2/21/2024 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

I bought this in a liquor shop with an ok wine selection during a conference in Las Vegas last year. Ended up bringing it home and just popped tonight. The nose is pleasant enough, mainly dark fruit, but the alcohol stung my nose and eyes, a bit too hot until I let it breath in the glass for a while. The wine is drinkable, but flat and not interesting. The tannins are harsh and unpleasant. Going to cork it, give to one of my sisters who won't know the difference, and move on to the next bottle from my cellar. Maybe their single vineyards are better.

12/20/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Opened for a client get together. It's got a nice punch right out of the gate and fruit forward. Would be better with a good decant or a few more years in the cellar to evolve.

10/24/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Opened Saturday, finished Tuesday. A very consistent Sonoma Coast PN. Was punchier first night but rich and smooth until the end.

10/20/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Have enjoyed Walter Hansel Pinot's over several vintages. Such great QPR. Much better on Day 2. Velvety smooth, perfect balance of tart red fruit, spice and nice earthiness on the nose. Winner!

5/27/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

When it’s 90+ degrees and humid, it’s time to break out the rose’. Also got this in the Gary Vee Wine Club. I miss the crisp acidity I like in a dry French rose’ as this has has a more creamy texture with a hint of lime and grapefruit. The color is almost orange but salmon describes it best. Definitely a citrus nose and a bright cherry and strawberry and a tinge if minerality. I don’t drink a lot of rose’ but would drink this one again.

5/11/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

In all fairness, I loved this wine when it was freshly bottled. For under $15, this was a fantastic Malbec. Unfortunately it is way past its prime and just showing some flat fruit. It's not horrible, but I gave the rest of the bottle to my brother in law and he was thrilled.

10/20/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Extremely satisfying, easy drinking inexpensive Zin. Tons of jammy fruit and a little spice. You can't go wrong with this one.

5/15/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Wasn't sure what to expect when I pulled this from my cellar. The color had started to brown so didn't expect much. But it was beautiful and properly balanced with rustic red fruits, acidity and earthy tones. Had a couple of glasses, hopefully still shows well tonight. Have one more of these to pull, it's time to drink up while it is singing its last encore.

5/12/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Still a yummy, chewy bold wine with lots of dark berry fruit with earthy undertones. Drank over two nights.

3/20/2018 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

First tasted this as part of a line up at their Oakville property. Love the earthy nose on this beauty. No decant and the tannins were like soft leather. Juicy, dark red fruit and a bit of smoke. Elegant and strong in one package.

8/9/2017 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

This wine is beautiful and drinking perfectly. I still have a few bottles hiding in my cellar and will drink them soon and post tasting notes. I was most impressed with how vibrant this wine still is.

7/25/2017 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Drank this over a few nights, it's a screw top which is odd in a pricier chard but ok. It's decent, a bit of minerality and mainly honeysuckle for me. Not too buttery oaky but smooth. After it warms up a bit in the glass it starts to balance out nicely. I have two more bottles, received as gifts, and will either gift to a couple of clients or enjoy by fall. Doubt it's much of an ager.

7/4/2017 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Softening but still a nice meaty nose, spice and rustic dark fruit.

7/4/2017 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Softened up quite a bit but still tasty dark fruit and smoke. Time to drink up. Originally tasted this at the winery and it was a powerhouse.

4/30/2017 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Smooth, juicy easy drinking Zin. For the money Carol Shelton are some of the best zins you will find. Consistently awesome.

11/15/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Velvety texture, gamey nose, tart cherry fruit and minerality. Rustic gem.

9/24/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Even after this much time, I am so pleased with this bottle. Bought some CH wines about 5 years ago for the first time and this was my favorite by far. Lots of dark juicy fruit, oak, chocolate and still great structure. It hit the spot and was enjoyable to drink without food. Just finishing up a few more bottles. I remember this being one of the wines that got me very into Tempranillo.

3/10/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

I don't seek out Merlot but this came with my new Mountain Wine Club and it was amazing. Delicious, juicy dark fruit, light spice, soft, leathery tannins and velvety texture. Totally changes my feeling about merlot.

3/12/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Bought this at tasting room in Woodinville in 2011. It was tight with characteristics more like a cab. Drinking perfectly 5 years later and mellowed on the second night. Dark red fruit, chocolate and soft leather tannins. Velvety texture. Great Washington merlot

3/5/2016 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Had with filet at Mastro's in Scottsdale. Solid, go-to restaurant cab with good balance and complexity. Medium bodied, soft leather tannins with enjoyable fruit that's not too jammy. 2012 is a great year for added value.

12/13/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Creamy texture, expressive fruit and not overly oaky. Definitely time to drink up.

11/27/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Tasted this at the winery last year and first bottle opened since. Plush black fruit, elegantly full bodied and balanced, long finish with spice, licorice and generous tannins. Every glass got better.

12/11/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

The dark fruit is forward and juicy in this half bottle, tannins were medium at best, delightful spice and soft leather. Opened up nicely in a large Vinum XL glass. If this vintage gets much softer it will still be enjoyable but you'll be able to drink it through a straw, which does not appeal to me. Still a consistently beautiful wine.

10/30/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Dark purple in color, meaty texture, tons of black and blue fruit but great structure and balance. Tannins were not overwhelming but definitely present in a good way. Did not take long to open up in the glass. Totally pleased and wish I had more than one bottle left.

