4/29/2020 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Drinking quite well. Rich dark fruit showing through revolved tannins. One might argue too resolved, but the structure is there. Funky notes of earth and a touch of spice round out the palate. Long, full finish. Really delicious. Wish I had more.

2/28/2016 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Although showing signs of age in the glass and on the musty nose, surprisingly vibrant on the palate with good fruit and plenty of acidity. The tannins have all resolved leaving the red and black fruit to take the stage. Unexpected and delightful.

1/12/2016 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Consistent with other EK pinots. Rich, extracted, with jammy fruit in the CA style. Drank over two days and it held up well.

11/16/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Medium bodied, well balanced, not at all overpowering. Made to drink with dinner.

10/12/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Very dark red. Violets, tobacco, red meat, cedar, Asian spice , and an undercurrent of sweet black fruit are all swirling in my nose. Still a bit tight, tannins are not yet resolved, but there is a good fruit core and lively acidity. Picking up flavors of earth, meat, a little tobacco. Needs a little more time to balance out. Very good.

10/5/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple. Nose offers black fruit, brambles, and oak. Medium bodied with good acidity, black fruit is the dominant flavor, but nicely restrained. The cabernet is rounded out with 25% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Very food friendly. Enjoyable and decent QPR.

10/2/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Very red. strawberry, cherry violet nose. Lively palate with cherry and strawberry. Good food wine. Getting a slightly bitter/metallic note on the finish, otherwise very nice.

10/2/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Looking back at my notes on this wine, I smile. It is still dark red, the nose has notes of candy (though I'm thinking more cherry jolly rancher right now), vanilla, and dark chocolate. Palate is definitely black fruit now, slight hints of cherry, still cigar box, and still a slightly bitter finish. I'd say more bitter chocolate than asparagus, but green pepper also crossed my mind. Quite enjoyable.

9/22/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Very dark red. Nose of blue and black fruit, vanilla, cassis. Medium to full bodied with the black cabernet fruit just outpacing the rounding blueberry notes of the merlot. Oak is more integrated than the last bottle, making this a harmonious balance of fruit, oak, and that lively acidity that dances on the palate as the wine finishes. Quite delicious, great with food, and an superb value.

9/15/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple in the glass. My wife trotted out some fancy fluted glasses from her grandmother for Rosh Hashanah, so the nose dissipated a little, but hits of dark fruit and wood. Full bodied, juicy, mouth coating blue and black fruit with ample cedar and tannin and a tobacco note. The finish is long with grip. There is certainly room for the tannin to resolve a bit, but this is drinking beautifully now to my taste. Quite delicious.

9/4/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Pale golden yellow. On the nose mineralls, lychee, oak. On the palate the style is a hybrid. There is ample oak, but it is cut by minerals and acid. Not you over the top buttery Oakton California chard, but tempered in a more burgundian way. I am a fan.

9/1/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

This bottle was somewhat one dimensional and disappointing.

8/29/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

This bottle was tired. Brick red and promising nose of dark berries spice and earth. The fruit is in decline, but nice notes of tobacco and earth still present.

6/29/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark gold. Nose of honeyed/dried apricot and peach. On the palate is it unctuous, with honey, apricot, dried peach. A vein of welcome acidity runs through this wine and balances it beautifully. The long finish is sweet and sour, just begging you to take another sip. Very nice.

6/29/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple. Rich nose of blackberry and black cherry with cigar box, smoke, and a touch of earth. Full on the palate with black fruit predominating, and side notes of smoke, earth, and cedar. Very nice.

6/1/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Fading garnet red. Vibrant nose of sweet red cherry, asian spice, currants, and alcohol (it does come in at 14.6%). There is an initial burst of sweet spice on the palate, evolving into notes of cherry, earth, and more savory spice. Big bodied pinot, there is still acidity in the mid-palate that cuts across the heft. Medium plus finish with enough lingering acid to keep it fresh. Tannins are integrated, but more prevalent on the finish. Still very good.

5/5/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark gold. Nose of trampled grapes and honey. On the palate it is rich and sweet, predominantly notes of honey with a bits of peach, apricot, and orange marmalade showing through. Has a liquor edge on the finish. A bit too cloying for me as it lacks enough acidity to carry the sweetness.

5/5/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Notes consistent with last bottle. Elegant, less fruit forward style. This bottle had a more expressive nose of red and black fruit and earth. Drink up.

