9/20/2014 - Cutter wrote:

A bit reserved on the nose but phenomenal on the palate. Starts with hints of pineapple and lychee, evolved to white peach, then moves on to lemon custard, and finishes with palate drying lemon and green apple. Medium body. Medium plus acid. Lingering finish. Off-dry to slightly sweet, but still very crisp.

8/6/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Dark ruby. Medium-minus intensity with hints of blackberry, cherry, cranberry, and a hint of forest floor. Mouthwatering acidity that accentuates the cranberry and red cherry notes on the palate. Blackberry, bramble, and a hint of tobacco. Nice balance...not over-extracted. Could still use another 3+ years

8/5/2014 - Cutter wrote:

An acquired taste. If you like Fino Sherry, you will like this. I don't like Fino Sherry due to the lack of acidity, but this wine fixed that issue. Gold color of medium intensity. Medium nose with loads of salt water, hazelnuts, almonds and lemon curd. Similar profile on the palate with medium I tensity and a lingering finish. Hint: don't drink this too cold as that will mask the wine's complexity. Goes well with chocolate ice cream!

8/3/2014 - Cutter wrote:

The nose explodes with mushroom when opened. Forest floor, mushroom, black cherry, cola, and cranberry. Medium tannins. Medium alcohol. Great balance. Nice finish, though not terribly long.

8/3/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Perhaps the most elegant Napa Cab I have ever had. Dark ruby red. Somewhat reserved on the nose with notes of graphite, blackberry, cherry, cranberry and leather. Medium body and very, very smooth tannins. Medium alcohol. Medium flavor intensity with notes of cranberry, black cherry, vanilla, and blackberry. Very nice balance! The finish could be a bit longer, but it lingers, in a subtle way.

8/1/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Ruby red. A bit cloudy (unfiltered?). Medium plus intensity on the nose with ripe cranberry, dried strawberry, cherry and a slight hint of mushroom. Medium body, medium alcohol, light tannins. Silky smooth and very balanced. Medium intensity with dried strawberry, cranberry, blackberry, and a hint of cola. Medium finish.

8/1/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Dark ruby. Medium nose with black currant, black cherry and a hint of earth/forest floor. Medium plus body. Medium alcohol. Medium flavor intensity with black cherry, wild blackberry, clove, and mushroom. Gripping tannins. Medium finish with lingering black cherry and cranberry notes. Very good wine, but doesn't jump out of the glass in any way and only moderate complexity...lacks a "hook".

6/4/2014 - Cutter Likes this wine:

Pale yellow with a watery rim. Not a lot on the nose...some white floral honeysuckle, lemon and grapefruit, but you need to work to get the aromas. Medium plus body and medium plus acidity. Loads of lemon and saline flavors on the palate with mouthwatering acidy. Some white grapefruit. Very refreshing but with a bit more weight than a Sauvignon Blanc or Albarino, both of which I would consider to have similar high acid, lemon/lime profiles. Enjoyed quite a bit.

5/16/2014 - Cutter Likes this wine:

Ruby red of medium intensity, showing only a hint of rust color on the rim. Medium minus intensity on the nose with notes of black cherry, vanilla, cola, and cedar. Medium body, medium tannins, medium plus alcohol. High acid! Like a super sour cherry sweet tart exploding in your mouth. Tart cherry, tart blackberry, cranberry, and raspberry with vanilla and cedar. Tannins are light, but drying. The acid lingers, making your mouth water and drawing out the finish. Not a ton of complexity, but plenty of intensity and the mouthwatering acidity makes it very enjoyable to drink. If you are looking for a California Zinfandel/Syrah-like full-bodied, big, fruit forward wine, look elsewhere. However, if you want a bit of a lighter style and high acid wine that would go great with pasta in a red sauce or a simple grilled steak (like a Barolo) you are going to enjoy this.

3/28/2014 - Cutter wrote:

May be one of the best wines I have had in years. Tart cherry, raspberry, and blackberry with a hint of cedar, baking spice, and pepper, but what really does it for me is the great acidity and minerality on the long finish. CA sunshine fruit with the Burgundian minerality and acid.

