1/15/2015 - Barbotus wrote:

I mean that 88 in a good way. A very solid bottle, even still, although far from peak. One of the best QPR ever in its prime at $10. Only one more bottle left that should be consumed soon.

1/15/2015 - Barbotus Likes this wine:

I really just love this wine. I know that this note is useless without descriptors, but I just don't have anything else to say beyond that.

11/10/2014 - Barbotus wrote:

Didn't like it 7 years ago, and it's just dreadful now. Most likely going down the drain.

11/1/2014 - Barbotus Likes this wine:

Past prime, but still drinking nicely.

10/21/2013 - Barbotus wrote:

Surprisingly good considering age and expected ability to age. Nothing special, but decent. No points, but enjoyable.

9/23/2013 - Barbotus wrote:

Really quite nice. No score, but surprisingly alive. And I'm not a huge aged bordeaux fan.

8/26/2013 - Barbotus wrote:

Really a very nice bottle. I expected in might be waning, but good fruit and balance. Fabulous QPR for the $15 paid back in 2006.

1/22/2011 - Barbotus wrote:

Strong cat pee nose. More citrus coming through in mouth than I had remembered from previous bottles. Still a very good value at $14.00

12/1/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

Much better than I remembered from previous bottles. Bitterness is gone from the finish, but the fruit is still there. In a good place for me right now.

9/23/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

Nine months after initial tasting and I'm really enjoying this wine. Opens up nicely after a short while in the glass. Excellent fruit, integrating well. Looking forward to more bottles and providing more detailed notes. At this point suffice to say that it has improved nicely in the 9+ months since my last note.

9/11/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

Truly dark purple on pour. Completely opaque, even held up close to a light bulb. Bottle has been open about an hour, but not decanted. Nose of dark plums, blackberries, maybe even prunes, but not in a bad way. Knee jerk reaction says rhubarb, but it's been so long since I've had rhubarb that you'll have to take that with a grain of salt. Less overpowering nose than I might have expected, but I'm a little congested. This is a big, fruity wine listed at 14.8% alc with a little heat, but I'm not put off by the high alc level. Big fruit up front, with a powerful, long tannic finish. maybe a little unbalanced. I would buy again.

8/1/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

Wow. Like many posting notes on this wine I have at least an on-line acquaintancewith the producer. Popped and poured in a hotel room after arrival at my work location for the week. Fearful that I would have to soft-pedal enthusiasm, but no worries here. Dark color, with vibrant fruit in the glass. Detailed notes will have to wait for the next bottle, but cherry and cranberry make their appearance. Really, really enjoyed this bottle and glad that I have 5 more.

6/22/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

Not sure what others are seeing in this wine. I guess it's just not my style. Bought on a recommendation at Wine Library and finally got around to trying. Opened last night and thought, "meh, maybe it will improve with a day". Not so much. Almost no nose. In the glass I'm getting bitter tannins up front, no redeeming fruit, and no finish per se. Just a continuation of the bitter tannins I got up front. Makes almost no impression at all. At $9.00 I'm not sad that I bought, but I don't know that I'd buy again. Maybe once to see if this was just a really weird bottle.

6/21/2010 - Barbotus wrote:

A nice white burg. Nothing fancy but a nice value for the $15 paid a few years back. Holding up well. Initially thought the cork was a little funky, but it was vibrant in the glass.

12/4/2009 - Barbotus wrote:

Wine only arrived in store today, may still be subject to some travel shock. In decanter for about 3 hours. Cabernet nose of dark fruit, a little dusty. No strong impressions. Not overwhelming aromatically; some alcohol on nose. Pleasantly mouth-filling, but not overwhelming or particularly powerful. Finish feels short, with minimal tannins, but then 30 seconds later there's still something there... it's just subtle. I'm honestly not sure what to make of this wine. I like it, but at this point it doesn't inspire a passionate response. FWIW, I did have a chance to taste backstage at the store earlier this afternoon, and while I didn't take any notes at the time my gut review would have been more favorable. It's a baby. We'll see how it grows. Not going to do a points rating.

8/20/2009 - Barbotus wrote:

Absolutely gorgeous. Dark caramel color. Beautiful notes of toffee and and mature apple fruit. Was not expecting this to hold up so well, as the Spectator note recommended drinking early back in 2000 or so. Delicious!

4/4/2009 - Barbotus wrote:

Pickle juice, and not in a good way. Writing this off to a bad bottle.