4/28/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Sadly deficient notes. Baked strawberry nose. Rich palate, ripe red fruit and spice. Very nice.

4/28/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Medium purple. Dusty nose of red and black baked fruits. In style very much like an elegant Bordeaux. Palate is fairly dry. Red and black fruit Fruit is dusty, baked, and restrained. Acid and tannins are balanced. Decent finish shows some green pepper and herbal qualities. This is not at all a typical Napa Cab, so if that is what you are looking for you are going to be disappointed. Very good with food. I would drink up, it is definitely starting down the backside of the hill.

4/14/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Glad I paid more attention this time, significantly better than I thought. Decanted. Dark purple. Fresh blue and black fruit, cassis, and vanilla on the nose. Opening on the palate with plum, blackberry and a nice hit of strawberry. The strawberry contributes acidity, balancing the wine nicely. At first finishing with green pepper. After an hour, hints of cedar on the nose with the dark fruits more developed. Evolves with a chocolate note and a medium plus finish with the green pepper/tannin notes.

4/2/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark garnet faintly bricking at the edges. Violets, blackberry, sour cherry, and tar on the nose. Red fruits and violets give way to layers of blackberry, chocolate and tar. Tannin still firm and fine. Great mouth feel and a long finish.

3/20/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Pale yellow. Vanilla, lavender , ripe pear on the nose. Oak and rope pear, evolving into bright lemon and zest, then into a long mineral finish. Well balanced, European style. Very nice.

3/14/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark purple. Vanilla, plum, prune, cherry, and grape on the nose. Black fruit, black cherry, cedar and oak. Tannin is well integrated. Ample body and acidity. Well balanced and delightful.

3/14/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Pale yellow. Musty nose with oak, pear and citrus notes. On the palate it has that Burgundian funk, oak, pear. The finish is long and lemony, with a hint of minerals. A bit short up front, though.

3/14/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark garnet bordering purple. Oak, blackberry, and green pepper on the nose. Good black fruit, smoke, and a touch of spice, finishing with green pepper. Tannin still firm. A little one dimensional, but great value at 10.99.

3/7/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Decanted. Dark garnet color. Plenty of oak on the nose at first, giving way to black fruit jam, spice, and a touch of menthol. On the palate it is dark fruit up front, framed by chocolate and oak. Mid palate is lacking but finished better, though dry due to tea leaf tannin still firm. Decent value and better with food. Does not drink like it is 70% merlot, but there it is. Very surprised by all the negative reviews, not a great wine, but certainly not a bad one either.

2/16/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple. Tight nose of black fruit jam , white pepper, and cigar box. On the palate it is rich, with fresh and baked black fruits, black pepper, chocolate, oak , and a touch of gape stem. Tannins are still fairly firm. Long peppery finish. Very nice.

2/7/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Definitely better now than my previous note in 2012.

Ruby red, no thinning at the edges. The nose is bright red fruit, anise, and purple flowers. Medium plus body, nicely plump with bright red fruit like cherry and strawberry dominating. Good acidity and medium plus finish. Tremendously food friendly and definitely hitting its stride.

2/8/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Very dark red and just faintly bricking. Rich nose of violets, tar, baked fruit, and sweet black fruits. Medium bodied, good acidity, showing tar, tobacco, sweet black fruits, and baked fruit. Tannins are present but integrating nicely. Medium plus finish.

2/6/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark ruby red. On the nose there is black pepper, dark fruit, prune, tar, and smoke. The palate is all fresh and dried dark fruits, black pepper, tar, with barely enough acidity to carry it at this point. Medium full body with firm tannins. To me the wine is still brooding and would benefit from more time in the bottle. I am thinking 88-91. Good QPR.

1/24/2015 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark red in the glass. Nose of smoke, vanilla and cassis. On the palate it is medium-full bodied with juicy blackberries, blueberries and oak. Perhaps a touch too much oak. As it continues to evolve, there are darker fruit notes. Tannins are soft and mostly present as the wine finishes. There is lively acidity, making this wine very food friendly. The medium finish is smooth with a touch more acid that makes you want another sip. Quite enjoyable and a huge QPR.

