3/29/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Singing cherry syrup on the nose, but you can smell a dusty undercurrent.

Similarly, the palate is beautifully clear, on onset, but then a bit of earthiness, and an explosion of tangy acidity, maybe with a touch of energizing acetic acid. It's light- to mid-bodied, but mouth-filling. Finishes with some fine but drying tannin. It's a food-friendly profile that is really useful and under-represented in wines in the US.

2/4/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is doing really well. I haven't had any of these wines since 2014 on first release, but I'm enjoying this. Sweet oak spice, balsamic, stewed cherries, just like I remember from the original tasting. Soft texture, a bit of alcohol swell, but overall quite enjoyable.

1/25/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

For me, this is a stunner. Obviously some sweetness, but there's acid here, enough to resonate with this wine drinker. I'm a fan.

Sometimes I think: it's taken 15 years of having it once every couple of months, but I really am getting to understand and like sake, or at least understand what I like.

Then I sort of suspect: maybe sake is also moving toward me a bit? I don't remember a ton of these bright, energetic sakes 15 years ago. But maybe I just didn't know to look for them?

11/20/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is a revisit, 3 years later, of the first Stereophonic wine that I ever had. And I still love it!

On the nose: half-dried plums, a cassis-like richness, and a pleasant wood spice. The palate has a blue leaning with blueberry, plum, and black grape, alongside some dried leaves, wood, and maybe a hint of rubber. The texture is soft and luxurious, but it has a touch of tartness at the end that gives it lift and energy, along with a bit of a bittery top note that really works with the rest of the palate. Great stuff.

10/11/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Nosewise: dark cherries at peak ripeness, plus some dried cherry notes. As it opens, there's big spice box like a high end California Pinot, and a bit of liqueur as well. Maybe there's some pink peppercorns in there, too? Underneath it all, a touch of vegetal notes -- dry leaf and some tarragon.

Flavorwise, the palate echoes the cherry, leaf, and liqueur elements of the nose. It's loose but not lacking in concentration; there's a roundness to the it, but there's just enough acid to hold it in shape. Let's call it "New World balance". The mouthfeel has a creaminess that's kind of like licking the rind of a ripe wheel of brie. It retains a fine tannin, but said tannin is only very present at the end of the midpalate.

Temperature is important to this wine. I think it's best between 60 and 65 degrees; normal cellar temp is a bit too cold for it to express its best self. In that range, you get a merlot-soft palate balanced by a bit of sour cherry tartness.

Sangiovese is one of the grapes that I feel exhibits the most extreme differences between wines made in their original terroir vs. their New World analogues. This is a wholly different beast from, say, a Chianti Classico, but it is nonetheless quite delicious and something I'm happy to have several more bottles of in my cellar.

1/20/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I didn't love this right after release. But it has definitely come around. Delicious!

1/19/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Structurally, quite sound. Good mouthfeel, profound acidity on the finish. But feels simple flavorwise, especially for the price. Maybe in a quiet phase?

1/13/2024 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Just a touch of cinnamon, baking spice. Maybe there used to be cherries. No, I guess there are cherries still now. A hint of balsamic. Some earth/clay, particularly in the empty glass. In fact, one of the indications of this wine's pedigree is just how aromatic and appealing the empty glass is for many minutes after the wine is gone.

On the plate, bone dry, sour, intense, just as it should be. Medium-weight, balanced. Well made, for sure. I like it a lot, but it is eye-wateringly expensive. I'm not well-calibrated on Tuscan price-performance, but: I'd be very happy with this at $50, OK at $65, but I am mildly skeptical at the $80 I paid for it. I don't doubt that it has a fairly decent life ahead of it, though, despite the fruit having pulled back quite a bit already.

12/27/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Solid.

12/27/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Lean presentation with a bit of salinity even. Might not be what you'd expected given the latitude and varietal, but this is a quality product and was a great wine with seafood. Decent QPR at $30

12/21/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Very dry and strangely yellow, this was crazy good.

