4/23/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Very tight and tannic upon opening.
After 3+ hours: Aromas of iron filings, pine needles, underbrush and blood orange. Medium-bodied, this is very tannic and hard to get a bead on. Under all that tannin, there are loads of sweet blood orange, black cherry and composting leaves. This needs at least 4-5 years to soften and come around. Drink 2029-2034 93

4/22/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Black currant, creme de cassis and charred oak on the nose. This is medium-bodied, this a good tannic structure and decent fruit. Creme de cassis, ripe blackberry and milk chocolate. Probably on the decline, this should last several more years. 92

4/20/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Black current, mocha and oak. The texture is excellent with a salty finish. No signs of excess age. Drink now-2028 91

4/18/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

This is that really in your face, super direct style of Napa luxury Cabernet meant for immediate consumption. Not at all my style, many will love for is luxurious fruit and corpulent frame. 91

4/18/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Classic nose of creosote, charred wood, blackberry and earth. Medium-bodied, this has a delightful texture that just glides across the palate now that the tannins have resolved. Salty minerallity and sweet blackberry fruit really shows itself on the finish. My last bottle, like saying goodbye to an old friend. Drink now 90

Note: This improved with 45 minutes in the decanter and is stil going strong at 1:15 post decant.

4/17/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Rich and powerful, this has aromas of black cherry, u see rush and leather. Full-bodied, this is absolutely brimming with sweet black cherry liqueur, pomegranate juice, blood orange and rust. Still tannic, but if high quality. This is pretty fantastic right now. Drink now-2030+ 92

4/16/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Rich and heady nose, loaded with mocha, vanilla, charred oak, garden soil and black berries. Full-bodied, this is rich and round with toasted cedar, mocha, milky dark chocolate, blackberry and black cherry. Solid wine with sturdy tannins, this can stand up to a ribeye now or needs a couple of years in the cellar. Excellent. 91

4/16/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

With only 30 minutes of air, this isn't showing much in the way of fruit. Nose of black cherries, dried pine needles, underbrush and spice. Medium-bodied, this has light flavors of black cherry, pine, pressed flowers and autumn leaves. Will revisit after more air.

Later: This is still dry and lacking much charm, but moderately complex and correct. Drink now-2026 90

4/14/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Needs just a bit of air at first, but 30+ minutes post-decant, it's really starting to show well. Dark, brooding fruits as well as coffee grounds and fertile soil dominate the nose along side some charred oak. Med-Ful-bodied, this has an excellent, fine-grained tannic structure with more coffee grounds, non-descript dark fruits and a lovely, saline finish. Excellent now, this should last another 9-10 years, but I'm not sure if it will evolve further or improve much with age. While delicious this lacks the complexity nore the depth of fruit I enjoy in the best Napa Cabs. Drink now-2033 92

4/11/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Needs an hour+ and multiple decanting then it has a nice nose of ripe blackberry, hot slate toasty oak and a hint of spring flowers. Full-bodied, the palate has cranberry, and crunchy blackberry as well as a stony, staline minerality, plenty of acidity and some grippy tannin. Shows excellent purity. Drink now-2028 88

4/11/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

This is remarkably youthful. Nose is very typical of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Cherries, rhubarb, flowers and leather. Medium bodied, the palate is loaded with sweet black and red cherries, blackberries, eucalyptus, lavender, some herbs and spices and black pepper in the finish. Medium-high acidity and moderately tannic, this is shockingly youthful and so delicious! Drink now-2028+ 93

4/10/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Rich nose of very ripe blackberry, charred oak and spice. Quite full-bodied with a medium amount of decent quality tannin, high acidity and loads of sweet blackberry fruit. Drink now-2027 89

4/9/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose loaded with grilled rosemary and thyme switches, white pepper, lavender, roasting meat and roasted black cherries. Just massively aromatic! Medium-full bodied, this is still quite tannic and they are drying. They detract from the palate which is similarly loaded with tons of herbs de Provence, black pepper and some herbal qualities as well as copious black cherry, wild blueberry and mulberry fruit. I doubt these gritty tannins will ever resolve, but only time will tell. For lovers of gritty, rustic tannin only. This developed in the decanter quite well. Drink now-2029 94

