11/4/2012 - frockaloid wrote:

surprising length and acidity. wow great effort.

2/18/2012 - frockaloid wrote:

This excellent cab was a real pleasure. exceptional balance of fruit and minerality. great finish.

10/12/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

An excellent and reasonably priced wine which has a flavor profile which is just far enough out of the ordinary.

7/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

still pretty good.

7/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

way past its prime, or never had much to start with. Vague cocoa and mushrooms on the nose; not much at all on the palate except general red wine flavor. I'm going to save the rest and cook with it.

7/3/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Excellent example of style.

6/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Simple and enjoyable. Approachable. Says "Italy". Good on a warm summer evening. ten bucks.

6/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

3 L - we didnt finish it, that should tell a lot

6/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

GAAAACK! previous bottles I've enjoyed; this one was painfully medicinal and just plain nasty. no way this was a case of "different me". and it wasnt spoiled. different barrel? I dunno.....

6/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

a little harsh.

5/9/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

Extremely solid. 94? uhhhhh, no. 91-ish. Lots of fruit on nose, just enough oak, assertive but not-harsh structure, medium finish, a bit of heat after... I'd absolutely buy again.

4/22/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Fruit bomb? Multiple reentry strategic fruit bomb, more like it. I now have a reference by which to compare any wine so labeled. Holy cow. Do not drink near open flame. +1 to Smokeshowing though; it was a pretty color.

4/21/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Its grown on me a bit.

4/17/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

good.

4/17/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

+1 to ESB.

4/17/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

This wine has continued to improve and now bears a complexity deserving of its producer. A notable layering of flavors (I'm surprised by the comments to the contrary). still does carry some some harshness from the smoke, but its in balance with the fruit. Very good.

4/5/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Lange... one of my favorite pinots. This one slightly disappointed on a relative scale, though perhaps just a bit young.

The first impression upon sipping is a distinct gamey taste/odor. This is very rapidly lost to the senses, but its distracting and if you put your glass down for several minutes then return... its still there. it did blow off a bit over the course of the evening, until it was nearly gone after several hours. I would say this single thing cost the bottle two points.

Its a powerful bottle of wine. aroma fills the air on pouring. Color darker than some pinots, and with a bit more than average body/mouthfeel. Very acidic, actually obscures the fruit a bit; could be this will soften. Again, improved over several hours. Finish is medium.

Lees in bottom of glass (a generous tablespoon!) - curious.

3/13/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Enjoyable; simple and straightforward; grassiness typical of Marlborough SB, but perhaps a bit lighter. Fruity; came off as off-dry. Light color.

3/6/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Interesting and unique proprietary blend.... presumably of grapes, but they don't say. Refreshing with full silky texture. great for 14.

3/3/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Ten bucks. 3D wine - Deep, Dense, Dark. I like it a lot; for 10, really worthy. nose is blackberries, oak, molasses, slight hint of iron. Big tannins, slightly harsh and astringent but balanced by adequate fruit. The fruity nose and body give an impression of lasting sweetness. very long finish.

3/3/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

again. at 12, great deal.

3/1/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

This is just great as an alternative to light lager beer with spicy indian food. really compliments well.

2/27/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

Excellent. Wonderful. Loved it. the 2000 has held up wonderfully, and opened into a fruity, structured, mineral, and moderately complex sip.

2/23/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

I may have inflated score a bit due to good qpr. Straightforward, fruity, leathery, deep purple wonderful syrah. Between the wine and the funny label, it came off as a breath of fresh air. The Ace Ventura, Pet Detective of Syrahs. hah

2/23/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Good, appropriate character, did not really make a strong impression. Good acidity, mouthfeel; but lacked distinctive nose or forward taste.

2/19/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

For the price, fine. absolutely perfect for a picnic on a hot day. The label spoke of fruityness, richness of flavor...... perhaps they were speaking of some other wine they make? It was very light, almost ethereal. Some flavor did come out as it warmed; and to be fair the wine was pretty good. just too light!!

2/19/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Good. Lots of minerality; balanced; good nose and finish.

2/15/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Balanced, enjoyable, not distinctive.

2/15/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Nice - strawberries on nose. did not survive night in fridge....

2/15/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Bright, bit of cork funk. Decent. not a great qpr.

2/9/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

High quality, great daily. I detect no oak, no butter, no tropicals. Light color. Nose is lemon, green apple, bit of grass. Medium body, legs. bright, clean, crisp; finish is medium-long. If this has any flaw its just that its sort of "regular". This is crying out for bacon-wrapped scallops.

2/6/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Distractingly sweet. They should put a warning label.

2/6/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Used this to make a sangria. and it was, as they say, FAAAAbulouuus (imagine someone rather... uh... alternately inclined saying this with great enthusiasm and you'll know how good it was). The wine itself was nothing to write home about. Fresh squeezed fruit, thats the key.

2/6/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

A very nice, balanced, strangely seductive Rhone. Enjoyed.

2/1/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Very deep inky purple. Literally left my tongue a deep violet blue!

Rich berry aroma. Definite chocolate note. Body is heavy, almost oily. Enjoyable. Oddly for a wine this stout I'm not sure I'd recommend it with heavy red meats; perhaps a bit too soft for that. would choose this again.

