10/17/2021 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

No longer drinkable

11/8/2020 - BUBBA DAWG Does not like this wine:

Unfortunately I have one bottle remaining and another assorted case of Maison Ilan - I've yet to open a drinkable bottle - even the bottles that are not flawed are flat and lifeless - beyond disappointing - feel foolish buying into hype on release - open-empty-flush-repeat.

4/4/2020 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

nose of ripe smoky fruits with a touch of eucalyptus - luscious black fruits on entry give way to tobacco and faint licorice notes with well resolved tannins and a med/long finish - rock solid and will age well for another 5+ years

11/29/2019 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

distinctively old world nose - cool damp slate, earthy aged black fruits -
young yet reserved and not over-extracted - deft touch from a LI winemaker producing a delicate and sophisticated wine most would mistake for a high quality pomerol - great value!

10/12/2019 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

thankfully my last bottle - way past its prime - lifeless and flabby

4/4/2019 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

deep black fruits but surprisingly still a bit hot (14.8%)

12/20/2018 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

opaque - classic big nose of black fruits and charred cedar - bountiful fruit on entry followed by rounded tannins and a mouthwatering finish - a great wine from a great vintage at an affordable price

12/4/2018 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

funky and complex fruits mixed with savory/spice - reaching end of ideal drinking window

12/3/2018 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

big, brooding but still young - needs a couple of hours in decanter to hit stride

11/28/2018 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

patience rewarded - still drinking beautifully - refined and reserved

11/21/2018 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

intoxicating black cherry nose with licorice and smoke - chewy succulent fruit on entry - lacks a bit of structure and finesse on finish - 100% PV is a bit unique but novelty only goes so far

11/15/2018 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

PNP - while I wasn't expecting much the nose had me worried and the over-extracted fruit on entry and flabby finished confirmed my concern - will let this breathe for a while in the hopes that some of this new world stank blows off - JB(98) must have tasted a different wine

4/25/2018 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

wonderful nose of black cherry and slate - vibrant on entry with ripe fruit giving way to a young but well-structured tannins that build into a powerful finish - extremely balanced for such a young wine, which should age quite well - so good it's hard to be patient - try now and save some for later

11/22/2017 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

bouquet explodes with tropical fruit and a dusty minerality - fresh and clean lime, green apple fruit with brioche undertones - full finish that lingers and builds with each sip - excellent

5/22/2017 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

a bit flabby on entry but still packing a youthful finishing kick - can't see much if any reward for holding any longer

5/22/2017 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

Bright lemon and white pepper on the nose. Clean and crisp on entry with light medium finish. A solid house white and softer summer alternative to SB.

1/28/2017 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

patience rewarded...JL/WS was too cavalier in describing this in 2008 as "88 - clunky - best between 2010-2016"

consistent with my 2013 notes but getting better - surprisingly vibrant youth wafting from glass but fruit now seamlessly resolved after 12 years - this is a straight up gem that has me smiling we stumbled upon Barnett's steep slopes and great view from atop Spring Mountain - dare i say this has at least 3-5+ years left - coveting my last 2 bottles to share with those who can truly appreciate greatness a bit off the grid

drink within 3 hours of decant or PNP

12/4/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

84? - JL/WS should have waited several more years or should revisit - this is sublime and unfortunately my last bottle of this vintage - moving on to 05

11/24/2016 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

2+ hour covered decant - wow, this just keeps getting better with every bottle i open - elements of a port wrapped in a velvety french burgundy - a real treat

10/3/2016 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

deliciously simple and yet complex - nectarine & jasmine with hints of honey and white pepper - unique in every sense

7/8/2016 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

real depth and minerality to nose reminiscent of white burgundy - lively yet restrained through mid palate - very well balanced and great mouthfeel - summer in a glass - wish i had purchased more on release as it's trading 2-3x higher now or equivalent to what one would expect a great white burgundy to cost

6/5/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

2+ years later and still going strong - needs 4+ hour decant - has developed a raisin quality that pairs marvelously with charcuterie notes - nice change of pace for discerning crowd

