8/10/2013 - dynowine Likes this wine:

Delicious low-acid medium-alcohol yet well-balanced earthy minerally smoky and dark (black) fruit wine with notes of garden floral and some ripe veggies - great for people with acid reflux who seek a wine they can drink with a flavorful meal. Like a warm and interesting friend on a Summer evening - you enjoy listening to them but don't sense any rough edges. Would pair great with heartier but not over-the-top pasta herbal veggie dishes with or without meat. The wine brings out the Corvina and Rondinella and drinks much like a mid-range Valpolicella. 90 points for balance, complexity, and pleasure from the nose through mid-palate and finish. Acid lower, body medium high, tannins medium or lower. 13.5% abv. Very good QPR at about USD15. I will buy again. Drink now.

7/5/2013 - dynowine wrote:

Peppery, well-integrated. even complex tasty medium-bodied Syrah with chewy black and blue fruit; would pair nicely with thinly-sliced slightly spicy sauteed strips of beef, or a maybe an herbal whole wheat pasta with a light red sauce. Ready-to-drink now, probably best through 2014-2016, depending on storage temp. Pop and pour, held up well after an hour at room temp. Color is ruby-purple in bright light. Aroma strong and pleasant with notes of pepper, mint-family herbs, and hints of menthol, minty tobacco, bit of leather. In the mouth peppery on the attack with chewy deep fruit (succulent black-and blueberry and notes of pomegranate and dark cherry). Very long finish with persistent black-blue fruit (blackberry-boysenberry), not bitter in the finish, not oaky. Dry to slightly off-Dry. Medium body, medium-low acid, medium tannin. Vine and wine stats: Aged 12 mo in SS & French Oak, 450 ft MSL, Clones 877 and Estrella, pH 3.55, acidity 5.5 g/l. Abv 14.5%. I would buy this wine. Well done.

3/24/2013 - dynowine wrote:

Delicious at the front but veers off in the finish. Nose of barnyard (herbs/dried leaves); in the mouth rich slightly spicy almost-candied dark cherry/blackberry core; finishes oakey and slightly sweet with a touch of bitterness that overreaches. 70% grenache/30% carignan.

3/24/2013 - dynowine Likes this wine:

Well balanced and decent flavor and lower acid than I expected. Tasted from a preservation machine at 57 deg F. Round gentle aroma of cooling sea mineral, old tea leaves and flowers in the nose; chewy mineral and old dried leaves, fruit (ctirus), and some spice mid-palate; finishes with a not-strong baked citrus (lemon and mandarin) flavor.

3/24/2013 - dynowine wrote:

Interesting and elegant Albarino with an eclectic mix of not-strong aromas and tastes. Dusty mineral, flower pollen and tea leaf nose; chewy not sweet "grapefruit cake" and green tea leaf mid palate; slightly bitter finish with a slight lemon acid bite fading.

3/24/2013 - dynowine Likes this wine:

My notes differ from others ... Tasted at 57 deg from a preservation machine. Delightful and obvious grassy-passion fruit and white floral nose; same in mid-palate with addition of green tea, and smooth in the mouth; steady through the finish. Not complex but well made. Medium body, medium acid for a white. 13% abv is also nice. Great value in my opinion.

9/15/2012 - dynowine wrote:

After about 24 hours open at 57 deg F; Light sea-spray spice nose; peppery cherry and cola palate, earthy herbal and oaky finish. Delightful. Would buy this wine if I could get it into this state before serving to intimate dinner guests. Would pair great with mildly spiced thinly sliced meats perhaps steak, and veggies. Like a delightful intellectual yet romantic date on a cool summer evening with a well-educated woman with some interesting curves to spice up the evening. Hmmm. Am I fantasizing or what.

9/15/2012 - dynowine wrote:

After 24 hours open at 59 deg F ... perfumed bath soap (pleasant not off putting at all) infused with herbal elements, deep rich well-integrated blackberry-black cherry fruit with well-integrated oak notes and somewhat strong mineral tendencies, a lively lifted finish. This wine seemed at its peak for the day-open state and would impress guests that paid even a little attention to its rich and mature state. Drinks like listening to an elder statesman recount his/her experiences in a 45 min speech of place very different than home. Just wonderful.