2/12/2014 - Cutter wrote:

This could be the wine to bring California Syrah back from the abyss. Loads of black pepper, bramble, blackberry, black cherry cola, and forest floor earth. No overripe fruit bomb here...very much balanced with some old world complexity and structure.

1/19/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Burgundian earthiness meets California sunshine. Mushroom, forest floor, eucalyptus and cloves with ripe strawberry, cherry, and raspberry. Maybe a hint of cola on the palate. Great balance. Smooth, light tannins. Nice finish.

1/17/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Medium plus nose with loads of citrus notes of pineapple, ripe peach as well as lemon and green apple. Honey and dairy notes of yogurt and floral notes of honeysuckle. Off dry to medium sweet on the palate but plenty of acidity to keep it crisp, clean, and refreshing. Great balance and nice complexity. Slightly sweet on the initial attack with loads of dry, tart citrus on the mid-palate followed by a lingering, off-dry finish. Like a not too sweet lemon curd. Love it!

1/16/2014 - Cutter wrote:

Inky purple. Medium plus nose with loads of black fruit...blackberry, bramble, and plum. Spice notes of cloves and vanilla and cedar with a hint of forest floor. Strong initial attack of black fruit with good acidity. The oak is present but not overpowering. Smooth but drying tannins. For as strong as the nose and initial attack are on the palate, the finish is a bit short and, overall, the wine lacks complexity. Would be great with a burger or steak.

12/13/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Dark ruby color, somewhat cloudy. Medium intensity nose with notes of raspberry, strawberry and blackberry with hints of plum and cloves. The wine is incredibly vibrant and tart on the palate. Like a mouthful of blackberries with some cranberry, strawberry and raspberry...none if which is fully ripe. Very tart with tons of acid...almost like a sweet tart but nothing candied or fake about the fruit. Medium body with drying tannins on a lingering, mouthwatering finish.

12/9/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Pale golden color. Medium intensity nose with notes of ripe white peach, melon, citrus, white flowers, vanilla and what reminds me of floor wax. Medium plus body with a bit of an oily feel on the palate. Honeydew melon, lemon, honeysuckle on the palate. Dry with a nice finish. Very nice but, personally, I prefer a wine with more acidity. Not that this was flabby, but it was not as mouthwatering or refreshing as I would like.

12/6/2013 - Cutter Likes this wine:

If you are looking for a heavy, flabby, dark, cooked, over-ripe California Zinfandel, look elsewhere. However, if you are tired of that profile and would like something a bit lighter and fresher, but still with the hallmarks of CA Zin, seek this wine out.
Medium intensity on the nose with notes of cedar, ripe strawberry, blackberry, bramble, vanilla and cloves. Bright ruby in color, almost like a dark Pinot Noir. Medium body. Medium alcohol. Medium plus acidity. Modest, but drying tannins on the finish. Red fruit notes of strawberry along with black fruit notes of blackberry and plum, and spice notes of vanilla and cloves. Much more refreshing with a lot more acidity and red fruit characteristics than most CA Zins, but with the stuffing and dark fruit you expect from a Zinfandel. At first I thought this had to be a "low alcohol" zinfandel, but then I saw the 14.6% ABV on the label. Very well balanced. Thought I might have picked up a hint of carbonic maceration, which might help account for the color and freshness.

12/5/2013 - Cutter Likes this wine:

Pale lemon color. Medium intensity nose with notes of lemon, white peach, green apple, honeysuckle, and bread dough. Medium plus body with a flavor profile which mirrors the nose, plus a hint of yoghurt. Nice, slightly oily mouthfeel which is balanced by nice, mouthwatering acidity. Long, citrus and slightly toasted bread finish. Very well balanced.

12/5/2013 - Cutter Does not like this wine:

The initial smokey, mineral, and saline aromas give way to what I can only describe as a rotten fruit characteristic. I tried a few bottles, thinking one might have been flawed, but my experience was consistent across 3 bottles. I had an equally bad experience with this producer's Riesling. My experience with the wines does not at all resemble the professional tasting notes.

