2/13/2017 - etherscreen wrote:

This is on an accelerated aging curve. Drink up.

2/13/2017 - etherscreen wrote:

QPR simply does not get better than this. Bramble patch and earth. Cohesive structure. Just lovely.

12/26/2016 - etherscreen wrote:

Provided plenty of satisfaction now, but still very young. Hold.

12/7/2016 - etherscreen wrote:

amazing qpr.

8/13/2016 - etherscreen Likes this wine:

Simply sublime. This wine wants for nothing. It delivers all one could ask for and then some. The best domestic chard I've consumed.

12/24/2015 - etherscreen wrote:

Nose of bramble patch, clove, cocoa powder, and lavender. Decadently rich on the palate with a big dollop of cassis. Notes of cedar emerge. A wine of great intensity, without being heavy. Loads of fruit without being cloying. Tannin and oak emerge on the finish. Overall a lovely, if not a bit flamboyant, effort.

12/20/2015 - etherscreen wrote:

I see what the fuss is all about. For $60, you'd be hard pressed to find a similar level of quality. For me, however, this was more fruit forward and honestly a bit hot. I was a bit surprised by this, as I'm such a huge fan of Myriad. The balance that he achieves at the level of ripeness with those wines is amazing.

1/18/2014 - etherscreen wrote:

There are so few data points on this wine, I believed this would be a worthy, although perhaps unexpected, contribution.

I followed the winery's instructions, giving this a 24 hour double decant.

The nose is a bit monolithic showing of dark fruits and oak elements of cocoa powder, spice, and graham cracker. There is a background herbal component as well. There is not, however, a sort of three dimensionalism that I associate with more complex wines.

This walks the line with ripeness for me. I can only equate this to many '07 cali cabs showing a similar characteristic. It seems to fade over time, however. Full mouthfeel, just shy of syrupy. There is a touch of etoh. Is it elegant? Not really? Is it noble? Nope. Is there a defining characteristic other than being well made that makes this worthy of the price of admission? Sorry.

Frankly, I'm at a loss here. The pedigree is obviously second to none. The enthusiasm from those with palates I deeply respect, I cannot explain. Let me be clear, that this is a flawless and very well constructed wine. Many folks will derive great pleasure from this. At the same time, it is not a distinctive wine, and it is one that would easily disappear in a sea of those similar to it.

I anxiously await the thoughts of those who've also tried it.

10/29/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

Interesting showing for this bottle. At first sip this was interesting, yet after minutes, it recoiled into a shell shocked state. I came back about 30 min later and it had already blossomed.

Complex nose of red fruits, tea, thyme, white flowers, and jasmine. Light in the mouth with a slightly sappy quality to the fruit. A crushed shell like minerality in the mouth. A wine that makes you think. Lacking some acid, but not flabby. I have no doubt that this will be fantastic in some years time, but worth a look now if you're unsure what AT is all about.

While this was good, I much prefer the ceras as this point.

10/21/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

oh my has this changed...for the worse.

boring nose of cherries and oak that is nearly indistinguishable from an $20 grocery store pinot. the acid in this wine has really fallen off in the past year. finish is clipped. this is not what copain is about.

10/17/2013 - etherscreen Likes this wine:

an integrated, yet somewhat shy, nose of bright red fruits, tar, and flowers. nose carries to the mouth. good richness and minerals in the mouth. wood present. balanced acid. drying tannins on the finish. will revisit tomorrow.

10/13/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

DCWINO's note was spot on. no need to duplicate.

this was terrific - the minerality juxtaposed on the sappy red fruits was to die for. paired quite well with a waygu hanger. need to find more.

10/1/2013 - etherscreen Likes this wine:

day 1 disjointed. cork replaced and returned to the cellar.

day 2 - what an evolution. smokey dark fruits with some earth and wood. good palate coverage for a wine of this cost, but certainly does not offer the saturation to be found in clio. a very nice midweek wine, but be sure to open it the day before.

9/29/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

fruit is receding a bit to reveal quite a delicious bottle of cali cab. plenty of earth, a touch of herb, some cassis all wrapped up in a feminine package. very pretty and very delightful on this evening. throwing quite a bit of sediment, so either filter or stand this up for a few days prior to serving. a stellar qpr.

9/22/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

at $15 what's not to like? missing the structure, complexity, and power of clio, but among the most enjoyable bottles i've had in the price range in quite a long time.