8/15/2012 - dynowine wrote:

This rose wine is excellent, has great balance and even somewhat complex. Leans to the heavier "berry" side of the rose spectrum, but light enough and almost airy and lives in the tension "between" a white and red rose. Would be good with most lighter summer foods. Best served 45 to 50 after a day improved considerably by opening and storing vacuum corked in the fridge. Across nose, attack, mid-palate, and finish presents a well-balanced mix of fruit (leans citrus with stone fruit notes and some berry), almost salt more than stone minerals, chewy savory herbal notes, and a touch of warm spices. Not slick or bitter at all. 12.5% abv (good!). 70% grenache, 30% cinsault. Medium or longer finish. Body medium for rose, acid medium or lower.Excellent QPR for price as tested, USD 12. I will be buying more.

7/26/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Well balanced and sufficently complex dry southern French white. Paired well with chicken-lentil-veggie-mushroom summer salad. Improves with air time - recommend pouring into clean empty 20-oz soda bottle and letting sit 12 to 18 hours in the fridge. Delicious around 50 F. Attractive chaulky floral baby powder nose with hints of tropical brown spices (more nutmeg or cinnamon) ; attacks with riesling-like minerality and in the mouth has a chewy rich not too slick deep almost savory fruit (pear with notes of limey citrus and quince) with a touch of carmelized meat, tartness, and warm spices (cinnamon- or cardamom-like), all reflecting the nose; finishes with lingering spicy fruit. 13.5% abv, Body medium, acid medium. 45% Viognier, 45% Muscat, 5% Marsanne, 5% Grenche Blanc. Definitely will buy again, I like these complex blends from the Sud.

7/14/2012 - dynowine wrote:

A delightful strong but balanced warm-region wine from the Languedoc that has a rustic flair in the positive sense. Excellent balance and fruit and chewy steely almost dusty mineral and perfumey herbs. Could pair well with lamb or veggies with slightly warming spices, or perhaps with lighter bbq sauce fare. Bought 5 bottles of this vintage. Cool spice and mineral nose with hint of dark fruit; in the mouth rich dark fruit (dark cherry, black plum, black raspberry or blackberry) with ribbons of sourness, herbs, and mineral winding through the palate, slightly warm, followed by a medium to short finish of elements from the mid-palate. 14% abv. Grenache Carignan blend. Body medium plus Acids medium or lower, tannin medium. Excellent QPR at USD 10 as tested. Recommended.

6/24/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Nose of hint of lanolin, flowery talc, cool spice, lemon citrus; in the mouth elegant, chewy, with peppery nutmeg and citrus-pear fruit; medium length finish fading of spice and citrus. Body medium, acid medium plus. Blend of Roussane, Marsanne, Viognier, Picpoul. QPR decent at USD 28.

6/24/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Strong nose of talc, peppery-tropical spice (black pepper and perhaps cardamom), and a hint of dark fruit; the mouth a good burst of intense, layered black and red fruit in a spicy peppery envelope that intensified if you swish it. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium. Syrah-Petit sirah blend. Pretty amazing, ok QPR at USD 35. Bought a bottle.

6/14/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Technically very well-made and blended rose in a provencal style with a touch of central coast terroir, just delicious. Tested on bottle opened 6 hrs and refrigerated right away. Steady nose with almost a baby powder bouquet together with light berry and arid-climate aromatic shrubs. In the mouth supplies a rich burst of sour melon, red berry, complex warm spices, and notes of mandarin or blood orange together with minerals, and just a touch of pleasant bitterness, not sticky or bittersweet. Lingering airy and slightly warm chewy finish. 13.% abv. Grenache 50%, rolle 25%, mourvedre 20%, cinsault 5%. Body medium, acid medium or lower. Very good QPR at USD14. Bought 4 bottles.