12/10/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Delicious!

12/9/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is a good California Syrah. Aromas are consistent with good old world Syrahs, with notes of tar, smoked meat, dried cherries. The texture of the palate would give it away as new world in a blind tasting, though, I'd expect, with its soft texture and moderate acidity. I enjoyed this wine, but these ratings are a bit bewildering in comparison to the Syrahs I love from Sonoma Coast, Washington, or the Northern Rhone.

11/22/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Doing really well 13 years on. Delicious tertiary flavors. This is California Syrah. Amazing QPR.

11/17/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is amazing. I haven't had a lot of No Girls, but I thought of them as a Cayuse second label. This wine has helped me understand that these are different wines with a different aim. This is astounding.

11/17/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Oh, man -- I don't drink enough old world wine. I can't even begin to describe this nose. Wet spiced ginger cake, drunken cherries, balsamic syrup. On the palate, acids dominate the rich flavors. Balsamic flavors continue, mixing with richer cherry flavors and just the bare ascetic hint. There's some fine tannin still present, and overall it just seems like there's a lot of room for development. If there's a flaw, it's that it drinks a bit hot. 14.1 is surely common where I'm from, but it might inhibit the perception of some of the complex flavors that this wine definitely possesses. I'm going to save my remaining bottle for another 4 or 5 and try it again.

11/11/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Very interesting. Unripe melon and lemon acidity along with light oxidative flavors (nuts, etc.) and a moreish salinity. Main complaint is that it does feel like there's a bit of a hole in the middle. I'd buy this again, though.

11/9/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is fine. Many elements of a good Syrah are here, but they aren't knit together or in balance. PnP'ed, it's dominated by soft textures and lactic flavors on opening, then as it gets air, the finish collects tannin and becomes rough. Curious, but not my favorite of the K wines I've had.

11/5/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Intense but balanced, rich but vinuous, fruity but tart. These wines are just straight up delicious.

10/27/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

So good. I have 3 other bottles, will leave more detailed notes later.

9/2/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is textbook for quality zinfandel & the interesting results from its famously uneven ripening. The nose gives blue fruit and a touch of plumminess, but mostly the palate is characterized by racy acidity and red fruit. You get a little bit of everything. I always sleep on the Papera, but it's grown near and dear.

Bedrock drinking windows are spot on for this one: it's just entering it now. It's a bit tight, finishes with some tannin, but is definitely open for business. Still, has some time ahead of it if you wish to wait.

9/1/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This wine is gorgeous. It's energetic -- it still has its primary elements, but
alongside several tertiary notes. It's simultaneously focused and sharp. It's simple in some ways, but also nuanced. This tastes like a California, but a California that is new to me -- and I say that as a longtime (coastal) California resident. From me: respect.

4/23/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Dirt, blood, and the faintest hint of cherries. I'm having these wines for the first time, and I'm really enjoying them. Well constructed, at 14 years old this balanced wine has obviously evolved but has no hint of decay. I'm looking forward to tasting more of their wines.

3/11/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Man, I dunno. How can you not love this stuff? I can't help it. Sure, I get it, some people dislike any acetic presentation. But I dunno, there's got to be a place for this wine. It's 11 years old, but with such verve and natty energy.

If I am ever back in Emilia, I will 100% visit this winery. Between the Ageno, which was the second orange wine I ever had, back in 2008 or so, the delicious Trebbiolo, and this wine -- these are distinctive and interesting products. I'm all about it.

2/25/2023 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Clear, singing grenache fruit, but with a bit of complexity from a little leather and other earthy notes. Delicous. This bottle was a touch corked, so I'm not rating it, but it is very promising.

12/18/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I bought this a few years ago without tasting it at a tasting at the winery. I was lukewarm on the flight that I had at the time, but bought a few things on spec.