4/8/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Popped to celebrate the eclipse! Big nose brimming with toasted brioche slathered in cling peaches, yellow apple and pit fruit preserves. Piecrust. Full Bodied this is rich and intense with loads of lemon curd and apricot. Finishes with a long, crushed oyster shell finish. Fantastic and young. Should age well. 93

4/7/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Not decanted (staying at a hotel), this took over an hour to finally open. This seems like it's a bit past its rime, but has a nose of blackberry and boysenberry, lilacs, mint and new French oak. Full-bodied, this is rich with chunky, gravely tannins and lots of black fruits, milk chocolate and oak. Drink now. 91

4/6/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Beautiful, rich nose loaded with ultra ripe boysenberry, bay leaf, wild blue and blackberries as well as some Asian spices. Medium-full bodied, this is rich and round and fully mature with plenty of life left. Well-stored bottles should reach 20 (max) in good shape. Drink now-2032 92

4/5/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Big nose of composting leaves and pine forest floor, potpourri, leather and cherry. Medium bodied, this is just ok. Lacking on the palate, this is acidic with medium quality tannins at best. Drink now, this isn't going to improve. 88

4/3/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Inky purple color. The nose is redolent of sweet blackberries, wild blueberries, wild flowers and charred French oak. Full-bodied, this is rich, round and tannic! Delightful, the palate has more black and blue fruits, hints of flowers, spice box, oak and minerals. Just excellent, this seems less flamboyant than I remember and is either in an ever so slight dumb phase or just easing its way into maturity. Drink now-2030+ 94

4/3/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Much better than the previous bottle. Rich nose of ultra-ripe boysenberry, blackberry and Danson plum as well as garrigue. Medium-bodied, this has a decent amount of tannin and medium acid on a lean (for CdP) frame. Still kicking, this is probably best in the short run. Drink now-2026 90

4/2/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Interesting, Bordeaux-espue nose of new barrique, black currant, scorched earth and as well as some Sangiovese generated stewed cherry and leather. Medium bodied, this is still quite tannic with good acidity and flavors of scorched earth, blueberry and oak. This has never been a favorite of mine, but this bottle is striking me particularly well. Aromatically superb, but the palate is crimped by the combination of high (and not particularly suave) tannin and acidity. Still youthful, no rush to drink remaining bottles. 92

3/31/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Full nose of rich black cherries, leather, old wood and dusty bookshelves, pine needles and spice. Full-bodied, this is rich and concentrated with rugged tannin and med-high acidity. More sweet, ripe black cherries, mint and pine forest floor on the palate. This is a nice example of entry/medium level Barolo. Drink now-2030 91

3/30/2024 - WineGuyX Does not like this wine:

Right out of the gate, this is overwhelmed by musty wood. That blew off some, but the tannins are so astringent. Like a persimmon. Blackcurrant and oak on the nose, which has evolved quite nicely with air, but I just can't get over the astringency of the tannin. These may be wood-derived tannin as they don't seem abundant, just of extremely poor quality. Doubtful to improve much with further age, but it's worth a shot. Utter crap from Garagiste. 84

3/29/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Interesting aromas of pencil shavings (heavy on the lead), damp earth, new oak, stoney/metallic minerals and black fruits. Full bodied, this is rich and very dense with a thick wall of high quality tannin. Beautifully delineated, this is classy and elegant with restrained and focused power. Excellent! This is a baby in need of several years in the cellar. Such purity of fruit. Drink 2029-2039+ 96+

3/29/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Mice nose of brioche and pit fruits. Med-full bodied, this is quite rich and round in style. Quite good if you like that blousy style. Finishes with loads of sweet pit fruits, good acidity and a touch of oyster shell. Drink now-2029. 91

3/29/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Mildly aromatic of mint, pine and cherries. This is thin and washed out but drinkable. 86

3/27/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Beautiful and intense nose of damp forest floor, composting leaves, pine needles, leather, cedar and black cherries. Medium-full bodied, this is rich and intense, with flavors that largely mimic the aromas with a solid core of sweet pomegranate, blood orange and rusted iron filings. This is in need of another year or two to reveal its full self. In the meantime, give a 3+ hour decant. Drink 2026-2032 93.

