1/12/2016 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Restrained notes of black cherry and tobacco. Dark in color with diminished black cherry, more tobacco, forest floor, mushroom and cedar tasted, quite a range. Nice sharp acid on the palate as well with a slight dryness towards the end.

1/11/2016 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Cork disintegrated, sour in taste and very little fruit, wine purchased from Winebid.com

1/2/2016 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Slow Ox for 4hrs

A little mute on the nose initially. However the palate spoke volumes. This wine is impeccably balanced between the fruit, acid and tannin. Very clean in taste, nothing convoluted. Tasted cassis, black fruit and a little spice. Exhibited elegance with a touch of power and a very good finish. Still remarkably young and very enjoyable.

11/25/2015 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Nose of black cherries and black plums, on the palate tobacco, cherries, supported by some acid and very fine tannins on the back end. A very balanced and clean tasting wine with years of life to go.

2/8/2015 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

PnP

What an unforgettable bottle of Lewelling, much different from the the regular Lewelling of the same vintage. This bottle was concentrated but not overly extracted with loads of dark fruited flavors in combination with a little touch of oak, some acid that added to clarity and linearity and smooth tannins making for a balanced wine. This bottle exudes class, power and elegance for a Napa Cabernet, sumptuous and beguiling, full and lasting finish and not a wine that one would forget easily.
Consumed over a lunch of Roast Duck and finishing off with a Chocolate Brownie.

2/7/2015 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

PnP

Very similar notes to last tasted, no decanting necessary as the wine is ready to drink on its own or with food. Red brown in color with predominant black cherries and some vanilla. It is not as concentrated as other 2005 Bordeaux, with a very soft and gentle hollowness in the middle.

1/23/2015 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated for 4 hrs

Lots of Red Cherries, cedar, leather and some spice on the palate. The nose was a little tight but it may open up some as 1/2 the bottle remains. A little on the thin side at the start but it evolved in the glass. Nicely balance with acid and some dusty tannins still in the background. Not as developed or complex as the 1995 and the finish was a trifle short, but a very nice wine all the same to drink with Braised Oxtail.

1/4/2015 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

PnP

Somewhat aromatically challenged with no sign of browing. Very one dimensional wine, huge extraction bordering on Jamminess coupled with Oak and Alcohol. Nothing complex or interesting about this wine. No tannins, no acid and therefore no structure for longevity.

1/2 the bottle corked and back into the refrigerator for tomorrow.

1/1/2015 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated for 2 hrs prior to drinking

Aromas of vanilla/oak blackberries and barnyard. Initially a little subdued in taste, but into the 3rd hour, it began to open up with black berries, cedar, leather and spice. It gained density with more air and even hints of bell peppers at the finish. Nice subtle remnants of tannins supported by little acid which made for a very elegant wine and a very enjoyable finish.
This wine paired really well with Roast Goose.

12/25/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Opened and aired in decanter for 3hrs before drinking with Prime Rib Roast for Christmas.

A constantly evolving wine over the course of 4hrs, a wine of class, finesse and elegance with many phases of development from sour red cherries, mushroom, old cupboard odours, cigar box, cedar to denser black fruits with vanilla and spices.

See prior notes for details.

12/14/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 4hrs and drunk with Grilled Lamb Chops

Very similar in taste and smell profiles from 18 months ago. Will probably wait a few years before I open the next one. NR

12/8/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in the glass for 2hrs

Nice deep purple in color with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, spice and vanilla. This is a very approachable wine that has lots of black fruit (some might say a little jammy depending on the level of sensitivity) a smidge of acid and a little tannin to bring up the rear. An easy drink on the palate either on its own or with food. Have tried this vintage on 2 occasion and both times very enjoyable.

11/29/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Drank over the course of Turkey Dinner

Slight aromatic notes of cherry, blackberry, vanilla and spices. Beautiful young well made wine, with great balance. Medium bodied with some acid and some nice ripe tannins. With more aging time this will improve with the structure in place.
Nice all round concentrated feel on the palate from all the components.

