4/16/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Clean and clear. Nothing special, but good.

4/6/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Excellent value

3/28/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Very good.

3/28/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Not sure why others didn't like this as we found it very good. Would definitely buy again.

3/26/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Good value chard

3/9/2014 - Jrote Does not like this wine:

Weird - this is supposed to be a cab sauv but instead is noticeably sweet, yet does not taste corked or solarized (porty). Like the wrong grapes.

3/6/2014 - Jrote wrote:

This wine took a long time to open up to anything that approached drinkability. Perhaps too cold from the cellar in winter? Perhaps we rushed to taste? OK after a while, but only OK. Looking forward to trying a different vintage on this one.

3/5/2014 - Jrote wrote:

Unremarkable.

2/23/2014 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Surprisingly good for a value-priced wine.

10/9/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

One of the better malbecs I have had. Slight vanilla overtone makes it seem very smooth while being very dry. Just the right amount of tannin.

9/21/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Excellent!

9/5/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Fresh and light. An interesting varietal.

8/12/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

well made, with chenin blanc characteristics to the fore. Hence, a tad sweet.

8/10/2013 - Jrote wrote:

Still pretty tannic even after 24 hours - this wine might have gone another 5 years, no problem.

8/7/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Very good. Took a while to open up, but opened big and smooth.

7/20/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

A standard NZ SB. Good quality but not exceptional. Will drink again.

7/20/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Bargain at $5 at BigTop. Not a characteristically light SB - much more like a Chardonnay.

6/13/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

A big California chard - an exemplar of the breed.

6/1/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

A Big Top special. Better than average kangaroo wine, and a bargain at $4 clearance. A wine to drink when you don't want to open the better stuff in your cellar, but you just want a glass of wine.

5/29/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Another Big Top close out, and an excellent value at $7. I prefer slightly drier, but a good rendition of the American style. Fruity and fill.

5/25/2013 - Jrote Likes this wine:

Past prime, I think, but still good. Somewhat weak nose that still hinted of acetone even after opening up for several hours. However, after a couple of hours the flavor improved nicely.

5/14/2013 - Jrote wrote:

OK, but a bit flabby on the finish. Not much nose. Definitely not a New World white. Drinking a 2008 in 2013 is probably not at its best. A Big Top close out.

2/9/2012 - Jrote wrote:

A classic Marlborough SB with the volume turned up. Citrus far outweighs the grass; grapefruit and cat pee on the nose (not nearly so bad as it sounds). You'll either like this a lot or not at all - we liked it a lot. For all it's strength it's still easy to drink, and at an excellent price.

2/9/2012 - Jrote wrote:

Liked this blend a lot. Not overpowering but persistent. Supposed to be "Rhone-like," but I lack sufficient experience to assess. Definitely would buy again.

1/10/2012 - Jrote wrote:

We should have opened this a year or so ago. Seemed past peak, given our remembrance of previous vintages. Never developed the richness/robustness we had expected, but eminently drinkable. Still, a fine wine. A bit light on the nose, and finished faster than expected.

1/10/2012 - Jrote wrote:

Not as robust as an oaky California chard, but opened up well. Bouquet on the light side. Varietal character more apparent several hours after opening. Texas wine is not just a novelty, but quite worthwhile.

12/28/2011 - Jrote wrote:

Took a while to open up, but turned into a very good wine for the price.

12/21/2011 - Jrote wrote:

A middle-of-the-road NZ SB, very good but not outstanding. All the right notes, but not as forward as some.

12/17/2011 - Jrote wrote:

Excellent. Not as "big" as many zins, but full-flavored. Light nose, but good body. Opens up right away. No distinctive notes, just good zin all over. Medium finish. On the second day it was melt-in-your-mouth smooth.

12/4/2011 - Jrote wrote:

Opened and decanted for about 45 minutes. Initial aroma mainly alcoholic. After about 1-1/12 hr flavor well-developed, although aroma never as big as some Rosenblum zins. Full-flavored, good fruit, not too jammy or sweet - just a hint of leather. Tannin noticeable, but not intrusive. I'll wait another year before opening the next one. A very good wine.