4/14/2024 - Jbird73 wrote:

Amazing how much this has not changed in the last two years. The Alpine the other day was outstanding. This. Good but that is it.

4/11/2024 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Drinking fantastic right now. Beautiful gold color in the glass with not a bit of cloudiness. Really vibrant when it first hits the mouth exploding with acid on the mid-palate. Beautiful finish.

I did save about 1/3 of the bottle for day 2 and not nearly as good as day 1. The acid has faded significantly. i would therefore say drink up!! Enjoy! No use in waiting further.

4/9/2024 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is back in a good place (or is it me). Beautiful nose, plenty of acid on the mid-palate, lovely finish. I like this a lot. No way of knowing how much life is left in this but it is drinking great now. Go for it if you have a couple and judge for yourself!!

3/15/2024 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

It is what you think it is. A phenomenal value but not on the same level as the SVDs. The perfect wine to wow friends who don't drink wine, a nice bottle for a casual drinker or an intro to the RM range.

2/16/2024 - Jbird73 wrote:

Fantastic. Nose leaps from the glass. Dark red fruit and orange on the nose with a vibrant attack in the mouth and a lovely finish. Best Pinot I have had in the last few months without a doubt.

2/9/2024 - Jbird73 wrote:

Very light in color with a strong nose of cherry and strawberry and all things red fruit!

Nice acidity but the nose was the best part for me.

It's still good but I was expecting and have enjoyed others from Kutch much more.

11/26/2023 - Jbird73 wrote:

Nose and color was fantastic but it left a little bit missing in the acid department. Very "flat" and while it drank nicely, I was expecting a little more liveliness.

11/23/2023 - Jbird73 wrote:

There is no way this makes it until the turkey is ready!! Fabulous nose and so good with plenty of life left. My favorite Pinot of the year!!

10/8/2023 - Jbird73 wrote:

the nose is still inviting but beyond that it seems to have gone downhill. I'm assuming there was more fruit and acid in earlier years. I saved half of the bottle for day 2 to see what difference that made. Sadly, no real difference other than perhaps a tiny touch of heat at the end of the finish.

It's not "bad"...just not as good as I typically expect from Rhys. I guess I should drink mine before 10 years.

9/7/2023 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is very pale yellow in the glass and quite clear. The nose is all white stone fruits. Once in the mouth you notice the acid right away so plenty of life left in this one but also more tropical notes as well. I actually find that I really like it and it is really enjoyable right now. Not sure what may evolve in another couple of years as it has plenty of backbone to wait. Wish I had another to check in on in a few years but oh well....not sad drinking it now!

8/27/2023 - Jbird73 wrote:

Excellent. Starting to lose a bit of color but just slightly. Nose mouthfeel finish all excellent.

2/11/2023 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose and fairly light colored in the glass. By looks you wouldn't think this was 14 years old. Dark berry and spice on the nose. Plenty of acidity left and tannins are fully integrated. Really lovely and light on its feet. All said, I would drink soon if holding. Not worth risking hanging on longer.

2/3/2023 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is really outstanding.

1/29/2023 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is drinking so well right now and looking at the notes this morning after enjoying last night the descriptions are spot on. I don't think there is a rush to enjoy before it starts its descent but at the same time you won't be disappointed right now.

1/9/2023 - Jbird73 wrote:

Withholding final judgment for Day 2. It was totally "fine" but that was all on day 1. Even gave it a good 2 hr. decant

11/18/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Gold and crystal clear in the glass. Super expressive aromas with lemon, white stone fruit, really enticing. Strong acidity but not out of whack. Just a really great fun wine to drink. Enjoy or wait to see if it evolves further but really...why wait?

11/16/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Ruby red in color but not opaque. Nose is very vibrant with cranberry and spice. This comes alive in the mouth with strong but not overpowering acidity and a bit of grip on the finish.

Makes me think even another five years would be just fine.

Really nice right now but could evolve further with even more time and low risk of going downhill fast.