11/16/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Pnp

Detected some spice elements and red fruit which later became citrus like , over the course of 2 hrs, this changed quite a bit, from being clean with the elements of fruit and acid being distinct to a jumbled convoluted astringent soup of flavors. Liked it at the start but not so much at the finish.

11/16/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

PnP

The nose was fairly muted, just picking up hints of red fruit. On the palate there was some sweetness from the fruit with some depth, a nice touch of acid with a little drying from tannins at the end making for a nice balanced wine.

11/13/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

PnP and tasted without Food

Dark Garnet, no browning on the edges. Quite a vigorous aroma of cigar box, cedar, mushroom, old cupboards smell and some red cherries and red currants.

The fruit is diminished of red cherries and other red fruits with more obvious old cedar wood characters dominating the palate. There are very fine dusty tannins still present (which I like) and some acid giving this wine some complexity and freshness. Medium bodied in structure and very elegant, clean and focused in the mouth. The taste lingers on after the last drop is swallowed.

After an hour, this has developed a weightier concentration of fruit on the palate with a second pour.

*** Definitely a different slightly bigger wine but med-full bodied after 6 hrs, the tannins are not so pronounced but there and unobtrusive, the fruit has emerged and there is a definite sweetness in the fruit more black fruits than reds, but just so well balanced, elegant and lithe.
***
If you like aged or aging Bordeaux this bottle has entered that window, not all the fruit has disappeared but it is taken over by the secondary and tertiary characters.

11/9/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Rich, Bold and Robust, not flabby or cloying on the palate with a great mouthfeel. Some very fine dusty tannins and a little acid make for a balanced and structured wine that will age nicely. Tasted at the tasting room in Walla Walla and the bottle was opened to pour, so give this some air around 2-3 hours to smooth out the wine if you insist on drinking this right away.

10/31/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Pale straw gold in color, honey, Quince and Citrus aromas waft quite forcefully from the glass and more honey on the palate with a medium amount of acid to balance the fruit (pears and mandarins). A little sense of bitterness (not a bad taste) on the backend. The lingering aftertaste of honey is foremost. Very clean and refreshing, a wine that can be drunk on its own or consumed with food. Will get a few bottles to age.

9/6/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Day 1 aerated in the glass for 1 hr before tasting.

Purple in color with subdued aromas of fruit and barnyard . Not to savory in taste. It was pleasant with good balance between fruit tannin and acid.

Day 2.

More savoury in taste with great balance, also some barnyard on the palate and spice on the nose, lots of blueberry and taste is sweet without cloying ending with a nice finish. Quite light in taste and concentration for a Syrah.
I will taste the next bottle in about 6 years as I believe the structure and balance is certainly there for aging.

9/6/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

An exquisite chardonnay. Beautiful nose, with great purity and finesse, some floral hints with lemons and apples. Love the clean lines, the richness of the fruit and the balance of the fruit with the acid, high on concentration, all integrated with a wonderful lengthy finish.

5/25/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 3 hrs

Very aromatic with floral tones after opening, the palate was thin and closed, after 3hrs the palate began gain weight and presented some olives and black fruits but overall the wine was smooth, elegant and lean. Not as interesting as the Reynvaan Contender from Washington.

5/25/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 3hrs and consumed over the next 2hrs

Huge concentrated and complex on the palate, lots of sweet blueberries and plum, a hint of strawberries, meaty nuances and spice. Savoury and smooth with no hint of tannin or acid, you can gulp/sip this down on its own, but in our case we paired this with Roasted deboned leg of Lamb.

5/4/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Glass for 1 hr

Very much closed on all fronts.

4/27/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

PnP

Notes of Sweet Cherry, blackberry, oak/vanilla detected on the nose and palate. A medium bodied wine with a modicum of fruit, some acid and resolved tannins. Not as noteworthy as other basic Medoc wines like Chateau Beaumont for the price, but OK either on its own or with food.