6/2/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Drinking very well after 3 or 4 yrs in a temp-controlled cellar. Perfect for a mixed party of connoisseurs or fruit-favoring wine lovers. Reminded me of a well-blended lighter-bodied super Tuscan. Lovely dusty perfumed and floral rounded lifted black fruit nose (like a well-made N. Italian red); dusty herbal-vegetal rich and well-integrated plum-cassis palate; medium finish of same; body medium or lower, acid and tannin medium or lower. Cab Sauv. Just delightful and really good QPR at USD 12.

5/10/2012 - dynowine wrote:

After a day vacu-corked in the fridge, wine became richer and fuller in fruit, with distinct orange and tropical fruit notes in the mix, and acquired a fatty-petrol note like an Alsatian (Alsace) wine. Body medium plus, acid medium or lower. Really tasty, patience was a virtue here.

5/9/2012 - dynowine Likes this wine:

Respectfully disagree with the incomplete post below (and poor scoring). This rose is very elegant, leans to the white fruit side of the rose spectrum. Delicate aroma not unlike a light thyme and tarragon with mineral peach and melon notes. Round, smooth, and consistent in the mouth from attack through the finish, with light melon-strawberry fruit, some mineral, and a slight acid lift. Body medium or lower, acid medium or lower. Very good QPR at USD 10. Likely to buy again.

5/8/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Based on what little I know of White Malvasia, this seems to be an excellent expression of the grape, I was very surprised to learn it was from California. Borrowing from below - Lift and airiness of a Sancerre, flavor intensity of a light Gewurz. Lite and airy, yet white floral-honey-lemon-peach fruity, a pretty wine, steady from nose through palate and finish. Malvasia Bianca. 13% abv. Body light, acid medium. Very good QPR at USD 13. I may buy another.

5/7/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Pop and pour at room temp. Broader and deeper with air time. Elegant, consistent, white rhone blend that would pair wonderfully with a range of high-toned herbs provencal dishes (my pairing was arugula, diced chicken and feta, crimini mushrooms, spicy extra virgin olive oil, thyme). Also did well with tahini-honey-majoram mixed in a dollop. Light but steady slightly sweet pear-honey-citrus and mineral nose. Delightful smooth almost slick pear-honey-citrus (leans to lemon) palate with mineral notes and a touch of warm spices, a bit of warmth, and a fading bittersweet honey finish. 100% picpoul de pinet. Approx 13% abv. Body medium plus, acid medium or lower. Very good QPR at USD 10. Will buy again if I see it.

5/4/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Pair this one with something featuring dark-chocolate cream and rich cherry fruit. Very rich about a hour after opening. Almost madeira-like, drink now. Deep rich boysenberry, cherry, blackberry concentrated like a syrup but not cloying - it wears it well - with deep woodsy base notes without pine or menthol. Medium finish of same elements. Heavy body, low to moderate acid. 14.5% abv, 100% mourvedre. Residual sugar 146 g/l. Would buy again. QPR fair at USD 45.

4/9/2012 - dynowine Likes this wine:

Pop and pour at 65 deg F. Not quite a 90-pointer but held-up well 3+ days in the fridge and kept my interest. Somewhat complex and a bit muscular, earthy, and almost waxy textured white with nice balance and interest. Drink now but might be able to age a few years. Lemon citrus and fermented pear with hint of christmas spice nose; fermented pear, citrus, and hints-of-honey waxy-creamy slightly acidic and hint of bitterness palate; short finish of same elements with hints of bitter nuts. 13.5% abv. Body medium plus, acid medium. 46% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 12% Roussanne, 10% Picpoul, 7% Viognier, 5% Terret. Good QPR at USD 13.

3/31/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Fabulous after a couple days vacu-corked in the fridge. The last 1/3 of the bottle was to die for at 45 deg F. Rich fruity earthy savory minerally. Guess this means it might age well.

3/30/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Pop and pour at 65 deg F. Seemed Best after about an hour decant. Increased intensity of expression of the elements, including fruit, after 24 hrs vacu-corked in fridge, with short but fairly intense finish. More a food wine than a sipper, could stand up to hearty meat and pasta dishes; still, has some complexity and muscularity. Steady persistent dusty peppery metallic somewhat lifted dark fruit nose; Bright intense sour layered fruit (cherry, plum, blackberry-cassis), notable mineral, some oak, peppery spice, and bitter notes palate; Warm finish with intense fruit, some bittersweet ribbons, spice. Took off two points for insufficient "lift" moving into the finish - seemed to fall off from the mid palate too soon when transitioning into the not-long finish. 78% Cab sauv, 7% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. 13.5% abv. Body medium plus, acid medium, tannin medium. QPR ok at USD 30. Might buy again.

