6/22/2023 - huntinpagan Likes this wine:

Dispensed half the bottle with a Coravin. Burnished golden color. Nose of Granny Smith apples, dried lemon peel, apricot and white flowers. Dense rich palate with waxy/oily texture. Apricots, orange marmalade, tropical fruits, citrus, and wet stones. It has a zippy streak on the layered finish where the acidity and minerality take the forefront.

A tiny bit disjointed right now. I think a bit more time in bottle might smooth out the angles a bit.

Revisited the next day and found the wine to be smoother and less disjointed. Reccomend a short term hold.

This has everything one would want from this style of wine. I rate it a 96 at this time with real potential for improvement in the future.

11/11/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased direct from winery and properly stored. Popped and poured. Paired with butter poached monkfish and enjoyed over several hours.

Pale golden hay yellow color. Nose is a bit reticent with white flower notes and white peach scents. Palate has great acidity. Figs, toasted bread , wet stones, white flower honey and immense depth and concentration. Super long finish, 60 seconds+.

A tour de force in California chardonnay and one of the best white wines I have had rhe pleasure to drink. Could last several more years but absolutely no reason to wait.

Perfect and one of a handful of white wines I have given a perfect score.

4/3/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased at retail. Served slightly below cellar temperature. Pale golden color. Tart greenish apple and wet stone nose.

Tart apple and slightly green stone fruit. Medium in body with a fine bead. Nice streak of acid.

A decent and enjoyable drink at the price point. But then again I'm a bit of a slut for 100% Pinot Noir Champagne. YMMV.

3/27/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased direct from winery and properly stored. Popped and poured. Dark golden amber color reminiscent of an aged Sauternes. Nose of candied lemon peel, honeysuckle and apricot preserves.

Apricots, honeycomb, English toffee and hazelnut brittle on the palate. Luxurious mouth feel with a beautiful streak of acidity that keeps the wine fresh in spite of the viscosity. Layers upon layers of delicious flavors.

Super long finish with carmel and toffee notes, more apricot preserves, and citrus peel.

I think I've had every sweet wine made by MK and this is undoubtedly the finest example I've tasted. A perfect example of a sweet wine. Drink or hold.

3/10/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchase on release direct from winery. Popped and poured and consumed over a couple hours during dinner. Pale gold in color reminiscent of dried straw bales. Complex nose of sour citrus peels, high toned floral notes, honeycomb and beeswax.

Initially a bit tight but opened up considerably over the evening. Medium bodied tending toward heavy with a lanolin type mouth feel. White peaches, tropical fruits, lemon drops, and an interesting streak of acidity. The tropical fruit, citrus peel and floral notes come through on the finish.

An interesting contrast to the 2000 Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc Le Meal we had as a prelude to dinner. 94 points with a higher score possible in the future.

3/10/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased at retail on release. Popped and poured from 375ml bottle. Dark golden color turning amber. Nose of butterscotch sauce, hints of orange, shortbread cookies and botrytis spice.

Super thick and sweet. Actually too sweet verging on cloying. The citrus on the nose unfortunately did not translate to sufficient acidity on the palate. Apricot preserves, baked shortbread and orange marmalade. Super long finish of candied fruit and botrytis spice.

3/10/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased at retail on release. Decanted for sediment. Deep purple color tending toward opaque. Distinct nose of dark purple fruits with musroom/ forest floor and cigar wrapper.

Sweet dark blueberry and blackberry fruits on the palate. Earthy notes with more cedar/cigar wrapper and dark chocolate notes. Smooth and polished fully integrated tannins. Medium + finish where the dark fruit is even more prominent.

A really great example of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. We're I to taste it blind I would have thought it was a Napa cab rather than Sonoma. My dinner companion remarked that it reminded him of some older Inglenook cask bottles.

3/9/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased at auction at least ten years ago. Popped and poured. Deep yellow color. Expressive floral nose, apricots and a saline note. A little nuttiness too.

Initially tight on the palate. Thankfully not oxidized and quite sound. Opened up nicely over a couple of hours. Lush apricot fruit. Hints of marzipan. A bit of bergamot. A saline mineral quality. Thick and unctuous but not overly heavy.