3/21/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in the wine glass for 1hr

Not one of the better Cru Beaujolais, but still enjoyable with food, very young primarily of tart red cherries. Bright uplifting wine in construct, light - medium body, acid +, maybe it still needs a few more years to come together.

3/18/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

PnP

Sweet Sweet wine for a Syrah, big concentrated lacking in acid and tannin. Over ripe black cherry fruits with spice and oak for those that like this style, but pleasant to drink.

3/1/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated for 2 hrs

This has improved from the last bottle. Picked up the scent of leather/barnyard, black fruits spice and a little oak. The barnyard/leather was a noticeable difference. Overall the wine was smooth but the tannin was detectable which made it interesting, the acid was medium and in balance. The fruit was still evident but less prominent, maybe this bottle is evolving into a secondary stage.
Very nice med + bodied wine. Drank with dinner.

2/16/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a decanter for 1hrs and drunk over 2 hrs.

Initially, aromas of leather, strawberries and cherries. Clean, vigorous tastes of tart cherries with red and black berry fruit, but after 2 hrs it began to evolve with spice, vanilla and predominant black berry, leather and rounded very smooth tannin and is impeccably balanced. This is my second Lewelling, the other was the 2007 Lewelling and the 2004 in my books is different. This 2004 shows more elegance than raw power of fruit and oak. This exhibits more definition in what it has to offer and is much better balanced and has a nice finish.

Dinner was Roast Duck/roast potatoes

2/8/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Exuberant nose of apples, pineapple and peach. This set the stage for great anticipation as this is our first foray into muscadets and we were not disappointed. Racy and fresh with ample fruit which gave the palate great lift.
I did not get the salty taste that I have had with Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc, maybe the next bottle.

A very quaffable wine on its own or with food

2/1/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

My Last Bottle

Opened for an hour

Drank this over 2 hrs. Initially it was tart with cranberries and sour cherries, the taste was clean, but towards the end its complexion just completely changed. The wine became more cloudy and dense exhibiting cherries, blackberries, florals and some bell peppers

1/7/2014 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Pnp

Then sat in the glass for about an hour while the fresh pasta with fresh tomatoes was being prepared.

What a terrific bottle, picked up some spice, funk and red fruit on the nose. The wine was beautifully balanced , medium body with loads of red plums, red cherries and strawberries with great structure from the acid and very very fine tannin. Amazing depth and great across the palate from start to finish.

1/1/2014 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 2hrs

Firstly this bottle was not as good as the last. Lots of black fruit, spice and vanilla on the nose, however I was left with the impression of a little disjointness and being unbalanced. The fruit and tannins were just right but the acid just a little too dominant. Perhaps another 2-3 years for the next bottle or more time in the decanter.

12/25/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a decanter for 3hrs

Very reminiscent of a CA Cabernet, rich and somewhat dense and opulent in texture with some very very fine tannin adding interest and aided by a little acid. But I feel this can be stored away for at least another 5 years.
Oaky on the nose, with a strong sense of cloves and vanilla on the palate which was interesting for me as this is the first time that the cloves have been so prominent. This was all buttressed by fleshy black fruit.
Drank with Prime Rib for dinner

11/27/2013 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

PnP

Nice sweet black fruits with oak the predominant smell, very smooth and quaffable. Did not quite get the range of complexities compared to the prior bottle.

11/23/2013 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 2 hrs

My first impressions were that it was not a powerful wine in terms of taste and smell, rather subdued and soft (almost whimpy) for a CA Cabernet. There was some nice oak wafting out of the glass and taste of black berries, black plums with hints of spice. Not precise in taste or aromas as there was not not much acid around , but surprisingly it was balanced in taste between the fruit, tannin and acid. The tannin was just registering, I cannot see this lasting 20 years.
It is a nice wine that one can drink on its own but don't combine this with an over powering meal as it will drown the wine experience.

