12/14/2020 - jlimberg Does not like this wine:

I buy this for my wife when she's entertaining novice drinkers. This chardonnay is overfinished, over oaked. Tastes like cotton candy mixed with stripper perfume.

11/24/2020 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

I cellared this magnum for a long time and was worried I possibly waited too long to open it. That certainly was not the case. Color was a deep garnet with layers of rose and rust colors on the rim. The nose was very expressive, very perfumed. Forest floor on nose with dark cooked fruit. The palate confirmed the nose. All the tannins have softened so it was immediately approachable. The palate was a little straight forward with typical merlot markers. The acidity was medium to medium plus and was very noticeable with the soft tannins. Everyone really enjoyed this magnum.

11/24/2020 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Very easy drinking and approachable now. Drink up.

11/24/2020 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Drinks beautifully right now. Not as complex as I'd prefer but a very nice Napa Chardonnay.

11/24/2020 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Despite having 18 years of age, this wine still had plenty to offer. The oak was more toasted, but it was so easy drinking. Still lively minerality with pleasant baked buttery apple notes on the back end. I'd guess that 2018 would have been a great time to open, but none the less, we really enjoyed this bottle.

11/20/2018 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Aerated and decanted for 1 hour. Robust dark fruit. Very promising to drink in 4-5 years. I will give a more detailed tasting note in future bottles.

12/28/2015 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Cellared well from magnum. Still bright in flavor. Tannins took backstage. Easy drinker

12/24/2015 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully right now. Tannins softened, but win still has a beautiful backbone. Very red and blue fruit driven, but plenty of leather and oak as well.

12/17/2015 - jlimberg wrote:

Lean, like pretty much every 2011 CA wine

12/11/2015 - jlimberg wrote:

Flawed bottle. So rare to find a dessert wine that is corked. This one was filled with volatile acidity with overwhelming nail polish remover aroma on the nose. Acidity was good and there was some candied butterscotch and apricot somewhere behind the flaws. Dissapointing.

12/11/2015 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Really drinking beautifully right now. Paired with a smoked pork tenderloin with bourbon cherry sauce. Perfect pair.

12/11/2015 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

More dark and muted than the Meredith we drank from the same vintage. Not as straight forward, but also not as complexed. Opened up nicely with time.

12/10/2013 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

By memory, the greatest bottle of champagne I have consumed

9/7/2013 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Well balanced, still showing a lot of new oak with heave cassis notes. Drinking beautifully now but would surely age at least 5 more years.

3/20/2013 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Clear, but slightly opaque, bright, deep ruby with reddish salmon rim, medium plus concentration and viscosity.
NOSE: Cassis, blueberry, brown sugar, cherry, gardenia, raspberry
PALATE: cassis, blueberry, raspberry, leather, tar.
ASSESSMENT: Med - med+ alcohol, medium acidity, medium plus tannins, medium complexity, and medlum plus finish. Deep cassis and dark fruit notes. Well balanced. No doubt this could be better with more bottle aging.

3/18/2013 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

This wine was consumed later in the evening after 3 other bottles in our group. It was perfect timing. Tannins softened, lots of expression of black and red fruit. Certainly lots of cocoa on the nose as well. Very enjoyable to drink, although it is time to consume if you have inventory.

3/18/2013 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Bright ruby with pink watery rim. Nose originally very similar to a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with cranberry, strawberry, and lots of fresh red fruit. Palate confirmed the nose. This seemed like a very straight forward wine. Luckily there was still some left after 45 minutes. Despite the wine appearing lean, it was not delicate. It opened up with amazing perfume and fresh herbal notes. This was a really fun Pinot.

12/31/2012 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Rusty Brown, cola core with copper rim; NOSE: Wet forest floor, wet leaves, raisin, shoe polish, old boot, orange peel, dried mushroom; PALATE: leather, wet leaves, tea, dried cherry, leather, old boot, dust; ALC: med, ACID: med-med+, TANNINS: med-med minus, COMPLEXITY: med+, FINISH: med. Still drank cleanly. Flavor of tea leaves was very prevalent, acidity still good but I'm sure a lot of complexity has been lost. Still a joy to drink a '61.

