1/19/2015 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted blind. Clear, medium (+) purple, no signs of aging. The nose is clean, youthful, medium (-) in intensity, with black cherry. The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity and tannins. Alcohol is high at 14.4%. Overall, this is nicely balanced, with medium (+) body and flavor intensity. This wine is drinking well now, but it should improve with several more years of aging.
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12/27/2014 - Lion King Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great value. Nice balance between fruit and tannins. Drinking well now.
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11/29/2014 - Cage Ranch Likes this wine: 81 Points
Worth buying again. Multiple bottles.
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11/24/2014 - TashNYC wrote: 91 Points
Needs some time but still a tasty wine. Black cherry and red fruit with herbs and some fine tannins on the finish. Will no doubt be better in 2-3 years, but drinkable now. At the Princeton Corkscrew pre-Thanksgiving Wine Tasting. $26.10 / bottle that day. ($24.65 / bottle by the case)
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11/16/2014 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 91 Points
Short decant, thick meatiness and blueberry in the nose followed by a palate that continues both and adds oak and pepper, the dominant taste staying with the meat and held up by solid tannins, great QPR, a nice syrah, paired with various cheeses including a triple cream brie that enhanced the flavor in the wine well.
Had another bottle the following night and found it to be consistent with this note.
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8/18/2014 - Normones wrote: 90 Points
always solid syrah - nice nose with berries and grill meats on palate.
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8/8/2014 - DBunk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blackberry, pepper, smoke, pencil shavings and smoked and grilled meats. Nice tannic finish (meaning this could sit for a few more years) but the tannins go well with grilled/bbq'd meat.
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8/2/2014 - Rob Hansult wrote: 89 Points
Rich, smoky, slightly sappy, with light mulberry fruit.
Good with the pork.
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7/31/2014 - nick.dean wrote: 90 Points
- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry and black currant. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of blackberry and black currant with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish.
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6/17/2014 - VeniceCalif wrote: 87 Points
Some critics have given this wine an excellent review but I dissent. Decanted 1 hr. ahead. Deep ruby with purple tones. Very shy nose suggesting black pepper and plums; a bit of meatiness comes much much later. Smooth and rich on the palate, with a welcome bit of tartness, but little to add in the way of flavor; the body of this wine is well-made. Finishes well, with orange peel notes ahead of light grip and moderate tannins. It's good, yes. And it's well-made, yes, for an almost mass-produced wine (5000+ cases). But the nearly blank nose, at least on this bottle, causes me to hesitate.
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6/7/2014 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruity. Blueberry. High acid. Nice fruit. Lower tannin. Little green. Liked it.
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6/6/2014 - RPerro Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pop & pour, enjoyed with a grilled grass-fed ribeye and broccoli. Awesome nose, blackberry, wood, and nice meatiness. Flavors of grilled meat (gives my steak a run for its money!), black fruit, oak and ending with a nice mocha flavor. I've always loved Stolpman's Syrahs, and this one is one of the better vintages I've tasted.
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6/2/2014 - rkosd wrote: 92 Points
Love this wine at only $23. Nice nose of blue fruit, baked boysenberry pie, mushroom and earth. Beautiful purple color in glass. Medium plus mouthfeel gives to a medium plus finish of chewy meat, smoke, and earth. This wine screams to be paired with lamb or wild boar.
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5/26/2014 - Mootsie wrote: 87 Points
I bought this wine because I've enjoyed other wines from the same Ballard Canyon area, namely Blair Fox and Jaffurs. I was hoping for their level of complexity and balance. At pop and pour there was a glimmer of hope: smoked meats, dark fruits and stems on the nose. The palate with air time was mostly sweet red fruits, some pepper and a little cola. Time could help, but the sweetness is just too much now.
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5/11/2014 - silton Likes this wine: 91 Points
More impressed than with a previous bottle, which I found to be a well-made 'standard Syrah.' This bottle kept deepening its pitch and length with more charred meat flavor emerging through the creamy black and berry fruit.
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5/5/2014 - Katieq1127 wrote: 89 Points
Deep berry, beautiful tanins
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5/5/2014 - STM82 wrote: 89 Points
Standard Syrah. A bit of funky bret on the nose and palate. Just a bit lack-luster. Components were all there but not much depth.
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4/12/2014 - maxmanx wrote:
Needs time.
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3/26/2014 - eschuldt wrote: 91 Points
Nice dark fruits (blackberry) and acidity. Some light smokey, meaty tones evolve after 30 min in glass.
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2/10/2014 - redrhonewine wrote: 92 Points
Very nice indeed. Agree with wine critics that this is much more like northern rhone with strong floral presence on nose and strong minerals and dark fruits on palate. Lovely. Looking forward to the next bottle.
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1/24/2014 - Ecoenophile Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consistent Stolpman syrah profile - dark purple, rich nose, touch of residual tannins, nice finish
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12/21/2013 - Hodad Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark ruby red. Nicely balanced, but somewhat closed. There is more there than currently meets the nose and palate. The fruit is there, but not yet bursting with flavor or complexity as I expect it will with another 6-12 months of cellar time as it all comes together. Looking forward to the next bottle in 2104.
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12/16/2013 - Frijole wrote:
plum red, medium clarity, slight brickish hue
Nose: plum, cherry, cola, chocolate, earth, pepper, tobacco, slight orange rind, marjoram, thyme
Pal: juicy, subtle plum, cherry, chocolate, leather, pepper, smoke, thyme, chestnut, rounded tannins
Feel: big, round, warm, subtle smooth flavors, warm
Finish: Long
TC9
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12/14/2013 - STM82 wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful notes of lilacs, lavender, smoke, pepper, bright red raspberries. So much going on with campfire, asphalt, such balance of juicy red fruit and secondary notes of wet earth and herbs. Hard to find flaws, and trust me I was searching to knock it down a point or two.
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9/26/2013 - joraesque wrote: 88 Points
Rhone Wine Fan Club of Napa Valley (Backroom Wines): Medium to full bodied, with good aromatics, medium-full and dry tannin, and sweet cranberry flavors. Short finish. Could use another 1-2 years. 87-88+
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6/26/2013 - silton wrote:
Central Coast Trip; 6/23/2013-6/26/2013 (Central Coast / Santa Barbara): I didn't take notes on this but this is the one I bought; not as full and classy as the 2010 Hilltops or built like the 2011 Originals, but comparable range of fruit and a better QPR. A recent release.
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