This is a note specifically for the CA-3, but there isn't one in CellarTracker & I couldn't add it. Definitely an Orin Swift wine. Medium to full bodied, but on the fuller side. Decently big and bold with a fruity and jammy zin-like flavor, although surprising not a zin blend. Black fruit, a hint of vanilla and mocha. Smooth, but not velvety. Lush. If you're a fan of the Prisoner or the Abstract, this is a better price point--not a duplicate (not even close), but definitely a great value for the money at $24 and a close second (or third). Definitely a rich, fruit forward, jammy blend. High ABV that is very pronounced. Will buy again, especially if we can get it on a deal.
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As believed, this one is primarily syrah. For the price point I didn't think Phinney would have been able to secure bargain basement cab, but the series hasn't really been all about top dollar grapes either. This wine really does, however, showcase what California can do. This is NOT a Napa wine. This is NOT a Sonoma wine. This is NOT Paso Robles, although it probably fits in this region moreso than any other. This wine is dark, jammy, fruity, a little earthy, and complex. The opening is fig and boysenberry jam. This gives way to a more complex middle that comes across very earthy on its own and very smooth and supple with a peppadew havarti cheese. The finish on this one has very little oak, very little tannin, very little acid. It finishes just as it starts - a fruit bomb. This wine would probably be the holy grail to someone who likes jammy fruit zins and syrahs. To me, neither is really my cup of tea. So, take my 87 rating for what it is. FYI, drink now, or by 2015. I think this one will fall apart in 2016.
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well balanced, full-bodied California blend. Notes of licorice, cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and some toasted oak. Drinks beautifully on its own but has enough structure to hold up to heartier dishes. Very enjoyable wine.
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Just purchased and drank this bottle tonight- fabulous! Had Locations F and Fittings earlier this week - both great wines! Anything Orin Swift (David Phinney) does is wonderful - really enjoy his vision pertaining to wines. This wine was much easier to drink so young - probably due to the blending. Looking forward to trying the Locations AR next!
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aroma - herby with oregano, sage, lemongrass, plum, fig, dried cranberry; taste - soft, little pop of black pepper at finish, coffee, chocolate, mocha, blueberry, long finish
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We debated 88 or 89 on this wine, it's a big dark fruit forward wine. While its not particularly complex it does have really good fruit flavors and a bit of nice spice, is well balanced and has a nice dark fruit medium long finish. A nice reasonably priced wine that would be popular in big groups. And Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas are on the horizon.
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Very rich Plum nose, still closed. Hints of savory herbs are present but are still obscured by the depth of primary flavors. I could see this getting better, maybe even throwing a sediment. Tannins are soft now but still somewhat coarse when consumed in excess. Very good.
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This must be brand new from Locations (Dave Phinney). Can't find any info on it at all online. From the bottle label, it's clearly Locations CA-2. This is delicious. Rich, dark and loaded with dark fruit and mocha. No idea what's it's comprised of. Closest thing I can compare this to for Cali wine geeks is Epoch in Paso. It shares that rich, moutcoating texture with ripe but not too ripe fruit and that touch of mocha that is trademark of Epoch.
-- Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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7/24/2021 - Hentgy wrote: 87 Points
Straightforward, crowd pleaser
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2/28/2016 - Brhouts Likes this wine: 87 Points
Quite drinkable
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5/2/2015 - FredF Likes this wine: 89 Points
Big, fruit filled with blackberries, raspberries and currents. Jammy but still has some wood and earth notes. Very nice blend
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4/11/2015 - donash.com wrote: 90 Points
- Garnet color.
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10/18/2014 - Lizizwhereitiz Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is a note specifically for the CA-3, but there isn't one in CellarTracker & I couldn't add it. Definitely an Orin Swift wine. Medium to full bodied, but on the fuller side. Decently big and bold with a fruity and jammy zin-like flavor, although surprising not a zin blend. Black fruit, a hint of vanilla and mocha. Smooth, but not velvety. Lush. If you're a fan of the Prisoner or the Abstract, this is a better price point--not a duplicate (not even close), but definitely a great value for the money at $24 and a close second (or third). Definitely a rich, fruit forward, jammy blend. High ABV that is very pronounced. Will buy again, especially if we can get it on a deal.
