12/30/2013 - bdufton Likes this wine:

This is a red fruit and earth laden wine. Not heavy by any means. Lots of acid that many might find off-putting but I quite appreciate. If there ever was a perfect tomato sauce based pasta wine this might be it.

12/1/2013 - bdufton Likes this wine:

Nothing big and brawny here. A great red for drinking while standing around and chatting. Medium bodied, nice finish and good balance - just a bit undetermined now.

12/1/2013 - bdufton wrote:

Not at all what I was suspecting. Floral nose, medium body, a little shy and short on the finish.

10/19/2013 - bdufton wrote:

This wine was a superb match to BBQ steaks - rare. It has a very clean nose of blackberries and hints of mint and leather. In the mouth, it isn't as big as i would have expected but right to a long finish, it had loads of dark fruits, some tarry things, and that leather again. It was balanced with tannins that didn't fight with the other elements. Exceptional!

1/16/2013 - bdufton wrote:

Had with a non-cab guy. He loved it which makes me wonder - is Caymus just that convincing? Or, is it unlike other cabs? Not going to spend too much time on that. It was in perfect balance and as always Caymus-like. Just enough of every thing (Goldilocks?) but not too much except I felt a sweetness that I don't usually experience with these entry level Caymus'. Highly recommend as a youngish California cab. Last of my 2005's but lots of 2006's left.

1/16/2013 - bdufton wrote:

Big wine as expected. Raisin bordering on a port-like opulence. Did I say, "opulence"? I think it might be a bit too big for me. Not a wine that you'd have another bottle or any other bottle for that matter. A good taster - sip and spitter.

1/16/2013 - bdufton wrote:

A year ago I would have given this wine a 90 but I'm trending down now. I always like these Otago pinots. Seam of acid, good fruit, a little dirt - good balance.

12/24/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Agree that this is a light approach to Zinfandel. But, I kind of like that about it. Lots of interest and not overwhelming the cheese and cracker stand up we had.

4/24/2012 - bdufton wrote:

I must admit I was somewhat ambivalent due to the reviews herein. However, I loved this! Great balance, showing darker fruit than I anticipated and a finish comparable to similarly priced wines from this region - only less hot, IMHO. What is it about these wines from this vintage? I've found gems, like this, and a bunch of underwhelming selections as well. All this said, this one could use another year or so - or decant for a few hours now.

3/22/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Lovely wine. Lots of backbone in the way of tannins but nothing that interfered rather a balance. With barbecued food was perfect accompaniment. Should have bought more.

2/19/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Beautiful, straight up Merlot with a great edge and plenty of backbone. Nothing flabby here - dark, a bit floral maybe, lovely finish. Agree with Richard Jennings - "rich but poised".

2/19/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Love it, Love it, Love it. Big nose of black fruit and a good follow through of the same on the palate with some graphite or steely sensation. Had with a lamb shank with cinnamon and honey and it matched very well. Will wait awhile with the rest of the case as it could use some time to really fill out.

2/19/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Really requires time in bottle. Although a healthy decant - wine still not showing much. Will wait a couple years for the others.

1/2/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Enjoyed over Christmas. Perfect wine for milling - full-bodied - sweet fruit and lots of cedar. Liked it a lot.

1/2/2012 - bdufton wrote:

Not quite the structure that I had anticipated - not flabby but light - lacking acidity and tannin. All that being said - still lots going on - fruit, maybe floral on the nose. Hard to complain about this wine but wanted some more backbone.

12/24/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Heavy herbal nose - not pleasant. It seemed to burn off over time but not as satisfying as my earlier bottles

12/19/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Despite the score, this wine has its place. Like right now, typing my tasting note. Perfect wine for a crowd of people with varying degrees of knowledge and experience - differing tastes. This wine should hold their attention. Loads of fruit, some sweetness, and an absence of tannin which is maybe the big drawback. Would love to hear from the sophisticated palate and the nuances but suffice it to say that its big texturally but very linear, if that makes sense. If you like chewy, you'll like this.

12/18/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Very nicebalance here. Nothing earthshattering. I liked the restrained feel and the good acidity.

12/18/2011 - bdufton wrote:

extremely disappointing. Great nose but no follow up - decanted for an hour but must have needed more. Not the large wine that I'm used to here - asleep maybe?

12/13/2011 - bdufton Likes this wine:

Abundance of fruit and with a tiche more of a tannic presence would be in perfect balance. Great QPR in my book.

12/13/2011 - bdufton Likes this wine:

Not liking it, not liking it, not liking it.......loving it. Needs some air - grit as mentioned before but neither heavy or hot.

12/3/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Restrained style. lots of strawberry after some air - both nose and palate. Some heat from alcohol although not particularly high. Not your normal New Zealand pn as it isn't as heavy a hitter. Like a lot. Recommend.

11/27/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Decanted for three hours and yet still seemed to need more air to open. Just didn't do it for me. Had another Brunello from '04 on the night and there was no comparison. maybe this wine needs more time (this possibility is disputed by the garnet colour). Don't really know - usually a very nice Brunello.

11/27/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Very restrained on opening. Was the second of two Brunellos on the evening and the better. Took awhile to open and then revealed some earth notes, truffles, and cherry. very nice. Love the '04's for value.

11/16/2011 - bdufton Likes this wine:

Great balance - some herbal notes that might not be for everyone but it works for me - probably a higher score without it. Exceptional QPR - will see if I can pick up more.

10/28/2011 - bdufton wrote:

What a treat! Fabulous nose of cassis - continuing on the palate. Herbal elements that I tend to not like - but in this case lent a degree of smoothness and interest. Complex with every sip bringing different flavours and experiences. Lovely.