12/4/2013 - Cutter Does not like this wine:

Pale, though deep, gold in color. Smokey, saline, almond and hazelnut aromas. Very similar to a fino sherry. Lemon curd as well as almond, hazelnut and saline notes on the palate. Dry with crisp acidity. Clearly quite a degree of oxidation on this wine. I thought perhaps the first bottle was flawed so I opened two more and found the oxidation to be consistent across all bottles. Not sure if this is the style that the wine maker was going after as it is not at all consistent with the tasting notes I had seen when purchasing the wine. Perhaps a lack of hygiene in the wine making process or an argument for more SO2?

11/27/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Light in color as you would expect but a wonderful nose with lots of mushroom, blackberry and cola. Primarily dark fruit, but not cooked and a hint of strawberry and cherry showing in the background as well as cedar and vanilla. Medium body and medium minus tannins, but a silky mouth feel and nice acidity and balance. Only real dig on this wine is that the finish could be longer.

11/22/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Somewhat reserved nose with cedar, plum and blackberry but lots of dark fruit in the palate...black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, and a hint of tart cranberry. Gripping tannins on the finish and good acidity. Great bargain. If you like Zinfandel but want more structure, look to Portugal!

11/21/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Forest floor with cedar, dried rose petal and lavender, black cherry and cola. Medium body with smooth mouthfeel and moderate gripping tannins on the finish. Very nice wine, but lacks the intensity or complexity to be outstanding.

11/16/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Very nice medium intensity old world nose with tobacco, cedar, vanilla, pencil shavings, bramble, blackberry and forest floor. However, the wine is a bit thin on the palate. Some mushroom, blackberry, plum, cedar and tobacco, gripping tannins, but not much intensity and only a moderate finish.

6/14/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Decided to get fathers' day weekend going with one of my favorite white wine regions. Aromas of honeysuckle and lilacs, honeydew melon, lemon, green apple, and slate. Dry palate with moderate, but good, acidity. Initial attack of lemon and green apple, slate on the mid-palate, with a hint of melon and honeysuckle, both of which linger on the finish.

6/11/2013 - Cutter wrote:

I know that Jancis Robinson gave this a 15.5 (out of 20) but I really enjoy this wine. I think you need to let this wine breath and warm up a bit from the cold refrigerator to get the best out of it. Pale gold in color with a nose that is medium minus in intensity. Aromas of honeysuckle, pineapple, peach, lemon, and mineral/slate. Also a dairy/yogurt note which makes me think this was aged on its lees. The palate is similar with a strong initial attach of lemon meringue, green apple, honeysuckle and lemon curd. While there is a slightly sweet element to the attack, the finish is bone dry and intensely mineral. Everything is in balance and I really enjoyed the complexity. The wine evolves on the palate, sort of like you were drinking one of those layered shots/drinks, where you get all sorts of different flavors and experiences between the start and the finish.
Purchased from Garagiste for $29.

6/5/2013 - Cutter Likes this wine:

Pale gold in color with watery rim. The nose is relatively muted with aromas of green grass, lemon, and a vegetal element of asparagus and green pepper. Also a hint of white flowers. Medium plus acidity on the palate with a medium body and strong citrus/lemon attack followed by green apple and green peppers and asparagus. The alcohol, fruit and acid are in balance with a long, lemon/citrus finish. If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but are looking for something new, this should fit the bill. Similar acidity and green grass profile but with a bit more complexity.

4/26/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Dark ruby red of medium intensity. Aromas of slightly cooked blackberry, bramble, mushroom and forest floor with hints of cedar, cloves and tobacco. Similar dark fruit notes on the palate with tart black cherry. Nice balance and decent finish with lightly gripping tannins. Very nice "old world" style and plenty of backbone to age another 7+ years but not a ton of complexity or intensity.

4/18/2013 - Cutter Likes this wine:

This is a wonderfully unique wine that grabs your attention and makes you think, which are what I prize most in a wine. Almost purple in color, but not inky dark like a zinfandel or syrah. The initial attack has the dark, slightly cooked fruit flavors of a zinfandel and some of the peppery kick of a syrah, but the great acidity and bright cherry finish balance out the dark fruit aspects and let you know that there is something else there. Perhaps Gamay? Whatever it is, it works. There is great complexity and balance in this wine with a long, mouthwatering finish. If you are tired of the same-old same-old and want a quality alternative, find this wine.