3/24/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Interesting nose of poultry, stony mineral, fruit, and just a hint of petrol; in the mouth slightly sweet fruit (pear-quince), herb tea (someone said camomile) moving into a light syrup-like finish with steady glycerin. 12.5% abv. Off-dry or slightly sweeter. Body medium minus, acid medium minus. Fascinating to taste old vouvray. Price as tested USD 50.

3/24/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Alluring nose of honey-floral, citrus (lemon), hints of stone; in the mouth a steady foundation of light lemon-lime citrus topped by fruit highlights of pureed pear-quince and perhaps apricot and fermented pear, accompanied by salty mineral; finish lingers as it moves from fruit into salty mineral and spice. Body medium, acid lower. Just fabulous. Price as tested USD 85.

3/20/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Elegant and delicious after 2 days vacu-vind in the fridge. Persistent light-to-medium Lemon, mineral nose; well-proportioned pear, grapefruit, citrus pith, dried leaves palate; medium length finish of fruit transitioning to a nut flavor. Excellent QPR at tested USD 13

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Centered steady lemon mineral sage nose; mild citrus grapefruit with mild wet fig and waxy-fatty notes palate; lightly bittersweet medium finish and a delightful aftertaste. Body light-to-medium, acid medium or lower. Sauv blanc, semillon blend. Decent QPR as tested USD 22.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Intense warm spice perfumey-floral steady nose; intense tightly layered sour red berry fruit with almost gritty earth and stone tied with slightly bitter ribbons palate; medium finish in balance of elements from the mouth. May be better in 3+ yrs when fruit starts to unwind. Body medium plus, tannin medium plus, acid medium plus. Price as tested USD 100.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Steady oaky warm spicy berry tart nose; savory mineral almost salty-smoky slightly fruity with hint of beef blood palate; savory mineral light fruit with notes of salt-smoke medium plus finish. Body medium, Tannin medium plus, acid medium plus. Either fruit is tightly wound (in a sleeping phase) or low, if latter not sure how this will age. Still a good wine even now. USD 119 as tested.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Subtle beautiful perfumed warm spice and menthol/mint (cedar?) nose; dark slightly sour berry fruit (blackberry-raspberry, perhaps cherry) with notes of nuts, hints of smoke, hints of mandarin orange, hints of old dried herbs palate; smoky slightly bittersweet medium to long finish. Body medium or lower, acid medium or lower, tannin medium or lower. Can drink now. USD 150 as tested.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Lifted, fruit, spice, perfumy floral, organic volatiles nose; balanced, savory, neither sweet nor sour slightly astringent fruit (Blackberry-cassis, cherry-pomegranate) with salty mineral, dried herbs (old parsley) and fruit in a medium-to-short finish. Body medium, tannin medium or lower, acid medium or lower.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Dark intense purple color; Nail polish, intense dark fruit, slightly sweet nose; intense layered fruit (blackberry and blueberry-pomegranate) with slightly chewy dried old herbs, stony mineral, and light smoke palate; medium plus finish with balance of same elements and touch of bitterness. Body medium plus, acid medium, tannin medium plus. Very nice wine.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Cooling spicy lifted fruit and floral nose; almost candied intense tight but layered slightly sour fruit (cherry) (almost like fruit tart with little sugar) palate in balance with dirt and herbs, fruit notes, astringent tannins and soy sauce in a warm finish. Body medium plus, acid medium, tannin medium plus. Needs 3-5 yrs but you can enjoy it now.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Steady intense peppery spice and dark berry with hints of nail polish and perfume-floral nose; sour savory fruit (cassis, perhaps cherry) with savory almost beef blood and dried old herb palate (someone said hay); long finish hinting of wet steel (metal mineral) in balance with fruit transitioning to savory notes, dried herbs, and hint of bitterness. Body medium, tannin medium, acid medium or lower. Elegant balanced and well-put together. No comment on QPR at USD 549.

