1/30/2014 - andrew.schoen Likes this wine:

Deep purple core with moderate legs. Rather fruit forward on the nose for a Napa cab, with notes of blackberry, black currant, and a touch of raspberry chocolate. On the palate is where this wine shines, with supple, succulent tannins, perfect balance, and a velvety smooth texture. This wine's sleek, medium finish echoes the fruity notes that began this extremely enjoyable experience.

1/9/2014 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Leggy dark purple wine with a ruby rim and near-black core. Opens up on the nose with aromas of blackberry, black currant, ripe plum, and a subtle undertone of forest-floor. Solid structure on the palate, not overly tannic yet sports a strong, classic Napa Cab backbone. A touch of hot alcohol on this wine's medium-length finish.

12/30/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Dried currant, blackberry, and a vague minerality on the nose. Unbalanced on the palate, even after decanting, with crude tannins and angular acidity. Only redeeming quality is the finish, which is medium in length with notes of vanilla and slate.

12/13/2012 - andrew.schoen Likes this wine:

Bright straw. Fruit-forward on the nose with notes of white peach blossom and a touch of melon. Balanced palate, medium-dry, medium to light acidity for style. Good finish, exhibiting classic Sancerre minerality.

11/2/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Dark purple and leggy in the glass. On the nose, spice, cedarwood, black cherry. Exhibits good structure and mouthfeel; tannins are certainly present, but smooth and supple when properly decanted.

11/1/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Pale straw in color. Pear and citrus on the nose. Lemon, bitter tangerine, and green apple on the palate. Made with some degree of competence, but not exceedingly memorable.

10/18/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Ruby in color with a very slight violet tinge. Cherry and cranberry on the nose with faint floral overtones. Light silky smooth texture with strawberry, cherry, and woody notes, balanced by crisp acidity. Finish is medium, with a smooth, woody character. Well made but not extremely unique.

10/17/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Pale straw in appearance. Light on the nose with notes of toasted almond and green apple. Bold and balanced, the palate is dominated by character imparted from the 14 months spent in oak (I asked Monsieur Louis Fabrice Latour about the time spent in oak and he informed me that it spent 7 months in new French and 7 months in year-old French oak). Exhibits healthy mineralty, competently coupled with proper acidity and a touch of nutmeg. Toasted almond undertones carry through from the nose to this wine's long and beautiful finish. Certainly no flaws, but also nothing that sets this wine apart.

10/17/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Purple core with a garnet rim. Notes of sulfur, char, leather, and strawberry on the nose. Watery mouthfeel with poor structural balance. Rather disappointed with this wine; drink now as this wine will not cellar beyond 2013.

10/16/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Deep ruby core with light ruby rim. Popped and poured - ripe black cherry, violets, tobacco, on the nose. Surprised by the soft mouthfeel given the wine's composition; I'd have guessed a higher proportion of merlot and syrah based on the this wine's structure. Balanced acidity and just enough backbone make this wine easy to pair with a wide variety of dishes. Ready to drink now through 2013 latest. Notes of oak-imparted vanilla make up this wine's medium-short finish.

10/7/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Golden straw in appearance. Big on the nose with oak, vanilla, and buttery apple. On the palate a tad disappointing, although still pleasant. Granny smith apple with just a touch of oak. Medium to long finish.

10/7/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Ruby core with medium legs. Bouquet of red cherry and raspberry with a hint of strawberry and vanilla. Showing great potential on the palate. Drinking window for this wine should actually be 2014 - 2019. Good acidity with a supple structure; at this price point most would assume this won't age, but even after a 60 minute decant, this wine is still tight. Medium finish with oak and vanilla.

10/5/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Ruby and garnet, medium legs. Tart cherry, chocolate, raspberry, and earthiness on the nose. Good structure with smooth, but certainly present, tannin. Medium finish with a hint of oak. Drink between 2015 - 2020.

10/4/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Deep purple core with garnet rim and medium to thick legs. Dark berry, spice, and cedar on the nose. Good structure on the palate with notes of vanilla, cherry-wood, and oak. Vanilla and oak remain through the medium to long finish.

10/4/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Straw with pale rim. Lush gooseberry, grass, and grapefruit on the nose. Palate was crisp, with citrus, gooseberry, and some herbaceous overtones. Medium to light finish.

8/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: purple rim with a dark core. Taste: light mouthfeel, fruit slightly reminiscent of recent Opus One vintages - hints of plum, mushroom, ripe cherries, and a touch of oak. Short finish.

6/22/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

($6) Appearance: Ruby with a purple core. Aroma: Medium on the nose, fruit-forward, some red cherry. Taste: A simple, fruit forward wine. A very slight acrid taste, but hardly noticeable. A very good value.