Finish mirrors the apricot and saline qualities.

A good representation of a 20 year old white Hermitage. Very solid but a step below classic quality. Drink or hold.

3/2/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased direct from winery. Popped and poured.

Medium garnet color tending toward translucent. Slightly reticent nose of bing cherries, raspberries, light smoke and earthy tones.

Medium bodied with a nice touch of fresh acidity. Dark cherry and boyesnberry fruit, hint of five spice and earthy forest floor. Really balanced and layered flavors. Smooth and polished tannins. Long finish (45 seconds +). Finish mirrors the palate.

A great example of Marcassin pinot. Firing on all cylinders. Drink or hold.

2/19/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased direct from winery. Popped and poured. Served with cheeseburgers on a bagel bun. Ruby/garnet color, no bricking at the rim. Slightly translucent. Dark cherry nose with hints of stone and pencil lead.

Medium body. Ripe black and red berry. A touch of spice some cocoa and saddle leather. Good structure. Fine grained tannins kick in on the 30+ second finish. Turns a bit dry after that.

A nice bottle of cab that is drinking at its peak. Has enough backbone to hold on for a few more years but why wait? Unlikely to improve at this point.

2/9/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

Purchased direct from winery. Dispensed half the bottle with a Coravin.

Dark ruby to medium garnet throughout. High toned floral nose with semi-sweet red fruits and muted spice. A little bit of funk that blew off.

Palate of sweet cherries, ripe raspberries, light smokiness and fall spices. Nice full body but not a grotesque fat California pinot. Light smooth tannins on the finish. A high toned floral note, and fruit and spice that mirror the initial palate. Medium length, 30+ second finish.

Drinking very nicely but I think I should have opened it a year or two ago. I only have one more bottle of this now no longer available vineyard offering, so I held it. Maybe nostalgia is one of my weak points when it comes to wine.

Drink now or over the next 1-2 years.

2/6/2022 - huntinpagan wrote:

I received this bottle in trade about ten years ago.

Popped and poured. Medium to dark purple. Slightly lighter at the rim. Cigar box, slightly sour plum, dry earth on the nose.

Medium body. Sweet dark plums, forest floor, a hint of unsweetened cocoa powder and cedar notes. Good acidity that keeps the flavors fresh.

More sweet dark fruit, cigar wrapper and smooth but noticeable tannin hit on the finish.

A nice Margeaux that drinks well now. I dont think this will improve but it stilll has some backbone. Drink or hold for a few more years.

2/2/2022 - huntinpagan Likes this wine:

Purchased direct from winery. Splash decanted about two hours prior to tasting. Served with grilled Snake River Farms coulotte steak and a baked potato.

Deep purple color with a ruby tinge at the rim. Black and red fruit nose with some herbal notes, especially mint. Middle weight on the palate. Deep layers of backberry jam, provençal herbal notes, wood smoke and pencil lead. Sweet long finish with smooth and polished tannins showing on the back end.

This is a brooding beast of a wine. Big but not heavy. Delicious. Another winner from MK.

1/31/2022 - huntinpagan Likes this wine:

Purchased on release from winery. Initially dispensed half the bottle with Coravin. Deep magenta color with no fading or bricking at the rim. Dark cherries and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Plush palate with some blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate and tobacco notes. Some cedar on the slightly drying medium length finish. Finished the second day with similar notes.

An enjoyable drink. Ready to drink now or hold for the short term (1 to 3 years).

1/27/2022 - huntinpagan Likes this wine:

Purchased on release and properly stored. Popped and poured without any decanting. Good medium purple color. Starting to show very slight bricking at the edges. Plum and berry fruits. Garrigue on the nose. Tannins completely resolved. Fully mature. A decent but not great Beaucastel. Drink now or in the short term. (1-3 years).

3/31/2012 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured into large Bordeaux stems. Consumed over a couple of hours. Medium to dark purple with no signs of bricking. Somewhat subdued nose with bing cherry, plum and leather. Medium to full bodied. Plum, dark cherry, and a hint of pencil lead. Still has a substantial tannic grip. 30+ second finish that mirrors the palate. Drink or hold.

