12/17/2023 - johnmpete wrote:

A poor bouquet upon opening. Air did not help. Wine was tannic and a bit overpowering. Revisited 12 hours later and everything had mellowed, and the palette had greatly softened. I suggest 2-4 more years of cellar, minimum. Has the potential to be a terrific bottle. Time will tell.

12/9/2023 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

Tannic. Needs more time.

11/23/2023 - johnmpete wrote:

I opened six hours before dinner. I decanted 30 minutes prior to eating. There wasn’t a person at the table that didn’t think this was a 99 to 100 rated bottle. My preference is the 2012 but this bottle is not overrated and it’s ready to drink. If you want to expand the drinking window reduce the opening time. Tans were still good but it is ready to go right now. Boedeaux tyle as you desire.

11/18/2023 - johnmpete wrote:

Wine needs a lot of air. Still continued to be bitter, and not just from tanins, even after an hour. That being said, I did not decant. Some fruit but not overly fruity. I would lay down another 3 years. There is a chance this wine will disappoint, but too early to judge.

10/7/2023 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

Needs time, don't drink. 3- 4 years

10/7/2023 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

Tannic and complex, this should age out nicely. Give it 2 or 3. The bouquet needs improvement as much as the wine.

5/14/2023 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

Smooth, bold and no longer fruity. This will hold up another 3 to 5. At its peak.

5/14/2023 - johnmpete wrote:

Much better than anticipated. Plenty of life left.

12/23/2022 - johnmpete wrote:

Past prime

10/23/2022 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

In myopinion, Aaron’s best effort. Not a true Bordeaux style but just the right balance between fruit and terra.

10/15/2022 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

Ready to drink but will mellow later, however, tannins are soft now and oak is only slightly present. Primarily cherry flavors with a beautiful hue. I have spent much more for less color and drinkability. Unfortunately, I have but two bottles so I won’t be able to update, but my suspicion is this will be thinner later and won’t age terribly long. It is within 3 years or less of peak. A wonderful wine.

3/12/2022 - johnmpete wrote:

Not close to ready, but an exceptional value. Not too fruity.

3/12/2022 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

The biggest problem with Anomaly is the label. They are always scratched, hard to read, and often are on the bottle crooked. It makes it almost impossible to give, auction or serve at a holiday. The wine is very good, but I've discontinued buying due to the labeling.

4/10/2021 - johnmpete wrote:

good to go - - - tobacco, plum. Not fruity.

4/10/2021 - johnmpete wrote:

No hint of cedar, only decanted for 30 minutes but did run through an aerator. Holding up spectacularly but is at its prime now. Tanins are strong and will remain so, limited sediment but bottle stained.. plums were the overwhelming flavor of the day.

4/3/2021 - johnmpete wrote:

A little thinner than I had anticipated, but with a long finish. The tannins have mellowed and this is perfect right now. Not jammy at all. I'm probably being too picky as Aaron Pott is such a great winemaker I expect them all to be 97's

11/28/2020 - johnmpete wrote:

See my notes on the '15. Let me add this-- I always decant Quilceda a minimum of 6 hours. If you cannot do that, hold it for later.

11/28/2020 - johnmpete wrote:

I knew when it was young but I opened it regardless. Currants abound. Set aside for 5 years minimum. As usual, the very best Washington State has to offer. Drank a 16 four hours later, not as high quality, but that could change.

8/27/2020 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

What a value, that's all I have to say. Ready now or in 5

4/11/2020 - johnmpete wrote:

Much improved since first tasting last year. Another year to peek. The fruit has lessened and the tannins have mellowed. Aging wonderfully.

2/23/2020 - johnmpete wrote:

91 is a fair rating- not super fruity, but not quite a Bordeaux style - it is still a Rutherford wine- but the reason I like having this in the cellar is the heritage. Chaix, although not the oldest winemaker, does claim to have the oldest vines in Napa, which makes it a fun conversation piece to serve.

1/4/2020 - johnmpete wrote:

had another bottle tonight, tempted to give it a 91. Drank with a Reeds Spring Pizza ( google it - top 10 USA Today), both were terrific -value and quality!

8/29/2019 - johnmpete wrote:

Ready now, better later. Not overbearing with fruit, but a true Cal Cab.

3/31/2019 - johnmpete wrote:

Perfect to drink now

3/2/2019 - johnmpete wrote:

Surprisingly ready to drink. The smooth tannins allow you to drink this rich, berry-filled wine now, but certainly will age eloquently over the next 5-8 years, perhaps longer if the '16 fruit holds up. Not too fruity or overpowering, it is still a rich wine in texture and color, almost Randy Lewiseque for those you who drink Lewis Cabs. I'm new to Anomoly but I am impressed with the drinkability and the various flavors that peek through at a young age.