11/7/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Really good now but don't see a rush to open.

Color is actually a lighter pale burgundy and fairly translucent.

Nose has a lot of tart cherry and spice.

Really hits you right away in the mouth with plenty of acid and tannins still evident. Really nice long finish.

Enjoying this a lot right now but given the acid and tannins I would imagine this has plenty of years before peak. I do have another one and writing this note so I don't touch it until 2025!

9/19/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is good but not as much as the 2018. For my palate I like the '18 more. All that said, this is quite pleasing for the price and it has good balance but just not the same amplitude of nose and taste as the '18.

8/16/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Wow. This was a big surprise to me. Not sure why I just wasn't expecting to think it was going to be as good. Sometimes makes me wish someone else could go to the cellar, pull something and pour it blind and then I would know there was no bias.

So....nose jumps out of the glass with deep purple fruits, leather, tobacco all blended nicely together. Opaque and deep purple in color. In the mouth it is very well balanced with a super nice long finish and if any nits it may be a bit tannic but I bet in another 30-60 minutes that goes away.

Just really enjoying this bottle!

Read a couple of notes below and a big "yes" to the licorice and gravel note...spot on!

8/9/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Beautiful deep color and fairly opaque in the glass. Nose has a deep fruit melody and definitely some tea for a bit of "earthiness". Beautiful in the mouth with nothing out of place even in the slightest. I burned through these defending the Summa OV (favorites) and wish I would have saved one to see what it is like 5 years from now. It is delicious at present, however, so why wait all the same!

8/6/2022 - Jbird73 wrote:

Same as the last bottle. It has a very pleasant nose but lacks acidity and that extra something....

7/30/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

WOW!

The nose jumps out of the glass in the most inviting way. This is not a smack in the face but a "hey...come check me out". Raspberry/strawberry/brambly fruit smell...really good. No bricking whatsoever in the color and medium in density.

Really beautiful once getting around to drinking. Nice lingering finish with waves of flavors!

Favorite wine of the year by far!

5/28/2022 - Jbird73 wrote:

Outstanding. Beautiful deep nose of dark purple fruits. Color looks like a young Pinot. Excellent fruit flavors with a lovely finish. Looking forward to enjoying the rest with some grilled ribs.

3/23/2022 - Jbird73 wrote:

light gold in color
Has lemon and waxy citrus on the nose and tart green apples in the mouth...in the finish for me it is all the waxy citrus and tart apples...not a lot of acidity....interesting...good but not my favorite from Rhys

1/25/2022 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

pale yellow in the glass; nose is really quite nice with lots of melon and some pear but really more melon than anything is what I am getting. Plenty of acidity to provide a satisfying finish. I think I still prefer the Theriot more but this is solid...just not as good as Theriot if I had to choose between them

11/14/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This is a lovely bottle it just isn't my spot these days for Chardonnay. It is very "big". Extremely well balanced, lovely, just not in for more than two glasses. Probably didn't help that we were "cocktailing" the wine and didn't enjoy with a meal.

Plenty of life left in this one...no rush to enjoy if bigger Chardonnay is your thing.

11/14/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Outstanding spot right now for this bottle. Aromas burst out of the glass and with 3 of us, it lasted about an hour. It still has lots of life in it and by no means mandatory to drink now. One of those bottles that has you looking forward to the next sip.

Dark cherry, spice, deep on the aroma scale not bright. Great mouthfeel, great long finish. Enjoy or wait a year or two to see if even better but can't go wrong either way.

9/28/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Wanted to see how it was doing and the answer is just fine. Hands off for a few years. No need to rush. Enjoyable now but likely more so in a few more years.

9/1/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This continues to be outstanding to drink. A little grippy immediately after opening but smooths out in about 30-45 minutes. No rush to enjoy but really singing already. One of my favorites of the year.

8/7/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Give this a couple of hours in a decanter and get it to high 60s or 70 degrees. It comes alive. Really great. Now I am sad I am out.