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4/9/2014 - StageOneRacing Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Big fruit, jammy, and the alcohol is noticeable. Not a fan of this Locations. Tasted disjointed.
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3/29/2014 - mflesh wrote: 87 Points
As believed, this one is primarily syrah. For the price point I didn't think Phinney would have been able to secure bargain basement cab, but the series hasn't really been all about top dollar grapes either. This wine really does, however, showcase what California can do. This is NOT a Napa wine. This is NOT a Sonoma wine. This is NOT Paso Robles, although it probably fits in this region moreso than any other. This wine is dark, jammy, fruity, a little earthy, and complex. The opening is fig and boysenberry jam. This gives way to a more complex middle that comes across very earthy on its own and very smooth and supple with a peppadew havarti cheese. The finish on this one has very little oak, very little tannin, very little acid. It finishes just as it starts - a fruit bomb. This wine would probably be the holy grail to someone who likes jammy fruit zins and syrahs. To me, neither is really my cup of tea. So, take my 87 rating for what it is. FYI, drink now, or by 2015. I think this one will fall apart in 2016.
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3/3/2014 - dolce0404 Likes this wine: 90 Points
well balanced, full-bodied California blend. Notes of licorice, cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and some toasted oak. Drinks beautifully on its own but has enough structure to hold up to heartier dishes. Very enjoyable wine.
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1/31/2014 - dianelee wrote:
Amarillo Club
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1/18/2014 - fbbjim Likes this wine: 88 Points
So much fruit that we drink it more as a dessert wine
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12/30/2013 - JohnnyShiraz Likes this wine: 90 Points
A blend of Tempranillo, Barbera, Petit Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache
1 5.5% ABV, but not noticeable because this is a big wine. An easy drinker. I would drink within a year or two, not designed for aging.
http://www.locationswine.com/California.html
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12/12/2013 - thecure Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just purchased and drank this bottle tonight- fabulous! Had Locations F and Fittings earlier this week - both great wines! Anything Orin Swift (David Phinney) does is wonderful - really enjoy his vision pertaining to wines. This wine was much easier to drink so young - probably due to the blending. Looking forward to trying the Locations AR next!
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11/29/2013 - Kskels wrote: 91 Points
Very similar to Prisoner. Very good right out of the bottle. Likely to improve even more with age.
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11/25/2013 - Brett and Megan Likes this wine: 92 Points
aroma - herby with oregano, sage, lemongrass, plum, fig, dried cranberry; taste - soft, little pop of black pepper at finish, coffee, chocolate, mocha, blueberry, long finish
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11/19/2013 - blabbott wrote: 88 Points
We debated 88 or 89 on this wine, it's a big dark fruit forward wine. While its not particularly complex it does have really good fruit flavors and a bit of nice spice, is well balanced and has a nice dark fruit medium long finish. A nice reasonably priced wine that would be popular in big groups. And Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas are on the horizon.
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11/16/2013 - Whooah wrote: 90 Points
similiar to the prisoner. not as much fruit,depth, or finish but a nice wine none the less
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11/9/2013 - Mezz wrote: 90 Points
Very rich Plum nose, still closed. Hints of savory herbs are present but are still obscured by the depth of primary flavors. I could see this getting better, maybe even throwing a sediment. Tannins are soft now but still somewhat coarse when consumed in excess. Very good.
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9/25/2013 - Gestalted Likes this wine: 90 Points
This must be brand new from Locations (Dave Phinney). Can't find any info on it at all online. From the bottle label, it's clearly Locations CA-2. This is delicious. Rich, dark and loaded with dark fruit and mocha. No idea what's it's comprised of. Closest thing I can compare this to for Cali wine geeks is Epoch in Paso. It shares that rich, moutcoating texture with ripe but not too ripe fruit and that touch of mocha that is trademark of Epoch.
--
Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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