1/29/2009 - Barbotus wrote:

This wine was a tremendous value at $8.99, purchased January 2005. 2nd to last bottle and still showing well. Good fruit still, with some backbone. Nothing earthshaking, but a very solid QPR.

10/14/2008 - Barbotus wrote:

A little subdued on opening, both on nose and in mouth. May have been a little too cold. Opened up nicely after a while in the glass. Nose of pineapple and lime, nicely integrated fruit, butter and vanilla in the mouth. Much better than I expected after the first sips. The first bottle of this that I opened tonight was spoiled, and first sip of this bottle was kind of a dud. But I've completely come around in 30 minutes. Very nice, indeed!

12/12/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

I really enjoyed this bottle tonight. I can't put together a proper tasting note. so I'll just say this was very enjoyable. Seemed to have a good balance of fruit and tannin.

10/27/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

A pleasureable if not memorable drink. Knocked out by the vanilla aspect in the mouth.

8/4/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Popped and poured, not so much nose. A little heat, but not obnoxious amount (now checking to see alcohol %). Okay, 14%. Not crazy over the top. After being open a while and second glass poured, more fruit evident, but I can't put my finger on it. Dark. Maybe I'll have to go back to the various preserves jars and give them a sniffy sniff.

Can't say that I loved the first taste, but the second glass is growing on me. Good dark fruit, medium tannin, medium , maybe slightly bitter finish. I think I spent a little too much time in the sun today and am somewhat inarticulate. I like this wine, but I can't really say why or what about it is appealing to me. Not a home run, but a solid single in the gap that Jose Reyes would stretch for two.

7/12/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Liking this a lot more tonight than previous bottles consumed over the last two years. Solid fruit with coffee overtones. Perfect finish for me. Just enough tannin and well integrated. Just what I wanted tonight, not paired with food.

6/23/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Popped and poured tonight, and settled into a cushy patio chair after everyone else went to bed. Fire pit blazing and stogie fired up. Life is good. Color is excellent. Not getting a huge nose, but what I'm getting I like. Prunes, maybe, but not at all in a bad way. Good fruit, but not rambunctious youthful fruit... more like a mature fruit that knows what it's up to. Very smooth in the mouth, but gives a nice finish. Doesn't demand a lot of thought, but not a simple wine either. Medium finish and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm going to go with a solid seat-of-the-pants 90. This wine didn't change my life, but it seems very well made and highly enjoyable.

6/12/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Had this in the past and very much liked, but not so much this time. I don't think the bottle was flawed, but if not definitely at the end of the drinking window for me. Starting to get that madeirized finish.

5/24/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Removed from fridge after chilling for about 90 minutes. Temperature upon pouring is 58 degrees. Color is very pale yellow with perhaps a hint of straw. but very pale. No frizzante at all. Very still. Tough getting a handle on the nose at first. My first thought is slightly grassy with an undertone of citrus, probably lime. Not a lot in the mouth, but definitely not a "sweet" riesling. The finish really sneaks up on you after being subdued in the mouth, but it stays a while. Definitely lime. Kind of like sucking on a lime after a tequila shot. After 30 minutes in the glass it has warmed up to about 65 degrees, and floral aspects are more evident. Flavor is more pronounced in the mouth too, with a mineral and metallic edge to it. The lime finish remains strong. Certainly not what I think of when I think of a typical riesling. My experience with other whites beyond chard is not extensive, but in my limited experience this feels more like a sancerre than the rieslings that we usually drink. Not sure if I would buy again, but glad that I had the chance to taste something different.

5/19/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Much better tonight, standing on it's own. Very nice fruit on the nose and in the mouth, with an appealing finish. While still sweet, not nearly so much as in an earlier tasting along with some powerful cabs.

5/12/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

I still love this wine. While it definitely has lost a little of the fruit I saw in earlier bottles it is still a great wine. The first sip always knocks my socks off. Still has the caramel and custard that I love. Opened 2 bottles today with tasting notes consistent.

5/12/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Several hours open now, and had tasted briefly earlier in the day but did not care for. Trying again after some air. Not sure what I'm getting on the nose. Camphor? There's something on the taste that I can't describe. Not mediciny, but rather chemical. It's mellowed a lot since earlier in the day, but still wouldn't recommend. Minimal bite on the finish.

4/25/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark ruby red, looks pretty in the glass. Muted nose on opening, but pleasant. After 45 minutes in the glass it really opens up. Once open, big time strawberry and plum nose. My wife even commented from several feet away that the glass was powerfully fragrant. A little spice, leather and licorice. Love the smell. In the mouth, dry and warm with a leathery tannic finish. Long, long finish. A tiny bit bitter on the finish of the first sip, but bitterness goes away after the first. Holds up very well both second and third day.