Opened the first time tonight, my first impression is: this is Real Wine, and specifically, real Cabernet. It is tart, dusty, with cherry on the onset and a focused, intense finish. Such a contrast to what Napa has become.

I don't know what I paid when I bought it, but I looked at the current prices, and immediately thought: I need to put an order in.

12/9/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Ugh, so good. I'm not sure I've ever had an Ontogeny experience as good as this one. As rich and tart as some of the single vineyards, very intense. Love it!

10/23/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

A note: PnP'ed, this wine tastes a bit ripe. But strangely, with some air, it firms up and pulls together. So decant before drinking!

10/18/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

In great condition; exactly what we wanted. Will it improve? No idea, but it's drinking extremely well now.

10/15/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Has all the markers of a Griffin's that I enjoy: Licorice, violets, smoke; soft texture but focused acidity. Love these year in, year out. It's beautiful and sour, but this does feel a bit on the austere tip to me. It does become more expressive with air, so don't be afraid to decant.

8/27/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is good. Middleweight, tangy, energetic, but also developed. There's some fine tannin left, but I'd drink this now.

8/22/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

It's fine. Maybe a little ripe, but balanced by almost enough acid.

7/28/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This is pretty tasty. It's got a bit of flesh on it, but it's driven by tangy acidity, with cranberry fruit and just a touch of earthiness. Both mouth-filling and food-friendliness. I'm onboard.

6/18/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

There's a lot to like about this wine, but I have to knock it down a couple of pegs for a few reasons:
* It feels a bit hot in the mouth, actually, enough to distract
* The fruit is well into liqueur on the freshness spectrum.

4/30/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Delicous.

3/13/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

More high toned, red-fruited and tart than I was expecting, maybe coming from the Carignan? In good condition, but don't know that it will improve going forward.

2/1/2022 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

At 13.3%, it's fairly average weight for California Pinot. Its aspect, though, is anything but. Lithe and light in tone despite the bit of viscosity it gains from being unfiltered and unfined, it's an interesting beverage. Red raspberry fruit and ocean spray. Would be great with vegetable pasta, light salmon dishes, or a greek-style lemon chicken with olives.

11/21/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Dark, intense, massive without feeling oppressive. Bing cherry mixed with a powerful loamy, earthy character. Very distinctive.

10/30/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I like it, but the electric acidity, while exciting, outshines other flavors. Not sure if it was better younger or wants more age, or neither.

10/30/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

This seemed well structured, but muted. Maybe in a dumb phase? I have 1 more bottle, but I probably won't look at it again for another 5 years.

10/30/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Delicious, fresh natural Carignane. Hits the spot.

10/30/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Good QPR, good BBQ wine. I'm interested to try other vintages.

10/30/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I found it fairly withholding. But looking at other reviews, maybe I didn't decant for long enough?

10/6/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Some bottle variation among the 4 I bought, but by and large they are in great condition. Delicious.

8/25/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Delicious wine at this age. Ebbed fruit brings the tertiary character forward. Underrated here IMO.

8/23/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I enjoy the aromas and flavors, but it's a little slight for me on the palate, especially for something running at 13.4%.

8/10/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Smells like a big, overly fruity RRV bomb, but one touch on the palate will set you right. Nervy, sinewy, and positively agricultural, you can feel the vines and the acidity wrap around your tongue -- not like a constrictor, but like a blanket. Fruit is very much present, but as a backdrop: sour cherries, ranier cherries. Great length and perfect viscosity. Masterful.

8/6/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Balanced, delicious natural wine. Blackberries and violets on the nose. Palate has natural hallmarkers, but these are just edged out by varietal characteristics and fruit. Not complex, but complete and compelling.

7/18/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

Like this wine -- great natty energy, deft handling of the acetic notes. Great character.

7/18/2021 - alpha_ori Likes this wine:

I tend to buy the Bedrock Heritage wines and Syrahs and eschew the Zinfandels. But wines like this show just how arbitrary of a decision that is. Can't help but love wines like this.