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Tasting Notes for SUN-J

(325 notes on 290 wines)

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Red
1/12/2014 - SUN-J Likes this wine:
93 points
Nose of red and dark fruits, some spice. Similar palate -- quite full. Moderate acidity keeps this reasonably balanced. Prob too ripe for burghounds but there's an elegance to the ripeness. May develop more nuances in a few years but delicious now. OK QPR.
Red
2008 Cayuse God Only Knows Walla Walla Valley Grenache (view label images)
1/12/2014 - SUN-J Likes this wine:
93 points
Delicious. Funk, red fruits, olives. Some earthiness too. Could probably use a few more years (decanted for 1 hour) but still very good today. These wines are always a treat and very unique.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
3/31/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Nice complexity to this -- earth, iron, red fruit. Moderate acidity. Delicious for this entry level burg.
Red
2/1/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Decanted 1.5 hours. Nose of cherries, pie crust and some spice. Similar palate. Low to moderate acidity and moderate tannins. Did not show any heat. Nice if a bit boring towards the end.
Red
1/31/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Very ripe nose of red/dark fruits. Quite full and lush on the palate -- incredibly concentrated. Low to moderate acidity and tannins. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds -- should develop some interesting complexity (hopefully). For now, it was just ripe and delicious without being over the top.
Red
1/31/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Tobacco and cherries on the nose. Similar palate with moderate to high tannins and moderate acidity. Solid wine but not all that interesting. (note: popped and poured and prob should have been decanted)
White
12/31/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
Not rated -- served too cold. Lots of oak and quite ripe on the nose. Simple on the palate. Could have used a decant and certainly needed to warm up. Too bad. Look forward to the next one.
Red
12/31/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Nose of dark cherry and spice, maybe a little earth. Light to moderate acidity. Ripe but not over the top. A solid K-B.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1/16/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Quite light in color. Nose of cherry, some spice. Similar palate. Low-moderate acidity. Not typical Oregon pinot (more CA in style) but still solid, if a little simple.
Red
1/4/2013 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Light in color, esp compared to Cali Pinot's. Color is misleading -- it's quite full and ripe -- nose of cherry, cranberry and oak. Palate similar with moderate acidity for good balance.
Rosé
2010 Sine Qua Non That Type of... Rosay Central Coast Grenache Blend, Grenache (view label images)
12/31/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Not at all like a rose -- not in color, nor in aromas/flavors -- ie, no strawberry or raspberry. Nose was darker fruits and earth and some funk. Palate similar with some meaty qualities. A bit like a Sean Thackery pinot with less fruit and more funk. But lush on the palate like his wines. Dry finish with moderate acidity. Really enjoyed this.
Red
12/29/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Somewhat closed nose of brambly, dark fruit and some tobacco. Similar palate with a little less fruit. Moderate to high acidity gives this a bit more complexity. Probably should have decanted. Also followed a ripe pinot so was the wrong order for this wine. Try again in 6-12 months or decant for an hour.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
12/23/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Liked this more than many of the vernaccia's I tried in the region a few years ago. Nose of minerals and ripe fruits. Quite rich but still minerally on the palate with moderate acidity. Not the same bitterness I recall in most of these wines. Great QPR.
Red
12/13/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
87 points
Lots of oak with some dark fruit in the background. A little rustic with some rough tannins. Maybe with time, this will improve, but the oak is so over-powering, it's not likely.
Red
12/13/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Not as good of a showing as prior bottle. Muted fruit, mostly tobacco notes on nose and palate. Good mouthfeel and solid balance but not that interesting. Last bottle.
Red
12/2/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Nose of dark cherries and a little spice. Palate quite full and lush but solid balance here -- moderate acidity and low tannins. Could prob use a little more time but quite enjoyable now.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
12/2/2012 - SUN-J Likes this wine:
91 points
Nice nose of cherries and berries. Quite full on the palate with a bit of forest floor to make things interesting. Moderate to high acidity and moderate tannins. Nice balance to this wine. Note: family who normally like more ripe/CA pinot didn't enjoy this as much.
Red
12/2/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Nose of red fruits -- strawberries and cherries. Initially lush palate but then seems a bit hollow. Finish is more simple than I recall at the winery -- low acidity and tannins. Might have opened too early.
Red
11/25/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
93 points
Decanted 2 hours. Other bottle with dinner was '06 Harlan Maiden. That had more obvious sweet oak with a little less fruit. This had more obvious fruit and was more powerful than the Maiden. Overall, lots of fruit with moderate tannins -- nearly over the top imo -- score is influenced by the rest of the guests who loved it.
Red
11/25/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Nose of red fruits, some smoke and vanilla. A little cherry cola on the palate. Maybe even a little floral too. Low to moderate acidity with low tannins. Delicious. Not overly complex but very fun to drink.
Red
11/25/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Nose of smokey, charred oak with some vanilla and tar. Similar palate -- a little rustic but with more fruit than nose suggested. Moderate acidity and tannins.
Red
11/17/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Pretty similar to last bottle. Lots of tobacco on nose. Palate had a touch more fruit than previous bottle. Moderate to high acidity. Solid with food.
White
11/10/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
86 points
Muddled and not very interesting. A few apple notes. Not sure what I found appealing in this at the winery.
Red
10/29/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Somewhat closed nose -- after swirling, revealed red fruits and healthy oak. Nice palate with moderate to heavy tannins. Prob drank a few years too soon.
Red
9/9/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Lighter than CA pinot's but maybe more typical of OR pinot's. Nose of red fruit and some spice. Palate similar with moderate acidity. Balanced, light, quite nice.
Red
8/26/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Delicious. Very ripe and prob should have waited or decanted but enjoyed the fruit and the decent balance in this wine. Seemed like there was some petite sirah thrown in there for added complexity but maybe that's just the vineyard site. Low to moderate acidity and moderate (maybe even slightly rustic) tannins.