10/28/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Just a Bordeaux with some timew spent - nothing memorable but still - its a 2000 Bordeaux.

10/28/2011 - bdufton wrote:

This wine seems to have lost a step - quite bland with none of the punch or power that I experienced with an earlier bottle. Sleeping? Past its prime? Not sure which. See below a review that speaks to it being rather short and that may best sum up my experience with it.

9/9/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Lovely - solidly built - as another reviewer noted similar to a California cab on the nose - mineral, herb (a little green maybe). Tannins backing it all up but not dominating. Nice finish. Would buy more if they become available.

8/30/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Dark and brooding.
Chocolate on the nose and following through - plums, cherries and still lots of tannins that should ease over time. Love this, but also tasted a 2003 Madre from Poggio Antico and preferred this less over the top Tuscan.

8/21/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Really very nice. Earthy as mentioned before - but found that this wine needs time in the glass or decanted. Hogue is such a good value winery and this doesn't disappoint on QPR.

8/14/2011 - bdufton Likes this wine:

Enjoyed very much. Think of a 36 footer off the coast of Antibes, jumping in for a swim and emerging to a cold bottle of rose with fresh Mediterranean tomatoes, basil, maybe grilled gambas. Very nice wine - acceptable heat of alcohol, strawberries, medium finish - refreshing. Why don't I have this style of wine more often in the summer?

8/14/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Always a pleaser with the chardonnay crowd - not too oaky, not too fruity, not too acidic - Goldilocks would love it. It is a bit over-priced this vintage.

8/14/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Carried to the Braywick Bistro as a porte votre vin selection. Enjoyed with lamb and mint butter. I have to agree with the earlier posts - lovely balance - starting to brown around the edges with a healthy dose of saddle leather. Would have liked to have had this at 5 years, 10 years to be able to see what transitions occur.

8/13/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Not as round and oaky as I remember other vintages. But, it's an improvement - nice thread of acidity and the fruit isn't overpowered by (what in the past seemed to be tricked up) oak. Still perhaps a bit overpriced but why quibble about a couple of dollars?

7/26/2011 - bdufton wrote:

A very quiet and unassuming wine. It opens slowly - so you need to let it sit or decant but not too long. Very nice effort.

5/27/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Drank at the cottage - this is about finished evolving and about to start the downward plunge. But, nose still bringing some plum and pruney nuances and following through with some nice fruit, integrated tannins (to little tannin at all) and a loss of support. All in all, though, a nice wine. The foregoing doesn't make it sound as good as it was.

4/28/2011 - bdufton wrote:

A solid wine. Loads of leather and cherry on the nose and continuing with the leather on first swish. This is a medium bodied wine with good structure - balance of acid, tannin and fruit. It is a great food wine (enjoyed with perch in a tomato sauce) and yet could use some more time to allow the fruit to establish itself a little more.

4/11/2011 - bdufton wrote:

This is a nice effort - good complexity - tobacco, loads of fruit, and maybe some vegetal notes - but not overwhelming. Always good value - but not as nice as last vintage.

4/11/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Right at its apex - no more time needed or desired. This is a well developed cab with solid tannins still present but well integrated. I loved it.

3/2/2011 - bdufton wrote:

I loved this wine. Smoky, woody yet lots of fruit on the nose and the swirl - not overpowering and, although we just had while we sat and chatted, I believe it would do well with food.

2/24/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Great little smoky red with a well balanced finish.

2/24/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Given to Janice Tuffnail (bought)

2/22/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Agree with VCvino on this. I also was let down a bit. It brought all the typical Caymus fun and intensity but seemed a bit on the flabby side for the usual Caymus profile - the tannins being rather absent than softened. However, an under performing Caymus is usually better than most others and it still brought some accolades from guests.

2/22/2011 - bdufton wrote:

I guess that I don't appreciate the style of this Amarone. As mentioned elsewhere the alcohol was just too much in front of the flavours and I couldn't warm to it. That being said, it could be time is needed to bring everything together but it just seemed too disjointed and unbalanced. Also the second bottle of the night and maybe we were suffering from the shock of heft that Amarone brings.

2/16/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Liked this a lot. I did note the vegetal character both on the nose and palate and it just about was too much but balanced with some good red fruit, some woody (cedary?) notes, it all works out. I do believe it could stand up to some time in the cellar but it isn't necessary.

2/16/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Good QPR - very accessible and friendly California cab. Some complexity primarily on the nose not following through on the palate as much. I liked this but it certainly doesn't represent this winery's more expressive entries as in the house style - nor do I think it is very "Rutherfordy" - dusty, dry. But, still quite reasonable.

2/7/2011 - bdufton wrote:

Loved this as always. Nice plum (black fruits too) and mint on the nose. Although the tannins aren't as soft as I remember the last bottle being, there was sufficient fruit on the palate and a good finish. This is almost austere and probably needs some more time to unfold. But, decanted for an hour or so and loved it.
Just read through some of the earlier notes and i concur with whoever mention the Bordeaux qualities of this wine.

1/18/2011 - bdufton wrote:

This was enjoyed with friends and we were all surprised at its continuing liveliness and depth. Still some backbone but fading fast, I'd say. Bought at auction so not sure what the MSRP is but I'd bet its got a good QPR.

1/9/2011 - bdufton wrote:

First wiff and i I knew it would just be too overwhelming for the type of pinot I appreciate. Big fruit, lots of character but just too heavy and syrupy. Maybe another timer and place would have created a different impression. Disappointed.