2/15/2012 - jhodge wrote:

not my favourite Amarone, average in almost every way. plum and tobacco, acidity still a little tart, unimpressive finish.

11/22/2011 - jhodge wrote:

smoky oaky and dense dark fruit flavour, very dark colour in the glass, got better as the evening progressed.
I didn't give it enought time to breathe - couple of hours minimum.

12/18/2010 - jhodge wrote:

first bottle from the cellar, better on the second evening, seemed closed and uninteresting on the first night, soft tannins, but enough to
guarantee better bottles to come, more subtle flavoring than some other varietals, elegant, a good dinner companion with beef dishes.

8/21/2010 - jhodge wrote:

had with company; no comment on the wine so... light, nice color
no distinguishing flavor or social value. Just wine.

8/21/2010 - jhodge wrote:

OK pinot. nice and light, lacking in bouquet, summer sipper; we had it with salmon;
the salmon was better.

7/1/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Came along very well in the cellar; smooth and easy drinking;
about 2% less alcohol than most reds; had it with ribs.

7/1/2010 - jhodge wrote:

very nice pinot

5/9/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Nice easy drinker; no faults; not complex, nice summer sipper

4/24/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Nice and light, almost too light, seems to be losing
flavor and color. Perhaps a bit overcellared.

4/24/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Just fine, nothing particularly wrong, restrained for an Aussie shiraz.
I was expecting a bigger wine.

4/24/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Not as good as I hoped it would be. The '05 doesn't match the '04.
Fruit forward, on opening, gave it three hours to air out, OK on the palate, but not stellar,
still a bit of sharp tannin on the finish. Will leave it for 6 months befrore I try it again.
Better on Day 2.

4/24/2010 - jhodge wrote:

I was disappointed with the quality/price ratio. I have a lot better tasting
wines in my cellar for less than 2/3 the price. Nothing wrong, just ho-hum
delivery of flavor.

3/22/2010 - jhodge wrote:

good and fruity up front, with a smooth palate and a touch too much acidity on the finish; still maturing
smoother the second day and the acidity was less obvious. Good one to decant and give lots of air time.

3/15/2010 - jhodge wrote:

pretty much perfect with salmon in a white wine sauce.

3/15/2010 - jhodge wrote:

lived up to expectations; still a little time to go but sturdy wine; not overly fruity, nice palate and a bit of sharp tannin left.
It was worth waiting for; three left for 2011.

3/15/2010 - jhodge wrote:

got better as it aged; this bottle was quite presentable now. nice plummy opening, smooth on the palate and soft tannins at the finish

2/27/2010 - jhodge wrote:

I think it is living up to its reputation, nice color, good floral balance, peach and pear, acidity says there is still time to get better. I am more pleased with this one than the last one I gave as a gift and had a chance to share. That one was not stored in the best location and was a bit oakier..rougher. I probably will open one every six months from now on. Looking forward to its development. It's quite a wine for the price.

2/25/2010 - jhodge wrote:

very nice Merlot, did a double racking to check for sediment, but it was clean. 2 hours of open time and I was presented with a lively smooth wine with nice florals, and a light acid finish. very nice dinner wine.

2/17/2010 - jhodge wrote:

nice start, medium color with dark fruit, nice flavor on the palate, not heavy, closer to merlot than cab, tannins have moderated and give a smooth finish with a little bite left. Very pleasant.

2/7/2010 - jhodge wrote:

I've been waiting for this one without too much support for the mid-range Rosemount wines. So in that sense I'm not disappointed. I took galewskj's advice about splash decanting and I've had it open for a couple of hours now. It was throwing a bit of sediment so I suggest a decant from now on.
It's a Cab and may need more time to open up; there is still some tannins there that may make the next one a bit better. I'm going to leave it for another six months before I open the next. No rush on this one. Deep plum color with a modest fruit start, heavy and oily on the palate and the finish is still a bit bitter. Flavor is beaten up by the tannins. Nothing special at all after more than two years in a good cellar (bought Nov/07) How sad.

1/30/2010 - jhodge wrote:

Great aroma, but disappoints on the palate. Not very fruity. Very dark, earthy tones.
Still a bit tannic. I was expecting more so I lowered my rating from 2009.
Will keep this label until 2011 before drinking another. Perhaps it will round out.
I remember most CyT wines need a lot of open time, so this may be better tomorrow.

12/27/2009 - jhodge wrote:

same review as 13/10/09

12/27/2009 - jhodge wrote:

took to a party: well-received by guests, gonee in a flash

12/26/2009 - jhodge wrote:

nice easy drinking wine, light berry, smooth on the palate and a nice
easy finish, still getting better.

12/26/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very nice, opened up after an hour at room temp. fruit forward, but not too strong
plum, jammy, easy drinking with good length, and a bit of tartness on the finish. Nice.

12/17/2009 - jhodge wrote:

MUch better now than the last bottle. Floral of dark fruit and honey, smooth with a bit o ftannin left
on the finish. Improved a bit on day 2, but still needs time.

12/3/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very nice full round chard not too oaky and has improved steadily
in the cellar. Sorry its gone.

11/25/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very average wine, not a lot of fruit forward, unimaginative middle and still a bit tannic finish ho-hum

10/13/2009 - jhodge wrote:

still perking along, no improvement but holding well, bought some more this year.
kinda a cross between a sav. blanc and a chardonnay in midtones;
finishes more like the sav. blanc

9/4/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Tasty, a little thin and uneventful for a pinot, nothing wrong
just so-so.

9/4/2009 - jhodge wrote:

nice chard, but not as oakey as I would have liked for the meal; a little closer to a sav. blank
otherwise OK.

9/4/2009 - jhodge wrote:

lovely wine, smooth and creamy with balanced fruit and fine long finish

8/22/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Ok Beaujolais, nothing special at a good price

8/22/2009 - jhodge wrote:

seems to be getting better as it ages. Not quite so lemony, not quite so crisp, citrus softening and smoothing out. Lovely

8/22/2009 - jhodge wrote:

We loved it. I think 6 months of cellaring has improved it somewhat. Rich berry opening, very smooth on the tongue with a complex of flavors shading to plum and a lovely smooth finish. Yum.

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Vino Me was right his o7 tasting hit it in the nose. lovely florals, subtle and smooth, very Italian
elegant wine

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

bottle a little less opulent than the last one, a little tannic edge.

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

just about perfect, nice fruity aroma, lovely long finish and lots of smooth drinking in between.

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very nice creamy Chard,

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very nice merlot, smooth with a touch of acidity, lovely florals

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

party wine

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

party wine nice florals and crisp, fresh taste. very nice

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

a little past the peak, losing floral tone and acidity, a bit flabby

7/30/2009 - jhodge wrote:

floral, smooth

6/27/2009 - jhodge wrote:

very smooth and rich, no hint of roughness at the finish, plums and blackberries, delicious, friends loved it.

6/27/2009 - jhodge wrote:

still can use some time, but great wine now and can only get better,

6/27/2009 - jhodge wrote:

terrific smooth wine, sorry this is the last bottle

4/12/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Guests loved it; fresh and crisp

4/12/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Nice smooth wine with good finish; no special qualities; just a pleasant wine

4/5/2009 - jhodge wrote:

Nice surprise, very drinkable wine, young with a bit of hard tannin at the end. Will get better.