9/20/2017 - Terry wrote:

After really enjoying a 2003 Brave Oak Vineyard last night I decided to open one of these tonight. It's even better than the Brave Oak last night. A little more youthful and just incredibly tasty, intense wine. I have never particularly been a big fan of Syrah . . . but I could drink a ton of this stuff and really like it.

9/19/2017 - Terry wrote:

Had seen some negative notes about this wine and so was really pleasantly surprised to open one of my two bottles and find a wine that really had some nice things going for it, both in the mouth and on the nose. Plenty of complexity and really enjoyable. Will open one of my two Shell Creek, same vintage, next.

1/28/2017 - Terry wrote:

Corked

1/14/2017 - Terry wrote:

Really nice flavors. Only downside is that cork disintegrated as I tried to pull it.

7/15/2016 - Terry wrote:

Really enjoying this bottle of CdP. Fifth, and last, bottle of this.

3/7/2015 - Terry wrote:

Birthday wine!

3/7/2015 - Terry wrote:

Birthday wine! :-D

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

11/29/2014 - Terry wrote:

Really nice.

4/8/2014 - Terry wrote:

Very nice!!

3/23/2014 - Terry wrote:

Very nice. Young, but very nice.

3/22/2014 - Terry wrote:

Settling down a bit and gaining some balance. Much better than the first bottle a few months ago. I will try another of these in about six months.

3/8/2014 - Terry wrote:

Drank my last bottle of this last night, along with a 2003 Pegau and a 2003 Clos des Papes. All three were very nice wines, but the Clos des Papes and Donjon, for me, edged out the Pegau. All three were big wines, with lots of fruit, and tannins that now have fully integrated into the mix. No edges at all to any of the three. I should have waited on all of my '03's and '04's. Lesson learned, perhaps.

3/8/2014 - Terry Likes this wine:

Drank my last bottle of this last night, along with a 2003 Clos des Papes and a 2004 Vieux Donjon. All three were very nice wines, but the Clos des Papes and Donjon, for me, edged out the Pegau. All three were big wines, with lots of fruit, and tannins that now have fully integrated into the mix. No edges at all to any of the three. I should have waited on all of my '03's. Lesson learned, perhaps.

3/8/2014 - Terry Likes this wine:

Drank my last bottle of this last night, along with a 2003 Pegau and a 2004 Vieux Donjon. All three were very nice wines, but the Clos des Papes and Donjon, for me, edged out the Pegau. All three were big wines, with lots of fruit, and tannins that now have fully integrated into the mix. No edges at all to any of the three. I should have waited on all of my '03's. Lesson learned, perhaps.

6/3/2011 - Terry wrote:

This one was very nice! None of that "hotness" the other possessed

4/15/2011 - Terry wrote:

Over the hill and on the serious decline. Not enjoyable.

11/20/2010 - Terry wrote:

Lots of plum on the palate. Intense, nicely balanced Cab drinking well.

11/20/2010 - Terry wrote:

Corked! Totally bummed. YET, opened a 2004 in its stead and it was singing nicely

3/12/2010 - Terry wrote:

This CdP was very "hot" on nose and palate. I just picked up 3 when rolling through Boulder CO the other day. Hopefully the other 2 will show some balance. Unlike some others, I've actually enjoyed most of my '03's from CdP. Not this one bottle, however.

10/3/2009 - Terry wrote:

Opened this last night. Very nice bottle of wine. Nose included mushrooms and earth, along with plenty of fruit.

10/9/2008 - Terry wrote:

Once again volitile acidity resulted in this one being poured down the drain

12/23/2007 - Terry wrote:

Opened the last 1995 Les Cailloux CdP (regular bottling) tonight. It's been a lot of CdP corks pulled since I've had one with such a nice nose. Very nice intense perfume of fruit with some spice/herb combination, which has just gotten nicer as the bottle is consumed. A nose that finds me just taking one hit after another. On the palate, while the wine was a little tight upon first opening (passive cellar is at 52 these days), within the first hour this wine just blossomed into a rich, oh-so-smooth, complex CdP rouge. There are still tannins, yet the wine is just a pleasure to taste. If tonight's experience is any indication, Andre Brunel produced a fantastic regular CdP in 1995, that has held up quite well. Although mine are now gone, I would love to try this in future years. According to back label, 65% old Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 15% Syrah and other varieties, bottled after 18 months of aging, partially in new oak barrels, without fining or filtration. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections. Purchased when hit the shelves of Supermarket Liquor, Fort Collins, CO, for something under $25. Back when CdP seemed to be getting expensive . . .

10/6/2007 - Terry wrote:

This CdR is really good juice - an excellent bottle of Southern Rhone!