7/12/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Delicious. Decanted for about an hour. Lovely day 2. All the same there is no need to wait. Enjoy now. Lovely texture. Beautiful balance. Glad I have more to enjoy.

7/5/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Medium gold in color. Nose is full of apple and vanilla. Creamy texture and the finish brings out some lemon and lime and acidity. Really good drinking right now.

6/30/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Light ruby in color with a nose that had a cranberry and orange mixture going on... This is pretty tart and a finish that is quite good and long if not overly complicated (at least not after opening). Hits more on the back of the tongue than the sides... I like this for sure as it sits more time in the glass. Intriguing aromas that now drift more purple and dark red fruits with lots of spice. Have to believe this has plenty of life left but good now too!

6/23/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Light gold in the glass; Nose of green apple and pear; it is not sugary but it is a little "sweet" for lack of a better term. It is subtle and not powerful. The finish is really good and that is where the acid kicks in for a medium + finish. This is intriguing at this point. Really easy drinking but is there more to it or not? Saved about half for day 2 to see what happens.

6/21/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

This was excellent. Even better day 2 so I would say still plenty of life left. No rush. Dark red fruit and spice and very light earth tones. Nice long finish. Everything is in place and super enjoyable.

6/16/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Like a combination of grapefruit and peppermint. Not sure what is going on here. Sharp acid at first but an hour later and that has faded. Either this is in a very weird place or it's just not a repeat purchase. Typically love Louis Michel wines but this is not one I would rush back to or do I really suspect it gets better. Plenty of other good ones to choose from.

5/30/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Cherry and spice. Very good and ready to drink now.

4/25/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Saved half from yesterday and today this is even better. No rush to open. If you do let it breathe for a while. Really good now. Bet it is even better in another couple of years.

4/20/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

This wine is showing much better on the 2nd day after being under cork in the fridge and allowed to get back to room temperature. The nose has opened up as well as the flavors in the mouth. No rush to open it but if you do, let it air out for a good couple of hours if possible for even better enjoyment. The color is darker purple for a pinot but by no means overly so...just made me believe it would be stronger than it was. It is very light on its feet with a lot of dark purple fruit and chocolate on the nose. The taste has a lot of raspberry for me and some tanginess to it...really good.

4/15/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

More wood on the nose than I would like. Still good for the money but not a wow wine.

4/3/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Key for this is to drink it warmer than cellar temp. After an hour at room temperature it was much better

3/14/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Super enjoyable to drink. Crystal clear light gold in color. Aromas of green apple and a bit of flowers; nice acidity; a little saline quality and a nice finish. This is a super easy-drinker already....

3/13/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

The color, the nose, the finish....this is just outstanding. Would have been happy just smelling this wine in the glass all night. Of course, did more than just that and just a really fantastic bottle all of wine. So much life in the bottle right now there is zero hurry to consume. Got better and better as the 2 hours passed that we enjoyed it.

3/1/2021 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Very pretty in the glass and an inviting nose. I just found the wine to be a bit flat this time and lacking in an extra layer of depth that I was hoping for....good...just not great.

2/5/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

While the nose is lovely, the lack of acidity makes it not hit a higher note. The fruit shines but not more. Very good just not great.

1/23/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Same fruit notes and beautiful gold color but the acid has faded fast after opening. Pour five glasses cheers and enjoy. Drink now.

1/19/2021 - Jbird73 wrote:

Drink now. No need to wait. Good but not great. Structure has left the bottle and this is primarily red fruits and oak and spice at this point.

12/25/2020 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Half the bottle tonight and half tomorrow. Beautiful nose and super smooth on the palate. Lovely finish and just a really lovely wine. Not too bold, easy to cocktail if you wish but great paired with grilled filet and mushrooms as well. Anxious to see if any deep/savory notes tomorrow.

11/5/2020 - Jbird73 Likes this wine:

Nose like a strawberry rhubarb pie without the dough part :)
This is drinking really well now and I don't see the structure to say wait a few more years. Enjoy now!