Clear, light-medium ruby color; nose of surprisingly young, vibrant fruit with the barest hint of menthol. Palate heavy on cherry - redfruits into plum, some black currant, spicy finish with some cloves in there somewhere, all with a still-substantial acidic backbone.
Tough Wine Department: this bottle never had true climate-controlled storage. In 2012 we moved, and a few cases of wine got stored at a sister-in-law's house. The cases got lost in the shuffle, and spent years in their basement, which included a Georgia summer when the building was open to the elements during major renovations - so a few months of relatively high heat with probably 50 days above 90°F or 32°C.
You just never know...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium ruby, earthy nose. Dry, ripe fruit showing some stemmy tannins. Down to my last two bottles, this has been a good run and a go to wine. Medium body and stony fruit, somewhat restrained ripe plums.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium garnet with barnyard and ripe cherry nose. Well balanced, light acid, ripe plums with some stone fruit bitters and smooth tannnis. Still going strong and better on the second night.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
there is a sharpness to the nose and palate that reminds me of cabrales blue cheese on 2 of 2 bottles. Hoping the others show better, but not expecting much.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light garnet, drinking fabulously now for the AFWE bunch, I could be happy if my whole cellar consisted of this wine. Enough body and fruit to satisfy those wanting a little fruit and restrained enough with age for those liking more finesse, showing a little funk and peaty note, as always a pleasure to drink with or without food.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
My last of 45 bottles over the past 4 years or so, and it may well be the absolute best. Served with seasoned & charcoal grilled tri-tip steak, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The smoky flavor of the wine really came out against the smoky flavor that the charcoal grill imparted to the meat. The fruit in the wine plays a supporting role to the earth and smoke, but it's still very lively. I wish there was some left so I could buy more!
As good or better than before. Showing good fruit, a little light on the acid and tannins. Drank well with a ginger marinaded Copper River Salmon on the Barbie.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is holding up very well. Lots of red and dark fruits, with a nice balance of acid. The body kept building for over an hour, absolutely delicious from pop to last pour (about an hour). This is a great cellar defender, need some more.
Pop and pour ... Brick red, with a big barnyard funk nose, that's reflected on the palate. Tart, light and very dry, with an almost blue cheese note on the medium-long finish. (NOTE: I say this as someone who really likes roquefort.) A hint of green notes, a little tang, a dose of granite and a big earthy backend. Makes for a very interesting flavor profile. Probably not gonna improve much -- tannins were pretty dusty -- but in a good place right now and a stupendous Berserker Day value.
If anything this is getting better. If I had anymore left, I would definitely be adjusting the drinking window. Although the fruit flavors have softened a bit, that smokiness on the finish has become more pronounced and is joined by white pepper and a bit of herb. Good acidity and texture and a long pleasing finish. Wish I had more.
Medium garnet, roast beef on the nose. Dry, lightly tart medium fruit and body, getting a nice roast beef note to complement the fruit, a fresh red table grape profile. Drinking superbly now with many years of pleasure ahead, no sign of getting to the end of it's drinking window. Getting better with age and still fresh on the PnP.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
-- popped and poured -- -- tasted a couple glasses non-blind over approx. 1 hour -- -- 81% Grenache, 14% Carignane, 5% Syrah --
Savory; spicy; fruit is a bit more tertiary than primary; seems to be at its peak right now, but I’d be willing to bet that it would ride in the cellar for a couple more years; expressive; hint of brett?; richer/fuller than the ’98 Clos des Papes opened next to it; very good; two of four preferred this to the CdP.
Light cherry red, light cherry cola nose. Dry with soft velvety tannins, light acid. Cherry cola fruit, chalky mineral, medium body. Not likely to get much better, although other bottles improved on the second day, so we shall see. Do not hesitate, drinking beautifully.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice nose of bright red fruits, leather, smoke, and game. On the palate bright with red raspberry, leather, hints of cracked pepper. Balanced by bright acidity and nice bit of grip. Probably at peak. Drink them and enjoy.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not decanted, consumed over two evenings. Recent bottles have been much in line with previous notes from earlier this year: translucent but dense, well-balanced with red berry/cherry fruit notes alongside a darker, smoky/spicy/slightly-bitter character which comes through more in some bottles than others. We've been really enjoying these alongside lighter grilled fare this summer. 88-89ish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
another terrific showing from this wine. Soft and generous on the palate, with a soft rich texture and a nice peppery finish. Going strong - no evidence of fading - I'm going to bump my "drink by" date out to 2015.
This is about my 10th bottle of this wine and it continues to be a go to for me. Love the mouth feel, the present fruit, and the mellowish finish. Its a great DD and I could probably have this daily and it would not disappoint.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light ruby, strawberry with strawberry nose. Lightly dry, light fruit, acid and tannins. In perfect balance like a heavy rosé or light Pinot. Very fresh and light on it's feet. Lovely summer wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with prior notes, though I think it is showing even a little better now. Loving this - I'm going to have a hard time keeping from drinking the rest of my De La Terres this summer!
Very light ruby, red berry nose. Lightly dry with a hint of mineral. Started strong right out of the bottle with well balanced acid, fruit and tannins. Some bottles have needed a little time for the acid to show, but this was good from the start. Just a lovely wine in a restrained way. Pared well with chicken and chanterelles.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light to med ruby with a bit of bricking; nice red fruits, spicy, cinnamon; palate is relative low acid, medium body, smooth, lot tannin. Med finish. A nice wine, drinking well now. 88-90
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not decanted, consumed over ~1 hour. After an off bottle, this one was in fine form and performed well alongside a mixed grill dinner at a friend's house. Very similar to my 2/28/2013 note, with an additional spicy smokiness brought out by the sausages and chicken we had. I'm going to miss this when the last bottle is gone.
Garnet, light Tokay nose. Dry with light fruit, well balanced acid , fruit and tannins. This is just super on the PnP, nicely restrained fruit, just enough acid for freshness and some light tannins to give a little weight. I'm looking for improvement tomorrow, but it is really good tonight!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Okay this would have been a lot better, but I poured into the Decanter 2 days prior, but stuff came up... you know. Surprise that it was still quite palpable, with nice dark fruit and subtle aromas of garrigue and some asian spices, though very subtle. The minerals were mostly gone, probably due to the 48 hours of decanter exposure. The tannin/acid ratio was intact. Nice fruity tannins on the finish. I should note that very few Rhone blends out of CA would have held up to this mistreatment. Always a crowd pleaser, but this one went solo.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light ruby, light violet nose. Dry, starts off with a little funk and ripe fruit. With some air, the funk dissipates into leather notes and lightly tart fruit, some lemon zest. The flavors have lost their freshness and become more complex with some bitter tannins on the finish. Like the last bottle, this one improves greatly with another day opend, corked on the counter. Nice tart medium fruit, cherry, berry, enought acid for a nice fresh balance, light tannins, well integrated at this point. I would recommend open and cork for a day, the PnP is a little disappointing now, give a little time and be rewarded. It should be better tomorrow, but may not last the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not decanted, sipped on over ~45 minutes. While not bad, I'm pretty sure this bottle was not "right." Compared to our first one, the fruit here was darker and a bit muted, and there was a smoky, astringent character which made it seem almost like a different wine...I didn't mind it as much as my wife did.