12/12/2012 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Cola Brown core fading to deep brick, rust, brick, salmon, copper, gold meniscus. Medium concentration and viscocity. NOSE: dust, truffle, black cherry, cassis, dry earth, tobacco leaves, dry leaves, roses, violets, raspberry, old cedar chest. PALATE: confirms nose with an additional cherry note. Medium to medium minus alcohol, medium plus acidity, Smooth tannins with a long finish. This wine changed a lot. Immediately it had a shoe polish and dusty chalk note. 20 minutes later it was very bright with surprising fruit and floral notes. 1 hour later it was very understated and fading. This wine drinks wonderfully, but I think it's at it's peak.

6/8/2012 - jlimberg Does not like this wine:

Very lean, simple and watered down. Tart fruit on attack with little to no finish. Very disappointing.

6/13/2012 - jlimberg wrote:

Drinks amazing right now. Silky tannins, supple fruit, pyrozine, tar, mushroom, old boot, wet earth. Loved it.

6/13/2012 - jlimberg wrote:

Still had balance, but fruit was gone as well as really anything on the finish. I'm sure this was wonderful in a previous life, but it had certainly declined and faded away.

2/27/2012 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Consinstent style of Tohu Pinot with a funky Burgundian nose, pale color. This vintage shows a bit more ripe red fruit in it than previous vintages. Cranberries and craisin prevalent.

2/21/2012 - jlimberg Does not like this wine:

SIGHT: pale ruby fading to layers of pink with clear rim. Medium minus concentration and viscosity. NOSE: light perfume, granite, strawberry, melted black cherry. PALATE: muted with wet rock, strawberry, mineral water, new leather, ground white pepper, bubble gum. ASSESSMENT: medium to low alcohol with medium acidity. Medium minus tannins with not much complexity or finish. This wine could have been confused with a young gamay. Nothing memorable here.

2/21/2012 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Deep garnet core, layers of crimson, brick, salmon, and orange with clear rim. Medium plus viscosity and concentration. NOSE: bramble, raspberry jam, dried prune, old boot, molasses; PALATE: confirms nose...molasses, prune, cola, allspice; ASSESSMENT: Alc: medium plus, acidity: medium; tannins: medium - medium+; Medium finish and complexity. Very lush with extremely ripe fruit. A hedonistic Zinfandel

12/2/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Purchased via auction. Low to mid-shoulder with some signs of past seepage. Cork split on opening but otherwise was solid. SIGHT: Deep cola colored core with outer layers of rust, brick, copper, salmon, gold, and a watery edge. Medium concentration and viscocity. NOSE: soy, black cherry, caramel, toffee, spice, forest floor, dried pepper, shoe polish, leather boot, wet earth. PALATE: cinnamon, dried black cherry, leather boot, dried mushroom, forest floor. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium plus acidity, medium to medium low tannins, medium plus complexity, medium plus to high finish. Amazing acidity and balance. Tannins have softtened. Still some fruit hidden behind earth notes there. This wine certainly drank well right away, but was clearly fading 30 minutes later. Drink up quickly.

11/24/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Solid Vintage Brut from J. Should improve over the next year or so

11/24/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Great way to start your party. Not much complexity here.

11/21/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Did not complete concise tasting notes. This bottle has a pleasant and perfumed nose. Fruit was bright with nice balanced acidity. Definitely a good purchase at this price point.

7/31/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Well extracted, bright vibrant deep ruby color. Nose and Palate very expressive of cranberry, strawberry, and cherry, with a hint of rhubarb. Certainly a red fruit bomb.