4/5/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

I love this wine, Very well integrated at this young age. A lot of tannin on the finish, giving some mouth pucker, but still more than drinkable now. I'd give this some more time in the bottle. I'll try another in a year or two.

4/5/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Very sweet. Almost too sweet when compared to other wines at this steak dinner. But has some tannins to back things up at the finish if you wait for it. I still love this wine.

4/1/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

This is more how I remembered the previous bottles. Nice acidity, crisp fruit flavors. Very solid at the price point.

3/18/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Seemed sweeter today than when previously tasted. Remembered this as a more fruity, less oaky chard, but not as sweet as it appeared today.

2/28/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Pineapple and lemon nose up front. Pleasant mouth feel with mineral aspects. Medium finish. I have had several bottles but never posted a tasting note. My recollection is of a more bitter finish on previous bottles. Seems much better integrated this time. I'm quite happy with this bottle.

2/21/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Not sure if I'm just having an off couple of days, but not getting too much from this. Opened last night and poured a small glass. Nice color. Not too dark. A little earthy and herbaceous on the nose. Tight and tannic finish. Forward to today. Less of the herb/earth with more muted fruit coming through. I think I'm actually getting black currants. Guess buying that jar of black currant preserves was a good investment :) A little peppery in the mouth. I found the finish a little bitter on the first taste this evening. After about an hour in the glass (and 28 or so hours after opening) the long finish has remained but the bitterness seems to be gone. I like this more now than when I started to write the note. Never disliked, but definitely warming to it the longer it is open. I don't see it making it to day three.

2/10/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Nice pleasing wine with reasonably well integrated oak and citrus flavors. Good, not great.

1/1/2007 - Barbotus wrote:

Tasted twice over 24 hours. Dark, dark red. Excellent color. A nice nose, with black fruit, but not overpowering fruit. A bit of spice. Overall a pleasing effect. Nice mouth feel, a smooth finish with a little tannin. No oak monster. More old world than new. While this may last for 10-15 years (I really don't have the experience to say) I think it drinks quite well now as a baby.

12/29/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Barnyard, mushroom, earth on the nose. Definitely old world. Smooth on the palate. Well integrated tannins and drinking pretty well. More fruit the second day but still a classic bordeaux. A smooth finish, but on the short side. I've seen the spectator review and I'm not sure where the "long, refreshing finish" comes from. I like it and think it's a good value at $16 but for drinking sooner rather than later. I don't see it aging for all that long.

12/24/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Open about 7 hours. No tasting notes from earlier. Dark ruby with garnet edges. Floral with black fruit and licorice on the nose. Seems smoother now than I thought when tasting during dinner. Tannins seem better integrated. Medium finish.

12/20/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Decanted 3.5 hours. Overwhelming fruity aroma while decanting.Dark garnet color. Mostly fruit on the nose, with cherries and strawberries, but a lot of alcohol. Good mouth feel, with a long finish. For me the tannins are a little sharp on the finish. There's a little something on the finish that I don't like. After about 6 hours breathing poured back into the bottle (2/3 full now) and recorked. Reopened bottle 24 hrs later. Again bold fruit on opening and pouring. Alcohol seems a bit more muted on the nose. Again, mostly fruit notes for me, but perhaps something a little woody. Not so much oak... maybe cedar? Decent mouth feel, but still something on the finish I don't quite like. Left in glass on counter for 3 hours find that further mellowing has gone on. Whether it's mine or the wine's I'm not sure. Seems better integrated now. Less hot, more balanced. Whatever was bothering me on the finish seems to have disappeared, or at least faded.

12/8/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Plonk

11/17/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Yechh. Lots of alcohol, no discernable taste.

9/20/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Whatever life there once might have been in this bottle was long gone. Empty, almost no taste.

9/19/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

servicable, but has probably seen better days

9/16/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Received as host gift. Nothing special. But at this price point I've had far worse.

9/14/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Not much good to say. This bottle was received as a host gift. Upon first sips seemed to have some life, but subsequently there was just nothing there. There's some left so I will try tomorrow and edit if my feelings change.

5/27/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Good color. Firm. Held up very well.

5/24/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Held up surprisingly well. Had purchased several bottles 10 years ago for a surprise party and this was the sole survivor. Dark ruby color, closed down at first but opened nicely after 30 minutes.

5/6/2006 - Barbotus wrote:

Clearly past its prime.