Light ruby, light raspberry nose. Dry, meaty, herb salumi, bright fruit. Eating some herbed hummus so that may explain the flavors. Jack, I catch that smoky element. It is a little different from the sort of Pinot character I have noticed lately. I wanted to compare to the Vinum Melody, similar price on close out, this is much smoother and I like the herbiness more than the stone fruit of the Melody. I was thinking this was getting on the tired side, but now am looking forward to many years of life in this wine, luckily I have a case and a half to play with. A bit of metallic, ginger tonight, it could be the Korean hot wings I ate. I'm getting some ham tonight on day three.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP served non-blind over 2 hours. Some Brett detracted from an otherwise highly enjoyable experience. Lovely acids, seamless, medium-weight and above-avg purity of fruit. A wine I intend upon revisiting sooner than later. recommended, 14,2% abv
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not decanted, consumed with dinner over two evenings. I really like the style here - translucent with dense red berry fruit, good acid, not too plush or heavy, just a hint of earthy spice...maybe a little age will bring this out. Very nice balance, and relatively elegant for a CA grenache. 89+ and I wish I had picked up more.
Light ruby. Light dry, mineral, earthy, light tannins. Medium body and fruit, smooth mouth feel. Needs some air to open up, light acid starting to show.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pnp, but opened up very nicely within 30 minutes. There's a lot going in the nose, forest floor with some barnyard, raspberries tart, after an hour i got some cinnamon and chocolate. The body was light, but swelled enough to break away from the light and thin category. Great QPR, wish I had room in the cellar for the Berserker Day deal (even better QPR). I'm a fan.
Great taste, very light on the palate, violet in color, large clear ring on the rim. Dark fruit, blackberry/boysenberry on the palate. Maybe a touch of vanilla and tannins are almost completely integrated. Nice pleasant finish with a decent amount of acid. I have to address the nose. At first it had some funk to it. Then a little ethanol followed by purple berries and the vanilla. Pretty good bottle of wine. Wonderful wine at this stage.
Oh man this is drinking great right now. The alcohol is completely integrated into the wine now and not showing at all, which means that the experience is completely focused on the soft, luxurious texture and the pensive, smoky, earthy notes on the nose and palate. I love this wine.
Poured through Vinturi and drank over the course of 1.5 hours. Very light in color, bright flavors of cherry and raspberry but not like those in a Pinot Noir. The ample acidity provides good lift, the finish has a nice toasted oak note. Most enjoyable, looking forward to finishing the rest of the bottle this evening.
Like my first bottle, this one exhibited some brett initially but this subsided after a half hour or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very light color. Gorgeous nose with very lifted aromatics, spicy, sandalwood, menthol and a hint of white pepper. Vibrant cherry palate, very energetic, no tannin to speak of, gorgeously proportioned and elegant wine. Quite lovely.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over two days, note from day 2. Nose: Medium expressiveness, Dark fruit, brush, and spice. Palate: Rhone like flavors dominated by garrique with dark red fruit fruit flavors. Finish: Medium length dominated by garrique and red fruit. Tasted blind I would have pegged this as as Rhone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PNP, very light ruby color lots of fruit on the nose when opened cherry, dark fruits, a little smoke and sweet notes. After some air time the wine mellowed out as expected and was a well balanced wine with tart cherry dark berries and a little wood on the palate. A nice level of tannins stands up well with the grilled pizza tonight. Medium long finnish overall an enjoyable wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Strawberry and raspberry notes on the nose. Light body. Cherry and strawberry on the palate with a slightly smoky finish. Extremely enjoyable wine and drinking great now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking beautifully right now, I probably would not hold this wine too much longer as it is in a great drinking window and I don't see this improving much from this point forward. An elegant Frejch style CA N Coast rhone blend from our own smigdiggler - cheers on a job very well done. Dark red, aromatic, medium bodied, well balanced, smooth and elegant with controlled oak and mellow tannins. Nose of red cherry, strawberry, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Primary flavors included cherry, red berries, plum and black pepper on the late palate. I definitely recommend this wine, it has a very good QPR and unfortunately this was our last bottle. It paired very well last night with oysters, salmon and duck.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice dark fruit on the nose, pleasant acid tannin balance, some underbrush, garrigue and some good floral notes. Pleasant on the palate, not to hot but pleasantly dry. As promised it was very old world grenache and not to over extracted. Showed quite well and I wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over the course of 3 evenings; used Vinturi in all cases. Light in color, looks just like a Carneros Pinot as it is poured. Nose and initial flavor of Band-Aids, which subsides quickly and becomes less noticeable with additional time in the glass. Once that's out of the way, there's cherry, raspberry, tar and leather with a nice flourish riding on the ample acidity. Were it not for the initial flaw this would be a superb food wine, but as it stands I'm just hoping the next bottle doesn't exhibit this characteristic.
