5/30/2023 - BrianMc wrote:

Scoring a solid 98 pts, not lightly given but well earned head to head against some very good wines, 1999 Jos Phelps Backus, 2016 Realm Farrella, etc. This wine was simply beautiful, hit all the right notes, fresh, great mouthfeel, balanced, just amazing.

3/6/2023 - BrianMc wrote:

Loved this wine, drank the same vintage 4 years ago and wasn’t fully integrated, it will continue to evolve for the next few years and get even better. Great Cabernet

10/5/2022 - BrianMc wrote:

Loved it, no sharp edges, beautiful fruit, lingering finish. It was worth the wait.

8/18/2022 - BrianMc wrote:

Wow. This is an entry level Realm that tastes like the top of the line. Huge cab with dried currant and blackberry fruit that is basically dessert.

11/12/2020 - BrianMc wrote:

Not terribly complex but really enjoyed the fruit and balance.

9/19/2020 - BrianMc wrote:

Surprised, like the texture/mouth feel, dry but not overwhelming, balanced fruit/acidity and decent finish. Overall very nice

3/29/2020 - BrianMc wrote:

One of my favorite Spanish wines, how often do you find a grenacha (Grenache) that can hang with a big time Cabernet? If you think that Grenache is a light bodied grape without a lot going on this wine will prove you wrong. Deep dark bruising fruit with balance and finish.

11/3/2019 - BrianMc wrote:

Amazing depth and balance, lingering finish, lives up to the hype.

3/22/2019 - BrianMc wrote:

Wow, put this against a 2005 Aquilion, 2009 M. Etain,, 2015 Hall Jack’s Masterpiece, 2015 Kapcsandy State Lane and many more. The Bard was the top wine across the board. Big but not overpowering, wonderful finish.

12/21/2017 - BrianMc wrote:

Depth, balance, fruit and finish were all there, drinking beautifully now with lots of legs left. Head to head with a 2007 Shafer Hillside select and Opus one, I thought it was the clear winner.

9/25/2017 - BrianMc wrote:

So busy these days I seldom write reviews but this wine is worthy of a few minutes of my time to extol its virtues, body and finish. Definitely zin based but had to check the bottle because there was so much more to it. Masterful job of immersing the palate with luscious fruits and as time passes the flavors recede into lasting harmonious finish. This was day 2, so could it use some time in cellar or a good decant. If given the op, definitely give this drive!

3/30/2017 - BrianMc wrote:

Joan's 75th

3/22/2017 - BrianMc wrote:

Great effort, big wine, love the blend of perennial, Cabernet, Syrah

2/28/2016 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Developing into a beauty, harmony is the operative word here.

2/21/2016 - BrianMc wrote:

Cork disintegrated, extremely disappointing

1/18/2016 - BrianMc wrote:

Young with potential, first night was tight, acidic, second night more harmony with trademark Napa traits. Good price point.

11/25/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Sad to say it's my last bottle, starts off soft and luscious, then comes fruit moving from across the palate from front to back, finishing with a tang.

10/11/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Young but evolving nicely, love the texture.

8/8/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Little too young, I look forward to greater harmony amongst all the elements

7/12/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

If you like Spanish Tempranillo try this Californiation of the varietal, lacks the earthiness but there's so much more to it. You'll love it or hate, nothing inbetween. Other domestic producers to try of this fine grape are Booker, Caliza and Cayuse.

6/7/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Still evolving, great fruit, big flavor and gonna rock in a couple of years

6/6/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Average

5/24/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Wonderful, starting with a fragrant alluring nose and moving to a slight sweetness that quickly transitions to a fruit forward, viscous long finish. Truly a wine worth every penny.

5/9/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Haven't been a big fan of Villa Creek but this bottle is the first step in changing my mind. Quite large, pitch dark coloring and viscous, had to brush my teeth twice. Flavor and finish pleasing to the palate and decent balance.

4/8/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Normally not a huge Pinot fan but this wine was big enough, no hard edges, plenty of fruit.

4/8/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

The time in the cellar is really bringing this wine together, excellent effort.

3/8/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

If you like a Tempranillo with Cali flair this is a must try

2/17/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Normally not a fan of PS but this one was great. Soft, big and ready to drink.

2/6/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

lacking the personality and liveliness I've come to expect from Linne. Almost flat in terms of structure and fruit.

2/2/2015 - BrianMc wrote:

Deep rich Grenache paso style, not for the faint of heart.

2/1/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Still young, next day lost some of the tightness and able to appreciate the Tempranillo with a Paso flair.

1/28/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Opened a little slow but came on strong after about an hour. Great fruit, density and a finish that veiled the tannins until the right moment. Heavy but light on its feet if that makes sense.

1/2/2015 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Still developing, excellent example of an approachable Syrah, a suppleness with nice weight to it.

12/1/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine, rich example of a Napa merlot done well. Right there with Pride, Paloma, etc.

10/29/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Beautiful for such a young wine, lots of l'Aventure influence (believe the grapes came from them), but some subtle differences to make it worth trying.

10/11/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Exhibits all the best of Paso

9/27/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Lush and expressive

9/17/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Still developing but depth and flavor exceeded expectations

7/15/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Still young but excellent example of Paso rhone style wine, big, fruit driven but with subtle, textured notes on the finish

7/15/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Very approachable, easy drinking Pinot with bright fruit. Not complex but I think that was the point.

5/25/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Have to admit I don't typically give out 96 points but this wine held up its own against some incredible wines tonight. The flight consisted of a Sine Qua Non, Aquilon, Ch. Du Pape and many more. All wonderful wines with winning appeal but the Saxum carried the day with a combination muscularity and finesse that left the rest of the flight with gaps albeit slight.

5/25/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

On the cusp of the backside, I wouldn't wait much longer. The fruit isn't as vibrant, the integration is isn't as seamless. Still a nice bottle but i would drink it sooner rather than later.

5/25/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Beautiful wine, well layered and integrated with a nice finished.

5/12/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Perhaps too young , nice texture and fruit but the Mourvèdre seems to suppress the Syrah and Grenache.

3/18/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Opened kistler Pinot, Spottswoode cab, Carlisle petite and the Saxum broken stones. Saxum carried the day, this is a big wine with subtle flavors (don't know how they get this delineation) and a lengthy finish that maintains some lightness.

3/18/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Wow, not a huge Pinot fan but this could definitely make me a believer. Light but with wonder fruit, excellent mid palate and integration.

3/18/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Beautiful old school napa cab, not the overly extracted stuff you tend to find today.

3/3/2014 - BrianMc wrote:

Outstanding, layers of fruit, great weight, excellent finish. No for those looking for a light Grenache.

2/28/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Great weight and texture, wonderful finish, appreciable mid palate, what's not to like.

2/10/2014 - BrianMc Likes this wine:

Still young but potential to integrate well and increase in score.