7/7/2021 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

It is drinking lighter than I was expecting, more like a sangiovese. We'll drink this with pasta/pizza, it's good, but not what I'd expect from a Spanish Grenache.

3/22/2020 - vaaccess wrote:

Super cherry flavor, smooth, balanced. Getting some watermelon and sweet tart, too. Lovely.

12/30/2018 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

I think this is still drinking really well. I was a bit concerned when I saw the community "drink by" date was at 2017, but I'm guessing this has a good year or three left in it. However, I'll be drinking it now since it's doing well!

10/13/2018 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

Undrinkable. Holy crap. That’s a first, and it isn’t corked...

4/25/2018 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Extremely pleasant and enjoyable. Light to moderate tannins, smooth, some fruit. Finish is a little flabby, but not too bad.

2/10/2018 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Still tasting great! Yummy.

1/29/2018 - vaaccess wrote:

This wine is probably past its time, so read this review with that in mind.

Nose is raisin, old plum, jelly.

Taste is surprisingly fruity, it's opening up quickly. There's a muddy plum on the end of the palate, however, and maybe tart raisins. I can taste the alcohol, but it isn't overly astringent. The finish leaves a filmy texture on the tongue.

9/1/2016 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Drinking incredibly well. Wish I had more, but happy to have experienced this wine!!!

4/2/2016 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

My original note has been removed since I now realize the bottle was flawed.

3/5/2016 - vaaccess wrote:

this is still great, in my opinion. It's mellowing nicely and is pretty exceptional.

Tannins are smooth, but stiff at the end. Nose is a bit dusty.

Balance is good, finish is pleasant. My palate is a bit wonky right now so can't provide any flavor profiles except to say there's some tartness and vanilla.

1/26/2016 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Immediately upon opening the nose was a bit hot, knew it needed to decant for a bit...
(30 minutes later)

Nose has opened quite nicely and heat has dissipated. Still there on the fringe, but not overwhelming. I get cherry vanilla on the nose, along with some blackberry preserves. The smell is very alluring.

The mouthfeel is overall quite smooth, but there's a slight astringency that isn't really a bother. I can't get past the overwhelming need to say "cherry creamsicle" when wanting to describe the flavor. Though, don't mean to imply any over-sweetness or fruit bomb. This wine tastes well integrated and very Pinot Noir-like in my mind. Tannins are soft and supple.

Overall I'm very happy with this wine and think it will age really well. Probably beyond the 2019 drinking window that Cellar Tracker is reporting at this point, though ultimately time will tell...

Extremely happy with this wine. Just make sure you let it decant a bit if you drink it soon.

1/16/2016 - vaaccess wrote:

I'm a huge Grenache fan, but this wasn't that great. The after-taste was a bit off and a friend referred to it as "overly simple" and we all tended to agree. It wasn't corked or anything like that, but my wife didn't even finish her glass.

12/24/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Inky deliciousness. I love Petite Sirah and LOVE Wellington wines.

This wine is so balanced, they should use it when discussing how to balance the federal deficit. This wine is so smooth, Adele's voice is jealous.

12/23/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

This is drinking really well, honestly. Some good tartness, fruit is solid, and a bit of a dry finish. Overall a superb wine, as all Woot wines are!

10/11/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

This wine is incredibly balanced. Smooth, velvety tannins that have a lingering finish that makes you want to drink more. Plenty of Vanilla, cocoa and dark berries make this one of the better wines I've had recently.

9/19/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

This is the epitome of Priorat Granacha. Stunningly awesome.

9/13/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

An amazing Syrah.

4/27/2015 - vaaccess wrote:

Color is great, a bit bubbly, but needs much more time. Like another 4-6 months before trying another one. It has some good balance, but the fruit needs to die down a bit. It's already aging better than the Cab...

3/13/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

While this wine isn't amazing or anything, pop-n-pour is pretty good. I'm wondering based on other reviews if this will fade fast while I drink it, but right now it's a nice mellow Merlot. I concur completely that this would make a great Sangria base and will be doing so tomorrow. :)

3/9/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Holding up amazingly well for a VA wine. It's probably past its prime, though, so drink soon, but certainly still very drinkable!