3/26/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

From 375
Big nose of eucalyptus and cherry cough syrup as well as rosemary and laurel. Very rich and full-bodied, this is stacked with sweet black and red fruits as well as herbs and spices. I typically haven't enjoyed the 2007s in their youth, but this is now starting to interest me. Still has a decent tug of tannin and crisp acidity. Given this is from a half bottle stored in my very cool basement (as opposed to my proper cellar), it's remarkably youthful! Drink now-2029 95

3/25/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Modest nose of rich, super ripe blackberries and lavender. Full-bodied, this is round on the palate and shows maturity, but no signs of advanced age. Quite delicious on its on and with Chinese takeout! The palate is loaded with sweet blackberry syrup, black cherry, laurel and Asian spices. This is delicious and has really improved since my last bottle. Drink now-2028 93

3/20/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Montonegro. This is weird, wild stuff. Guess long skin contact white wine in a black glass. Rough tannins, weird aromas. This is 100% BnN!! No rating bc it’s so strange.

3/20/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

This is not the barrel cuvée

Odd nose. Maybe slight amount of aldehyde. Almond aroma. Medium bodied with orange blossom fruit. This is bright and fresh with good body and freshness. Rally neat! 89

3/18/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

At Vaqueta Gastro Mercat.
Knockout nose of roasted hazelnut oil, fresh, sweet brioche and toast. The palate is light in its feet, but loaded with flavor. Rich and I tenderly nutty with roasted hazelnuts, membrillo and lemon/lime
Zest as well as some oyster shell minerality and a long, complex finish. Excellent, but I’d love to taste it again in 5-10 years. 96

3/13/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

This showed nothing and I mean NOTHING, hour after hour in decanter with multiple (many) decantings. Until about hour 5. Black fruits, new rubber, spice box and sage. The palate is delicious with loads of sweet, but brooding jet-black fruits, granitic minerals, herbs and spices, oak and mint. This will need several years to come around (or an all-day decant). Drink 2026-2032 93

3/13/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose of baked black cherries and herbs de Provence with some spring flowers. This really shows the beauty and power of the 2010 vintage. This is an entry level CdP that doesn't seem particularly age-worthy, but here we are and this is just excellent. Med-full bodied, this coats the palate with sweet black cherry, cough syrup (in a good way) and more garden herbs. Bright acidity and moderate tannins, this is still fresh as a daisy and shows no signs of advanced age. Drink now-2028 92

3/11/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Wow, just wow. There is one overiding element in the nose and that's mint Skoal. I dipped in high school, so I know it well. It's just so over powering. The palate is med-full bodied and is similarly dominated by mint Skoal, but is has a nice texture with good tannin and bright acidity. There's also some blood orange and cherry character. Talk about difficult to rate. There are elements to like here, so I'm guessing the Skoal will integrate with time and this will be a nice bottle of wine, but I'd give it at least a year. Drink after April 2025. 91+?

3/11/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Really interesting aroma, but its hard to describe. Some mint and aromatic scrub brush (distinct from but not dissimilar from some aspects of garrigue), roasting meat and black fruits. Med-full bodied, this is round with bright acid and decent tannin structure. Bordeaux-esque in its size and shape. There's a definite, smoky/phenolic and rosemary character. Drink now-2029 91

3/9/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Main harvest 2006 with 2005 and 2004. Disgorged November 2014.
This has turned a deep, golden color. Notes of advanced age on the nose, with custard/yogurt and sourdough as well as honey and membrillo. Slight bit of oxidation. Medium-full bodied, this is round on the palate with more notes of oxidation, but also pear and apple as well as a oyster shell salinity through the finish. Still delicious with apricot nectar and that awesome salinity, this is probably on the downswing if this bottle is representative. Drink now. 93

3/9/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Still developing in the decanter, this has fantastic aromas of black currant, creme de cassis, blue and blackberry, spring flowers, vanilla, and charred French oak. Full-bodied, this is loaded with sweet black and blueberry, black currant, purple flowers, bay leaf creme de cassis, pain grille and charred French oak. This is starting to show some maturity, but is still so youthful and full of energy! Loaded with sweet fruit, but on a spice of taut tannin that are of exceptional quality and fresh acidity. This is excellent now but will reach age 20 in fine shape! Drink now-2033 95

This has faded slightly in decanter, so I'd opt for a 30 minute decant then consume over an hour after that.