11/12/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Drank over a couple of hours in large bordeaux stems. Dark purple color tending towards opaque. Slightly muted nose of dark fruits, mostly plums, cassis, and blackberries. Medium bodied. The palate mirrors the nose with mostly integrated tannins. Nice finish with some blackberry, and pencil lead. 30 seconds +. No reason to hold. Drink now or over the next few years.

10/16/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for an hour or so. Dense purple color tending towards opaque. Interesting nose with pronounced cinnamon, smoke, cassis and cedar. Full bodied and robust with cassis, asian spices, cigar box and a beam of sweet fruit. Long finish with blackberry fruit, more cinnamon and a moderate tannic kick at the end.

Unabashedly California in style and profile. Drink or hold indefinitely. Could improve.

9/24/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Corked.

9/3/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

No formal notes as I shared this with some good friends at a backyard pool party. Drinking exceptionally well from magnum format. Still tastes young but well within it's drinking window. Bright red fruits and great complexity. Nice to see people that don't normally drink wine this good look surprised at having a well made, mature CdP.

8/27/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Medium ruby color tending towards translucent. Slightly reticent nose showing raspberry, plums, and iron earthy tones. Some tobacco and herbs, Medium bodied with roasted plum, blackberry fruit, licorice, and beef blood. Medium length finish, 30+ seconds with very smooth tannic structure.

Reasonably good, but definitely shows the heat from the vintage. Not a classic Vieux Telegraphe in style but enjoyable nonetheless. Drink over the medium term 3-6 years.

8/20/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark garnet/purple color. Nose of blackberry, bing cherries, asphalt and some dried herbs. Full bodied and concentrated without any heaviness. Very smooth and polished. Palate of blackberry, bright cherry, licorice, and spices. Long finish with bright cherry fruit, some oak notes and black licorice.

Very good, but not up to the quality of the extended aged Grenache. Ready to go.

8/7/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark purple color with no bricking. Some initial bottle stink blew off to show an earthy nose, with black currant and cigar wrapper. Medium bodied. Black currant, tobacco and a hint of eucalyptus. Medium length finish, 40 seconds. Smooth and silky. Still showing a bit of tannin on the end.

A nice mature bottle of claret. Can hold for a while, but why wait?

7/31/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark garnet color, with slight bricking at the rim. Reticent nose with hints of blackberry and wood smoke. Light/medium bodied. Slightly tart raspberry, cigar wrapper and cedar. Short finish that mirrors the palate. Good but not outstanding. Drink now.

7/24/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and Poured. Ruby colored tending towards translucent. Nose of red fruits, cedar, and slight wood smoke. Medium bodied tending towards the red fruit spectrum, spices and leather. Medium finish. Very good.

7/17/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured into large Bordeaux stems. Dark purple color with noticeable bricking at the meniscus. Nose of spicy red berries and cherries, cedar, campfire and forest floor. Full bodied. Dark plumbs, cassis, tobacco, and a significant tannic spine that balances a bit of sweetness. 30 to 45 second finish with high toned spicy red fruit, a hint of eucalyptus, and pronounced cedar notes.

Definitely proof that some 1997 cabs can improve with age if they have the right structure to do so. Drinking at its peak but has the stuffing to last another 5 years.

7/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark garnet in color and tending towards translucent. A bit lighter at the rim. Nose is a bit reticent but shows some dark cherry, beef blood and some pleasant herbal notes. Round and supple on the palate with glycerine, cherry liqueur, tobacco, herbs de Provence, and white pepper. 30-40 second finish with hints of rare meat, toasted herbs, and some chocolate notes.

A bit less evolved than a couple of bottles tasted in the previous year. Very nice but lacking a bit of complexity that would warrant a higher score. Drink now to 2015-16.

6/21/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured from 375ml. Greenish golden color. Nose of tropical fruits, lemon zest, grapefruit. Medium bodied. Really nice rounded tropical fruit flavors, with citrus tones. This vintage seems to be a little more fruit driven and a little less acidic/mineral than the 2009. Nice refreshing finish. Outstanding.

