8/26/2022 - WineNot? wrote:

Spicy and somewhat full bodied. Not very complex. Pepper, cherry, tannic

10/11/2021 - WineNot? Likes this wine:

What La Cave and Curtex said.... spot on.
Less diverse and more full bodies than what I typically expect from the region but otherwise good.

10/8/2021 - WineNot? Does not like this wine:

Really plain. If you're slammed. Drink this.

6/17/2021 - WineNot? wrote:

This is by far the most underrated wine of the CDP 2018. This wine is outstanding with peppery spices on the nose, alongside notes of mixed berries, leather and garrigue, while the full-bodied palate is expansive and velvety. A sort of sweet strawberry is dominant with this wine. EXCELLENT.

5/14/2021 - WineNot? wrote:

Outstanding. Delightful, fresh and elegant. Citrus, mellon, oak and a very nice finish of honey.

4/21/2021 - WineNot? wrote:

Dry with notes of spice, cherry and cinnamon. A bit plain.
Medium bodied with tart, acidity and tannic. Not exactly balanced. and Plums, raspberries. Seems underdeveloped.

1/27/2021 - WineNot? wrote:

Excellent on the nose with floral and earth scents. On the palate, cherry, graphite, just a touch of tannins and small bite. Forest floor, chalky but otherwise, excellent!

12/11/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Another fantastic creation from Unti. Fantastic aromas of fruit cake and spice and dark berries, some graphite. Full bodied. Tannins are integrated, medium mouth filling texture. Has a light freshness to it that really puts the wine in a nice place for consumption. Outstanding.

9/26/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Pretty typical of the Italian wines on the nose. This drinks more like a light Chianti than a Cab. Peppery, spice, a touch of tannins. Pretty non-dimensional but otherwise a decent bottle.

9/24/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Very Juicy. Spicy on the nose. Fat, Big, with blackberries, cassis and a bit oaked. Not very complex but overall, good.

9/3/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

As I don't typically drink Syrah's, I want to be as fair as possible in this description. A scent of leather, black pepper and spices on the nose. Bold, Big, Fat, yet soft on the palate. Juicy with a tiny hint of vanilla, cherry and spice. Good but way to opulent for a guy that drinks bordeaux or even Washington Reds. Big fruit bomb. Not much in the way of character.

8/22/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Spicy on the nose with pepper. Cigar box, dense, fat, strong oak and vanilla flavors. Very strong on the palate. Expect a bold, smack in your face zin with thisone.

8/6/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

This wine is completely underrated. Outstanding. Excellent on the opening. Bold. Fruity. Cassis, chewy tannins. Typical of the bordeaux region of earth, mineral with a hint of spice. A bit structured and likely needs a few more years.

7/9/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Soft, silky, creamy and buttery with just a touch of crispness. Hints of oak and vanilla. Very good. Another quality Chardonnay from RH

7/2/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

On the nose; very subtle, though a nice hint of berries and strawberries.
Dense and flamboyant as this wine gets your attention with nice fruit. Two dimensional. Smooth with just a tiny, tiny bit of tannins. Cassis, pencil and a bit gritty but very nice.

6/19/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

One dimensional. 90 points? Not even close. Cherry. Distinct flavor of berry, fruits and very tannic. A very average zin by compared to its rival vinyards.

5/20/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Visual: light ruby color. Not very complex but a bit more rich than traditional Italian wines. Austere, acidic, charcoal and sock drawer. Rich Coffee and strong spices. Very interesting

5/14/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Fruity on the nose and light ruby on the eye. This wine is austere, grippy tannins, juicy, steely with sharp edges. A hint of sweetness to it. Not a complex wine or to be confused with anything from the Chianti or Tuscany appellation. Very light. True to the region.

4/30/2020 - WineNot? Likes this wine:

Ruby and translucent in the glass. On the nose the smell of mineral, charcoal and prune. Spicy, jammy with tiny touch of acidity past the tongue. Juicy with a hint of fruitiness. Very good and would highly recommend.

4/24/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Another excellent creation/blend by Chappellet. Nice cherry and sweetness on the nose. Opulent. Silky & velvety on the tongue. Full bodied, cigar box, smooth, berry sweetness with a hint of oak. A very nice undercurrent of vanilla and cinnamon.

4/22/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

12 years in the bottle, so really looking forward to visiting St. Julien.

Visual: Nice, ruby color and legs. On the nose; cherry, tobacco and licorice. First pass on the palate: Cassis with chewy tannins, refined with a hint of concrete (minerally). Still seems a bit tight and may need to open up more over the next couple of days. Otherwise, true to the traditions and expertise of St. Julien. An excellent compliment to a perfect day overlooking the vineyard.

3/21/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Cherry on the nose. Big & dense with a touch of cassis & cigar box. Light tannins with a hint of sweetness at the end. A bit tight but will likely be much better in a few years. Not a Petite Sirah guy but this was pretty good

3/20/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Not much no the nose. Jammy, Dense, Flabby and light on the tannins. Velvety. Tastes a bit overdeveloped. Probably okay with pasta, steak or spicy dinners but otherwise not too interesting. Good with a burger.