5/27/2016 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

more sediment than usual - clearly on decent - punching out rest of my inventory

4/29/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

mistakenly left uncorked bottle at 55F degrees for almost 36 hours - surprisingly still exhibits young fruit, vibrant tannins and a full finish - i'd recommend a good 8+ hour decant if you have the time

4/21/2016 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

additional time has not necessarily been a friend...a clear step below AC's 08 CS Reserve...a skosh over-extracted and hot (14.6% abv) for my palate...concerned that fruit/heat may not resolve in time as tannin structure has faded considerably since 2013 tasting...would consume most by 2018 and take a flier on a bottle or two after 2020...assuming that's why this is trading 20% below release price

4/14/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

not as enthusiastic as i was 2 1/2 years ago but still a solid effort and great drinking new world napa cab...surprised this has nearly doubled in price since release and can't say i'd pay current prices...diminishing returns post 2023?

4/10/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

monumental and drinking beautifully at the moment - clear WOTN against some stiff competition - 06 Blankiet, 07 Cayuse, 09 Kapcsandy, 05 O'Shaughnessy, 08 Rhys

4/9/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

deep purple hue with great clarity...expressive and layered nose of black fruits, wet earth with undertones of licorice, eucalyptus and charred cedar...explosive on entry with black cherries/blackberries giving way to mouth puckering tannins and a long finish...unique blend of new world fruit and old world style...hoping some of the tobacco/char and game funk subside with more time in glass/decanter...suprisingly complex and interesting...appears built to last but drinking very well at the moment

NOTE: became flat and lifeless after 2 days under vacuum seal - dropping to <85 pts - consume within 12-24 hours of opening

4/7/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

very pretty nose of floral and fruit...fresh and vibrant on entry with well-balanced acidity and sumptuous finish...blows away many wines at 2-3x the cost...this may become my house white for the season

1/2/2016 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

it's been a year since my last TN...still luscious but not as lusicious as i remember...may be fading, shutting down or a bottle anomaly...worth revisiting in a few months

12/28/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Does not like this wine:

quite light in appearance, nose is expressive but lifeless/flat on the palate - in a word: disappointing

on the other hand, Flowers 2013 Chard is a pleasant surprise

12/21/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

decanted 60 mins...deep violet color...blackberry jam wafting from glass with undertones of charcoal, mocha and steely minerality...fresh chewy black fruit on entry quickly suffocated by gripping tannins...needs 2-4 hour decant and probably won't hit it's stride for another 5 years...although big, bold and concentrated, there is a lightness and finesse that is appreciated...decidedly new world in style but made by deft hands expert in not over-extracting...don't waste this on fruit bomb lovers, save for friends who will appreciate this effort

Be patient as this really started to sing after 4 hour decant

11/6/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

needs 1-2 hours decant and then this sings with earthy and stewed fruit old world style...great QPR and delicious accompaniment to robust italian fare although cost appears to have increased 50% since my last tasting 24 months ago...worth finding

11/6/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

decidedly new world in style - one dimensional and a bit flat - best way to describe this is something you'd expect to order off the wine-by-the glass menu at a mediocre restaurant - not familiar with other Etude vintages but no reason to purchase this specific vintage as you can do much better for $40

10/4/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

from mag...very cloudy and strawberry in color...decanted 4 hours...vibrant fruity nose...tart on entry giving way classic fruits and medium finish...fruit restrained for new world, which i appreciate but lacks ethereal quality i've come to expect from aubert...some enjoyed but not a crowd pleaser....perhaps past its prime...either way not worth the coin

9/9/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

well structured and built to last but found this to be impenetrable at this time even after 24 hours - hold for at least a few more years but ideally after 2021

6/28/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

tried 08 alongside 09 again and distance is widening...08 simply has a more vibrant and interesting nose, more depth and complexity on the palate...not surprising that it is now selling at nearly twice the 09...I will likely blow out the 09 inventory and savor the 08

6/28/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

tried 08 alongside 09 again and distance is widening...08 simply has a more vibrant and interesting nose, more depth and complexity on the palate...not surprising that it is now selling at nearly twice the 09...I will likely blow out the 09 inventory and savor the 08