7/27/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Decanted 3 hours. SIGHT: clear, day bright, deep garnet core fading to layers of rust, brick, and crimson. Bright orange rim. medium concentration and viscocity. NOSE: clean, expressive, leather, truffle, saddle, cocao nibs, barnyard, shoe polish, iron, damp earth, forest floor, dried cherry, ground black pepper. PALATE: dry, leather sour cherry, dry earth, saddle. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium plus to high acidity, medium plus tannins, medium plus finish, medium to medium plus complexity. This is definitely a very good vintage for this wine. Enjoyable to drink right now, and will drink better after many years of bottle aging.

7/15/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Simple, but enjoyable rose summer wine. Fresh strawberries were dominent on nose and palate.

7/16/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Amazing bright for it's age. Nose of dried earth, pyrozine, strawberry jam, rose petals, and cassis. This aged wonderfully. The bright fruit on the palate would not suggest the age of this wine. Wish I had more.

6/22/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Decanted 1 hour. SIGHT: clear, bright, deep garnet core with layers of brick, crimson, salmon, orange, and gold. Medium concentration and viscocity., NOSE: toffee, coffee, cardemom, truffle, damp earth, mushroom, spice, candied cherry, gardenia, chocolate covered cherry. PALATE: dry earth, mushroom, truffle, coffee bean, sour cherry, damp earth. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium+ to high acidity, medium+ tannins, medium+ complexity, high finish. Massively powerful with acidity that cuts right through the dense tannins. Drinks well, but could certainly benefit from at least 5 more years bottle aging.

6/29/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Decanted 90 minutes. SIGHT: Clear, day bright, medium ruby core quickly fading to scarlet, salmon, peach, and an orange clear rim. Less than medium concentration and medium visocity. NOSE: sour cherry, spice, rusty nail, gardenia, perfumed. PALATE: dry, leather, cedar, dry earth, iron, sour cherry. ASSESSMENT: medium to medium- alcohol, medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, medium to medium+ complexity, medium+ finish. Classic Chianti Classico. Expressive perfumed note. Needs more bottle aging.

6/24/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Opaque, very deep garnet core, dark like coffee; outer rings of salmon. High concentration and viscocity. NOSE: dusty, cassis, leather, menthol, mint, blackberry, gravel, bell pepper, mushroom, dried strawberry, dark chocolate. PALATE: mushroom, mint, cassis, shoe polish, leather, cedar, bell pepper, soy, forest floor, allspice, chocolate covered cherries. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium to medium+ acidity, medium to medium+ tannins, medium+ complexity and finish.

6/29/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: Clear, bright, deep brown core fading to layers of brick and salmon. High concentration and viscocity. NOSE:clean, damp earth, leather, soy, bell pepper, barnyard, gravel, dust, cassis, dried black cherry, bramble, sawdust, toasted hazelnut, coffee saddle; PALATE: dry, cassis, soy, leather, oak, black cherry, gravel. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium plus acidity, medium tannins, high complexity and finish. Amazing acidity and balance. Fruit still evident. It's showing perfectly and can still hang on for more bottle aging.

5/15/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

SIGHT: clear, bright, medium garnet fading to lighter garnet, brick red, and an orange meniscus. Medium concentration and medium plus viscocity. NOSE: expressive ripe fruit, baked blackberry, baked raspberry, cherry pie, baking spice, dill, mushroom, saddle, leather, potpourri, soy. PALATE: dry, dried raspberry, cedar box, leather, soy, blackberry, dry dusty earth. ASSESSMENT: alc: medium, acid: medium - medium+, tannins: medium - medium+, complexity: medium - medium+, finish: medium+. This merlot aged beautifully. Someone's loss was definitely my gain.

5/14/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

SIGHT: clear, day bright, light ruby core fading to flourescent pink. Medium concentration and light viscocity. NOSE: clean, moderate, cranberry, rhubarb, tart cherry, craisin, strawberry, rose petals, gardenias. PALATE: dry, strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, tart cherry, cedar, vanilla. ASSESSMENT: alc: medium, acid: medium plus, tannins: medium - medium-, complexity: medium - medium-, finish: medium+. Extremely fruit forward, tart, lean. Very nice acidity, but no depth. A good summer red.