3/8/2013 - Cutter wrote:

This is a fantastic QPR for under $15/ bottle! Dark ruby, almost purple in color. Though the nose is a bit reserved, the flavors really come alive on the palate. Almost creamy with notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, red cherry, and vanilla. Nice long finish with soft tannins that have just enough grip to let you know they are there.

3/7/2013 - Cutter Likes this wine:

I wish I could edit my prior note as I think, in hindsight, that my previous bottle was flawed. I was stumped by the strong green grass notes and assumed that implied a cold vintage. However, after 24 hours in the refrigerator I noticed the telltale musty cardboard smell of a corked bottle. Not sure why that didn't present itself when first opened. Anyway, my second bottle was more like it! It had that plenty of citrus with the hint of tropical fruit and the body that one would expect from a Condrieu. Nice long, pleasant finish and easy drinking, though complex.

3/6/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Pale gold in color. Medium aeromatics with a note of green grass, which I found a bit unusual for a Comdrieu. Also had notes of lemon, honeysuckle and slate. Medium acidity with flavor characteristics to match the nose. Not as rich or oily as I usually expect from a Condrieu without some of the tropical fruit notes, though still very interesting and pleasing.

3/2/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Golden in color with perhaps a hint of brown lets you know this is not a young Napa Chard. However, it is still very lively with a nose of lemon, an unripe peach and grapefruit with marzipan, hazelnut and a fino sherry brine. Nice, mouthwatering acidity and bone dry with notes of lemon and grapefruit as well as peeled almonds that are coated with olive oil and a hint of sea salt. Refreshing, complex and balanced with a long finish.

2/16/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Lots of stewed black fruit on the nose and the palate. Almost Port-like aromas and flavor profile. Blackberry, Blueberry, and Plum jam. Fantastic mid-palate but a bit light on the finish. Seems like this wine is ready to go. If you have it, drink it. It's very good, but its not going to get much better.

2/8/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Bright ruby red. Ripe blackberry, bramble, vanilla, cedar, leather and pepper on the nose. A slightly green, stalky note in the background making me think this was pressed whole cluster. Silky tannins that emerge with a slight grip on the finish. Blackberry, black fruit, vanilla and cedar on the palate. Very nice finish and balance between acidity, fruit and alcohol. Imagine the structure, cedar, leather and tobacco notes of California Cab blended with the ripe black fruit of a Zinfandel. Can drink by itself, but enough tannins and acidity that it would benefit from some salami, burger, or a steak.Excellent value. I will keep an eye out for this in the future.

1/24/2013 - Cutter wrote:

Deep purple in the glass. A wonderful nose which combines some old world Rhone earth and forest floor notes with some new world stewed blackberries and plums. Full bodied and high alcohol with nice acidity that keeps it crisp. An initial attack of wild blackberry and wild blueberries as well as some vanilla and cloves. While the nose and initial attack are fantastic, I have an issue with the finish. The fruit fades after 10 seconds and I was left with an out if balance finish, dominated by alcohol.

12/23/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Needs to breath for 30 min. Lemon, red and green apple with a hint of cherry and raspberry on the nose and a hint of yeast. The Pinot Noir adds a bit of richness and complexity. Good value.

12/21/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Inky dark purple in color. Dried blackberry and plums, black cherry cola, charcoal smoke, leather, vanilla and cloves on the nose. Full bodied. Tart but fully ripe black cherry, vanilla, dried blackberry and blueberries. Long vanilla and tart cherry finish. Good acidity. Lots of firm, gripping but ripe tannins. Could easily age another 10 yrs. This is a BIG wine that needs a BIG steak.

12/19/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Bright ruby red. Subdued nose with some barnyard earth, vanilla, red cherries and black cherry cola. Perhaps a bit of bandaid Brett. On the palate notes of red cherry, strawberry and tart raspberry. Nice acidity but relatively thin and lacks intensity or complexity. While the finish lingers, it's primarily due to the acid rather than fruit.