5/9/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Too sweet for my taste, but in small doses enjoyable. Stone fruit and minerality, creamy texture but very fresh. Just not my style, gave other bottle away I had.

4/3/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

First bottle of this opened since purchase, soft but still interesting. Dark red fruit, with herbal, tobacco and slight medicinal qualities. Medium, finely gritty tannins.

4/7/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Definitely some light buttery and oak qualities, rich, creamy texture. Main fruits I get are pineapple and peach. Slightly past ideal drinking window.

2/20/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Big, dark juicy fruit with some plum and fig features as well. Tannins were not over the top, might have preferred a little more grip. Still an incredible wine that did not need much of a decant. Plush might be the best word to describe.

2/21/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

This is probably one of the better recent tastings of a 2007 vintage Napa wine that I have had, as I think many of them are having diminishing returns in recent years. Very intense dark cherry thick texture, hints of mocha, vanilla and tea. Nice complexity and integrated tannins. Rich, garnet color.

2/21/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Flat and dull, missed the mark. Usually very pleased with Belle Glos Pinot Noir but had not tried their rose. Like a little more vibrant, so maybe it was just not a match for me.

1/23/2015 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Brambly mixture of dark berry fruit with a touch of plum, spice and cedar notes and medium tannins. No need to decant.

12/25/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

A very jammy, dark berry zin but bottle was pretty one dimensional. Either complexity is fading or my expectations were too high. Loved this wine a couple years ago.

12/25/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

The dark berry and cherry fruit is prominent but the oak isn't well integrated and the tannins are fading. Have not had much luck with the 07 vintage lately in most of the sub $100 cabs.

12/12/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable from the first pour. Big dark fruit, dark purple in color, silky tannins, great complexity. Drinking perfectly right now, hope it has a couple more good years in it, still have a few stashed away.

12/21/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Pretty oaky, dark brambly blue fruit and didn't need much of a decant. Excellent steak wine.

12/20/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Totally smooth, jammy dark fruit, easy drinker that will probably not get any better but also hold its own for a couple more years. Above average $20 Aussie Shiraz.

12/12/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Big Revana fan but not my favorite vintage. Bold dark berry fruit, some heat initially, lots of minerality, finish is light, more cherry, and the oak is prevalent.

12/3/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Totally mesmerized by this wine. Thought it was incredible a year+ ago, it is stunning today. Velvety smooth, rich, mouth coating, dark berry fruit, strong cassis and firm tannins. Bought at the winery in 2011, going back this weekend, hope they have a few bottles hidden away that I can talk them out of. And this is a screw cap.

11/22/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

What a transformation after 90+ minutes of patience. I almost poured the bottle out after the first glass or two. What started off rough, mostly oak and strongly medicinal on the nose turned into a beautifully aged, velvet glove of dark berry fruit, mild oak, slight earth and fully integrated tannins. Still enough weight for a steak dinner. I paid $29.99 a bottle about 4 years ago. On Seavey's website the same bottle is $195.00. Seems time to drink up but who knows may have a few more years if cellared properly.

11/21/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Thick consistency, very dark berry fruit, tannins and oak have mellowed so very pleasant easy drinker but won't last much longer.

10/28/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Gorgeous, smooth, drinking perfectly. A couple years ago had the pleasure of sharing a magnum of 84 Keenan Reserve and it was special. This wine delivers now and years down the road.

10/5/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Gained complexity and weight after a 30 minute decant. Bright acidity, tart red fruit, firm tannins and a pleasant rustic quality that makes it a great pizza wine. At 10 years would think this is at its peak.

9/6/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Big, bold wine that doesn't give in much with an hour decant. Dark berry & tart red fruit, tobacco, leather, pretty oaky but overall enjoyable, balanced and compex. Barely showing age.

9/4/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Very acceptable medium bodied, reasonably balanced with tart acidity, cherry and smoky qualities. Great with Osso Bucco.

6/26/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Drinking this a little past prime but still a very fruit forward, silky smooth wine, light-medium tannins, subtle complexity

6/26/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote:

Crazy good, totally smooth and spicy, no decant needed, just a few swirls. Rich and gamey red fruit with slightly chalky tannins. The nose is bright but the color is starting to brown. Can still age but don't think it will improve much. I loved it more 2-3 years ago. Still a wine to appreciate.

4/17/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Exceptionally nice for a mid-priced Malbec. Popped and poured, drank with a few friends and all were thumbs up. Full flavored, rich juicy purple fruit with just enough spice, tannins and earth to be interesting and totally satisfying. Seems to still have plenty of punch, drinking very well now but should have a couple strong years left, I hope.

4/21/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

This one was a beauty a few years ago, but is past its prime. Still has toasty, buttery elements and full bodied. Tart apple, pineapple and some lemon fruit.

4/11/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Shame on me for not drinking these sooner. Still has life and a little acidity. Fruit is mainly lime, citrus and melon. Got two more bottles that need to go. Very well made.

4/16/2014 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com Likes this wine:

Had this over three nights, really opened up day 2 & 3. Richer, full-bodied mix of red cherry fruits and meatiness, along with a cola and some spice. Tannins are subtle due to age and slightly browning in color but still a very enjoyable, elegant pinot. My thought is it has another solid year, after that hard to tell.