Bought 2 bottle to try and I think for the price I will move on.

11/23/2013 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

A might sweet and fruity for my tastebuds, if you like it fruity then this is the Sancere for you, I like a drier more acidic, minerally and precise tasting Sancere and not so sweet and fruity. You can guzzle this down without food.
But it is not to say I wont drink it or it is not drinkable just not steely enough for me.

11/4/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Pnp on Day 1 the rest of the bottle consumed on Day2 with the cork replaced after Day1.

This was a very nice wine on Day 2, it was totally smooth and balanced for taste, tannin and acid, nothing out of place. You could drink this on its own and find it totally enjoyable. On the nose the fruit (blackberries, plums) floated out of the glass with a little vanilla. With taste, more blackberries and plums, some leather and vanilla. This was a fuller more dense package having gained some weight overnight. The alcohol and some dusty tannin was not around, like it was on day 1, today it was a total wine, just nice even with tomato soup, bread and cheese.
I compared this wine to some $85 wines I had tasted over the weekend and this was not that far behind it.

11/2/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

PnP

I thought a 36 yo wine would not require much airing in a decanter but after an 1 hr it became much smoother.
Initially after pouring I got a sense of wood and mushrooms from the aromas and predominant sour cherries like a good Belgian Sour Beer and some tannin (raspiness on the tongue) from tasting. To me the overall fruit component has disappeared.
We cracked this bottle with a cheese platter and it went really well with the wine. Much of of roughness dissipated, the sour taste went away and it became quite a smooth enjoyable drink. There was even a hint of sweetness at one stage.
But I would suggest food to accompany the wine, it makes for a much pleasurable experience.

This is the oldest bottle of wine I have ever tasted and it gives me a reference point of how long I should age my collection of Bordeaux and I did like the wine. NR

11/2/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Release Day at Reynvaan Winery tasted from barrel 2012.

The Syrah fruit which originates from 'In the Rocks Vineyard' is superb, creamy rich and much fuller with depth . I tasted a number of 2011 wines from other wineries and you can tell the remarkable difference in concentration which speaks of the 2012 vintage.

NR

The Stonessence is bold without being heavy or dense. Wonderful on the palate from start to finish without interruption or hesitation. To me I could taste predominantly dark plums, blueberries and blackberries. I detect none of the spice notes which one normally attributes to Syrah and I did not detect any terrior associated character (meat/bacon/minerals) however it was just creamy smooth and delicious.

I think folks will be very happy with the 2012 Reynvaan Vintage whether it be Stonessence, In the Rocks, The Contender and UnNamed. All 4 wines are delicious and memorable.

10/12/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Slowed aired for 2 hrs

Spicy oaky aromas that needed to be coaxed by much swirling, such a smooth, beautifully structured and balanced wine. Still terribly young, but I wanted a bottle with some tannins to go with my Braised Short Ribs and this bottle did the trick. Some dark cherries and blackberries, but the fruit was hiding behind this wall of sweet smooth tannins and acid. This will be a great bottle in like 10 years!!!, but it is great with food.

9/28/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

PnP

It is Stormy weather here in Portland, just the kind of weather to pop open a bottle of Cabernet. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry and vanilla. Beautifully smooth and velvety on the palate and so enjoyable with the Braised Lamb Shanks.

8/8/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a Decanter 3hrs

Aromas of red cherries with subtle hints of flowers. This wine is light on its feet with high notes of red fruits and some charcoal. There is a rush of flavors through the middle but quickly dissipates at the end. The tannins are soft and caressing, and the acid is just barely noticeable along with fruit. I suspect the wine may add a little more weight with further aging, but as it stands it is wonderfully balanced and quite light for a Syrah at this stage.

The wine complemented the BBQ Rib Eye Fillet and some cheese aftrwards afterwards.