Light ruby. Bold and bright fruit, red berries. This was the wine of the night for a Rhone themed St. Pats dinner. I only had one glass as it was sucked up too rapidly, hense the short note. Just a lovely wine as all of Dave's have been. Fortunately, I have a number left to savior.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nice nose of burnt rubber, red raspberry, rose petals, spice, anise, sage, pie cherry. On the palte, tart cherry, raspberry, spice, leather. Finishes clean and very well balanced. A little more weight on the palate. Drink over the next 2-3 years. Very well done Smig. Glad to have the 09 on the way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sadly, my last of 6 and of course, it was the best! After a nice string of wines this week, this follows up an '03 Beaucastel and really only trailed it by an eyelash. Very comparable bouquet, just not quite the weight of the CdP. Rounder and fuller than prior bottles with even more elements singing in even better harmony. Enticing right from the pop. The alcohol feels like 13.5, not 14.2 (how refreshing!) and as I suspected in 2010, this had room to mature and has done so nicely. May need another 6-pak from Dave
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Crystal clear, intriguing light cherry cola color. Lovely blend of bright berry and dark plum, with a touch of oaky earthiness. Faintly peppery finish. Great acidity, juicy and vibrant but well balanced, with just a passing lick of tannin. Slightly fumey nose and warm finish, but the alcohol really is not excessive, despite the lightness, almost elegance, of the overall package. Definitely a better showing than the last bottle, this was very pleasant indeed. Showed best at cellar temp with a short decant. From magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Got this as a CT SS present about a year ago, finally time to open it! Decanted for about 30 mins. A fairly light red with a purple tinge to it. The nose is quite expressive with light red berries, a hint of tar and smoke, the oak giving a fullsome aroma to the wine. On the palate this has a fruity profile, though by no means aggressively so, red berries and cherries, some tannins, elegant fruit. A very smooth and elegant wine. Well done smigdiggler, and thanks to ikkaariainen for sending me the wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop 'n pour, consumed over a few hours. Relatively light body, nicely balanced with the right amount of acidity; very food-friendly. Nose of red berries and a little earthiness and leather on the palate. Agree with other notes that this is an OW Rhone style wine and could easily be mistaken for one if tasted blind. Good stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour, drank over the next two hours. Raspberry and a little smoke on the nose. The palate is very old world and I agree with a previous post that it is a little Pinot like. Raspberry and cherry with smoke and some, but less than before, earth. This has improved over the last 7 months. Not sure it is my "normal" style but I am enjoying it very much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and left in glass 30min. Beautiful scarlet color, about 60% saturated with quick and clear legs. Aroma is not as rustic as a year ago and is driven more with dried cherries and some currant, with a lighter dose of the formerly prominent smoke. Palate also feels drier than before, with a likable bit of tang in the acidity and some leathery tannin. Medium bodied and a long, nuanced finish. This is far and away the most Old World (spec. Rhone) style wine I've ever had from USA. 5+10+16+8 = 89
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened after working an 11 hour overnight shift and paired with a McDonald's Egg McMuffin. Nice cheesy ham...I meant medium bodied red with really nice aromas, lots of leather, and I like the typical Carignan spice on the finish. Very elegant, almost Pinot like.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with previous notes, but even better than before. The smokiness was more prominent in a good way. Decanted 3 hours before drinking with my book club. The wine was enjoyed by all who drank it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
CellarTracker Wisconsin June 2011; 6/24/2011-6/25/2011 (Madison, WI- various venues): Tasted non blind from a magnum at a large wine dinner. Nose of red fruit, spice and a hint of smoke. More of the same on the palate with a nice earthy component. Medium long finish with some rubber at the end. Could benefit from a few more years of bottle aging but perfectly drinkable now. Very consistent with my previous tastings.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted non blind at a wine dinner. Tasted from Magnum.
Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of camphor, black pepper, plums, leather and a bit of smoke. Flavors of berries and raspberries. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the short term, perhaps the medium term.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slightly improved. Smokiness that dominated the nose before has been replace with a slight funk with red raspberry, spice, rose petal, and mineral. On the palate, nice red cherry, raspberry, little bit of leather. Nicely balanced and very food friendly. Drink over the next few years, no big hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice light red color, fresh taste with lively play of fruit and minerals, good nose, clean finish. Had ith a bked yam, spinach salad and spiy grilled chicken. Bravo! A most worthwhile Grenache.
Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose is a bit subdued giving way to notes of spice, berries and wet stones. Flavors of berries, raspberries and a bit of cherry. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
Popped and poured. Very nice effort. Some hints of smoke on the nose and palate. Also some spice and rubber. Decent length on the finish and very consistent from aroma through the finish. Although quite young, it is very drinkable for the moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and poured an hour later. Smoke and red fruit on the nose. Light fruit with smoke and classic rhone on the palate. I think I would give it more air next time.
Liver Killing with TWG and jar! (Lucio's BYOB, Houston): This is starting to settle in, the burnt rubber aroma has been repaced with smoked meat, the red fruit and floral elements are still there. On the palate, tart red fruit, smoke, spice. Finishes very clean with nice acidity. This was the most food friendly of the wines but it was lost with all of the big bruisers served along side. Drink over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Comparing to note from 12.4.10 everything is consistent with a slight decrease in the charred nose and a corresponding increase in sweetness and weight on the palate. Again, I believed there was some Mourvedre in there and had to re-read the label! I think it's going in a nice direction
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with prior 12/4/10 note. The smokiness seems slightly more profound but I was quite happy with how this held up to some scallops with strong garlic. The smoke and garlic notes really accented each other better than expected.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gorgeous wine...perfect with pizza tonight in front of the fire, with the front door open watching the carriages come down the street in our little town that is straight out of a Dickens novel. Formal notes to come! Cheerss!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Secret Santa 2010 gift. Absolutely enjoyable. Quite light in both color and body. The Grenache pedigree comes though very well. Southern Rhone on the lighter side is how I would best describe it. Well done. Would drink over the next 3-4 years. Thank you Smig
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definatelty a sense of Rhone blend here - nice notes of garrigue and pepper on the nose. A touch sweet on the palate but this is very much one for cracking open at a BBQ.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A clear and fine dark cherry red, with aromas of spice, smoke and nice floral hints. Cherry and spice, a bit of earthy leather on the palate. Light in body, bright and lively acidity. If I had tasted this blind, I would have guessed it to be a young French wine. Very nice and will be interesting to see how it progresses.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Appearance is a youthful bright ruby color, about 70% opaque. Intriguing nose that displays the vintage's wildfire influence and features plum and cherry, tea, mango skin, tobacco, fig, earth, and quite rustic. Light bodied and would sure go happily with a variety of foods. Quite dry with nice acidity and a medium length finish. At a recent blind tasting in a field of 19 Grenache-based wines, this was my most interesting wine. I would have guessed that there was Mourvedre in there and OW in origin. IMHO it will age nicely in the medium term and further develop. 5+11+17+7 = 88
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Per Dave's suggestion, I opened the bottle a good couple hours before drinking. Light in color and body. A nice smoky/spicy nose and nicely balanced. I agree with others' notes about this being an old world style wine, which is much to my liking. It was just right with a simple supper of spinach rice soup served with cornbread. It will be interesting to see how this develops over time, but for now - Yum!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nice funky nose like a good Rhone, a little burnt rubber leather, red fruit, nice florals. On the palate, tart red fruit, smoke, hint of spice. Finishes clean with nice acidity. Would like a little more concentration in the fruit flavors, but this is beautfully balance. Hold 2-3 years and drink for 10.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
pop and pour consumed over two days. very light ruby color that suggests a relatively short maceration. everything about this wine screamed cotes du rhone, from the color to the nose to the flavors to the finish. so if that's the style dave was going for, he definitely succeeded. unfortunately, this is not my preferred style. i love what new world winemaking does with grenache, and this is definitely done in a more old world style. a good dose of smoke on the nose and finish makes me wonder about any damage to the fruit from the '08 wildfires. all that said, the wine is nicely balanced and very approachable if you're looking for old world rhone.