2/1/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Well.... I guess I'll chock my impression up to utter lack of sophistication or sensitivity to nuance on my own part. To me this SB was balanced, unoffensive, and more or less unremarkable and unmemorable. It was - very slightly - recognizable as an SB. It did have a pretty good mouth feel and nice finish; I'll say I'd drink it any time it was offered and that it would go well with food. I wouldnt pay 20 bucks for it again.

then again I like (*gasp*) oak-ey chardonnay, overlarge plates of fajitas, and ABBA. so there you go.

1/29/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Decent, simple. Bit more complex than the absolutely simple $6 ste michelle dry riesling for instance; does not have the depth of character by a long shot of a $14 NZ SB. Nothing off, balance just fine; good w/ food.

1/29/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

The more I drink of this, the more I like it
The oak is prominent, sherry-like

1/24/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Very enjoyable, typical Oregon Pinot. Was about $20, about right at this price point. Not quiiiite the nose I was hoping for; the dusty gravel road and brambles and raspberry fruit are there, but a tad shy. Fruit is cherries(?), berries, just the right balance with the acidity. Very bright, clean, sparkles. Plenty of flavor, but short of intense. Finish is surprisingly long and actually I think really saves this wine. Would I buy again...... mm maybe. The Ponzi is so much more wine for $25. Similar character but more of it yknowutimean?

1/22/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Not much to my taste. Astringent and harsh; not enough fruit to make much of an impression at all. Finish is long and dryyyyyyyy.
Nose was pleasant enough but unintegrated with the taste.

I usually like more restrained wines, and definitely those with structure... but this just ain't my bag

1/20/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

This is good wine. For the 10 dollar price point, surprisingly so. The neck carries a label proclaiming that the wine earned a "90" from Robert Parker.... in a font so large I think the winemaker may have fainted when he heard the news. "OMG! 90 POIN....." *thud*. I'm not RP but I dont think it deserves a '90'.

Identifiably Syrah/Grenache; which carries weight with me. As a prior poster commented, decidedly not Rhone styled. There is a bit too much astringency for my taste; but also good fruit, good and interesting nose (chocolate, licorice, molasses, dark deeds, and lust, I think.) Great body. Finish is all pucker. Comes off as talented but unfinished; a tad wild. This would handily banish a backyard ribeye slathered in melted butter and sprinkled with Maytag crumbles. (mmm!) Excuse me while I go dampen my tongue. Cheers!

1/17/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Sorry to see this last bottle go (one of my few case purchases). Very nice nose, great, long, spicy finish. (Cameron): Kirkland Signature, You're My Hero!

1/16/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

Interesting the wide range of scores this workhorse garners. For my part, I really enjoyed it; classic SB character, w/ the least touch of mustiness; lots of floral action on the nose. Taste had fruit*. Could have been just a bit more acidic; but fine. Detectable mineral elements. My largely new world experience does not tell me if this is a good example of a white burgundy. But, this is a good effort, Good QPR. Will buy again.

*I'll admit my palate is indelicate - I wouldn't know a lemony persimmon tart with kiwi from apple-honey-nectarine green tea --- its Fruit. whatever.

1/14/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

I thought this was excellent for the $6 tag. Lots of structure there, not at all flabby. Fruit was a bit scant; and a simple impression overall but for 6 great. Would go wonderfully with a burger.

1/14/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

This is a merlot, cab s., syrah, cab f. blend, mostly merlot and shows merlot character. Lots of structure. Very enjoyable.

1/11/2011 - frockaloid wrote:

Not quite exactly dry. dryish. damp. clammy?
Its a refreshing sip, bbq fare, any type. think picnic. simple, unpretentious, inexpensive. I buy a fair bit of the $6 CSMs of various flavors. everyone seems to like them.

1/9/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

big old school ... oaken cup full o butter. me like, and to heck with all you new age stainless geeks.

1/9/2011 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

very fruity merlot; very velvety tannins provide adequate structure. There's a slightly unique character... cant quite put my finger on it. I like it. Better than average, and good qpr at 12. Finish is med to long btw.

12/20/2010 - frockaloid wrote:

This superb S. Oregon Bordeaux has a seductive, powerful nose, with predominant merlot elements. Palate was full, fruity, and highly structured - should improve over several years. Decidedly pronounced acidity. This bad boy would hold up to a bacon-wrapped and pepper-crusted ribeye. One thing it did NOT do was hold up overnight; it was a $6 cab by next morning.

Very enjoyable and I feel a good deal for $24. Purchased at winery. I'm told this label is occasionally available from the local Costco at significant discount. Lucky locals. 91 on the compressed scale (91 degrees Costco).

12/20/2010 - frockaloid Likes this wine:

Excellent varietal nose with oak evident; balanced palate; if this had a flaw it is that the wine is fairly soft. Good body, tannins lasting but not overly assertive. Medium finish. Overall experience was quite enjoyable. I would definitely purchase this again if for nothing other than the distinctive merlot character. 89 on the "compressed commercialized index". 89 Degrees Costco. Whatever. Liked it.