2/10/2019 - johnmpete wrote:

This is exceeding expectations. I purchased from the winery in 2017 and just opened the first bottle and it is vintage Red Mountain- full of tannins, deep in color and reasonably priced. I find it not earthy, and not fruity, similar to a Bordeaux style Cal cab without the price tag. The palate is still developing, but may tend toward currant and pepper when it finishes. A pleasant surprise. Parker rated a 92-94 on a barrel tasting, and again may be right - it is a solid 92 now and still improving.

12/25/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Overpriced. Continues to underperform at the price point. Flat.

12/25/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

This is a really fun bottle for the holidays, and the quality of the wine is great, considering it was in a magnum and a '13. This was more about the holiday bottle with the bow than the wine, but everyone loved it. I would highly advise having one in the cellar for that special Christmas. I'm glad I have one left.

11/26/2018 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

This is a tremendously blended wine with very little of that notorious zin fruit flavor. It has tannins now and they will mellow over the next 5-7 years. My experience with Peter's wines is they hold up long after others of similar grape quality have peaked. I am confident he put a little extra time and energy into the 25th anniversary version, so I am sure to add to this over the years as I purchased several cases. This is NOT a Rombauer zin.. this is old school, and old vine. I think it is excellent. Way undervalued.

11/17/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Continues to impress year after year. Ready now, better in a year.

11/17/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Too young. Let it lay at least another 3 .

9/21/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Aaron Pott continues to amaze. Wow.

9/21/2018 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

smooth, ready to do. Drink now and it won't disappoint, but I am certain it won't hold up more than another year or two.

8/11/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Very solid for a wine at this price point. Needs at minimum an hour or two of air. If you have 4-6, even better. It will enhance the finish immeasurably. Much better since I let it lay an additional 4 years. I was not impressed at all in '14.

6/8/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Megan's first anniversary

4/15/2018 - johnmpete Likes this wine:

After decanting, this wine drank less tannic, spicy, and with a long finish. It is a slow drink, and looks beautiful in the glass. The grapes are from Spring Mountain and are just a little less full-bodied than you might find from Howell or another appellation, which produces this exquisite bottle. Initially, I thought it needed a few more years, but after 30 minutes, it was ready, and will be great for some time to come. Really one of the nicer Napa bottles I have had in the last 12 months.

4/3/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Young and smoky. Just opened a taster and it needs at least 24 months. Smoke is dissapating as it breathes. Excellent grapes. Beautiful clarity. Should improve a point or two but will never be outstanding.

3/31/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Great nose, makes you want to gulp it down, but the finish is disappointing. This wine is going to be good but not spectacular. Rude employees your inventory to a max of 6 bottles. It won’t improve, but still a very good wine.

3/30/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

An incredible blend, not fruity, not earthy. Drinkable now and 10 years from now. This is something special. Can’t wait to open a bottle of the Gran Vin in a few years.

3/18/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Really needed air, and somewhat tannic still as many of the Washington state blends can be after a short period of aging. This wine will improve with age, but only slightly, perhaps one or two points. It could garner a higher score from most I imagine, but I remember tasting this vintage at the winery and it seemed more impressive then. The grapes are good but unremarkable and the heavy percentage of merlot tells me to drink soon, it is taking up space.

2/3/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

Drank with my friend Shari and she was appalled at the price. Typical of dilettantes, they always want the fruit. An excellent Bordeaux style wine.

1/13/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

A wonderful, full-bodied cab, but still too tannic for me. 24 more months and plenty of air. It is close.

1/13/2018 - johnmpete wrote:

What is the deal with this wine? Unbelievable grapes, tremendous winemaking, and still too tannic to drink. I am going to run out of samplers before I get to the big one. Give it at least 3 more years. Stay patient. I've wasted way too much... 91 tops at the moment.

12/15/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

Such a great drinker. Ready now and for another 3-5. Decant 4-8 hours.

11/25/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

fantastic, incredibly dry, a true value. Earthy and intense, with excellent opaque clarity.

11/23/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

A really great pre-turkey win.

11/23/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

Thanksgiving 2017

11/19/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

This wine really pops, but needs another few years. Not overbearing on fruit as sometimes I find Lewis Cab to be, this one will finish up well in a few short years.

9/2/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

In my opinion, Peter Franus continues to be one of the very few winemakers in Napa to provide such value. I often reach for his wine ahead of others twice the price. I will never forget the 97's I had- his Napa Valley cab, along with Whitehall reserve, was one of the only ones to hold up years later. This wine is ready now, and for at least 5 more if cellared properly It is not heavy on fruit, but has a hint of it. The bouquet is perfect, and currently does not need to be decanted.

5/19/2017 - johnmpete wrote:

This wine, although not on par with the old "Q" vineyard they produced, is an Oregon style pinot with a good bite. I think it probably is rated a little lower than it should be because others are expecting a good old fashioned fruity Cal pinot- and are disappointed by what they find. I would compare it to some of the quality mid range wines of an Archery Summit or an Argyle- quality grapes, quality winemaking, and packaged for 3-5 year cellaring.