| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2013 TH Estate Wines 5 Blocks CuvéePaso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
4/16/2024 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 94 points2013's vintage of 5 Blocks is drinking really beautifully and I'd even say it has the girth to continue cellaring for a few more years. I'm not sure if it will improve in that time as it seems very well integrated now, so drink up, but if you're holding a few bottles, I wouldn't rush to finish them as I don't feel it is past its prime at all. |
| Red |
2020 Requiem Cabernet SauvignonColumbia Valley more |
8/8/2023 - Immigrator wrote: 86 pointsThey might not be Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are plenty of other decent and better options available for $20. Just not very good. |
| Red |
2018 The MascotNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/21/2023 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 93 pointsI haven’t had a Harlan, Bond, or Promontory wine, so I’m not able to offer a comparison, but compared to other pedigreed Napa wines I am familiar with (Hundred Acre, Colgin, Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon), I think it’s only fair to note that those wines offer refinement that’s not present here, but they also start at a multiple of The Mascot’s $125 entry price. Fortunately, The Mascot shows well compared to other Napa Cab blends at a similar price point. I gave it a bit more than two hours in bottle after opening and we then consumed it over the next hour with a filet mignon. Nearly opaque garnet color with aromas of blackberry, cherry, and mild herbs/spices. On the palate, it's not a fruit bomb, but the primary notes are cassis and cherry, with secondary notes of black fruit and some minerality. Medium/full bodied with relatively firm tannins, mild acidity, and a long finish. While it offers a silky mouthfeel, it’s not fully integrated yet, and the somewhat chewy tannins suggest it should continue to evolve and soften for several years to come. That said, it drinks pretty well right now and I wouldn’t hesitate on opening a bottle for an early reference point, but will hold my remaining bottles and consume over the next 2 – 10+ years. 6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2009 Genium Celler PrioratRed Blend more |
3/30/2023 - Immigrator Does not like this wine: 87 pointsOverly sweet. Not a fan. |
| Red |
2013 Colgin Syrah IX EstateNapa Valley more |
2/14/2023 - Immigrator wrote: 98 pointsIn my quest to lose weight, I have drastically cut back on wine consumption for the past 6 months. But when the Boss told me that she'd like a nice wine on to go with the rack of lamb I was preparing for Valentine's Day, I decided to open the 2013 Colgin Syrah IX Estate. |
| Red |
2014 Quilceda Creek CVR Columbia ValleyRed Bordeaux Blend more |
4/16/2022 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 94 pointsLovely Bordeaux blend that's evolved beautifully in bottle with a few years of cellar time. A complex blend of cherry, black currant, garrigue, and some light toast and oak notes with medium tannins. Nicely integrated, polished mouthfeel, and a long finish. |
| Red |
2012 Pax Syrah Griffin's LairSonoma Coast more |
4/3/2022 - Immigrator wrote: 90 pointsOn opening, it seemed dead on the palate; super dry with no discernible fruit or other notes on the nose or palate, though inky in color. After 30 minutes, the profile improved significantly to reveal blackberry and green olive notes on the nose. On the palate, it’s mostly dry with a primary impression of dark berries and lots of grape stems. I updated this note to acknowledge that another commenter aptly described it as a bit hollow in the middle, and I agree. There’s some fruit at first, but it’s not particularly complex; mostly chewy with tannins—and plenty of sediment from what I guess are whole clusters and plenty of stems. Mouthfeel is weirdly silky, but it's hard to appreciate it with so much tannin. On the whole, this is a fair to good wine, but I feel there are better options at $60 (2014 price) and close to 7 years of cellar time invested. I still have a couple of bottles, but am hesitant to open them for another 3-5 years (tannins), though I’m a bit afraid they may lack any fruit profile by then. Will update if it improves on day 2. |
| White |
2020 Château Pichon BellevueGraves de Vayres Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc more |
3/2/2022 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 92 pointsPale yellow color, aromas of honeysuckle, lychee and lemon peel. On the palate, I notice grapefruit, lime, lychee, and a slight minerality. Crisp but medium acidity, medium viscosity, and a longish finish. This went nicely with a dinner of shrimp a la plancha and a few cheese ravioli with pesto. Excellent QPR at just $13. 85/15 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with 12.5% ABV. |