6/10/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

90 min decant...dark violet in color with medium clarity...very lively nose of jammy black fruits, dark chocolate, toasted cedar, graphite and a bit of heat...decidedly new world in style and big on entry with stewed blackberries, charred oak and herbaceous notes that give way to chewy tannins that are well-resolved for such a young vintage...reminded me of howell mtn...solid QPR...would love to know origin of grapes...drinking very well now and should be a crowd pleaser for diverse group...appears to have the structure to last up to 10 years but don't think my other 2 bottles will make it past this year

6/10/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

pale yellow/green...vibrant nose of grassy white grapefruit followed by a floral notes and wet stones with a hint of oak...round and tropical on entry with bright acidity that creeps up from behind to produce a refreshing finish...solid new world effort

5/25/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

PNP...inky violet in appearance...stewed black cherry and charred cedar waft from the glass with undertones of cured meats and five spice...big succulent saturating fruit on entry with great mouth feel that lifts nicely exhibiting more velvety layers through the mid-palate, eventually revealing spicy tannins and well-balanced acidity for such a young wine...the finish is long and cradled with a touch of char and heat that should dissipate over time...very unique and interesting wine in a grenache/syrah style if pushed for a comparison

received this from a sommelier at TF...haven't been able to locate this varietal from AB but it appears that this has a stellar QPR if you can find it...also leads me to believe i have been selling austrian red wines short

5/19/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

in a word, confusing

PNP...prevalent wine diamonds (tartrates) on cork...dark ruby in color with medium clarity...ripe black cherry, mocha, tobacco leaf and with undertones of lead pencil shavings and herbs on nose...very ripe, palate staining and chewy black fruit on entry with tannins that breakthrough through the saturated and highly extracted fruit...nose and palate have elements of a decadent new world pinot, which i guess isn't suprising given Bryan's focus...interesting wine that seems like a barrell of pinot met a barrell of syrah, and as such, seems out of balance even for a new world central coast cab...definitely improved 1+ hour after opening

became flat and flabby after 1 day

4/26/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

PNP...inky violet with good clarity...lively nose dominated by ripe blackberries and black cherries with prominent layers of espresso and licorice followed by subtle touches of menthol and fresh herbs...rich and chewy on entry with gripping tannins, bright acidity and a long sumptuous finish...while not yet fully resolved, it is approachable and quite layered, complex, enjoyable...a notch above the 08 and built to last...great QPR

4/23/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

last TN 18 mos ago...consistent but improving with age...improved overnight under cork...needs 4+ hour decant if serving entire bottle

4/20/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

PNP...prevalent wine diamonds (tartrates) on cork...inky violet with great clarity...stellar and lively nose of fleshy black fruits, earthy expresso, dark chocolate, licorice with hints of charred cedar...chewy yet reserved black fruits with refined and nicely integrated tannins...great balance...soft, supple and feminine in nature...needs some time in decanter

stored with cork overnight - much more lively day 2 - would recommend a 4+ hour decant at this point in time

rivals 09 Derencourt Tache D'encre although 09 Dunn has a bit more finesse - one of the best new world reds i've had this year

4/17/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

dark ruby in color with great clarity...powerful and balanced nose of black fruits, spices and wet stones...big chewy fruit like a piece of blackberry pie with gripping tannins and bright and well-balanced acidity...long palate staining finish...built to age although approachable now after 1-2 hour decant...one of my favorite new world reds in 2015

really developed well in glass -- lighter and more ethereal -- bumping another point

3/18/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

required a few hour decant but faded in vacuum cork-sealed bottle overnight

3/13/2015 - BUBBA DAWG wrote:

one dimensional and relatively flat out of the bottle

left balance in corked bottle overnight - opened up a bit but this is either entering a funky phase or it's past its peak

2/8/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

opaque violet...nose far less funk than 07 Melville but clean and fresh...far less pepper and spice than 07 Melville and more new world in style yet better balanced and resolved at the moment...07 Melville has more punch and depth but needs a few years to come around...that said, this is squarely in the zone at the moment...also great QPR

2/8/2015 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine:

opaque violet...classic funky syrah nose of blackberries, licorice, black pepper and tobacco...spicy and succulent black fruit on entry with bright acidity and gripping tanins...finish is long, penetrating and sweet...great QPR