5/9/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Very well balanced. Very good typicity of Sonoma Zinfandel. Great with BBQ. Drinking well right now. Definitely would recommend.

5/6/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

SIGHT: Clear, bright, deep garnet fading to layers of salmon and pink. Medium viscocity and concentration. NOSE: clean. Cassis, bramble, leather, cigar box, licorice, tobacco, bell pepper, ground black pepper; PALATE: dry. Cassis, black cherry, bell pepper, leather, pencil lead. ASSESSMENT: alc: med - med+, acid: med, tannins: med - med+, complexity: med - med+, finish: med; Enjoyable wine on the nose, drinking very well right now. Finish was lacking a bit to really be memorable.

4/29/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Drank very well youthful. Lemon curd, crisp apple, briosche with well balanced acidity.

4/25/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Offered up at a party and did not have a chance to perform a full assessment. Agree with prior tasting notes of cherry and rose petal nose. Palate had nice dry earthy tones mixed with cherry and cola. Acidity, alcohol, and tannins in very good balance. Full feel in mouth.
Enjoyable. Not as Burgundian as I was expecting it to be.

4/23/2011 - jlimberg Likes this wine:

Very youthful and bright. Nice Italian style nose, iron rich, sour cherry, and some dry earth. Fresh red fruit with refreshing acidity. Drinks very well by itself, but a bit lean to be pairing with an hearty dishes.

4/22/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Still very enjoyable to drink. Nice butterscotch note on nose and palate complemented by a ripe baked apple. Smooth with a refreshing acidity. Probably drank best around 2008. Drink up if you have one in your cellar

4/18/2011 - jlimberg Does not like this wine:

Decanted to open up. SIGHT: Clear, day bright, medium to deep ruby color with pink rim. Medium plus concentration and medium viscocity. NOSE: clean and expressive. Chocolate, spice, plum, blackberry, tobacco leaf, baked cherry, cinnamon, cooked strawberry. PALATE: dry. cherry, cola, leather, chocolate, rhubarb, white pepper. ASSESSMENT: medium plus alcohol, medium acidity, medium to medium minus tannins, medium complexity and finish. Bright wine with expressive ripe fruit and new oak. This wine is hot and out of balance. It shows some traits of zinfandel with its ripe fruit and alcohol winning over acidity. This is not my type of Pinot Noir, but aside from that, it's not a well made wine. Too big and too hot.

4/15/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Burgundian in style for a CA Pinot Noir. Full in the mouth. Hotter than most Pinots.

4/7/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

SIGHT: clear, day bright, medium concentration and viscocity. Medium ruby with rose meniscus. NOSE: clean, chocolate, toffee, brown sugar, raspberry, cherry, dry earth, blackberry, blueberry; PALATE: dry, cherry, cola, leather, raspberry. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium plus acidity, medium tannins, medium complexity and finish. This was a fairly simple wine that is in good balance. Would recommend in the sub $10 category. Nothing too memerable here, though.

3/15/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Decanted for 3 hours. Lots of sediment. SIGHT: Clear, bright, brown with many layers to edge including brick, rust, copper, and gold. Medium concentration and viscocity; NOSE: soy, spice, toffee, dried mushroom, shoe polish, hazelnut, black cherry, dried cherry, dried potpourri, dusty earth, perfume, raisin, prune; PALATE: leather, cigar box, rusty nail, dried earth, baked sour cherry, perfume, hazelnut, mushroom. ASSESSMENT: medium alcohol, medium plus acidity, medium plus tannins, high complexity, medium plus finish. Very complex on the nose. Still very tannic. Acidity is nice. Enjoyed with grilled veal chop.

4/3/2011 - jlimberg wrote:

Did not write tasting notes during consumption. This wine was very rich and well balanced. Tasted at cellar temp. This wine no doubt needs much more time in the bottle. Hold for at least 5 more years.