| Red |
2010 Saxum James Berry VineyardPaso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
2/5/2022 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 96 pointsDark garnet color--nearly opaque, with aromas of blackberries, cherry, and leather. On the palate, I note blackberries, red fruit, and hints of herbs, olive juice, and mineral/limestone. Nicely full bodied with medium-firm tannins, medium acidity and a finish that lasts and lasts; really well integrated. Based on the relative strength of the tannins, I think this will continue to offer rewards for another 7-10 years--but it's drinking beautifully right now. We enjoyed it with a Flannery California Reserve New York Strip (Berserker Day!), reverse seared and medium rare. Yum! 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| White |
2020 Château Les Garelles BlancBlaye Côtes de Bordeaux Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
2/2/2022 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 90 pointsPnP. Pale yellow color, medium acidity, and restrained flavors of grapefruit, honey, and lime. On the whole, it’s crisp with minerals and citrus fruit flavors, but manages to stay mostly dry. Pair with roast chicken, fish, mushroom risotto, parmigiano, etc. Excellent QPR at $15 from WFM. |
| Red |
2019 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.100Rutherford more |
1/28/2022 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 91 pointsDay 2 (24 hours after opening): The sweetness I observed yesterday is gone and it's quite enjoyable now. I'd recommend a 24 hour decant and you'll have a solid Napa cab for $19! Medium/full body, medium tannins, long finish, great QPR. |
| Red |
2016 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate VineyardEdna Valley more |
1/22/2022 - Immigrator wrote: 91 pointsThe quality and potential are evident, but I found it in a bit of a dumb phase. While a longer decant would likely have helped overall, I’d hold for some time as it never really woke up over the course of a couple of hours. |
| Red |
2014 Quilceda Creek CVR Columbia ValleyRed Bordeaux Blend more |
9/4/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 94 pointsBang--talk about an ugly duckling becoming a swan! Upon arrival, this CVR was so astringent as to be virtually undrinkable. Fortunately, a few years of cellar time have had a wonderful effect on this Bordeaux blend, as it is smooth, medium/full bodied, and complex. There' still enough tannin that will continue to soften, but it is drinking beautifully now. |
| Red |
2017 Tolaini Al Passo Toscana IGTSuperTuscan Blend more |
8/21/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 86 pointsMeh. |
| White |
2019 Gavalas Winery Assyrtiko Santorinimore |
6/13/2021 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 91 pointsLight gold color with medium legs, honeydew, cantaloupe, lychee, and citrus aromas. Medium/high acidity, but there's a refined tartness that's balanced by fruit and mineral tones (Meyer lemon, lychee, sultana, green apple and salinity). It's bright, but dry and not cloying; light to medium body that's easy drinking but still complex with a long finish. I wanted to vary things up from my grilled seafood standby, Sauvignon Blanc, and picked this up at the local WFM to go with a Greek-style, grilled Branzino. While you can certainly do better for $28, I have no complaints. Suffice it to say that this was a pleasant surprise that I'd buy again to go with seafood or a rich pasta (Carbonara, alla Gricia, cacio e pepe, etc.). |
| Red |
2012 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir La NeblinaSonoma Coast more |
6/12/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 91 pointsDecanted via an aerating funnel and consumed over the course of 90 minutes. Medium garnet color, long legs, cherry and light plum aromas, with cherry and garrigue on the palate. Medium tannin. While not super complex, this is drinking well right now--which is a marked improvement from what I observed a few years ago when I found it tart/harsh/acidic and barely drinkable (which I have observed in several wines from this producer). Today, I'm enjoying a softened profile that drinks well on its own, and pairs nicely with herb roasted chicken. Although one can easily question the investment of seven years of cellar time for a wine at this price point, I'm glad I had the space and time to hold it as this is a nice PN at the $45 release price. |
| Red |
2014 Linne Calodo In My DreamsPaso Robles Willow Creek District Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more |