2/22/2020 - WineNot? wrote:

Delicious. True to the region. Cherry on the nose. Dense, Jammy and very opulent with a rich, smooth feel. Velvety with a hint of sweetness. Excellent wine and yet another validation of a great 2016.

12/15/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

86. Need we say more. Flat. Light. Slightly peppery and a very dry finish.

10/11/2019 - WineNot? Likes this wine:

Again, surprised to see an 86 score on CT for this.

Austere, acidic, steely with grippy tannins. Strong alcohol and a bit bitter on the open. Not as fruity and smooth as you would expect from a California merlot. Unoaked. A touch of spice. Good, but not ready for prime time. Needs a few more years in the dark.

10/9/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

I'm surprised to see this listed as an 88 point wine.
A bit soft on the nose and tight but otherwise, peppery, spicy with grippy tannins with just of hint of oak. Very nice. Not over overstated and flabby as many wines have become in Napa over the last 15 years. Good value.

9/27/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

This is well beyond an 88 point wine. Bought this at Fattoria di Montecchio in 2015. Great group of people at this winery surrounded by cypruss trees, flowers and rolling hills. Grateful for their warm and friendly hospitality.
This wine is Big, Dense. Peppery, well rounded, and good hints of coffee, charcoal and grippy tannins. Very bold. Not that complex but it makes up with just a hint of earthiness. Excellent IGT.

7/19/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

Very light, cherry, a touch of sweet velvet. Drinks like a chianti though a bit bolder.

6/22/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

Hmmm. 87 is being nice. This wine lacks depth, character and is just plain....plain... Not typical of the Rutherford Hill family

3/6/2019 - WineNot? wrote:

True to the quality of the region.

8/2/2018 - WineNot? Likes this wine:

Good, solid wine. Very full bodied. Tannic, dry with hints of pencil, charcoal and berry. Nice texture. Not impressively complex and maybe two dimensional but overall a good napa wine.

6/7/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Pretty average.

4/7/2018 - WineNot? Does not like this wine:

Flat. Non complex. Boring.

3/30/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Finally, a winemaker moving back to the basics of what a merlot should taste like. Not at all fat or flamboyant. Very well made. Elegant, grippy tannins, spice and hint of floral. Overall, excellent value and will buy more!

3/22/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Ruby, dark color. A touch of acidity, leather, ripe cherry, black currant, and earthy, floral, a hint of oak and soil...indicative of the region. Needs a good four hours to breathe. Well structured and refined. Excellent.

3/8/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Bouquet of earth, flowers and cassis...very typical of the terroir. A bit tannic, elegant and a hint of soil. Not quite ready yet but sure to please in a few years. This wine well above 90 points. Excellent!

2/16/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Very Good. Big, heavy cassis, dense, fat, and a touch of oak. I like this wine but its not worth $50 a bottle by comparison to Chappellet or other vineyards....

1/18/2018 - WineNot? wrote:

Rich cherry bouquet. Big tannins, bright, fleshy and opulent. A touch of spice, chocolate and berrys. Very good.

1/18/2018 - WineNot? Likes this wine:

Agree with Baronspaw. As it typical of RH. Excellent composition and consistent in quality. Very under rated wine makers and should be considerably higher.

12/15/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Deep ruby color. Flamboyant and dense with a hint of pepper.

11/21/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Outstanding Wine. Underrated at 88 points. This wine has a beautiful aroma. Full bodied, cherry, cassis, peppery, velvety. Not terribly complex and a bit tight. Still very good. Bravo Washington.

10/27/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Not quite what I expected from Cotes de Castillon Bordeaux but good.
Tannic, earthy (as expected) minerally, tight. Elegant. Needs more time.

10/19/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Outstanding wine. Fragrant earth tones with spicy pepper, charcoal and a tiny hint of earth. Excellent.

9/5/2017 - WineNot? Does not like this wine:

Absolute crap.

8/19/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Absolute crap. Plastic cork accompanied with over extended jam.

8/3/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Opening bouquet: Robust, earthy, perfume and nutmeg.
Flamboyant, spicy and typical of the robustness of CDP.

7/28/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Chocolate on the nose. Full bodied with cherry, pepper, earth. Just a tiny bit tannic but otherwise outstanding.

5/19/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

I'm generally a big fan of this wine, however, over extracted is a good definition for it. Smooth, velvety but very much lacks the intensity of a zin. Very slight pepper, berries, thick with a hint of vanilla. Missing complexity of a zin.

1/27/2017 - WineNot? wrote:

Aromatic. Fat. Consistent with the full bodied, bold California cabernets. Acidic with just a touch of tannins. Ruby colored. Chewy, The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. Spicy with flavors of blackberry, cranberry, raisin, espresso and oak.