9/17/2013 - etherscreen Likes this wine:

Its only almost true that change is the only constant. With the departure of Paul Hobbs, it is now Philippe Melka at the helm as head winemaker at Fairchild. While his input into the 2010 vintage was minor, one can detect a subtle shift from the ways of old guard. In light of this, the sheer brilliance of these wines is a constant that truly remains unchanged.

Dark raspberries resonate as the predominant fruit on the nose. This is accented by florals, dark chocolate shavings, and a trace of blue fruit. At first, there is an herbal element I've not encountered in other vintages, but after a few hours this component dissipated and the Sigaro minerality emerged in spades. More expansive in the mouth than in years past. A bit more power and slightly grippier tannins, but this vintage still echoes the exquisite balance, sophistication, and precision that I've come to expect. The expansive finish brings forth the dirt and minerals I love about this site. And along with this, is a lingering aftertaste of freshly picked mixed berries.

I've always viewed Sigaro as an older, ever so slightly understated nobleman. The 2010 Fairchild Sigaro Cabernet more closely resembles his eldest son. Still cut from the same cloth, however he's a bit more vivacious, cunning, and powerful. And unlike his father, he's not afraid to show it. As I allowed the wine to evolve over the evening, this son began to follow in the footsteps of those that came before him. In sum, this is a killer bottle of wine! Anyone who's followed Sigaro will be delighted to add this to his or her cellar, and those new to it will discover a new love. I am intrigued how Philippe Melka will carry Larry's vision to fruition. I am forever enchanted with the Fairchild wines.

I will buy my allocation without hesitation.

6/7/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

What can I say that I haven't said before about the utterly breathtaking wines of Larry Fairchild? Consistency, nobility, sophistication, and grace come to mind, although I'm pretty sure I've used these words many times before. Having tasted through 5 vintages of his offerings, I've come to the realization that his vision and house style speak to me on a profoundly personal level. These wines embody all I could ask for.

The 2010 Fairchild GIII hits my sweet spot once again. As always, it speaks more of its Californian roots than it's Sigaro breathern. The nose evokes a basket of freshly picked black cherries intermixed with dark chocolate, spring flowers, top soil, menthol, and a dash of cinnamon. To me this is a bit more deft on the palate than the '09. Nonetheless, the balance, focus, and noble structure I've come to expect from Fairchild is ever present. A bit more polished than in previous years, it still touts vibrant acid, decadent richness, and a spherical mouthfeel. The rich and juicy finish fans out like a peacocks tail. This was sublime with a beautiful cut of local grass fed beef tenderloin.

Once again, Larry Fairchild and co. have crafted a wine that delivers all I could ever ask for in a California cabernet sauvignon. In a crowded marketplace, I am sure to earmark funds as not to miss out. I remain forevermore a Fairchild devote. These wines are that compelling.

5/18/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

killer qpr!

5/18/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

i've gone through just over a half a case of this, and sadly this was my last bottle. this particular bottle is a bit past its prime and some of the complexity has dissipated. it's still a delight to drink.

3/3/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

a little disjointed from the get go. less expressive than my last experience. it started to kick in after a few hours in the decanter. see previous note for descriptors.

hold for now.

2/23/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

chocolate covered cherries and dark berries. thick, but didn't saturate in quite the way one might expect from a wine of this density. short finish. uninspiring really.

2/17/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

another fantastic bottle. need to buy more!

2/17/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

not in an ideal place. black fruit lurking behind some nice earthy elements. hold.

2/17/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

a sure step up from the napa blend. while nothing wrong with the wine, it just didn't do it for me. not sure why.

nose of strong eucalyptus, brown sugar, and black fruit in the background. full body with saturating mouthfeel. good balance. improved with air. didn't really take notes, so this is from memory.

2/4/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

this arrived two weeks ago. i'm going to blame this showing on my impatient nature of not allowing it a solid period of rest following cross country transit. no score will be given, as i find it may be unfair to the potential of this wine.

nose of cassis, eucalyptus, bay leaf, and oak. lacks some body in the mouth for a cab of this level. oak is a bit rough. alcohol pokes through a bit on the tail. i'll revisit in a few weeks.