3/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

K&L Best of Bordeaux Tasting 17-Mar-2012: Superb representation of what it is and best among 5 others tested at a Bordeaux tasting. Firm balanced enveloping nose with good proportion among white peppery spice, dark fruit, and mineral; Slightly dry, grippy balanced chewy palate with everything in right proportion, noted smoke stone oak and complex spice on a base of savory and sour dark berry fruit (blackberry-cassis, maybe blueberry-pomegranate also) continuing into a lingering finish of same. 78% cab sauv, 10% merlot, 12% cab franc (per Jeff Leve below). Body med plus, Acid medium, tannin med plus. Needs more years but excellent now (tannins still a bit high). At USD 200. can't really comment on the QPR.

2/18/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Twist and pour, Tested at 50 deg F. Fruit began to strengthen with bottle-air time. Citrus-mineral aroma. In the mouth a bit heavy with slightly glycerin-coated slightly sour light fruit (grapefruit, tropical fruit and maybe mandarin orange) with bits of over-fermented oranges, grassiness, and stone moving into the finish. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Body medium, acid medium (or lower). 12.5% abv. Drink now. Good QPR at USD 13.

2/8/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Consistent performance - held up well vacu-vind over 3 days. Pair with breakfast fare such as parsley-basil mild cheese omelettes and related lighter fare. Could pair well with lighter fruits. Smooth and consistent taste in this sauvignon-semillon blend, with a only slightly sour earthy-waxy (lanolin?) mineral honey fig citrus (grapefruit) taste. Good for sipping and consistent although not a compelling blend. Moderate finish of same. Balanced, Would be even better with a fraction of a floral slightly lifted white perhaps white malvasia or maybe a bit of vouvray or anjou chenin blanc. Sauvignon blanc, semillon, muscadelle. 12% abv (hurray!). Body medium, acid medium. Good to very good QPR at USD 10.

2/8/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Good food wine, pair with moderately herbal and slightly spicy lighter fare and heavier salads. Sharper cut to this sauvignon blanc, with a somewhat sour mineral citrus (grapefruit) taste good for cleansing the palate and cutting through expressive food. Not much tropical fruit in the mix. Moderate finish of same. Although balanced, Would be better balanced and complex if blended with a fraction of Semillon and Muscadelle or other floral and waxy smooth white. 100% sauvignon blanc. 12.5% abv. Body medium, acid medium or higher. Decent QPR at USD 10.

2/8/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Tested various times, best after vacu-vin in the fridge for 48 hrs (might be better after a few years). Steely fresh mineral and slighty spicy fruit on the nose. In the mouth deep balanced spicy intense neither sweet nor sour dark fruit and steely mineral and hints of bitterness. Dark cherry and pomegranate fruit. No obvious flaws. Finish features echoes of fruit and the steely mineral and a chocolate taste. 14.5% abv. 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah. Body medium plus, acid and tannin medium plus. Good QPR at USD 15. Still, somewhat over the top, sorry, not a 93 point wine.

2/1/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Needed a day vacu-corked in the fridge to come alive, would guess 1 hr decant at room temp. Attractive rhone aroma and taste and no obvious flaws. Dusty herbal fruit on the noise and delightful and well-balanced in the mouth with dark red berries, some vegetal and herb, slightly salty stone, and some light spice (pepper). Medium finish of the same. 70% grenache, 25% syrah, 5% cinsault. 14.5% abv. Body medium or slightly higher, acid and tannin medium minus. Excellent QPR at USD13. Will buy again.

1/20/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Delightful, ready to drink now, needs about an hour air time, or shake the bottle and wait 30 min. Aromas of berries and wild herb, in the mouth a balance of deep not excessive red and dark berry, stone fruit (agree with dark plum below), vegetal, and light mineral (mix of stone and salty mineral). Medium finish. 100% cab franc. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium or lower. Very good QPR at USD 17.

1/17/2012 - dynowine wrote:

I should know better than to buy wine without asking somebody, checking CellarTracker, or tasting it first.