1/17/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark purple-red. Very fragrant with hints of oak, violets and cherry candy. The palate is pleasantly dry with no lack of fruit, hints of plum, raspberry, black and red cherry. The lingering finish finish sports a hit of welcome acidity, bright red fruits and violets. There is a hint of grape stem on the finish as it lingers. Tannins are balanced, showing mostly on the mid palate and finish. Surprisingly refreshing for a red wine. Delightful.

1/10/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Bright red bordering on dark. Nose of cherry and spice with a hint of wood. Good depth, bright cherry fruit gushing out of this beauty framed judiciously with spice. Less restrained than a Burgundy but quite beautiful with foie gras/roasted pear and venison loin. Medium plus finish and the fruit did not quit. Very very enjoyable.

1/16/2015 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark red color. Cherry nose with a hint of spice. On the palate it is richer than expected, blossoming with cherry, black cherry and spice. There is a slight alcoholic note on the medium plus finish. Quite enjoyable.

12/14/2014 - klausner1 wrote:

Decidedly restrained, well balanced, good QPR. More notes on the next one.

11/24/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Red-purple in the glass. Noise of prune black fruit and violets. On the palate there is ample blue and black fruit, with cherry tannin and good acidity, maybe even a hint of cherry. Medium full with a plus finish. Really good.

10/30/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Cherry red color. Vibrant nose of cherry candy. On the palate it is rich with cherry and bright red fruits. Good tannin backbone, finishing earthy. Not fit those who like a lighter style of pinot. Quite enjoyable.

9/19/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

A touch of brick red going into the decanter, but deep raspberry in the glass. Heady, sweet nose with tar, black fruit and a hint of mushroom. It is striking on the palate, big with dark fruit, tar, tobacco. Tannins are present but integrating nicely. Long finish with a bit of a bite. Peaking now but should hold strong for several years. Quite delicious.

9/16/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple. Somewhat stingy nose of black fruit and Dr. Pepper. On the palate it seems flat up front but that is a ruse ( and it could have used a little more patience after the decant), opening nicely into a basket of dark fruit with floral notes. Medium plus finish. Very nice, I will be more patient with the next one!

9/8/2014 - klausner1 wrote:

Dark purple in the glass. Violets and red fruit on the nose. Round, ripe. Balanced and juicy. Nice red fruits with a hint of spice. Enjoyable if a little simple. God QPR.

9/7/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Brick red color, dusty nose of plum and prune. On the palate it is quite elegant, the tannins having fully integrated. The distinct plum notes are fraying around the edges giving way to dark dried fruit. Good texture and still finishing well. I would drink up at this point.

9/5/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Color of liquid gold. Nose of honeyed peaches. On the palate it is like biting into a rich ripe caramelized peach. Unctuous and rich with a tremendous finish. Delicious.

7/5/2014 - klausner1 wrote:

I should have paid more attention to this wine, luckily I have more and will elaborate in a future note. Perfectly serviceable Cabernet, especially for the money. Nothing remarkable.

7/5/2014 - klausner1 wrote:

Stingy nose though hints of bright fruit and cedar. Purple with a brick red edge. Initial attack is surprisingly non-existent, and I thought this wine was going to be a dud, but it opens up beautifully on the mid palate with dark berry, chocolate, oak, and a hint of coffee. Well integrated tannin and a sold finish. Drank alongside a 2005 Michel Rolland Cuvee Bordeaux and this one was voted the favorite.

7/5/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Medium nose of red-black berries and cedar. Purple color. On the palate it is medium bodied, elegant and well balanced. Red and black berries follow through with a decent finish that is decidedly darker. Tannins are nicely integrated. Very nice.

3/29/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Slightly stingy nose hinting at tar and cassis. Lively on the palate, first glass showing bright red cherry giving way to dark black fruit, tar, cigar box and meat. Tannins still present but well integrated. Just a hint of green on the very long finish. Later glasses evolved with less cherry up front and more emphasis on the dark and meaty. Lovely.

3/9/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark red-violet color. Dusty aroma of red fruit. Smooth taste of plum, cherry, sour cherry, and grape stem. Medium-full body, but a little thin on the fruit.

3/2/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine:

Dark purple. Nose of blackberry, cassis, and tar. On the palate, rich, if a little tight, i.e. still tannic, chocolate, dust and black fruits. Midpalate is bold with a little green from the tannins. Medium plus finish. Will be even better in another year.

3/1/2014 - klausner1 wrote:

No specific notes, but opened on a whim and surprisingly good, especially at the price point. QPR.