1/31/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

i've had a variety of kutch wines across various vintages from '04 to '09, and i just do not understand the hype. i can't help but wonder if there's not an element of group think.

you can't water down a wine and instantly proclaim its elegant or burgundian. seriously, i'm an avid fan of elegance, grace, and poise (i love the littorai from this same vineyard). this wine doesn't embody any of those characteristics - just watered down generic cali pinot.

nose of red delicious apple skins, cloves, chocolate mint, red berries, and a pleasant herbaceousness. dilute, but in a non-elegant way. more of a watered down sensation in both taste and mouthfeel. considering its components, it is a balanced wine. if anything, it could use a bit more acid. finishes sweet with a bit of a mineral kick.

2 hours later - the wine has evolved little, however the level of concentration has picked up. 84 to start. 89 now.

4 hours later - the nose has picked up some additional complexity of lavender and thyme. the acid is amped up a bit as well. this has transformed into something much better than i previously described, although i still take issue with the watered down mouthfeel. 91.

if you open this now, open it a good several hours in advance to get the best experience.

1/29/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

It wasn't the best setting to take a note, so this is from memory. Fortunately this wine will be imprinted on my brain for a very long time.

Slow ox'd over night and decanted 4 hours before consumption.

This is one of those bottles that floored me from the get go. Nose of blackberry, cassis, violets, and earth. Grabs you and commands your total attention. So saturated and smooth - velvet like. Poised and just perfectly shaped in the mouth. Welcomes food. Rich with a full body. Exquisite balance. Finish that echoes the entire package that goes on and on. This is one of the best wines I've had in quite a while.

While I had originally thought I wasn't going to buy this vintage due to the pricing, two things changed:

1. Lou dropped the price from what was originally on their website before login.

2. I drank this wine.

Wow!

1/29/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

this wine is such a ridiculous value. intense nose of black fruits, smoked meats, and herbs. this has a surprisingly nice freshness about it. silky texture. plush. good concentration and balance. drinks quite well out of the gate and softens up a bit with a few hours in the decanter. this is a large scale wine with lots to say. if you're up to the task, you'll be well rewarded. those looking for subtlety and elegance, move on. i have no idea how this will age, but there is such pleasure to be had in its youth i have to ask why bother?

1/23/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

light florals, hazelnuts, minerals, figs, and citrus. this is dialed back a bit from '10 and appears to have less oak influence. i love that the fruit isn't center stage here, but rather a part of the whole. soft in the mouth, but the acid sneaks up. finishes with a prominent minerality that echoes for quite some time. i'm delighted they're continuing their chard program.

1/22/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

nose of hibicus, rose pedal, dark cherry, and black tea. the deepest and richest pinot in the group. also the silkiest. medium body. good acid keeps everything in balance. dark red fruits, minerals, and tea leaves carry out on the finish. along with the rest of the line up there is more elegance this vintage compared to '09 and '10. while i love the sonoma coast for its sheer value, this is my favorite among the svds.

1/19/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

off the bat this trumps the '09. deep nose of cassis, dark red fruits, vanilla, herbs, and high quality oak. dust. seamless and plush, full bodied mouthfeel. so easy to drink now. the sluttiness of the '08 is again apparent along with a strong earthy component. so decadent, so delicious, so great against cabs in the sub $100 market.

1/19/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

night one: shut down pretty tightly. tannic. replaced the cork and stored at cellar temperature for 24 hours.

night two: much more approachable. nose of raspberries, raisons, white pepper, menthol and a strong garrigue component. in the mouth, this is not overly fruity or too ripe. full body and rich, although not to the same degree as the upper level cuvees in the region. good freshness. the alcohol does not stick out despite the fact its 16%. minerals come to the fore in the mouth and on the finish. in all, i appreciate the balance and what it brings to the table. it's no show stopper, but it delivers just what you'd expect and maybe a little more. the more i drink this, the more i'm really beginning to dig it.

1/14/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

opens with pomegranate, cranberries, sassafras, and autumn leaves. more elegant in the mouth than last year. sojourn soft and creamy. picks up orange peel and minerals in the mouth. a little rounder and less structured than the gaps crown. very nice red fruited finish.

1/12/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

deep purple. violets, dark chocolate, caramel, cassis, and blueberries on the nose. this has the purest nose of any vintage i've had of this wine. silky and graceful in the mouth with plenty of concentration. richness intensifies over several hours. mineral infused blueberries lead the finish. more refined than the '09 and hands down the best home ranch cab yet!

