4/3/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

Over three nights. For everything that comes with the Ridge cache, this sure underperforms. Nothing offensive, mind you - but I surely won't be plonking down 32 bones again, for a CA wine whose quality matches that of a $12 WA red. Characterless, mundane. The V95 from Galloni is a joke..!

3/25/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Aged, slightly over the hill. Drink up.

3/28/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

More twang on the tongue than The Mother Label. Finishes very muted and open. Doesn't possess the snuff to be aged ... will only lose its uniqueness IMO. [*edit* definitely lost its oomph on nights 2 and 3.]
This is leagues better than the inaugural '17 vintage - which I found nearly undrinkable; hopefully the upward trend continues.

3/22/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Turning porty, any tannic tension long gone but the fruit is still plump. Drink these asap.

3/19/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

Serviceable but unmemorable. Pair with simple Italian or pizza.

3/16/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Classic WA structured bdx, still going strong. Tis a shame this label didn't make it.

3/12/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Was worried about the age here (and $22 auction get) so a quick P&P, instead of the usual decant. WOW this juice was singing from the get-go, interesting savory notes that make your mouth water & immediately wanting to come back for more... while the fruit plays 2nd fiddle. WOTY thus far. Night #2 wasn't quite as joyous, so recommendation is to drink now. 94,92.

3/7/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

It's fine. But I can't stop comparing these to WA state offerings, which blow this away at the price point.

3/5/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Punching way above its weight class, 90-91.

2/21/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

Not much that's of interest here; serviceable. Expected far more given the pedigree & price tag (even @ $40). The ST93+ here is mind numbing, hopefully 2nd bottle does better.

2/29/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Onto its tertiary phase, and about ready to bomb-out... probably within the year. Nice fruit for what remains, but without the tannic tension this has become rather one-dimensional. Easily quaffable. Drink now.

2/24/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Even at 73 bones on auction, still not worthy QPR-wise. I often confuse this with the Heart and Old Bones, in that I come in expecting a bruiser... but here, I think that with the fine-grained approach of this syrah, these drink better earlier.

2/20/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Over a week, this held up solid. Probably WA's best white.

2/17/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

@ Arch Cape VRBO: Absolute stunner again, cheers to this team for putting out WA's best zin. This is now *the go-to* varietal for pizza pairing over merlot.

2/13/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Another bottle that has seen better days; seems to be a going theme with me this year.

2/9/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

No longer the hearty QPR it once was, I struggle to even want to pay 50 for these 2nd-hand. MSRP has swelled to a ridiculous 70 bones... 91-92 for this iteration.

2/4/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Fading.

1/28/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

One of the better WA stalwart entry-levels.

1/24/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

I've definitely soured on this series, as well as the mother label, over the past several years. It seems to me that quality & enjoyment has gone downhill once they went away from the "fun" of the original lips label. This particular offering is all iron, olive, & pepper - with very little length, nor a want to let it linger in the mouth. After the brilliance of the first few vintages, 'serviceable' is not good enough.

1/18/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

I get that this is their entry level, but I've had much better from WA at this price point. I like their Old Vines better in this range.

1/15/2024 - fitchbuck wrote:

Barely serviceable pink plonk picked at over a near week; guess the fact that it was under a sawbuck qualifies the score as neutral?

1/6/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Stolen for 16 bones on auction, boo yah!

1/3/2024 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

As lovely a vintage as ever, though this was sliding on subsequent evenings ... meaning these need to be drunk now ... not unlike you.

12/24/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Over a half week, 90-91

12/25/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

A more subdued, middle of the road (but nonetheless excellent) CdP in comparo to Tom's just-finished jammy bomb CT99 CdP. Would have been more interesting to have as the first bottle opened; c'est la vie.

12/21/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Over 3 nights, the final of which saw it on the decline. Brilliant stuffing from Bourcier here; with all the funky nose, but less of the savory meat of Cayuse (and better integrated). In its sweet spot, drink now. 95-96

12/18/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Final one of around 8 of these. QPR still rockin.

12/16/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Damned good.

12/14/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Sensational wine, far exceeding expectations for its age & 2nd hand nature. With the band back together [Jon and Tom and Tom], paired brilliantly with filet oscar style @ Laurelhurst JaKs.

12/11/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Steal for 23 bones compared to community, and surprisingly still going strong.

11/30/2023 - fitchbuck wrote:

First Parabellum, could tell immediately this was a lesser bottling from F.Majeure. Glad to have only paid 30 here.

11/20/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

One of the best pinks I've ever had; simply delicious.

11/1/2023 - fitchbuck wrote:

Not sure where Eric Guido found "grippy tannins"?

10/27/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Standard entry level Turley, that overdelivered at my 23 price point.

10/20/2023 - fitchbuck wrote:

Over a week. Decent flavor profile, if not a bit muted and missing acidic tension. Threw some sediment. Drinks like a rose past peak (even on P&P).

10/18/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Salvaged from the sewage waters of an overflowing basement in PA (no, it didn't have a nose of barnyard). Rather ridiculous how good this is; plenty of fruit, even a little tannin. I've had plenty of CCGE's over the years, but never thought they'd be drinkable 14 years past. Lost its steam after several days in closed decanter. 92-90

10/7/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Respectable zin that was a steal at 18 bones. "They are who we thought they were!" 90-91

10/3/2023 - fitchbuck wrote:

Over 3-4 nights. Simple midweek pinot that was fairly average. I've had better for $20, so a middling QPR in the end.

9/20/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

This drank far better for me on P&P than on following nights 2 & 3. Suggests these are best drunk now (...not unlike you). Great QPR regardless. 92,90,88

9/15/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

peaking on Bainbridge.

9/14/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Just always a fun wine, that plays well in midweek or weekend duty. Price has crept up in recent years, keeping an eye on that.

9/2/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

2018 GSM blind tasting @ the Ross's for PSU-WVU: Liminal Weather Eye vs Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines. The 3 of us teetered back & forth on which was the new vs. old world... and which was preferred. In the end it was too tight a race to call, though both were delicious and primed to go after short decant. 93-94

9/2/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

2018 GSM blind tasting @ the Ross's for PSU-WVU: Liminal Weather Eye vs Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Les Racines. The 3 of us teetered back & forth on which was the new vs. old world... and which was preferred. In the end it was too tight a race to call, though both were delicious and primed to go after short decant. 93-94

9/5/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Pecked at over a half week. Perhaps past peak and losing needed acidity, this wine still never disappoints ... as its undeniably one of the top whites to come out of WA.

8/30/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Quite good, over a few nights.

8/25/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Hate to say "dumb phase", but I really couldn't coax much out of this over 2-3 nights. Prior iterations better IMO, but with more age caveat.

8/19/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Serviceably adequate, but surely a letdown. These never do live up to that early hype, do they? Hard to believe the community paid $84 here (my tariff was about half that). 91-92

8/12/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

7 bones? not a problem.

8/8/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Perhaps my 'least' favorite syrah by Maggie thus far... though why quibble, when she does the varietal better than most in this QPR.

8/7/2023 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

Crowd pleasing pink bubbles, Santa Fe style; just enacted a 2nd re-order.