3/26/2024 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Concur with prior reviews. Drink now.

2/20/2024 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

I note the mixed reviews below, and I fall on the side that loved this. Served with ribeye. I agree first night (2 hour decant) this was very tight, with tanins and acidity dominating the fruit. Second night, served with pasta, this blossomed. Wonderfully fragrant and well balanced. Evolved from tart dark cherries to finishing ripe cherries and dark fruit, with graphite and dark earth background. Maybe 90+ first night, easily 95+ second night.

12/11/2023 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Meh!

12/11/2023 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

A bit tart at first, but opened up nicely after some time.

9/19/2023 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Well worth waiting for. Dark inky black appearance with deep purple rim. Rich dark fruits with smooth tanins. Velvety mouth feel, medium long finish.

5/9/2023 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

I really don't need to add anything to the Robert Parker WA 96 + rating and review. Opened this for friends at Ringside Steakhouse in Portland, OR. Absolutely delicious. This is my second of three bottles; opened and reviewed the first one in 2015. Patience is a virtue!

4/23/2023 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Secondary fermentation, semi-sparkling.

4/8/2022 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Significantly better than prior bottle. Pure dark cherry fruit flavor, but lacking in complexity.

1/4/2022 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Rich stewed plum and dark berry flavors, with a nice touch if graphite minerality. Drink NOW, acidity is perhaps just a touch past peak.

11/26/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Dark, thick and rich, almost syrah like. Dark fruit and floral scents on the nose. Blackberry and baking spices on the palate. Medium finish. Big favorite at Thanksgiving dinner. 😋

9/29/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Not a fan. Tasted more like a sangiovese than a Pinot. Tart dried cherries with an acid bite on the finish.

8/15/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Dark berry fruits, but a bit lacking in finishing pepper.

5/13/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Concur with EYEWINO

3/20/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

90+ on day one, but 94 on day 2! A bit tart and astringent when first opened, but given enough time the sharp edges soften and this becomes a terrific value wine. Dark berries and graphite predominate, once the wine is given a chance to open up. Recommend another 5-7 years of aging.

2/20/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Delicious and great QPR. Tastes similar to a Napa cab.

2/17/2021 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Concur with CWILLIAM 1/9/21.

2/11/2021 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Still good, but this bottle was noticeably past its prime. This was jammy; aroma and taste were rich, dark plums, with a hint of brown sugar. Tanins and acidity had faded to the point of little structure. Still tasty (hence the 85 rating), but not up to the level it should have been.

11/18/2020 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Absolutely stellar! Cab vines grown in NE Oregon, South of Walla Walla. Rich and velvety, with dense dark fruit flavors and a bit of dark chocolate. Served with ribeye steak.

10/14/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Pleasant enough as an everyday wine, but nothing particularly memorable about it.

6/10/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Medium+ body. Black cherry and blackberry, with baking spices on the finish. Not very complex, but good value at this price.

5/12/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Incredible QPR for this delicious white burgandy. Crisp green apple and pear flavors, with a mineral backbone and a hint of oak. Wish I had a case or two at this price.

4/22/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

The extra years since my prior bottle have done well for this wine. Much more balanced. Opened 3 hours prior to dinner, then ran through a filter just before serving. Tasted at opening, high acidity dominated. Acidity and tannins softened considerably by time it was served, but still has enough bite to continue aging. Dried prunes, stewed plums and graphite dominate both the nose and palate, with a hint of vanilla. Excellent with ribeyes.

4/1/2020 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Delicious, but not superior to other wines I've found at 1/2 the price ( or less).

3/19/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Has developed rusty red/brown rim. Dried cherries remains, but leather and tobacco aromas/flavors have emerged. Not fully integrated, but getting there. Maybe a few more years in the cellar?

3/8/2020 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Rich velvetly mouth feel with concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors. Smooth tannins and a hint of white pepper on the finish. What's not to like? ��

3/8/2020 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Nice minerality, but just a touch more oak/vanilla than I prefer. Just a little more lean and crisp would be spot on.

