7/8/2015 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:

This wine has some profound potential, but I haven't reached that summit yet with it and alas I only had one bottle. Washington Merlot shines in this 2009 vintage, but unlike its early-drinking brethren this is still wound tighter than Michael Jackson's face and simply would not relax. An empty glass offered appetizing toffee notes, but a full one shared little. Day two offered only a little more with the toffee blessing the palate but all the fruit still locked up tight. With such a smooth, silky body its like drinking a glass of red glycerin knowing that somewhere down the line it will be magical when the curtain is finally lifted. If you have one of these, enjoy in 5-10 years.

4/26/2014 - fitchbuck Likes this wine:

We were a bit worried after this came out of the bottle rather dull & one-note. But a few hours later by the last sips, this was shining oh-so-brightly, and at a level few L'ecoles have been at. This is one of the top No. 41 releases I've had the pleasure of meeting.

2/5/2014 - ChrisinCowiche wrote:

Nice fruit, grip and acids, well balanced. Comparing this to leftovers from yesterday from CA, very different mainly in the acid profile. CA wine seemed flat in comparison. Very likely I preferred this partly because my palate is trained to like the WA acid profile.

6/25/2012 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:

This wine was simply outstanding. After an hour of breathing it showed an intriguing gamey earthy character that continued to evolve over the next several hours. It reminded me more of a fine Bourgone than a syrah. At one point in the evolution the aroma of stewed tomatoes overpowered everything until it reached a rotting vegetable crescendo. Underneath, the palate continued to show red berries, earth and game with mild tannins. With yet more air charcoal took over in the nose and the palate simplified to a more conventional soup of berries and toast with grippy tannins keeping the finish long and luscious. After three hours or so the fireworks show was pretty much over and the wine behaved more or less like a standard syrah of lesser pedigree. I would buy more of this wine, but I wonder if 2007 was a special year.

6/18/2013 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:

After an hour of breath, this wine had a stunning aroma of marine funk and cured meat that hints at the Mill Creek origin for some its fruit. Underneath all that the wine is full-bodied, smooth, and silky with a lovely texture. Jammy blue and black fruits dominate, but there's a subtle brine undertone in that fruit as well that creates great grip and length.

6/12/2013 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:

A reliable producer known for Nebbiolo from Alba and Barolo first, this Langhe is from a sub-region known for value. Ruby red with just the slightest orange at the rim, this Marghe shows an appealing nose of cola, cherry and white chocolate. Light-bodied and mineral-driven on the palate, this savory, woody wine is on the austere side, with ample lip-drying tannins masking the dried damson well through the middle and leaving one with a white pepper sensation on the short finish.

5/13/2013 - schwank wrote:

Notes from memory. Cork was over halfway soaked and partially disintegrated when pulled. The wine still had a bit of red berry punch on opening before evolving into something a bit deeper and darker through the evening. A beautiful aged Burgundy for under $90... very pleased.

1/26/2013 - schwank wrote:

Decanted for an hour and consumed with dinner and through the evening. This bottle is still in good shape. Smooth medium body with soft but persistent tannins holding through a medium finish. Quite pleasant with wine braised beef short ribs and had plenty of body to stand up to the rich meat.

12/13/2012 - schwank wrote:

More drinkable than the other 05 Frenchman Hills Garagiste offerings but that doesn't say much. Pretty hot overall with some very disjointed flavors as noted by others. Not a great QPR even at $8, and I have several more that I now need to dispose of.

12/5/2012 - ChrisinCowiche wrote:

Huge fruity smoky nose, delicious palate. This wine is ready to go NOW, and may not last for a long time in cellar but is a great wine for daily quaffing.

6/19/2012 - Kevincrouch Likes this wine:

Deep ruby purple color with decent legs on the swirl. After a 1 hour decant it had a bright nose of pomegranate and grape with noticeable dusty acidity like a lickastick pouch. Interesting lack of oak early on that came and went as the wine breathed. The medium-bodied palate was tight at first with pure cassis and some oak notes, however a few hours later it was long and luscious with gorgeous caramelly cassis, anise, and hints of cherry. Tannins are wonderfully smooth, just sanding down the mouth enough to beg for another sip. This is a beautiful, restrained wine that does what so few new world wines can pull off. And to do this for 18 bucks on sale is just outrageous.