Drinking nice from the get go...surprising since these were hot off the UPS truck! Look forward to more of these! Formal notes to come, but awesome effot Smig! This will eaily be a 90 pointer with some time in the bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Everyone that tasted this wine blind missed by a mile figuring it to be French old world for sure with a little age under its belt. interestingly it was one of my favorite "old world" wines of the night beating the pants off all the cdp. who says they don't make wines in California that reflect terrior. Bravo smig.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
OCP4W VIII (WCC in Irvine, CA): -- tasted a single glass blind over 15 minutes -- -- 81% Grenache, 14% Carignane, 5% Syrah --
NOSE: minerally; earthy; smoky rubber.
TASTE: medium-full bodied; drying tannins; leather; good acid; lots of leather; animale. This was my second-favorite wine of the tasting; was very surprised to see this as an '08 CA Rhone, as I thought it was old-world with some age on it; I don't think this will age well, but it's delicious today. 13.8% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really liked this wine. Drank it over two days with no decant. It really opened up on the second day, so a decant might be good for it. Anyway, it was garnet in color and very good clarity. Nose was closed the first day, but on the second day was very floral with some oak and for a moment I swear I was smelling a nuttiness which I tried to recover but could not. On the palate I tasted black cherries and red fruits. Tannins were nicely integrated but the acidity and alcohol could use a little more time. The finish was very nice. Completey agree with the Gigondas comparison. This is a very drinkable wine. (4+12+16+8)
Nice work Dave & Co. Can't wait to see what else you produce.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a unique and noteworthy wine. Beautiful, haunting nose of smoke and evolving floral notes with just a touch of spice. (Did not decant. Consumed over 3 hours, tasting at various points with/without use of the vinturi... without the vinturi, there was a hint of heat on the nose which did not present in the glasses that had passed through the vinturi.) Very mild tannins; the flowers take center stage on the palate, with a bit of alcohol which I think will integrate with a little bottle time. If that happens and the wine becomes smoother, I'm optimistic that I will be posting 90+ scores for the remaining bottles, which I will likely hold for 6-9 months before I check in again. Very happy I bought this wine, both for the quality and the uniqueness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
WineBerserkers Burgundy OL (Lupa Trattoria, San Francisco, CA): 81% Grenache, 14% Carignan, 5% Syrah. Quite light in color. Bit of smokiness on the nose, but not offputting. Light to medium bodied, adequate acidity and great spice. Touch of oak and a nice long finish. This is not what I was expecting from Cali grenache. I would probably guess old world CdR from a cooler year if tasting blind. Nice work Eric & Dave!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/4/2021 - Old Doug Likes this wine: 91 Points
Clear, light-medium ruby color; nose of surprisingly young, vibrant fruit with the barest hint of menthol. Palate heavy on cherry - redfruits into plum, some black currant, spicy finish with some cloves in there somewhere, all with a still-substantial acidic backbone.
Tough Wine Department: this bottle never had true climate-controlled storage. In 2012 we moved, and a few cases of wine got stored at a sister-in-law's house. The cases got lost in the shuffle, and spent years in their basement, which included a Georgia summer when the building was open to the elements during major renovations - so a few months of relatively high heat with probably 50 days above 90°F or 32°C.
You just never know...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2017 - Chrisinroch Likes this wine:
Still delicious, no sign of fading. Visually Appears to be a lighter style, but really well balanced. Easy to drink. Down to my last one
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2016 - floydtp wrote: 91 Points
Still drinking well with no signs of decline.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2016 - dsgris Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium ruby, earthy nose. Dry, ripe fruit showing some stemmy tannins. Down to my last two bottles, this has been a good run and a go to wine. Medium body and stony fruit, somewhat restrained ripe plums.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2015 - dsgris Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium garnet with barnyard and ripe cherry nose. Well balanced, light acid, ripe plums with some stone fruit bitters and smooth tannnis. Still going strong and better on the second night.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2015 - AdamL wrote: 85 Points
there is a sharpness to the nose and palate that reminds me of cabrales blue cheese on 2 of 2 bottles. Hoping the others show better, but not expecting much.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2015 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Light garnet, drinking fabulously now for the AFWE bunch, I could be happy if my whole cellar consisted of this wine. Enough body and fruit to satisfy those wanting a little fruit and restrained enough with age for those liking more finesse, showing a little funk and peaty note, as always a pleasure to drink with or without food.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2015 - grayfont Likes this wine: 91 Points
My last of 45 bottles over the past 4 years or so, and it may well be the absolute best. Served with seasoned & charcoal grilled tri-tip steak, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The smoky flavor of the wine really came out against the smoky flavor that the charcoal grill imparted to the meat. The fruit in the wine plays a supporting role to the earth and smoke, but it's still very lively. I wish there was some left so I could buy more!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/17/2015 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
As good or better than before. Showing good fruit, a little light on the acid and tannins. Drank well with a ginger marinaded Copper River Salmon on the Barbie.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2015 - andtheodor wrote: 88 Points
Yum, fresh & juicy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2015 - andtheodor wrote: 87 Points
Clearly Rhone-inspired, a bit funky, raspberry, earth. Mature, drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2015 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is holding up very well. Lots of red and dark fruits, with a nice balance of acid. The body kept building for over an hour, absolutely delicious from pop to last pour (about an hour). This is a great cellar defender, need some more.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/2/2015 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pop and pour ... Brick red, with a big barnyard funk nose, that's reflected on the palate. Tart, light and very dry, with an almost blue cheese note on the medium-long finish. (NOTE: I say this as someone who really likes roquefort.) A hint of green notes, a little tang, a dose of granite and a big earthy backend. Makes for a very interesting flavor profile. Probably not gonna improve much -- tannins were pretty dusty -- but in a good place right now and a stupendous Berserker Day value.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/21/2015 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Lighter style Rhone wine. Well appreciated by the people that we poured for. Pnp. Great deal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2015 - grayfont wrote: flawed
corked. bummer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2014 - mcsac67 wrote: 90 Points
If anything this is getting better. If I had anymore left, I would definitely be adjusting the drinking window. Although the fruit flavors have softened a bit, that smokiness on the finish has become more pronounced and is joined by white pepper and a bit of herb. Good acidity and texture and a long pleasing finish. Wish I had more.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/9/2014 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium garnet, roast beef on the nose. Dry, lightly tart medium fruit and body, getting a nice roast beef note to complement the fruit, a fresh red table grape profile. Drinking superbly now with many years of pleasure ahead, no sign of getting to the end of it's drinking window. Getting better with age and still fresh on the PnP.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2014 - grafstrb wrote:
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple glasses non-blind over approx. 1 hour --
-- 81% Grenache, 14% Carignane, 5% Syrah --
Savory; spicy; fruit is a bit more tertiary than primary; seems to be at its peak right now, but I’d be willing to bet that it would ride in the cellar for a couple more years; expressive; hint of brett?; richer/fuller than the ’98 Clos des Papes opened next to it; very good; two of four preferred this to the CdP.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/4/2014 - Redrunners Likes this wine: 89 Points
Popped and poured - enjoyable southern rhone blend.