2/21/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking so well right now. I wish I had more. My only real "complaint" is that you can definitely taste the oak, almost (but not quite) to a fault.

1/31/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Wow. Sad that this is my last one, but drinking AMAZINGLY well right now. No formal notes. Pure awesome.

1/8/2015 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Based on the previous tasting note, I let this one sit for a while. Nearly three years later, and PnP, the smell is pretty good and the color is an inky dark red. Smell profile was more like a Petit Verdot or Syrah than a Cab I'd say. Some dark green vegetal spice aromas really stood out. Also get a little Vanilla on the nose from the Oak.

The flavors, however, are not quite right. There's some initial dark berry fruit, and happy to say the vegetal profile doesn't come through in the flavor. However, the wine finishes very abruptly and transitions into what I would equate to licking an oak barrel. Fortunately, the wine seems pretty balanced and isn't astringent.

I don't think the wine is beyond its prime, but I also don't think it's going to get better. Unfortunately it's a miss in my mind, but better than other examples from VA that I've had. Hopefully future vintages aren't as oaky...

9/20/2014 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

Meh. A bit raisin-like to me, a little astringent, too. Smells like a new leather shoe (not necessarily a bad thing) and has some cherry and raisin flavors.

6/26/2014 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Pretty smooth, drinking nicely!

6/16/2014 - vaaccess wrote:

This is drinking really well still! Very smooth/balanced wine.

5/31/2014 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Remains very smooth and balanced, has some nice smokey flavors...Can certainly taste the barrel aging, but it isn't too oaky.

12/23/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking amazing right now. And for $7/bottle, the QPR is out of this world.

Lots of awesome tobacco, vanilla and cassis make this wine exceptional for me. The mouthfeel is full and finish is long and very balanced. Love it.

12/9/2013 - vaaccess wrote:

Getting pear and sweet tarts on the nose, mouth feel is full and well balanced with a long finish. There's a bit of creamsicle on the taste along with more pear and tart green apple. This is an exciting example of what awesome wine Virginia can produce. Well done!

It paired incredibly well with the stir fry we had tonight!

12/8/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Wow, an exceptional wine that is drinking beautifully and perfectly balanced!!!

I'd sum it up by saying it tastes of creamy chocolate and dark berries with a bit of tobacco! Tannins are firm, but not over-powering. It's super tasty!!!

12/7/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

PNP, tight on the nose, but flavor is good.

A couple of hours later, getting some good black pepper and green paper on the taste, along with some raisin. While the finish is long, it ends with a coating of my mouth and slightly medicinal. The nose is dusty, but having a hard time getting anything from it.

Color is turning a reddish-brown, which I expected.

I enjoyed the wine, but am guessing it's probably only going to be good for another year or two.

11/17/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

PnP, nose is tight. Swirling...

Getting more on the nose, but still tight.

Taste of plum and cherries, tannins are a medium, very much like other Malbecs I have had.

It's a smooth wine and pretty well balanced, though, so I know it will get better...will hide this bottle for a while so we can try it again later. One negative is that it is just a tad stringent.

*2 Hours Later*

The nose has black licorice, is peppery and earthy. The flavor is opening big time now. Lots more fruit and some tobacco now. This wine will probably age pretty well and is enjoyable.

11/8/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Right off the bat, getting a nice nose of plum and a hint of earthy dust.

Pop and pour, this wine has some solid tannins that lead me to believe it'll age very well and that it also needs to continue to open.

*runs through Vinturi to accelerate aeration*

Plum nose is brighter now, with some dark berries coming through underneath. I'm also getting some black pepper on the nose.

Mouth feel is more broadened, now, in line with a full-bodied wine that is nicely balanced. The tannins are still firm, but under control. Getting some nice juicy blackberry flavors and cassis along the way. Finish is long and fills my mouth completely. I think this would pair really well with a nice beef stew

Given how well this wine is drinking now, I'm going to mark it up a bit to a 91 since I think it will age very well and will be a great wine along the way.