12/13/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Upon opening there was a ton of barnyard, sheep butt funk. Enough that I thought it might be flawed. Had 1/2 the bottle on night 1 and the other half on night 2. Was good night 1, but fantastic on night 2. The funk was gone and in its place was a rich, full bodied, complex wine. Still some earth and dark mushroom aromas with tobacco, cedar, dried blackberries, dried figs, black cherry, a hint of cola, and a tart cherry finish. Smooth tannins and nice acidity with a long finish. Bottom line, let this wine breath for 4+ hours and you will be very much rewarded for your patience.

12/7/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Ruby red and slightly translucent. Perfumed red cherry, strawberry, and a hint of black cherry. Mostly primary fruit with only a hint of forest floor and cola. Light, silky tannins with nice acid and balance. Medium finish. Very nice and enjoyable, though lacks some intensity and depth.

12/1/2012 - Cutter wrote:

This wine has a wonderful cedar, black fruit, and old world barnyard nose. Unfortunately, the palate does not measure up. Not bad, but thin on fruit, complexity and intensity. Moderate tannins and moderate finish.

12/1/2012 - Cutter wrote:

A bit more golden in color than I would normally expect from a Chablis. Lots of green apple, white peach, lemon, and grapefruit on the nose and palate. Relatively full bodied with nice acid and a decent, thought not long, finish. Seems like someone in Chablis trying to incorporate just a hint of California into their product...and doing a very nice job at it!

11/9/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Bright ruby red, almost Pinot Noir in color, but with a darker core. Quite abut of forest floor and some vegetal aromas mixed in with the black cherry cola. Slightly tart, but ripe, black cherry on the palate with notes of cedar, vanilla, and a hint of cloves. Tannins have a firm grip but not overpowering. Very nice balance between fruit, acid, alcohol and tannins. Definitely not over extracted or too ripe. Needs some time to breath and would benefit from some salami or cheese to go with it.

10/1/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Very fruit forward. Loads of ripe plum, black cherry cola and a hint of kirsch. There is a hint of cooked and dried fruit, yet the wine seems balanced. Light, silky tannins and plenty of acidity to keep it fresh. VERY enjoyable!

9/28/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Ruby red, like a dark Pinot Noir in color intensity. Nice nose with vanilla, cedar, black cherry, cola, and a hint of forest floor. Perfectly ripe, slightly tart black cherry, vanilla, and coffee on the palate. Smooth but very present tannins and nice acidity. Ok to drink alone, but could use some olives or duck.

8/18/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Very dark ruby red color. Aromas of leather, cedar, vanilla, blackberry and blueberry. Cedar, blackberry, cola, leather on the palate with a nice long finish. Very refreshing acidity. While this may not be the most complex Cabernet Sauvignon, it hits the ball long and straight down the fairway, doing exactly what a very good Cabernet Sauvignon is supposed to do, and doing it very well.

8/18/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Inky purple, glass coating color. Stewed black fruit on the nose of blackberry, blueberry, and plum as well as cloves and baking spices. Ripe blackberry and black cherry and cola on the palate as well as cloves and vanilla. The aspect that differentiates this from many other Zinfandels is the refreshing acidity and smooth, but grippy, tannins. Nice length on the finish.

8/18/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Deep gold in color, almost amber. Very tropical nose of pineapple, lychee and rich honey with some hits of vanilla, honeysuckle and very ripe white peach. Sauternes like on the nose, which is not surprising given that this is a botrytis wine. Full bodied and sweet on the palate with plenty of acidity to keep it crisp and refreshing. Citrus notes of lemon, tropical notes of pineapple, a hint of vanilla spice with a very slight hint of hazelnut on the finish. Very long finish and mouthwatering acidity. Very enjoyable wine and a great alternative to a Sauternes or late harvest Chenin Blanc.

8/15/2012 - Cutter wrote:

Not as dark as the professional tasting notes would have me expect. More like purple core with a ruby rim. A lot of Cabernet Franc "barnyard funk" and bramble when first opened along with oak notes of vanilla and cedar as well as some blackberry, cola, and cherry. Red cherry, strawberry and blackberry on the palate with smooth, velvet tannins. Main impression is a mix between Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Interesting and unique wine...and tasty too.