Solid wine with smooth red fruits - bright raspberry and a little leather.
Good acid balance.
Drinking well now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2014 - Mtpisgah Likes this wine:
This is drinking well right now, even better on the second day.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
12/10/2013 - mclancy10006 Likes this wine:
From Magnum. Drinking very well and fully in harmony.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light cherry red, light cherry cola nose. Dry with soft velvety tannins, light acid. Cherry cola fruit, chalky mineral, medium body. Not likely to get much better, although other bottles improved on the second day, so we shall see. Do not hesitate, drinking beautifully.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2013 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice nose of bright red fruits, leather, smoke, and game. On the palate bright with red raspberry, leather, hints of cracked pepper. Balanced by bright acidity and nice bit of grip. Probably at peak. Drink them and enjoy.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2013 - bretrooks wrote: 89 Points
Not decanted, consumed over two evenings. Recent bottles have been much in line with previous notes from earlier this year: translucent but dense, well-balanced with red berry/cherry fruit notes alongside a darker, smoky/spicy/slightly-bitter character which comes through more in some bottles than others. We've been really enjoying these alongside lighter grilled fare this summer. 88-89ish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2013 - grayfont Likes this wine: 89 Points
another terrific showing from this wine. Soft and generous on the palate, with a soft rich texture and a nice peppery finish. Going strong - no evidence of fading - I'm going to bump my "drink by" date out to 2015.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/5/2013 - mclancy10006 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is about my 10th bottle of this wine and it continues to be a go to for me. Love the mouth feel, the present fruit, and the mellowish finish. Its a great DD and I could probably have this daily and it would not disappoint.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Garnet red, lightly dry with mineral fruit, raspberry, strawberry. Soft acid and tannin, medium fruit of ripe strawberries. Drinking very well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light ruby, strawberry with strawberry nose. Lightly dry, light fruit, acid and tannins. In perfect balance like a heavy rosé or light Pinot. Very fresh and light on it's feet. Lovely summer wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2013 - SonnyJay Likes this wine:
Consistent with prior notes, though I think it is showing even a little better now. Loving this - I'm going to have a hard time keeping from drinking the rest of my De La Terres this summer!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/9/2013 - Mtpisgah Likes this wine: 88 Points
Light color and body. Good flavor, nice summer sipping wine. I can imagine chilling it just a bit on a hot summer day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very light ruby, red berry nose. Lightly dry with a hint of mineral. Started strong right out of the bottle with well balanced acid, fruit and tannins. Some bottles have needed a little time for the acid to show, but this was good from the start. Just a lovely wine in a restrained way. Pared well with chicken and chanterelles.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine:
similar to previous experiences. last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2013 - aagrawal wrote: 89 Points
Light to med ruby with a bit of bricking; nice red fruits, spicy, cinnamon; palate is relative low acid, medium body, smooth, lot tannin. Med finish. A nice wine, drinking well now. 88-90
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2013 - VinoPKM wrote: 89 Points
Tasty light CA Rhone- some light red fruits, spices and good acidity. I like this wine and a killer QPR- great Wineberserker buy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2013 - bretrooks wrote: 89 Points
Not decanted, consumed over ~1 hour. After an off bottle, this one was in fine form and performed well alongside a mixed grill dinner at a friend's house. Very similar to my 2/28/2013 note, with an additional spicy smokiness brought out by the sausages and chicken we had. I'm going to miss this when the last bottle is gone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
4/25/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Garnet, light Tokay nose. Dry with light fruit, well balanced acid , fruit and tannins. This is just super on the PnP, nicely restrained fruit, just enough acid for freshness and some light tannins to give a little weight. I'm looking for improvement tomorrow, but it is really good tonight!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 89 Points
Okay this would have been a lot better, but I poured into the Decanter 2 days prior, but stuff came up... you know. Surprise that it was still quite palpable, with nice dark fruit and subtle aromas of garrigue and some asian spices, though very subtle. The minerals were mostly gone, probably due to the 48 hours of decanter exposure. The tannin/acid ratio was intact. Nice fruity tannins on the finish. I should note that very few Rhone blends out of CA would have held up to this mistreatment. Always a crowd pleaser, but this one went solo.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Light ruby, light violet nose. Dry, starts off with a little funk and ripe fruit. With some air, the funk dissipates into leather notes and lightly tart fruit, some lemon zest. The flavors have lost their freshness and become more complex with some bitter tannins on the finish. Like the last bottle, this one improves greatly with another day opend, corked on the counter. Nice tart medium fruit, cherry, berry, enought acid for a nice fresh balance, light tannins, well integrated at this point. I would recommend open and cork for a day, the PnP is a little disappointing now, give a little time and be rewarded. It should be better tomorrow, but may not last the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2013 - bretrooks wrote: flawed
Not decanted, sipped on over ~45 minutes. While not bad, I'm pretty sure this bottle was not "right." Compared to our first one, the fruit here was darker and a bit muted, and there was a smoky, astringent character which made it seem almost like a different wine...I didn't mind it as much as my wife did.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/28/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light ruby, light raspberry nose. Dry, meaty, herb salumi, bright fruit. Eating some herbed hummus so that may explain the flavors. Jack, I catch that smoky element. It is a little different from the sort of Pinot character I have noticed lately. I wanted to compare to the Vinum Melody, similar price on close out, this is much smoother and I like the herbiness more than the stone fruit of the Melody. I was thinking this was getting on the tired side, but now am looking forward to many years of life in this wine, luckily I have a case and a half to play with. A bit of metallic, ginger tonight, it could be the Korean hot wings I ate. I'm getting some ham tonight on day three.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
PnP served non-blind over 2 hours. Some Brett detracted from an otherwise highly enjoyable experience. Lovely acids, seamless, medium-weight and above-avg purity of fruit. A wine I intend upon revisiting sooner than later. recommended, 14,2% abv
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2013 - Leomania Likes this wine: 88 Points
Quite enjoyable after the Brett blew off. Previous notes apply.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2013 - Jack667 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I love this wine. Consistent with previous bottles. Smokey, light minerality, and balance.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/10/2013 - khmark7 wrote:
Super funky. Not what i expected, but exactly what i was looking for in a wine tonight.
