7/1/2018 - IconeWino wrote:

Spectacular and in a prime drinking window. This is a CdP for Aussie Shiraz lovers — concentrated and fruit forward even w some decent aging.

10/19/2017 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Outstanding. As far as I'm concerned, TM Anthill best California pinot for the money, especially if you enjoy the more nuanced, perfumed, and red fruit (i.e., cranberry) burgundy style as opposed to the thick, dark fruit, sweet Belle Glos-esque style. Wonderful!

10/16/2016 - IconeWino wrote:

The cured meat flavor off-putting on the palate. But better with food. Too light in body for my liking, even for CdP. Would NOT buy again.

1/31/2016 - IconeWino wrote:

Drinks like a perfect Napa Cab

8/22/2015 - IconeWino wrote:

Can't believe this was Chianti. Dark stewed prunes/raisins. Tasted like a bad Amarone.

8/8/2015 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Slightly floral on nose with cassis, with a touch of sweetness.

The malbec, however minor in the blend, really comes through.

Cannot taste the alcohol. Very well integrated and drinking beautifully right now. Just the right amount of tannins.

This could easily be confused for a right bank bordeaux. A little more subtle than a typical concentrated Napa cab.

7/14/2015 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Had at Restaurant Robert in Columbus Circle. Wonderful meal and great (reasonably priced @ $60 in restaurant) pinot noir. If you like the Belle Glos pinots, then this is up your alley.

7/5/2015 - IconeWino wrote:

Not as concentrated as some reviews state, but not delicate either. Wonderful nose. Decanted for 2 hours, and only started to really open up after about 3 hours after that. Give it a lot of air or wait another 3-5 years.

6/13/2015 - IconeWino wrote:

This must be coming in its own now. Thought this was fantastic. Huge currant, well integrated. As the night went on, a bitter note started to bloom.

9/23/2014 - IconeWino wrote:

Solid.

9/15/2014 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Outstanding Aussie Shiraz. Drank 2 nights ago. PnP. At opening, powerful nose that fills the room. Concentrated, complex dark fruits with a hint of heat at the end. Wonderful.

3/23/2014 - IconeWino wrote:

Takes a good hour for the funk to blow off, then an adequate aged Bordeaux

1/6/2014 - IconeWino wrote:

A few nights ago, so no specific notes. Typical Clarendon - complex, multilayered, and concentrated.

12/8/2013 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

One of my absolute favorite value wines, and always consistent. Concentrated and clean, this is very much in the California style. With that in mind, 92 pts., but 95 pts. for wines in a similar price range.

11/16/2013 - IconeWino Does not like this wine:

I love Amarone - drank almost exclusively during our trip to Italy this past Summer, but this is TOO much stewed raisin and plum. Almost astringent.

10/25/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Very very nice. Made in the bordeaux style and it shows. Much more delicate and nuanced than a typical "in your face" concentrated California Cab. Improved in the glass throughout the night, so I'd cellar another 2 - 3 years or give it a good two hour decant.

8/27/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Excellent and concentrated with a 20 second finish. Well balanced and expertly crafted. Opened up in the glass after only 20 minutes. Doesn't need a heavy decant.

4/21/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

The Malbec really comes out - smokey, tannins, medium finish

3/24/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

By far, the best QPR in all of wine right now. I prefer this to most $50 - 80 New World pinots. Although, admittedly, doesn't taste much like a pinot. If Caymus made a Merlot - this is what it would taste like. Vanilla, cola, slight sweetness. In fact, if you like Caymus but can't swallow the price, this is a very good substitute.

3/24/2013 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Wonderful QPR - Solid Super Tuscan. Vanilla and tobacco on the nose. Ripe black plum with a little balsamic and with a acidic, tannic medium finish.

3/14/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Freakishly smooth

3/8/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Notes based on last night's tasting. Outstanding Aussie Shiraz. Packed with flavor but not as over-the-top as some Aussies. For those that like smoother, as opposed to spicy, Shiraz.