1/14/2012 - dynowine wrote:

Needs a day vacu-vin time. This variety Nielluccio would be much better as part of a blend with a richer rose e.g. merlot (saignée method). Pop and pour at room temp, then aged one day vacu-vin in fridge. Powdery floral strawberry almost bittersweet nose on opening (my nose is off however). Sharp "bite" on entry with glycerin and a balanced salty tart citrus and white melon rind flavor. After 24 hrs fruit strengthened a bit with better balance with flavors of water veggie (cucumber), tart citrus (more lemon than orange), watermelon rind. Steady into the finish with a hint of bitterness, not unlike a citrus-flavored vodka. 100% Nielluccio. 13.5% abv. Body medium, acid medium (for a rose). OK QPR at USD 18. Needs blending.

10/13/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Pop and pour at 70 deg F - ready to drink now. Nose is very nice - smooth elegant dusty fruity (cherry) with warm mild peppery spice. In the mouth balanced and well knit-together with roughly equal proportions of savory herbal notes, hints of metal-mineral, and red fruit (e.g. cherry) and light spices. Short to medium finish. 13% abv. Body medium minus, acid and tannin medium or medium minus. Very good QPR as tested USD 13.

10/11/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Tested on well-aired bottle, about 2 hrs, but ready to go as pop-and-pour too. Pleasurable, well-balanced, well-integrated, nicely textured, slightly airy wine with distinctive mineral, metal, and slightly sour intense rich fruit (cherry, raspberry seemed to grow dominant) balanced against almost-metallic mineral and cedar-peppery spices and savory notes. Fruit intensity deepened with air time. Consistent performance both with air time and from nose through attack and mid-palate and into the finish, yet added some heft and complexity with air. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium. 14.5% abv. 40% Grenache, 40% Cab sauv, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah (to be verified). QPR very good at USD20 - I bought two more bottles. Maybe even 91 pts.

10/5/2011 - dynowine wrote:

A delightful eye-opening refreshing sauv blanc - perky, lifted, fruity, and sharp, can cleanse the palate, but enough in balance and not too loud in any channel. Tested after 6 hrs opened and cooled to 42 deg F. Nose of grassy citrus and hints of tropical fruit. In the mouth slightly sour, delightfully sharp fruit (grassy lime and tropical slightly sweet fruit e.g. passionfruit) with a distinctive grassy finish with acid afterglow (as in prior years). Seemed to pair well with chewy whole wheat pasta and sharp feta ... last year dry-roasted almonds worked well. Dryish. Body medium, acid medium plus. Very good QPR at USD 8. I'll race you to store to clean up the remaining bottles.

10/1/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Update - this wine, after stored in the fridge about 3 days, was just delicious, it integrated much better and the slick bitterness seemed to transition away into a rich heavy mantle of herb and spice and metal around the fruit. Really good, but you might have to wait for it to knit together in the fridge.

10/1/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Try this Merlot with roasted Carneros. Not the appellation, silly, the animal. Seriously, it would pair well. Nicely textured slightly smoky, herbaceous wine with (some said) rhubarb and dark berry fruit (blackberry, dark cherry). Merlot. 14.3%. Body medium or higher, acid medium, tannin medium. Reasonable QPR at USD28.

10/1/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Well, take that, Paul Giamatti. Merlot rules again. Tested on well-aired bottle, 3+ hrs. Well-integrated aroma with sweet dusty floral, dark fruit, hints of salty mineral. In the mouth a warm spicy burst of smooth rich dark fruit overlaying lower notes of chocolate, coffee that all move into a warm finish. Merlot. 14.3% abv. Body medium plus, acid medium, tannin medium. Delicious but getting pricey at USD 48.

10/1/2011 - dynowine wrote:

Tested on well-aired bottle, 3+ hrs. Soft alluring aroma of nail polish, dusty floral, cocoa powder - almost a like a central-Italian wine. In the mouth a rich burst of chewy textured deep neither sweet nor sour dark fruit balancing a smokiness and mineral. Medium lingering warmish finish. Cab sauv. 14.3% abv. Body medium plus, acid medium, tannin medium. Tested at USD80.