Very light and elegant. Drink up.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/4/2013 - mclancy10006 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good with food and an easier drinker and crowd pleaser.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2013 - bretrooks wrote: 89 Points
Not decanted, consumed with dinner over two evenings. I really like the style here - translucent with dense red berry fruit, good acid, not too plush or heavy, just a hint of earthy spice...maybe a little age will bring this out. Very nice balance, and relatively elegant for a CA grenache. 89+ and I wish I had picked up more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/25/2013 - dsgris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light ruby. Light dry, mineral, earthy, light tannins. Medium body and fruit, smooth mouth feel. Needs some air to open up, light acid starting to show.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2013 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pnp, but opened up very nicely within 30 minutes. There's a lot going in the nose, forest floor with some barnyard, raspberries tart, after an hour i got some cinnamon and chocolate. The body was light, but swelled enough to break away from the light and thin category. Great QPR, wish I had room in the cellar for the Berserker Day deal (even better QPR). I'm a fan.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/18/2013 - mcsac67 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light in color, medium bodied. Flavors of raspberry and dark fruits with a bit of smokiness on this finish. Very nice.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
1/15/2013 - Champagneinhand wrote:
Great taste, very light on the palate, violet in color, large clear ring on the rim. Dark fruit, blackberry/boysenberry on the palate. Maybe a touch of vanilla and tannins are almost completely integrated. Nice pleasant finish with a decent amount of acid. I have to address the nose. At first it had some funk to it. Then a little ethanol followed by purple berries and the vanilla. Pretty good bottle of wine. Wonderful wine at this stage.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
1/10/2013 - grayfont Likes this wine: 91 Points
Oh man this is drinking great right now. The alcohol is completely integrated into the wine now and not showing at all, which means that the experience is completely focused on the soft, luxurious texture and the pensive, smoky, earthy notes on the nose and palate. I love this wine.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/25/2012 - dsgris Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light red, medium body and fruit. Drinking very well now. Restrained and subtle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2012 - SonnyJay wrote:
Consistent with prior note. Awesome and glad I have more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2012 - khmark7 wrote: 87 Points
Still very elegant with nice spice. Very nice food wine, and i feel is best paired with grilled pork or turkey.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 89 Points
Similar to January note. Love this stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2012 - Leomania Likes this wine: 89 Points
Poured through Vinturi and drank over the course of 1.5 hours. Very light in color, bright flavors of cherry and raspberry but not like those in a Pinot Noir. The ample acidity provides good lift, the finish has a nice toasted oak note. Most enjoyable, looking forward to finishing the rest of the bottle this evening.
Like my first bottle, this one exhibited some brett initially but this subsided after a half hour or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2012 - Eric wrote: 87 Points
Very light color. Gorgeous nose with very lifted aromatics, spicy, sandalwood, menthol and a hint of white pepper. Vibrant cherry palate, very energetic, no tannin to speak of, gorgeously proportioned and elegant wine. Quite lovely.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2012 - prasm wrote: 88 Points
Consumed over two days, note from day 2. Nose: Medium expressiveness, Dark fruit, brush, and spice. Palate: Rhone like flavors dominated by garrique with dark red fruit fruit flavors. Finish: Medium length dominated by garrique and red fruit. Tasted blind I would have pegged this as as Rhone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2012 - RLP805 wrote: 88 Points
PNP, very light ruby color lots of fruit on the nose when opened cherry, dark fruits, a little smoke and sweet notes. After some air time the wine mellowed out as expected and was a well balanced wine with tart cherry dark berries and a little wood on the palate. A nice level of tannins stands up well with the grilled pizza tonight. Medium long finnish overall an enjoyable wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2012 - dsgris Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light ruby, bright red berry, on the light side but a perfect summer wine. Well suited to an Indian themed dinner party.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2012 - SonnyJay wrote:
Strawberry and raspberry notes on the nose. Light body. Cherry and strawberry on the palate with a slightly smoky finish. Extremely enjoyable wine and drinking great now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2012 - ikkaariainen wrote: 89 Points
Drinking beautifully right now, I probably would not hold this wine too much longer as it is in a great drinking window and I don't see this improving much from this point forward. An elegant Frejch style CA N Coast rhone blend from our own smigdiggler - cheers on a job very well done. Dark red, aromatic, medium bodied, well balanced, smooth and elegant with controlled oak and mellow tannins. Nose of red cherry, strawberry, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Primary flavors included cherry, red berries, plum and black pepper on the late palate. I definitely recommend this wine, it has a very good QPR and unfortunately this was our last bottle. It paired very well last night with oysters, salmon and duck.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2012 - Bob in NC wrote:
Suppose to be a Rhone blend - we are not seeing it. On a positive note, smoke meats and pepper on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2012 - Champagneinhand wrote: 90 Points
Nice dark fruit on the nose, pleasant acid tannin balance, some underbrush, garrigue and some good floral notes. Pleasant on the palate, not to hot but pleasantly dry. As promised it was very old world grenache and not to over extracted. Showed quite well and I wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2012 - Leomania wrote: 86 Points
Consumed over the course of 3 evenings; used Vinturi in all cases. Light in color, looks just like a Carneros Pinot as it is poured. Nose and initial flavor of Band-Aids, which subsides quickly and becomes less noticeable with additional time in the glass. Once that's out of the way, there's cherry, raspberry, tar and leather with a nice flourish riding on the ample acidity. Were it not for the initial flaw this would be a superb food wine, but as it stands I'm just hoping the next bottle doesn't exhibit this characteristic.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
3/17/2012 - dsgris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Light ruby. Bold and bright fruit, red berries. This was the wine of the night for a Rhone themed St. Pats dinner. I only had one glass as it was sucked up too rapidly, hense the short note. Just a lovely wine as all of Dave's have been. Fortunately, I have a number left to savior.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Nice nose of burnt rubber, red raspberry, rose petals, spice, anise, sage, pie cherry. On the palte, tart cherry, raspberry, spice, leather. Finishes clean and very well balanced. A little more weight on the palate. Drink over the next 2-3 years. Very well done Smig. Glad to have the 09 on the way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2012 - fingers wrote:
Sadly, my last of 6 and of course, it was the best! After a nice string of wines this week, this follows up an '03 Beaucastel and really only trailed it by an eyelash. Very comparable bouquet, just not quite the weight of the CdP. Rounder and fuller than prior bottles with even more elements singing in even better harmony. Enticing right from the pop. The alcohol feels like 13.5, not 14.2 (how refreshing!) and as I suspected in 2010, this had room to mature and has done so nicely. May need another 6-pak from Dave
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2011 - petitblanc wrote: 90 Points
Crystal clear, intriguing light cherry cola color. Lovely blend of bright berry and dark plum, with a touch of oaky earthiness. Faintly peppery finish. Great acidity, juicy and vibrant but well balanced, with just a passing lick of tannin. Slightly fumey nose and warm finish, but the alcohol really is not excessive, despite the lightness, almost elegance, of the overall package. Definitely a better showing than the last bottle, this was very pleasant indeed. Showed best at cellar temp with a short decant. From magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2011 - GalvezGuy wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with previous notes. Very nice. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2011 - NiklasW wrote: 90 Points
Got this as a CT SS present about a year ago, finally time to open it! Decanted for about 30 mins. A fairly light red with a purple tinge to it. The nose is quite expressive with light red berries, a hint of tar and smoke, the oak giving a fullsome aroma to the wine. On the palate this has a fruity profile, though by no means aggressively so, red berries and cherries, some tannins, elegant fruit. A very smooth and elegant wine. Well done smigdiggler, and thanks to ikkaariainen for sending me the wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2011 - Fugu Me wrote:
Pop 'n pour, consumed over a few hours. Relatively light body, nicely balanced with the right amount of acidity; very food-friendly. Nose of red berries and a little earthiness and leather on the palate. Agree with other notes that this is an OW Rhone style wine and could easily be mistaken for one if tasted blind. Good stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2011 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 88 Points
Light body but very nice balance and flavor. Fruit smoke light spice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2011 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pop and pour, drank over the next two hours. Raspberry and a little smoke on the nose. The palate is very old world and I agree with a previous post that it is a little Pinot like. Raspberry and cherry with smoke and some, but less than before, earth. This has improved over the last 7 months. Not sure it is my "normal" style but I am enjoying it very much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2011 - fingers wrote: 89 Points
Popped and left in glass 30min. Beautiful scarlet color, about 60% saturated with quick and clear legs. Aroma is not as rustic as a year ago and is driven more with dried cherries and some currant, with a lighter dose of the formerly prominent smoke. Palate also feels drier than before, with a likable bit of tang in the acidity and some leathery tannin. Medium bodied and a long, nuanced finish. This is far and away the most Old World (spec. Rhone) style wine I've ever had from USA. 5+10+16+8 = 89
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2011 - markjahnke wrote:
Similar notes and coming together nicely. Should have ordered more of this!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2011 - khmark7 wrote: 89 Points
Opened after working an 11 hour overnight shift and paired with a McDonald's Egg McMuffin. Nice cheesy ham...I meant medium bodied red with really nice aromas, lots of leather, and I like the typical Carignan spice on the finish. Very elegant, almost Pinot like.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2011 - Kermadur Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous notes, but even better than before. The smokiness was more prominent in a good way. Decanted 3 hours before drinking with my book club. The wine was enjoyed by all who drank it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2011 - floydtp wrote: 90 Points
CellarTracker Wisconsin June 2011; 6/24/2011-6/25/2011 (Madison, WI- various venues): Tasted non blind from a magnum at a large wine dinner. Nose of red fruit, spice and a hint of smoke. More of the same on the palate with a nice earthy component. Medium long finish with some rubber at the end. Could benefit from a few more years of bottle aging but perfectly drinkable now. Very consistent with my previous tastings.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2011 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
CellarTracker Wisconsin Offline I - Part Three - Grand Finale (Madison, WI): WIML90
Tasted non blind at a wine dinner. Tasted from Magnum.
Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of camphor, black pepper, plums, leather and a bit of smoke. Flavors of berries and raspberries. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the short term, perhaps the medium term.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2011 - petitblanc wrote:
CT Wisconsin Offline; 6/24/2011-6/25/2011 (Madison, WI): Nice floral aromatics, but there was a soiled band-aid component on the palate that was hard to get past. Not scored. From magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2011 - IWineAlot wrote: 88 Points
CT Wisconsin Offline (Madison, WI): I couldn't get past the tar, earthy, barnyard notes that dominated this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2011 - GalvezGuy wrote: 89 Points
Slightly improved. Smokiness that dominated the nose before has been replace with a slight funk with red raspberry, spice, rose petal, and mineral. On the palate, nice red cherry, raspberry, little bit of leather. Nicely balanced and very food friendly. Drink over the next few years, no big hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2011 - Blue Shorts wrote: 90 Points
This has improved since the last time that I had it. Great northern rhone style... it speaks terrior. A keeper!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/18/2011 - Musedir Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice light red color, fresh taste with lively play of fruit and minerals, good nose, clean finish. Had ith a bked yam, spinach salad and spiy grilled chicken. Bravo! A most worthwhile Grenache.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/26/2011 - wineismylife wrote: 89 Points
DAWGS February 2011 - Rhone Rangers (bstumps house in McKinney, Texas): WIML89
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose is a bit subdued giving way to notes of spice, berries and wet stones. Flavors of berries, raspberries and a bit of cherry. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/23/2011 - floydtp wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Very nice effort. Some hints of smoke on the nose and palate. Also some spice and rubber. Decent length on the finish and very consistent from aroma through the finish. Although quite young, it is very drinkable for the moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2011 - PSUSteve wrote: 89 Points
Opened and poured an hour later. Smoke and red fruit on the nose. Light fruit with smoke and classic rhone on the palate. I think I would give it more air next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/21/2011 - GalvezGuy wrote: 88 Points
Liver Killing with TWG and jar! (Lucio's BYOB, Houston): This is starting to settle in, the burnt rubber aroma has been repaced with smoked meat, the red fruit and floral elements are still there. On the palate, tart red fruit, smoke, spice. Finishes very clean with nice acidity. This was the most food friendly of the wines but it was lost with all of the big bruisers served along side. Drink over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2011 - fingers wrote:
Comparing to note from 12.4.10 everything is consistent with a slight decrease in the charred nose and a corresponding increase in sweetness and weight on the palate. Again, I believed there was some Mourvedre in there and had to re-read the label! I think it's going in a nice direction