1/10/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

really nice complexity on the nose consisting of allspice, orange peel, menthol, and a basket of dark red cherries. airtime adds some molasses and herbs. signature creaminess in the mouth well supported by its acid, which seems to build the longer it sits in the mouth. in line with the rest of the pinots tasted, this is well balanced on a medium frame. minerally finish with red fruits plus the additional of the flavor of red apple skins. probably a little more graceful than the '10. very nice.

1/9/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

strawberry, watermelon, kitchen spices, toasty oak, with a hint of peat moss. the longer this is open, the deeper the nose becomes. initially a more defined acid spine than i recall in the '09 or '10, but this tones down with some air. juicy and lush in the mouth. nothing showy. nothing out of place. just a very well balanced wine that begs to be consumed with a filet of fatty salmon.

1/7/2013 - etherscreen wrote:

simply delicious and a bargain! strawberries, roses, and herbs. great acidity. prominent tannin, but far from punishing. in fact, with a fatty meal or some cheese, it's not a issue. continued to improve over the 2 hours it was open. i'm buying more.

12/31/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

took a few hours to really shine, but when it did....whoa! while i'm not a typical drinker of the s. rhone, this is utterly profound! immense complexity of soil, minerals, dark fruit, herbs, and grilled meats. seamless in the mouth. ripe, but never pruney or hot. nice dose of acid that is almost in complete contradiction to the level of ripeness to the fruit. great intensity and richness on the palate. finishes with dark fruits and dirt. very happy to have another bottle resting.

12/28/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

roses, tar, black tea, minerals, dirt, and cherries. awesome mouthfeel - so cohesive, so balanced. nice hit of acid. tannins are powdery and clearly present, but far from punishing. although a little tight, the level of refinement and quality here is obvious. this was an experimental bottle, and a delicious experiment it was. i am very excited to learn more about this producer.

12/24/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

utterly ridiculous. so much complexity. seamless in the mouth. and still only a glimpse of what's to come. my first cayuse. very interested to check out the rest of the portfolio.

12/19/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

not really giving up a whole lot on day 1 or 2. tart cherries. tannins more prominent on night 2. not a whole lot of interest here.

11/25/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

delicious after a few hours in the decanter. red fruits, spearmint, roses, and earth. not sure it's worth $50, but a delight to drink.

11/3/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

slow ox'd for 3 hours and decanted an additional 3 hours. not a 100 pt experience. a terrific wine no doubt, but a bit alcoholic. smoke and burning embers made it too reminiscent of a syrah.

9/27/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

not bad. plenty of minerals.

9/26/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

probably worth holding for a while yet.

9/18/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

tannic structure exceeds what fruit is left. after an hour, the balance shifts a bit towards the fruit. past prime.

9/15/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

crushed violets, cassis, subtle herbs, and mocha. typically the most feminine cab from the line up. soft and full body, but with higher acid than the proprietary blend. finishes like it began. very drinkable now with an hour of air. absolutely delicious and killer at this price point.

9/7/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

In anticipation of the '09 release on Saturday, the wife and I popped a bottle of the '08 this evening.

After a 4 hour decant, this beauty blossomed. after reading my note from april, i have to say it's nearly identical. note modified a bit. high class.

purple with a reddish hue towards the edge. nose explodes as a gorgeous perfume of spring flowers, red more than dark fruit, and chocolate with a background suggesting top soil, brown sugar, and mint to cool the throat. definitely on the feminine spectrum. a bit more coiled than my previous encounter, but still gives up plenty of the goods. fresh, ripe berries in the mouth and again the florals permeate the retro-nasal passage. what makes this wine most intriguing is that the significant floral element, and not the fruit (although lovely and not overdone), plays the lead role. well balanced. soft and silky mouthfeel. tannins a bit more pronounced than my last visit. not plush. not overoaked. not austere. discernibly rutherford, but a very pretty, poised, and graceful iteration of the area's offerings.

while so much napa cabernet is very correct within a relatively narrow confine, this is a wine that is clearly of its origin, but with a great deal of interest that positions itself in a unique way. i a very happy customer and greatly anticipating what rob greer and aaron pott will achieve in the coming years

9/6/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

complex nose of white peaches, hazelnuts, toasted marshmallow, graham, and minerals. oak is obvious, but not overdone in this context. creamy but by no means flabby. with a nearly oil-like quality in feel - not weight. acid kicks up a notch on the mineral and fruit laden finish.

9/6/2012 - etherscreen wrote:

very nice qpr for the fruit source. well done.