11/4/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Dark berry on the noise, with some cigar notes, and some smooth leather. Nose is awesome and complex.

Mouthfeel is balanced with a great black currant flavor, with more dark berries. Again, great balance and a long finish. This reminds me of the 1996 GunBun Merlot that got me into wine. Super yum.

10/24/2013 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

It's not a good Merlot, honestly. Though, drinkable...It tastes like sweet raisins, with a slightly tart and acidic finish.

10/23/2013 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

Bitter tart raisin explosion, with a cough syrup medicinal finish. Sorry guys, but this one is indeed awful.

9/26/2013 - vaaccess wrote:

This wine isn't too bad. Pretty balanced, fruit is a little raisin-like, tannins are firm...Have two more, maybe will continue to age well. Seems like it could have more years in it.

8/9/2013 - vaaccess wrote:

- Yellow color with fast forming legs and aromas of rose and peach. It's in total harmony with a medium/full body. Juicy texture with a long finish - Smell is amazing on this wine. We are getting rose and peach on the nose.

Slight buttery flavor with a fair amount of dryness, which I like, along with a tart pear flavor.

8/8/2013 - vaaccess wrote:

- Crimsom color with fast forming legs and aromas of black currant. It's balanced and has flavours of alcohol with a medium/full body with a medium finish - Homemade pizza on tap, figured this should make a good pairing.

Seems super tight on open, will need to sit for a bit.

10 minutes in and starting to open up, tannins are getting stronger and wine is balancing better now. Getting some stronger black currant now, but still getting a cherry cough medicine taste...will wait longer.

Certainly has smoothed out now after 45 minutes.

5/25/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Pretty sweet, if that's your thing. But. It's incredibly smooth, a little tartness, floral, etc. A good representation of what it is.

5/24/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Yummy. I love a good Grenache and while this isn't the best (best being from Priorat), this is a stellar wine. Plenty of fruit, smooth, medium tannins, long long finish. Need to let it sit out still for a minute. First nose was a little rough, but it smoothed out. Lots of dark fruit, prune (not in a bad way), and mild tobacco.

3/18/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Excellent Merlot. Pretty new world/fruit forward, though, but I enjoyed it.

3/11/2013 - vaaccess Likes this wine:

Pretty smooth Malbec, not sure how it will age, though. Seems more like a drink now kinda wine. Slight goofy aftertaste, tastes has a bad walnut after-taste or something.

Anyway, tannins are light, fruity mouth-feel. Slight dust to the nose.

3/5/2013 - vaaccess Does not like this wine:

Could be past the prime...? But, this wine tastes tart with a burnt cherry aftertaste that is coupled with heavy tannins that make me want to scrape my tongue to get the taste off.

12/24/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

I think it's at or beyond its prime, now. Dark fruit flavors.

12/20/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

Pretty good Merlot. Tastes a LOT like a Sangiovese, if I'm being honest. Lots of tart cherry on the nose, but excellent balance and long finish.

11/29/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

The wine looks Ruby colored. It smells like Dust, and Raisin. It tastes like Oak, and Prune. The body is Medium. The wine has Angular texture. The wine finishes Medium.

I'm also getting a fair amount of green pepper, which isn't a surprise.

11/21/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

- Crimsom color with medium forming legs and aromas of oak and dusty. It's balanced and has flavours of strawberry and cherry with a light/medium body. Silky texture with a long finish - Love Noceto Sangiovese! Always a great representation of Sangiovese and this is no different. It is a tad astringent, but otherwise great.

11/10/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

I get dusty black pepper on the nose and maybe some prune.

The mouth is a little astringent and it has a medium finish. I get some muted fruit, but a good amount of a pepper and clove.

This might be on the downward slope, but still a good wine.

9/27/2012 - vaaccess wrote:

Fading fast...Not holding up well at all.