6/18/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Light yellow gold color. On the nose, grass, grapefruit and lime zest. Light to medium bodied with tart citrus, stone notes, white peaches. Refreshing acidity. Medium length finish 30 seconds that mirrors the palate. Exceptional.

6/12/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark purple color with a slightly lighter rim. Nose of blackberries, campfire smoke and some earthy mushroom. Medium body, medium acidity. Concentrated palate of slightly roasted blackberry, leather, pencil lead and oak. 30-40 second finish that mirrors the palate with some anise notes.

Very nice and well within the drinking window. Tastes fully mature. The slightly roasted fruit profile is reminiscent of a lot of Rhone wines in style. Drink now through 2015.

5/30/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Drank with Mr. and Mrs. HDW at Silverado Steak House in the South Point Casino. Popped and poured into large Bordeaux stems provided by the restaurant. Deep purple in color, and nearly opaque. Nose of blackberry compote, cinnamon, campfire smoke and white pepper. Full bodied yet light at the same time. Palate showed multiple layers of flavors including spicy blackberry tones, cocoa powder, anise, baking spices and rare game meats. Long finish (45 seconds +) showing blackberries, licorice notes, baking chocolate and some subdued white pepper.

An excellent syrah that cellar time has improved. Drink now or over the next 5+ years.

6/2/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Enjoyed over three hours during dinner at Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas. Served chilled slightly below cellar temperature. Popped and poured into large wine glass provided by the restaurant. Color was between bright gold straw and light honey color. Expressive nose of honeycomb, almond paste, and acacia flowers. Palate was concentrated and intense showing layers of honey, Marcona almonds, tropical fruits, and mineral notes. Full bodied with an unbelievable viscosity. Coated the palate and kept changing flavor layers in the mouth. Long and beautiful finish where the tropical fruits, minerals and flowery notes dominated.

If there is a 100 point white wine, this is it. Perhaps the finest white hermitage (or white wine of any kind) that I’ve ever had. Drink now or hold indefinitely.

5/15/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Very dark purple color to the rim, tending towards opaque. Subdued nose showing some blackberry, currant, sage and leather. Medium body, medium-low acidity. Slightly tart currant, menthol, leather and some spice notes. Pretty one dimensional and a touch hollow on the midpalate. Short-medium finish. Turns dry and leathery. A green herbal streak comes out as well.

5/9/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Splash decanted for an hour and consumed over a couple hours. Dark garnet purple color, tending towards translucent. Expressive nose of blackberry cobbler, pepper spice, and wood smoke. Heavy bodied for a grenache with good acidity. Ridiculous levels of concentration. Blackberry fruit, cinnamon, cardamon, white pepper, crème brûlée. Multiple layers of flavor that keeps changing in the mouth. 45+ second finish with sweet black fruit, followed by baking spices, white pepper and a significant tannic presence. Definitely classic quality.

5/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for about an hour and served in large Bordeaux stems. Deep dark purple color and nearly opaque. Expressive nose of black cherry, rose hips, dark chocolate and campfire. Heavy bodied. High toned black cherry fruit, licorice, bakers chocolate and camphor palate. Long finish, 45+ seconds, with bright red fruit, licorice notes, more camphor and significant tannins. Outstanding now but will improve.

4/24/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for one hour. Brilliant dark ruby color. Black fruit nose with hints of spice. Medium bodied with black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves and a fairly rigid tannin structure. Medium acidity. Bright finish where the black cherry, and spice notes dominate, followed by hints of oak and tannin.

I'd drink this sooner rather than later but that's because I'm usually disappointed with where these Pride wines go after they lose that initial fruit and develop secondary nuances.

4/24/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Ruby-garnet in color. No signs of bricking. Reticent nose with light black fruit. Medium bodied. Some black fruits with a dusty palate. Low acidity. Rather monolithic. Finish matches the palate with little evidence of tannins. Time hasn't done this wine any favors. Drink a couple of years ago.

4/19/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Golden yellow color. Orange marmalade nose with hint of lemon and vanilla. Full bodied with a fruit forward palate matching the nose with the addition of some good botrytis spice. A bit more acidity would be welcome. 20+ second finish where the acidity begins to show itself in some brighter lemon flavors, and ends with some pleasant botrytis spice.