1/27/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Notes based on consumption last night. A little smokier than most high-end California Cabs. Loved by all. Drinking lovely now.

1/21/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Tastes like a poor man's Caymus with less vanilla and a little more sweetness. Not bad.

1/13/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Decanted for an hour. Intense flavors that continued to open and evolve in the glass over 5 hours. Barbecue spices, prunes, smoke, and pepper in a finish that lasts 2-3 minutes. Superb example of Aussie Shiraz. Could be 95-97 in a few years.

1/6/2013 - IconeWino wrote:

Each bottle better than the last. See previous notes.

1/6/2013 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Way too young to rate. Shouldn't have opened so young.

1/5/2013 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

Nose a little muted. Pure blackberry, very smooth. A little pepper on the end. Medium finish. Very nice, especially for the price. Will buy more.

12/31/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Drinking perfectly now. Extremely balanced. Nose of ripe red fruits. Palate of cherry pie and allspice with a tart, pinot finish. This is not a Burgundy, but a nice California pinot. Great buy at $50 or less.

12/28/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Nose of rhubarb and alcohol, with a little creme de cassis. Also on the palate, allspice and jammy rhubarb. On the palate, Some tannins on the back-end. Drinking nicely now, but will be more integrated in about 2-3 years.

12/22/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Dried red fruits. Smooth. A nice Brunello example.

12/22/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

See previous notes

12/5/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Really hyped by Specs. Disappointing. I'm a Burgundy lover, but this was a bit too astringent - at least right now.

12/3/2012 - IconeWino Likes this wine:

See previous note. Decanted for 8 hrs. Either lay this down for 5-10 yrs or give it a lot of air.

11/30/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Nice and chewy. Tastes more like a robust pinto noir than a Cab/Grenache blend, which is interesting. Beautiful color with scents of fresh red fruits and spices. On the palate holiday spices with fresh dark plums and with a sweet/sour long finish.

11/25/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Stunning right now. Fully matured. Unfortunately, last bottle.

11/8/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

A nice Duero. Well balanced. Really opened up after about 2 hours in the glass, so I'd recommend about an hour decant.

10/24/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

This is gorgeous. On the nose, somewhat muted, a little floral. Cranberry and stone, with a bit of licorice, tart on the end with soft but present tannins. Will definitely buy more.

10/8/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Opened up nicely in the glass. Needs time or a long decant.

10/8/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Solid, but not spectacular.

10/4/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Little musk upon opening, but quickly blew off. But still muted on the nose.

Dark cherry - candied almost like sour patch kids, stone/steel, some heat/alcohol on back end. You can feel the tannins, but velvety.

Very nice.

9/29/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Drinking even better now. See previous notes - although a little less raw meat now, and more fruit forward.

9/29/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Delicious. Taste of cold red fruits. A nice Burgundy. Recommend.

9/26/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

I'm just confused by this. One bottle was corked, one bottle was fantastic, and one bottle was just good. All over the place.

9/22/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Corked. Wet socks.

8/14/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Cooking spices, dark fruits, and a little oak/cedar. Finish of sweet grapes - almost candied with a little pepper.

Different, interesting. Would definitely buy again.

8/8/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

A very nice surprise. Candied cherry, fig, and vanilla. Very concentrated flavor of vanilla and raspberry with a little pepper. On the sweet side, but very nicely balanced.

7/14/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

Just lovely. See prior notes.

7/1/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

On the nose - raspberry, strawberry, allspice, hint of mint.

On the palate - blackberry, blueberry, slight oak; nicely balanced. Super-dark in the glass.

Smooth and round, almost like a Merlot. Very, very nice.

6/28/2012 - IconeWino wrote:

5-hour decant. Nice nose of dark fruits - jammy and sweet. On the palate - minerals and smooth bramble with medium finish. Tastes almost like a Howell Mt. Nice.