8/6/2013 - JustDrinkIt Does not like this wine:

PnP

Sweet confected aromas which were not very expressive. Light bodied wine, in which the fruit flavors were rather dull and not delineated. There was none of the freshness and excitement that you find in other Morgan wines. Will pass on this producer in future.

8/3/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Served slightly chilled and then PnP

Drank with with Tomato Bisque Soup and Cheese (Cheddaron and Cambonzola)

Floral with red fruits like cherry and strawberries permeate from the glass. The sensation across the palate is sensual, smooth and long with the Fruit, Acid and tannin in balance.
This wine complements the cheeses in such a way that neither cheese nor wine detract or suffers.
Lovely and Enjoyable with lunch.

4/28/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a Decanter for 4hrs

The color was dark red with browning edges. The nose was fairly subdued but there were definite hints of black fruit, old cupboard smells laced with vanilla/oak. On the palate there was diminished fruit along with leather, some tea and some very fine tannins at the back end. The wine is rounded and smooth with aging characteristics so it would appear to be more secondary.

Had this wine with deboned Chicken stuffed with Spinach Leeks and Mushroom

3/26/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a Decanter for 3 hrs.
The vanilla/oak exhibits prominently with black fruits on the nose. The palate is very smooth and voluptuous indicating well extracted fruits but not jammy. You can taste vanilla and a touch of chocolate mixed in with blue and black berries and it comes with a little touch of acid to give it that freshness. This is a well balanced wine that can be drunk on its own or with food.

1/25/2013 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a decanter for 3hr

Deep purple in color with hints of oak and lovely blue berry fruit and some spice. Nice level of fruit not too concentrated and not thin, complemented with smooth tannin and some acid, overall well balanced and it went down really well, if I was to be picky maybe slightly elevated level of alcohol on the nose and palate. Still 1/2 a bottle for tomorrow. Loved the fruit. 91+

1/22/2013 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated in a Decanter for 3.5h

Deep plum red in color, plum and black fruit aromas laced with a bit of oak/vanilla that was prominent, but not overwhelming. The acid was noticeable and moved the fruit and tannin into the background, but over the course of an hour and 1 glass, the acid subsided and the figs, prunes, black berry was detected but the palate was not concentrated in fruit and it came with a smattering of smooth sweet tannin. I would place this as a med bodied wine that needs at least another 5 years to reduce the acid and oak and to incorporate in the fruit.
I will update on night 2 if there is an improvement. But for now as it was not too balanced. 88+
Oh and I had this with a Braised Chuck Roast.

1/1/2013 - JustDrinkIt wrote:

Aerated for 3 hrs in a Decanter prior to drinking with Roast Goose

Dark red cherry in color. The aromas were not very noticeable; a hint of red plums and some vanilla, red plums and dark red cherries were the predominant fruit flavors combined with smooth tannin which may need a few more years to completely resolve. As others have noted for a warm year it was not that fruit forward.
I did not detect any development of secondary flavors, but IMO the wine is a little unbalance with more noticeable acid than fruit or tannin. My wife like it very much, maybe because of the price tag!!!, Enjoyable enough and it did go very well with the red meat fatty Goose. 91-93

12/25/2012 - JustDrinkIt Likes this wine:

Aerated in a Decanter for 3hrs

Deep purple/red with crimson edges. The aromas were of black cherry, vanillin and a little spice and you can sense the quality of this wine by the delicate gentleness and clarity of the smell . This is way too early to be opening a wine that can age for 40+ Yrs (Parker), but I wanted to establish a sense of place with this vintage compared to the 2005 and 2008. The palate was noticeable for the tannin that were sweet and velvety smooth, and underneath this backdrop was the fruit not to focused at this stage and anchored by a nice amount of acid. This will evolve into something that is elegant and yet sustained with some power, it is all there.

We drank this with a nice slab of Prime Rib and the fat from the Rib helped resolved much of the tannin which made for an opulent accompaniment. NR