A very good, but not great, Sauternes that’s showing no signs of fading. Drink or hold.

4/16/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for sediment and consumed over a couple of hours. Dark garnet color to the rim, nearly opaque. Nose of red plums, cedar, earth, and smoke. Medium body and medium acidity. On the palate, plum fruit, a little nutmeg and cinnamon, and mushroom. 30+ second finish with bright red fruits, spice notes, cigar box, mushrooms and some angular tannins. Drink or hold.

4/13/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Pale golden color with a very slight greenish hue. Nose is a bit reticent with some light floral notes, and some green melon notes. Full bodied, with green apple, honeydew melon and a stony mineral streak. Very rich and silky mouth feel but not overblown, with a good acidic backbone. Smooth long finish with some pear fruit, lemon curd and some oak notes. Outstanding.

4/8/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark garnet in color, nearly opaque, with a lighter translucent meniscus. Nose of spicy red and black fruits with earthy notes and a savory spice. A little heavier than medium bodied but the fresh acidity makes it feel lighter. Blackberry and currant fruit notes. Very smooth and polished with some oaky and spicy notes. 30+ second finish where the fruits turn slightly red, some meaty notes emerge and the oak becomes more pronounced. Drink now or can be held for a few more years.

4/6/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Deep purple color. Nose of ripe blackberry, smoke, some baking chocolate and high toned spicy notes. Full bodied. Concentrated black fruits, chocolate, cinnamon spice, a touch of menthol. Firm tannin structure. 30+ second finish which mirrors the palate.

This is the best regular Pride cabernet I’ve had in some time. Has enough complexity and structure to be pleasing. Ripe but not overripe. Should hold up well for a few more years but ready now.

4/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Dark purple color tending towards opaque. Initially a very reductive and stinky nose. This blew off after a few minutes in the glass to reveal blackberry cobbler, a whack of smoky oak, and some white pepper. Heavy bodied with very big black fruits and oak notes on the palate. This also had an alcohol level that was simply uncomfortable. The finish mirrored the palate.

This has never been my favorite Saxum offering, and this bottle was no different. The wine was simply unbalanced due to the high alcoholic notes and was less than pleasant to drink.

4/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Pale golden yellow color. Nose of tropical fruit, wet stones and some floral notes. Light bodied with white peach and Asian pears. A crisp and stony texture. 20 second finish where the palate carries through. This put on a lot of weight as it warmed. Serve at cellar temperature.

4/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Garnet red color. Chocolate, cherry and toasted oak nose. Medium bodied. Chocolate, cherry fruit, and well toasted oak palate. Long finish 45 seconds, with bright red fruit and spice. Nice wine.

4/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for sediment and drank side by side with the 1990. Very similar garnet color. Nose of dusty red fruits, cherries and spice. Light to medium bodied with red fruit palate, some oak notes and a bit of an herbal streak. 30 second finish with brighter red fruits, some clove and cedar. Fully mature. Drink short term.

This suffered in comparison to the 1990. It was very similar profile, just smaller in every way, but still a very good bottle of wine.

4/1/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Decanted for sediment. Dark garnet color with no bricking. Nose of dusty dark plums, ripe cherries, cloves and cedar. Medium bodied, with a palate that mirrored the nose. 40 second finish with brighter red fruits, baking spices and well resolved tannins. Excellent example of Chateau Montelena. Drink over the medium term.

3/29/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Ruby red colored tending towards translucent. Initial nose of red berries with some cinnamon/clove notes and some green vegetal tones. Unfortunately as this sat in the glass, it started to show some tell tale TCA notes. This bottle was very mildly corked. Didn't taste. NR.

3/29/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Pale golden color. Nose of lychee and tropical fruit. Medium bodied where the nose carries through to the palate and also shows some spicy notes. Initially sweet on entry but seems dryer on the finish. This would have been good with some pate. Nice wine.

3/29/2011 - huntinpagan wrote:

Popped and poured. Dark ruby color, slightly lighter at the rim. Dusty blackberry nose with a hint of pencil lead and spices. Medium body with dusty blackberry, tart cherry some cedar notes and earth tones. Red fruit, mint and dried herbs on the 30 second finish. Fully mature.