6/9/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Pale straw with a hint of green. Aroma: Light on the nose with hints of citrus and melon. Taste: A lively, crisp wine with refreshing acidity and a medium-short finish. A great summer wine to drink by itself or pair with light meals.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Leggy straw. Aroma: Fruit-forward with notes of stewed apricot, lime, and slight minerality. Taste: Sweet and fruity, reminiscent of candied apricot with hints of lemon and lime.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Viscous and leggy straw-gold. Aroma: Fruit forward with notes of honeysuckle, geranium, peach, and pear. Taste: Very sweet, replete with lush fruit—peach, pear, golden-apple and a smooth, medium finish.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Pale straw. Aroma: light on the nose with notes of green apple. Taste: Crisp and refreshing but nothing special.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Straw. Aroma: Granny-smith apple, vanilla. Taste: Crisp acidity balanced with the proper touch of oak. Very good QPR.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Deep garnet core. Aroma: Smoke, cured leather, tobacco, some dark berry. Taste: Relatively light for a cab, jammy and fruit forward with a short finish.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple rim with a deep purple core. Aroma: Darkfruit, cherry, plum. Taste: An uncomplicated, balanced wine suitable for everyday drinking.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Viscous, leggy gold. Aroma: Honeysuckle, peach blossom. Taste: A very nice late harvest riesling with honey, geranium, and peach blossom.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Pale straw. Aroma: Citrus and pineapple. Taste: Crisp and well balanced with hints of grapefruit, pineapple, and fresh-cut grass.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple with ruby rim. Aroma: Red cherry, currant. Taste: Good structure and tannins, notes of dark cherry.

5/25/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Straw. Aroma: Vanilla, granny-smith apple. Taste: Noticeable oak and golden apple, some crisp acidity as well.

4/4/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple with a ruby rim. Aroma: Light on the nose with hints of red cherry, rose, and just a touch of vanilla. Taste: Very well balanced, fruit forward, with good (albeit light) structure. It would appear that other raters are allowing this wine's low price to influence their opinions—this is a competently made Bordeaux exhibiting desirable fruit characteristics and good structure.

3/23/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: dark purple. Aroma: cherries, vanilla, leather, spice, smoke. Taste: well balanced, good structure, oaky aftertaste.

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple. Aroma: Cigar box, blackberry, vanilla, sulfur. Taste: Dark fruit, dried herb, tannins, barnyard—Parker was far too generous giving this a 95pt rating.

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Dark ruby. Aroma: Blackberries. Taste: competent and tannic

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: light ruby, clear. Aroma: light on the nose, cherries. Taste: cherries, red fruit.

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: dull straw. Aroma: apples. Taste: OK for a Pinot Gris, apples and light carbonation

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple. Aroma: Some sulfur, cherry. Taste: Over-ripe, sweet

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: straw. Aroma: Grapefruit abounds, herbs, lemongrass. Taste: Well executed, nice fruit and refreshing acidity.

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Straw. Aroma: Light on nose. Taste: nothing special

3/13/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: light straw. Aroma: light on the nose. Taste: green apple, tart, highly average, nothing special

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Dark ruby rim with a ruby core and thick legs. Aroma: Opens up after decanting, notes of vanilla, currant, red cherry, hints of dark chocolate and forest floor, subtle hint of violet. Taste: A refreshing Shiraz with good balance and very delicate yet crisp acidity; palatable oak and delectable red fruit and berry characteristics. In a blind tasting, this would compete well with wines at much higher price points (although at $35 this wine isn't exactly cheap). Well crafted on the part of the winemaker; shows both overall competence and a mastery over nuance, all while keeping price low.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Dark purple. Aroma: Light on the nose, but opens up with some time. Taste: Vegetal with some green pepper. After some decanting, develops licorice, spice, and a characteristic metallic finish. Demands food (especially seared or cured red meat)

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Deep ruby rim with a purple core. Aroma: Some spice, red fruit, cherries and blackberries. Taste: Well balanced with nice fruit characteristics, including blackberry and cherry. Some spice. Drink soon.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Dark ruby. Aroma: Light on the nose, a bit young with notes of red fruit. Taste: Balanced with medium acidity and tannins. Fruit characteristics include cherry, raspberry, and plum. Medium length. A simple wine, not extremely memorable.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Deep purple. Aroma: Dark fruit, cherries, hint of floral characteristics. Taste: Medium body, bold tannins, some red and black cherries. Not overly complex or impressive, but it is, at least competent.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Deep purple. Aroma: Medium on the nose with black currant and dark fruit. Taste: Demands food, would pair well with steak or grilled red meats. Notes of red cherries, black cherries, plum and some floral characteristics.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Medium purple. Aroma: Light on nose with some redfruit, red and black cherry. Taste: Smooth texture, long finish, rather simple overall, but no noticeable flaws.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Deep purple, medium legs. Aroma: Dark fruit, black currant; medium on the nose. Taste: Well balanced, heavy, bold. This well crafted wine can age for another one to three years.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Gold with a hint of salmon; medium beading, nice mousse. Aroma: Citrus, toast, and some melon. Taste: Minerality, citrus, toast, and a hint of melon. Very good for the price.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Purple. Aroma: Redfruits, some hints of plum and red fruit. Taste: Demands food; heavy but well balanced.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Straw. Aroma: Full on the nose with notes of apple, citrus, and melon. Taste: Well balanced with melon, mineral, and citrus characteristics. A competent and well-made wine. Other raters are a bit harsh; this wine stands out at its price point.

2/12/2012 - andrew.schoen wrote:

Appearance: Pale straw. Aroma: Some citrus and some passionfruit. Taste: Notes of melon and passionfruit, balanced with nice acidity. Somewhat simple.