8/1/2007 - Terry wrote:

Over the hill

5/27/2006 - Terry wrote:

Volitile Acidity resulted in this second bottle also being poured down the drain. What a total bummer that I may be seeing a production problem here.

5/27/2006 - Terry wrote:

Volitile Acidity resulted in this one being poured down the drain

4/5/2006 - Terry wrote:

Very similar profile to the 750 ml opened in January 2006. Fantastic CdP.

4/2/2006 - Terry wrote:

This 375 was quite different than the 750 in January. I worry that perhaps there may have been some heat damage. For starters, the cork has a thin line of seepage running the length of the cork, and the foil had a small amount of leaked wine evident. Also, with this bottle there was a slight maple syrup aroma (I suspect simply from the leaked wine having been exposed for some time). Finally, this wine was thinner on the palate and I have my doubts it is shutting down this soon. On the other hand, the wine still had plenty there (yet perhaps nothing more than a result of it having started out so big). Not a single cork in the 24-btl case shows any sign of protruding upwards into the foil, so perhaps this first from the case was a simple leaker running up the seam presented in a shitty cork, coupled with some basic bottle variation - how's THAT for optimistic thinking?!! If the next couple show similar signs of possible heat damage, I will call my retailer and complain - Wines of France likely is not the culprit and the retailer appears to keep good control of temps, so I am suspecting some point of operation btwn New Jersey and the retailer's shop.

3/30/2006 - Terry wrote:

Last of my bottles. Very nice, smooth wine at this point. Nose is still very much alive, as is the fruit with its backbone of furry but pleasant tannins.

2/5/2006 - Terry wrote:

This wonderful Syrah is just seamless, yet packed to the gills. On the nose, anise, smoke, and a hint of vanilla. The intense fruit palate is oh-so-smooth for such a young wine, with nice espresso notes perfectly intertwined with the thick, rich, spicy fruit. Soft round tannin aplenty, yet in seemingly perfect balance with the fruit and alcohol (14.5% according to the label). Not cheap - just under $80 from the winery - yet well worth the ticket.

1/31/2006 - Terry wrote:

Absolutely massive. Drinking well right now, yet for me Donjon - even in years producing big wines as in 1998 - typically shuts down after about a year in my cellar. Don't know about this one, as it is just monumental at the moment. Parker mentions a "big sweet nose" including "seaweed". It's there, no doubt, but to me the "seaweed" note is the wonderful hint of grilled lobster tail. What a wonderful young nose and palate. No heat to me (at least nothing out of balance as far as a young CdP is concerned), nor the sharp or astringent tannin some have mentioned. If you have a bunch, given this one a try young and begin to chart its evolution.

1/26/2006 - Terry wrote:

Although young, as one would expect, it is tasting wonderful at this point - intense, rich, smooth, and somewhat sweet Syrah, with tell-tale saddle leather and smoke notes. Glad I tried one.

1/5/2006 - Terry wrote:

I first opened this 750 ml bottle two nights ago, drank half over about 4 hours, and then returned to the other half tonight. This was one of only two bottles in my cellar, and Robert Parker's recent tasting note of the 1998 Font de Michelle Cuvée Etienne Gonnet, found in Hedonist's Gazette discussion of Les Oenarchs Dinner, indicating that wine was approaching full maturity caused me to pull this regular bottling and give it a try. This is a very nice CdP from '98, silky smooth on the palate, and with a fantastic nose of a good Szechwan oriental dish. I just could not get over the wonderful nose on this wine. It has plenty of stuffing still, as I am finishing it tonight (it sat at about 65 degrees overnight, un-stoppered in a 375ml, and then did time stoppered in the fridge until tonight). The nose tonight has transitioned to more classic soy, but remains very nice.

6/25/2005 - Terry wrote:

This is the "Cuvée Unique" "Vin Non Filtré" bottling imported by North Berkeley Imports.

Opened this last night, and finished remaining half tonight. While I did not think much of this when I first tried it just over one year ago, it is quite good at this point. The fruit has reached a point of exuberance both on the nose and palate. The tannins remain, and perhaps have softened some over this last year, however I just don't think a better balance will be struck between tannins and fruit with this one. Not particularly complex flavors, however the grape juice just dances across the tongue, leaving a fairly impressive length finish for a Côtes du Rhône. Another excellent example of what nice things can, and often do, happen when one gives a little time to a Côtes du Rhône. If you have one or more of these tucked away, give it a try soon. $19, purchased 1/2004.

12/25/2004 - Terry wrote:

Opened a bottle of Gloria's Syrah Christmas day, along with a companion bottle of MP Shiraz 9. Both were quite good and similar in style. The Audelssa Syrah, Blocks 1-4 Mountain Terraces, from recollection (no notes taken) presented with rich, intense, concentrated/jammy fruit, with notes of coffee bean/espresso roast and chocolate flavors. Dick Arrowood is the wine's maker. Bravo! I will be putting more of this wine into the cellar. $30, direct from the Audelssa Winery.

