4/6/2024 - csillabu Does not like this wine:

color too light, brick orange shade, smell and taste reminiscent of cool aid, not much there to like

11/10/2019 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Needs 1+ hour of decanting. Very balanced with a smooth tannic finish. Enjoy now, or keep saving.

1/19/2019 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Drinking really well now. Enjoy!

1/18/2019 - csillabu wrote:

It's just okay. A good entry level zin, but not one I need to purchase again.

1/12/2019 - csillabu Likes this wine:

This is an excellent California style Pinot. Fruit forward, slightly smokey, full bodied, balanced with a medium finish. It's a great pop and pour now. CT shows it to be past its drinking window, I disagree, but not sure it's going to get any better with more time in the bottle. Enjoy!

11/18/2018 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Full flavor, complex with medium to long tannic finish. Likely in its prime drinking window now.

11/17/2018 - csillabu wrote:

Balanced Chardonnay, with light oak in the foreground and citrus notes throughout. Finishes medium.

11/16/2018 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Rich and balanced with lingering finish. Drinking excellent now.

11/12/2018 - csillabu wrote:

Pleasant, easy drinker.

7/13/2018 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Drank back to back with same vintage Rafanelli Zinfandel. The Rockpile is great, but was outclassed by the Rafanelli. Smooth from start to finish, with medium tannins lingering. Popped and poured, likely peaking now. Drink up!

7/13/2018 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Drank back to back with same vintage Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel. Everyone liked the Rafanelli better, even though the Rockpile is a great wine on its own merits. The Rafanelli had more structure, depth and longer finish. Just overall more complex and interesting. Drinking great now, popped and poured.

4/28/2018 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Drinking wonderfully now. Opened bottle for only 15 minute decant prior to drinking.

9/1/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

This was the third bottle of Cabernet we consumed for a friends get together at our home. Should have opened this bottle at the same time as the first two to let it breathe for an hour or so before consuming. Seemed a bit tight when first opened, but overall very balanced and drinking really well.

9/1/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking really well right now. Bright and balanced, dark berries shine through. Long and mellow finish. Bottle opened for about an hour before drinking, no decant needed.

9/1/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking exceptionally well right now. Complex, balanced throughout and smooth lingering finish.

8/5/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Bright, crisp, refreshing summer drinker, paired well with grilled steak.

7/10/2017 - csillabu Does not like this wine:

First thought - am I drinking wine or grape juice? With a little more time in the glass this one didn't get any better. Straight up sweet juice, hollow, no character, no tannins, definitely missing the effect of oak aging. I doubt it will get any better with age.

7/1/2017 - csillabu wrote:

Vertical tasting - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. 2013 vintage seems too young - a bit all over the place compared to the other vintages tried. Give this another year or so in the bottle before drinking.

7/1/2017 - csillabu wrote:

Vertical tasting - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. 2011 vintage is drinking really well now. More fruit forward and bright than 2009, similar to 2010. Very enjoyable right now.

7/1/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Vertical tasting - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. 2010 vintage is drinking really well now. More fruit forward and bright than 2009, similar to 2011. Very enjoyable right now.

7/1/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Vertical tasting - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. 2009 vintage is drinking really well now. Most complex, and at the same time mellow, of all tried.

7/1/2017 - csillabu wrote:

Exceptional!

7/6/2017 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Drinking really well now. No decanting required. We drank 2 bottles of this wine over 3 evenings. It does not seem to get better the longer its open. Very nice, balanced Cab, with smooth finish.

1/12/2017 - csillabu wrote:

Overall light, but pleasant with nice complexity. Was better than bottle we tried about 6 months ago. May be near its peak.

12/24/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Paired well with Christmas Eve dinner - spice rubbed roast pork, and rosemary potatoes.

12/23/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Balanced and smooth with a medium finish. A really good blend that is drinking really well right now.

12/10/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Dark, complex and smooth long finish. In its prime. Enjoy!

12/1/2016 - csillabu wrote:

It starts with great promise, deep garnet color, dark berry and earth tones on the nose, the taste however, does not back it up. Lack of body, short finish, simple notes of dark berries throughout. We may have missed its peak, if there ever was one. Will not purchase again.

12/3/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Complex and balanced start to finish, with hints of sweet citrus notes. An interesting chardonnay that should appeal to many, as there is a great balance with notes to please both crisp and buttery chard lovers. Medium bodied with medium finish. Drinking very well now.

11/25/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Smooth and complex with strong body and long balanced finish. Paired really well with Thanksgiving Turkey. A great example of a California Pinot, with enough aging at this point to have mellowed the ripe cherry fruit.

11/4/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Enjoyed at neighborhood wine tasting party. Smooth and dry all the way through, with undertones of dark fruit. Medium to long balanced finish. Definitely in its prime drinking window.

10/19/2016 - csillabu wrote:

One note - raisin dominant - got flatter as time went on. Not recommended.

10/17/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Dry to the bone, well structured and lingering tannic finish. A great example of an Italian style blend. Drinks very well now.

10/15/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Consistent with previous bottle. Definitely a big wine in its prime drinking window. Enjoy!

9/30/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Smooth from start to finish. Drink now!

10/1/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Consistent with previous bottles. Tastes great now, but can mature further.

10/1/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Had high expectations - but nothing special. Have one more bottle, will hold on for another six months and see if it improves.

9/15/2016 - csillabu wrote:

This wine has really matured and has become enjoyable with or without food - drink now!

10/1/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Soft citrus notes with a hint of vanilla. Pairs well with light summer dishes.

9/5/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Very enjoyable, crisp rose with dry medium finish

5/8/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Purchased after tasting at Plum Market. Very unique and enjoyable white. A blend of 80% Roditis and 20% Assyrtiko produces an enjoyable wine with the crispness of a Sauvignon Blanc and richness of a Chardonnay. A fantastic white to enjoy by itself on a summer evening, or paired with fish.

5/2/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Bone dry, and huge from start to finish. Spicey notes dominate to end when tannins blend with spice to provide a long lasting finish. Drinks as if in its prime. Glad I have a couple more bottles ;-)

4/30/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

A fantastic Zin for the price. Drinking very well now. Food friendly and easily complements many dishes. Smooth from beginning to end with medium bright tannins at the finish.

4/24/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Drinking well, but definitely can lay down for a few more years. It is a big red, with dark berries dominating nose and palette, finishes long.

4/24/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

Consistent with tasting notes from others. This wine is drinking very well now, but has potential to further mature. Dark chocolate covered cherry on the nose and palette, with long spicy finish.

4/23/2016 - csillabu wrote:

This wine has really mellowed out, and shows less character than in the past. Color has changed - more on the brick red side. The initial aromas are raspberry dominant. Was our last bottle of this vintage. Recommend you drink up!

4/3/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

A very good, dry chardonnay, especially for the price point. Crisp, citrusy on the nose. Bright grapefruit and vanilla to start, finishes with medium buttery notes.

3/31/2016 - csillabu Likes this wine:

A really unique and enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc. Starts with crisp citrus notes, lingering on grapefruit accented by clean notes of fresh grass and wet stone. Finishes crisp and lingers just enough to make you want to go back for more. Ready to enjoy now!

3/24/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Very good - typical Italian IGT style wine, with plenty of fruit and complex character. Enjoy for what it is!

3/20/2016 - csillabu wrote:

Very light crisp notes with faint citrus on the nose. Balanced taste with butter and oak undertones. Finishes dry and crisp. Drinks very well right now.