3/5/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Light aromas of lemon/lime zest, fresh flowers and oyster shell. A hint of struck match as well. Light-bodied, this is a bit dry and biscuity, but with some apple flavors and a prickle of acidity and soupcon of salt. Not a bad glass of bubbly at all! Slight smoky character on the finish.
Doesn't seem to have benefitted from time in bottle, so drink up! 90

3/5/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Aromas of sweet blackberries and black currant, charred oak and vanilla. Full-bodied, this is just moderately tannic but with tart acidity to give it focus. More black fruits and oak on the palate. 89

Note: this has not done well in the decanter, so I'd just pop-n-pour and wouldn't count on this aging at all.

3/4/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose bursting with ripe black raspberry, red and black cherries, spice box, a hint of dark chocolate and toasty/cedary oak! Full-bodied, this is rich and round and punching WAY above its weight class! The flavors echo the aromas with medium tannins of good quality and tangy acidity. What a value in early-drinking Napa Cab that tastes as if it is pure and natural. Drink now and over the next few years 92

3/3/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

After 4+ hours in decanter:
Beautiful nose of creme de cassis, blackberry jam, cacao nibs and toasty oak. Full-bodied, this is thick and textured with loads of high quality tannins and an oyster shell minerality on the finish. Loaded with creosote, black currant, black cherry, cedar and spice flavors. Just excellent, this needs several years to come around. I'll likely wait until it is 12 before opening another. Drink 2030-2038 95+

3/3/2024 - WineGuyX wrote:

Date code on back says: 22/10/17. Since this was just purchased, I'm guessing this means disgorged Oct 17, 2022??

Toasty nose with toasted brioche and membrillo. Frothy, the palate has loads of toasted brioche, roasted walnut and membrillo as well as oyster shell salinity. Rich, this is a style I really prefer. 91

3/2/2024 - WineGuyX Does not like this wine:

Smoky/phenolic nose. Palate is like charred bandaids and oak. Several hours in decanter hasn't helped much. That said, the texture is nice and there are brooding black fruits and chocolate/vanilla. This may evolve over the coming few years. 87

3/2/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Nice, developed nose of bruised pit fruits and toasted brioche. Light bodied, this is very light on the palate, but with plenty of flavor, it's just missing something texturally. Sweet flavors (though quite dry) of membrillo, honey drizzled on toasted brioche and oyster shell salinity. Drink now-2026

3/2/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Huge nose of fresh cracked pepper, sage, wintergreen, anise, Asian spice box, roasting meat and black cherry. Full-bodied and extremely forward, this is potent and lasting. Loads of blueberry, black cherry and berry, cassis, white and black pepper as well as some garden herbs, led by sage. This wine is huge, but has a semblance of balance with soft but evident tannins and somewhat high acidity. Very well made, this should age for 15+ years but most will likely prefer now. 95

2/29/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Smells unmistakably of Bordeaux with some cassis and lots of Graves-like pencil lead/charred wood and scorched earth. Medium-bodied, this has a balance of red and black fruits. Quite nice at the price point. Drink now-2027 88

2/28/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Lovely, pine-scented nose of new leather and black cherries as well as some underbrush. Medium-bodied with fine tannin and fresh acidity, this is a delicate wine with flavors that match the aroma. Drink now-2028 91

2/27/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Aromatic nose of ripe black raspberries and spice box. Almost smell like Zinfandel. Med-full bodied, this is loaded with sweet black fruits, cedary oak, creosote and spice. Very straight-forward, but delicious! This has a thick texture and decently layered tannin. A great bargain, I think many would love this more than I. Drink now-2028 90

2/26/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

This needs a good while in decanter, but after about 2 hours its showing brilliantly! Creme de cassis, creosote, blackberry jam, wild blueberries, white pepper, flowers and oak. Medium-full bodied, this is tight on the palate. The class and breeding are obvious, but this needs a few years to show its best. Spicy with brooding black and blue fruits, oak and spice box. SO good! Drink 2026-2035 93+

2/26/2024 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Really beautiful violet color. Modest nose, but it's quite lovely. Brooding black fruits, soil and oak. Med-full bodied, the palate is more lifted than the nose led me to believe. It has a floral character not unlike Malbec from Mendoza. Some serious concentration and tannin as well as crisp acidity. I bet this would age slowly and gracefully to age 10. Better in a year or two, but good now. Drink 2025-2031 91+

Second night: This continues to be a fantastic wine. Rich and layered, this is a bit of a blunt instrument at present, but boy is it loaded with potential! There’s an iron filings character that I just love.