12/26/2004 - Terry wrote:

Corked . . . .

12/11/2004 - Terry wrote:

I opened one of my remaining six of these tonight, after having stayed away from this wine for well over a year. The last couple of bottles previously opened seemed to reveal the wine was doing the "CdP shut-down," both on the nose and palate, akin to that shy 7th grader at his first dance. Of course, the alternative - mild TCA taint - had crossed my mind/eyes, yet I was hoping against it given the complete absence of any "corked" nose. This bottle shows a return of the fruit (which was HUGE those first couple of bottles from my case, opened soon after purchase a few years ago) and nose. However, this CdP is moving towards the wonderful DARK side, beginning to show a hint of port-like caramel on the nose, yet still having an abundance of Herbs de Provence (almost candied at times) on the nose. As mentioned, the fruit is back in business, with the tannins remaining really soft and in sync with the fruit - still a red rasberry flavor - both of which provide a lasting finish. This red juice very pleasantly sliiiiides over the tongue, still dancing on and almost tickling the back sides of the tongue, leaving a lingering finish and calling you to come play some more. Damn I love good Chateauneuf! For any of you folks that have a few bottles or more of this CdP, try one again soon. Enjoy!

12/8/2004 - Terry wrote:

This was my last bottle of this one. Don't expect I will be buying any more of this, as I just can't enjoy a "sour" fruit element. Oh well.

11/13/2004 - Terry wrote:

Big, bold, sweet alfalfa on the nose. A generally pleasant CdP, but nothing to get too excited over. Wasn't this something like "wine of the year" at WS? If so, what did they see in this wine, to elevate it above so many other, killer, CdP's in 1999 - like the Clos des Papes? I must have missed something . . . .

8/31/2004 - Terry wrote:

Drinking nicely tonight.

6/12/2004 - Terry wrote:

I've had such good luck with the MP Shiraz wines - the 9 and basic Shiraz - lately that I felt adventurous and opened the '01 S2. This cab is drinking very well right now and certainly open for business. Very nice wine at this point. Nicely perfumed, and incredibly rich, intense cab fruit on the palate, with a long finish. Tannins very soft, yet present. This was one of the better bargains I've come across, at $18 less than two years ago. The '03 is now up to $27, yet if it is anywhere close to this '01 it remains a great buy for quality cab.

6/9/2004 - Terry wrote:

That's it, I'm a gonner. Having liked my experience last night with the '03 MP 9, and as the leftovers tasted so nice today, I went back to the cellar looking for this '02 basic Shiraz bottling. Like so many others, when I last had this wine in the Summer of '03 it was too alcoholic tasting. That has resolved - completely to my tastes - and this wine seems to have come into a nice balance. Don't get me wrong, it continues to present a very young taste profile, with tons of intense fruit. Also, my tounge tells me the tannins very definitely are there, although in a friendly way. Yet it is SO tasty at this point. This was a steal at the $9 I paid for it last Summer at the local wine retailer.

6/8/2004 - Terry wrote:

I purchased three of these recently at just under $30, with the discount. Given favorable reviews as to the "balance" achieved in '03 - as opposed to prior vintages - I decided to kill a baby in the name of curiosity and perhaps with designs to purchase a few more. This wine is just about as rich a wine as I've had. It seems to have more than its share of everything, yet is so young and primary I really have little ability to evaluate it's potential. But, despite a label that boasts 16% alcohol, the wine does not seem "hot" (as did the '02 Sarah's Blend and particularly the '02 Shiraz I drank young last year about this time), and instead is pure intense, rich, and concentrated fruit at this stage, with what I consider that unique MP flavor. How can these wines be properly evaluated so young? I dunno. But despite this concern, I expect I will be buying more of this at the price, as I'm willing to gamble that with some age this wine will develop some secondary characteristics and be truly quite interesting.

5/21/2004 - Terry wrote:

Absolutely delicious. Opened, once again, with a 1999 Clos des Papes to taste next to one another. Both are drinking extremely well, with the Chaupin having just a little more Rhone funk to it. Both very well balanced, intense, tasty fruit driven wines. If you want to turn someone on to Chateauneuf, open one of either of these two wines today. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars. This bottle cost $40 (can be found for less today).

5/21/2004 - Terry wrote:

Absolutely delicious. Opened, once again, with a 1999 Janasse Chaupin to taste next to one another. Both are drinking extremely well, with the Chaupin having just a little more Rhone funk to it. Both very well balanced, intense, tasty fruit driven wines. If you want to turn someone on to Chateauneuf, open one of either of these two wines today. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France. $32.