6/7/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 95 pointsThis is an extraordinarily good CA Tempranillo blend. Dark reddish-purple color with cherry, blackberries, herbs, and earthiness. Firm tannins are well integrated with ripe fruit and medium acidity. Polished mouthfeel. Again, truly extraordinary--particularly at the release price of $75; I wish I had more. |
| White |
2016 Château Doisy-Daëne Grand Vin SecBordeaux Sauvignon Blanc more |
5/23/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 87 pointsLight yellow color. Some oak and some butter on the palate, and a melange of relatively bland and nondescript fruit on the nose and palate. Medium acidity and medium length finish. On the whole, it’s just “meh,” and a bit too dry for my taste. Obviously not disagreeable, but I’d probably not purchase again. While there are limited white Bordeaux options at this price point at my local Total Wine, there are numerous other options to consider from other regions. |
| Red |
2014 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir DierkeSonoma Coast more |
4/13/2021 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 91 pointsIt's not closed, but might still benefit from additional time in bottle. While it is smooth and has softened nicely, I'd suggest another 12 months in cellar and this one will be excellent. For what it's worth, my prior taste was in 2018 when it wasn't ready (tart/astringent and devoid of fruit or the characteristic pinot noir silkiness). Today's tasting was a dramatic improvement. |
| Red |
2011 Saxum Heart Stone VineyardPaso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
4/9/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 93 pointsFully mature and ready to drink. Dark amethyst color and interesting aromas that evoke dried flowers, olive, and a slightly disconcerting scent of hay/barnyard/animal fat (Brett?) that prompted me to change glasses to confirm. On the palate it's pleasing with ripe berry, dried herbs, olive, earthy truffle, and a hint of minerality. Smooth texture, long finish, medium acidity, and light sediment in the bottle. |
| Red |
2016 Linne Calodo Problem ChildPaso Robles Willow Creek District Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more |
3/26/2021 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 93 pointsExcellent. Dark garnet color with black/blue berries and plum aromas. Cherry, olive, black pepper on the palate. Full bodied with medium acidity and medium/firm tannins and a long finish. I think this one is ready to drink now, but has enough tannin to hold for a few (3+) years. |
| White |
2020 Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc Signature SeriesMarlborough more |
3/9/2021 - Immigrator Does not like this wine: 82 pointsVery light gold color. Light citrus and melon aromas. Tart flavors (Unripe grapefruit) with a hint of honey, a hint of lychee, and a disagreeable bit of asafoetida on the finish. Thankfully, it’s a short finish that mercifully dies on the palate quickly. Inexpensive, but a poor representation of NZ SB nonetheless. |
| Red |
2011 Saxum Broken StonesPaso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
3/5/2021 - Immigrator wrote: 96 pointsDecided to open something nice at the last moment, so this was a PnP. It's big, bold, and drinking beautifully now. Dark, inky color. Black and blue fruit, woody spice, and garrigue aromas. On the palate, I notice blackberry, dark cherry, and blueberry with some oak and pepper. Silky with a super long finish. No regrets on bypassing a slow ox or decant. For what it's worth, this one has plenty of life in it and I'd have no problem holding remaining bottles for another 7 to 10 years, although it's singing now. |
| Red |
2016 Saxum G2 VineyardPaso Robles Willow Creek District Red Rhone Blend more |
2/4/2021 - Immigrator Likes this wine: 96 pointsPerhaps I assumed G2 would be a lesser wine than the JBV, Bone Rock, and other well established Saxum offerings, but I am startled at how good this one is. 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2011 Saxum James Berry VineyardPaso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
12/31/2020 - Immigrator wrote: 96 pointsShowing really well after just 60 minutes in a wide decanter. I really could drink this over and over again. Dark purple colored, medium legs, and light sediment in the bottle. Aromas of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, green olive and minerals. On the palate, I noticed blackberry, black currant, vanilla and something mineral/stony (graphite?). Medium to full body with a silky texture, medium acidity, and a super long finish. |
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- Tasting notes: 97 notes on 80 wines