1/29/2020 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Graphite, dark fruits, and lingering finish. Good for a few more years in the cellar.

1/5/2020 - 422dbowlsby Does not like this wine:

Drinkable, but worth what you paid for it. Dominant note is cinnamon. I like cinnamon, but not as a wine flavor. Unbalanced; tannins dominate weak fruit and acidity. Do not recommend.

11/15/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Big hit at our family dinner with fried chicken.

11/15/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

A favorite memory of our trip to South Africa. Crisp, with a blend of citrus and stone fruit flavors.

10/25/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

See 10/16 note below by TEXASBOB. I agree.

9/4/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Crisp and delicious, notes of green apple and citrus with a very light touch of oak. Highly recommended!

8/31/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Velvety smooth right now, with the various flavors melded into a single whole. While I prefer the darker fruit flavors of Napa, this was an excellent presentation of the more red fruit style of Washington.

7/12/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Agree with Smostberg review below; spot on.

4/12/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Delicious. Medium bodied, with concentrated dark berry flavors.

3/22/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Exceptional review by RGCM Gananda below; I have nothing to add.

3/19/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Decanted 1hour. Dark garnet, with viscuous legs. Starts out with a large, almost overwhelming aroma of dark red fruits (boysenberrys?), graphite and cassis, but fades rather quickly. Similar comment on taste. Initial impact as a rich and deeply concentrated wine, but that fades quickly.
The finish is short and ends as very tart cherry. Good acidity and smooth tannins, but the whole just doesn't seem to come together at the end.

3/18/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Opened at restaurant, let it sit one hour before drinking. Powerful nose of blackberries, stewed plums, leather and cigar box. Later developed strong vanilla caramel notes. Delivered same flavors. Smooth tannins, but acidity was just a bit lower than optimal. Not flabby or past it's prime, but definitely drink soon. Tasted wonderful with braised pork and pasta. Lots of sediment, be sure to decanting and use a filter.

3/15/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Opened at wine club; consensus best of night. Tannins and acidity are smooth, complementing elegant redvfruit flavors. Hints of mushroom and fir Forest floor on the nose. Medium body and finish.

3/6/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

Drinking well right now. Dark fruits and graphite up front, well balanced. Tannins and acidity remain strong, but have relaxed sufficiently to allow the fruit to emerge.

2/28/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

88 the first day, but drink up! Does not do well the second day.

2/26/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Starts out green apple and pear; finishes with a lovely touch of vanilla caramel.

2/11/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Still nice, but a bit too tart cherry for what I like.

1/31/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

More refined than I prefer, it still has excellent notes of red fruits and violets. Needs decanting 30 minutes or so, to take the edge off of acidity. Medium body and finish. Only quibble is that I prefer a ragged, old world style (Chinon).

1/24/2019 - 422dbowlsby Likes this wine:

A beautifully balanced wine at it's peak. Dark fruits and graphite on the nose; delivers same to the palate. Long finish.

1/7/2019 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Old world texture, with a dusty and unrefined mouth feel. Savory flavors dominate first night, with dark fruits breaking through and dominating the second day. First night with ribeye, and held its own against chili the second.

12/19/2018 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Tart cherry, some raspberry and a hint of cherry cola. Small touch of smoke and cloves on the finish.

12/15/2018 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

An interesting dip into the cellar, but just a bit passed it's prime. Color shading towards brick red. Fruit still showing well, with raspberry and baking spices. However, both the tanins and acidity are detectably on the downswing. Adequate structure still there, but definitely drink soon!

12/9/2018 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Nice enough, but my predominant impression is too much spice. I picked up dark fruit and black pepper almost immediately, but the pepper sensation lingers looooong after the fruit has faded.

11/27/2018 - 422dbowlsby wrote:

Corked