Red
8/26/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
94 points
First Rayas and didn't know what to expect. It was awesome. Decanted for 1 hour. Beautiful nose of raspberries and roses, but just generally quite floral. Some earth notes too. Palate was seductive -- such a nice texture. Quite ripe but still seemed quite light and balanced. Moderate acidity and low-moderate tannins. Wish I had more of this.
Red
8/20/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Ripe, red fruits on the nose. Some pine/forest notes too. Palate is quite ripe and lush. Low-moderate acidity. Seemed to lack complexity -- probably drank far too young.
Red
2007 Jonata Winery Todos Santa Ynez Valley Syrah Blend, Syrah (view label images)
8/20/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Ripe nose of dark fruits and pepper. Some earthiness on the palate too. Quite full and lush. Moderate tannins and low-moderate acidity. Quite concentrated and could have used a good decant. Alcohol was noticeable but not obtrusive. Almost like an Orin Swift blend but with a touch more complexity and elegance.
Red
8/11/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
93 points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Nose of dark berries, spice and a little funk. Palate was quite full and showed a little earthiness. Moderate acidity and tannins. Balanced for such a young wine. Might even get better with age. Very nice.
Red
8/7/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Quite dark for a pinot. Nose of sweet fruit, a little funk and some spice. Similar palate with a little vanilla poking through. Moderate acidity and tannins -- showed a little of the alcohol too. Score reflects potential as it needs to shed some of its baby fat.
Red
8/2/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Dark fruit, oak and mint on the nose. Similar on the palate with moderate tannins and low-mod acidity. A touch simple but maybe too young. My wife scores this 2-3 points higher.
Red
8/1/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
Quite evolved in color and nose. Nose is musky, with some red fruit and tobacco. Palate doesn't quite deliver -- seems a touch muted. But nice balance. Solid.
Red
7/28/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Dark cherry nose with some spice. Palate was similar with a little stems and some earth. Some oak but not over the top. Moderate acidity and tannins. Hard to tell this is a mountain cabernet. Nice wine but not a very good QPR.
Red
7/28/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
88 points
ripe pruney nose. similar palate with moderate acidity. lacked the complexity from last tasting and seemed off . . .
Red
7/28/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
83 points
oak city. some ripe fruit. quite simple.
Red
7/25/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Nice nose of dark berries and spice. Palate didn't show quite as much but it opened up after some coaxing. Low-moderate acidity and low tannins. Solid Zin.
Red
7/20/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
86 points
Very dark in color. Nose of sweet dark fruit and a little white pepper. Big palate with heavy/rough tannins and moderate acidity. Alcohol is noticeable. Not enjoyed by anyone.
Red
7/13/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
93 points
Nose of dark berries, floral notes and a touch of earth. Palate was actually quite closed at first but later followed the nose with a lush finish. Low-moderate acidity and low tannins. I go back and forth on this wine -- sometimes it's just a bit too fruit driven and out of balance but tonight, it seemed just right.
White
2005 Josmeyer Gewurztraminer Hengst Alsace Grand Cru Gewürztraminer (view label images)
7/10/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
88 points
Floral nose with a little spice. Some of the classic lychee on the palate but overall quite light in style. Low-moderate acidity. Need a little more of everything to be really outstanding.
Red
7/10/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
92 points
Nose of dark fruit, pepper and some earth. Very rich palate with a long finish. Low to moderate acidity and moderate tannins. Delicious -- nice blend b/t old and new world.
Red
6/29/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
87 points
Dark ruby, almost purple in color. Nose of sweet oak and a little fruit. Palate is quite oaky with drying tannins. Seemed far more oaky than last bottle which we found off putting.
Red
6/29/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Light garnet in color. Nose of cherries and some earthy notes. Palate is quite rich with a little spice too. Quite lush and not overly complex right now but may develop over time. Low-moderate acidity.
Red
6/27/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
94 points
Light garnet in color, appeared older than 12 years. Nose was fantastic -- mushrooms, earth and some red fruits (generally lots of sous bois). Palate was similar with a long finish. Moderate tannins and acidity. Nearly outstanding.
Red
6/24/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Classic RRiver aromas of cherry and cola and some spice. Palate was a little more simple than the nose although had good dose of acidity. Not the best Rochioli appellation Pinot but still solid.
Red
5/28/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
94 points
What a difference 18 months makes . . . I really enjoyed it this time. Similar aromas as last time but seemed more in balance . . . funky, earthy, raw meat aromas with very lush palate and nice tannins and acidity. One of the better syrah's I've had in a long time. Definitely more Cote Rotie but with the California mouthfeel. Awesome.
Red
4/23/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Dark fruits and spice on the nose. Similar on the palate. Seemed true to the varietal. Moderate acidity and low tannins. Prob best SC Zin I've had from Carlisle. Crowd pleaser too. Nice.
Red
4/23/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
90 points
Dark fruit, oak and some earthy notes. Palate is similar, a touch rustic and definitely finished oaky but isn't over the top. Low acidity and moderate tannins. Enjoyable wine and decent QPR.
Red
4/18/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
91 points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Probably needed more like 3. Aromas of dark fruit w/o a lot of funk. A mineral element on the nose too. Palate was a little tart at first but showed more fruit and complexity after a lot of swirling in the glass. Nice amount of acidity remained. Enjoyed this but not quite as much as the last one.
Red
4/7/2012 - SUN-J wrote:
89 points
A touch lighter in color. Kool-aid like nose -- sweet, candied cherries but also a little plummy. Very lush on the palate with light acidity and moderate tannins. Enjoyable but there was a strange artificial quality to it. Would be good to try another one in a few years to see if there's any complexity that develops.
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