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2011 - fingers wrote:
Consistent with prior 12/4/10 note. The smokiness seems slightly more profound but I was quite happy with how this held up to some scallops with strong garlic. The smoke and garlic notes really accented each other better than expected.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2010 - markjahnke wrote: 88 Points
Gorgeous wine...perfect with pizza tonight in front of the fire, with the front door open watching the carriages come down the street in our little town that is straight out of a Dickens novel. Formal notes to come! Cheerss!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2010 - Oskiwawa wrote:
Secret Santa 2010 gift. Absolutely enjoyable. Quite light in both color and body. The Grenache pedigree comes though very well. Southern Rhone on the lighter side is how I would best describe it. Well done. Would drink over the next 3-4 years. Thank you Smig
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2010 - caeleric Does not like this wine:
consistent with prior notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2010 - pjaines wrote:
Definatelty a sense of Rhone blend here - nice notes of garrigue and pepper on the nose. A touch sweet on the palate but this is very much one for cracking open at a BBQ.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2010 - cookiefiend wrote:
A clear and fine dark cherry red, with aromas of spice, smoke and nice floral hints. Cherry and spice, a bit of earthy leather on the palate. Light in body, bright and lively acidity. If I had tasted this blind, I would have guessed it to be a young French wine. Very nice and will be interesting to see how it progresses.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2010 - fingers wrote: 88 Points
Appearance is a youthful bright ruby color, about 70% opaque. Intriguing nose that displays the vintage's wildfire influence and features plum and cherry, tea, mango skin, tobacco, fig, earth, and quite rustic. Light bodied and would sure go happily with a variety of foods. Quite dry with nice acidity and a medium length finish. At a recent blind tasting in a field of 19 Grenache-based wines, this was my most interesting wine. I would have guessed that there was Mourvedre in there and OW in origin. IMHO it will age nicely in the medium term and further develop. 5+11+17+7 = 88
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2010 - Kermadur Likes this wine:
Per Dave's suggestion, I opened the bottle a good couple hours before drinking. Light in color and body. A nice smoky/spicy nose and nicely balanced. I agree with others' notes about this being an old world style wine, which is much to my liking. It was just right with a simple supper of spinach rice soup served with cornbread. It will be interesting to see how this develops over time, but for now - Yum!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Nice funky nose like a good Rhone, a little burnt rubber leather, red fruit, nice florals. On the palate, tart red fruit, smoke, hint of spice. Finishes clean with nice acidity. Would like a little more concentration in the fruit flavors, but this is beautfully balance. Hold 2-3 years and drink for 10.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2010 - caeleric wrote: 85 Points
pop and pour consumed over two days. very light ruby color that suggests a relatively short maceration. everything about this wine screamed cotes du rhone, from the color to the nose to the flavors to the finish. so if that's the style dave was going for, he definitely succeeded. unfortunately, this is not my preferred style. i love what new world winemaking does with grenache, and this is definitely done in a more old world style. a good dose of smoke on the nose and finish makes me wonder about any damage to the fruit from the '08 wildfires. all that said, the wine is nicely balanced and very approachable if you're looking for old world rhone.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
11/11/2010 - markjahnke wrote: 88 Points
Drinking nice from the get go...surprising since these were hot off the UPS truck! Look forward to more of these! Formal notes to come, but awesome effot Smig! This will eaily be a 90 pointer with some time in the bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2010 - brigcampbell wrote:
OC Poker VIII; 11/6/2010-11/8/2010 (WCC - Irvine CA): Blind
Everyone that tasted this wine blind missed by a mile figuring it to be French old world for sure with a little age under its belt. interestingly it was one of my favorite "old world" wines of the night beating the pants off all the cdp. who says they don't make wines in California that reflect terrior. Bravo smig.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2010 - WetRock wrote:
OC Poker For Wine VIII: Grenache Blind (Wine Cellar Club, Irvine, CA): Served Blind. Tight nose showing some baking spices. Light and juicy but nicely balanced. Could use more concentration but is in a nice early drinking style friendly to food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2010 - grafstrb wrote:
OCP4W VIII (WCC in Irvine, CA): -- tasted a single glass blind over 15 minutes --
-- 81% Grenache, 14% Carignane, 5% Syrah --
NOSE: minerally; earthy; smoky rubber.
TASTE: medium-full bodied; drying tannins; leather; good acid; lots of leather; animale. This was my second-favorite wine of the tasting; was very surprised to see this as an '08 CA Rhone, as I thought it was old-world with some age on it; I don't think this will age well, but it's delicious today. 13.8% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2010 - gbm wrote: 90 Points
I really liked this wine. Drank it over two days with no decant. It really opened up on the second day, so a decant might be good for it. Anyway, it was garnet in color and very good clarity. Nose was closed the first day, but on the second day was very floral with some oak and for a moment I swear I was smelling a nuttiness which I tried to recover but could not. On the palate I tasted black cherries and red fruits. Tannins were nicely integrated but the acidity and alcohol could use a little more time. The finish was very nice. Completey agree with the Gigondas comparison. This is a very drinkable wine. (4+12+16+8)
Nice work Dave & Co. Can't wait to see what else you produce.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2010 - grayfont wrote: 89 Points
This is a unique and noteworthy wine. Beautiful, haunting nose of smoke and evolving floral notes with just a touch of spice. (Did not decant. Consumed over 3 hours, tasting at various points with/without use of the vinturi... without the vinturi, there was a hint of heat on the nose which did not present in the glasses that had passed through the vinturi.) Very mild tannins; the flowers take center stage on the palate, with a bit of alcohol which I think will integrate with a little bottle time. If that happens and the wine becomes smoother, I'm optimistic that I will be posting 90+ scores for the remaining bottles, which I will likely hold for 6-9 months before I check in again. Very happy I bought this wine, both for the quality and the uniqueness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2010 - Rob MacKay wrote: 88 Points
Wine Berserkers Dinner (Lupa Trattoria, San Francisco, California): Smokey, meaty nose with lots of Southern Rhone characteristics. Good extraction on the fruit with well managed tannins. Reminds me very much of a young Gigondas or Vacqueyras.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2010 - zscheiner Likes this wine: 89 Points
WineBerserkers Burgundy OL (Lupa Trattoria, San Francisco, CA): 81% Grenache, 14% Carignan, 5% Syrah. Quite light in color. Bit of smokiness on the nose, but not offputting. Light to medium bodied, adequate acidity and great spice. Touch of oak and a nice long finish. This is not what I was expecting from Cali grenache. I would probably guess old world CdR from a cooler year if tasting blind. Nice work Eric & Dave!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment