5/21/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

My second enjoyment and notes of the 2015 Three Palms.

What a difference 3 years has made on the development of this Merlot. The nose is more pronounced with Plum and Black fruits. Scents of cedar, oak and even some cigar box creates an intoxicating aroma. The palate is well developed and integrated, Full bodied but soft and lush with well balanced tannin, alcohol, and acids. The black fruits are center stage with various woods wrapping around them and a finish of milk chocolate. Short decant and enjoyed!

5/7/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

This Pride is a tad young but in its enjoyment window IMO. Subtle but pronounced red and black fruits are well displayed on the aroma and palate. Hints of cigar box and oak compliment this wine and does not overpower it. Feels a tad sharp in the mouth but the alcohol and tannis are in balance. A 1 hour decant will help this to display all of its goodness. Already looking forward to the next swing at this wine perhaps next year.

5/7/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Enjoyed another bottle and staying with the same rating and comments. Although this bottle displayed more bricking the nose and the taste were fantastic.

Amazingly the red fruits are still very present while the secondary and even some tracheary flavors are emerging. Nicely balanced and still delivering.

4/30/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A good red blend mainly comprised of Merlot & Cabernet Franc. Nice dark fruits on the nose and palate. Decently balanced and well integrated. Tasty!

4/23/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

I have to agree with the comments on this wine. It’s very opulent and lush. Nice black fruits some hints of cigar and tobacco. Seems fairly balanced and the tannins are soft and inviting.

My score is a tad lower because against all the Cabernets I have enjoyed this was quite good, but not at the same level as others from California or Washington.

4/10/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A little time has been kind to this BDX blend, so I am bumping up mt previous score from 88 to 90. Purchased at $45.00 I consider this a good buy. Prominent Cabernet with dark fruits, leather and spice and it has rounded out rather nicely. The tannin backbone keeps this upright while delivering a smooth mid palate. Leather, chocolate, and some spice box on the finish.

Paired with wood fired pizza so yea, a nice evening!

4/10/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

While not a QPR Pinot Noir this wine delivers joy.

Similar to last year the nose & palate display cherry, pomegranate and cranberry. A lush mouthfeel. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, hints of earthy leaf and more oak spices delivers pure joy for this New World Pinot.

4/9/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A great bottle to pair with grilled filet and garlic baby red potatoes.

Red & black fruit on both the nose and palate. The balance was a little whacked as the acids were much more prominent. Regardless of acids, the wine presents nice fruits, spice, and some herbal notes on the finish. Even from QC this is a decent QPR drinking wine.

4/9/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Same score as previous, this is a great QPR wine punching above its weight.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere that makes this Bordeaux Blend stand out. Black fruits, well balanced and a nice spice box on the palate and finish.

4/6/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted for an hour.

A really nice blend with full bodied juicy fruits and plenty of acids and tannin to go many years. I really enjoyed this bottle and glad I have more but a 90 is the tops for the moment IMO.

3/18/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Opened from a magnum and decanted for an hour. Still presenting with excellent red fruits along with plum and plenty of leather, cigar box and some oak imparted vanilla. Still nicely balanced with alcohol, tannin, and acids in alignment. The tasting profile is up there, and this wine delivers a wonderful experience. We were left a little puzzled as the layers or complexity seemed absent from this vintage but drinking well none the less.

3/19/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A delightful Rhone (GSM) style blend that is Syrah dominant. Bold and refined with juicy red and black fruits and a nice tannin structure to hand it all on. Nicely balanced and with no overpowering elements. Paired with wood fired pizza and it was a huge hit!

3/19/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A beautiful blend of Petit Syrah and Syrah. Decanted for 40 minutes and it still improved over the following hours. Solid and bright fruits with a nice smokey edge and a depth that delivers spice hints.

3/3/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

We did a side by side tasting of the 2017 Lillian and the 2018 Lillian.

Both were decanted although the 2017 was decanted an hour longer. Both are nice representations of Syrah and well made but not impressive. We have been a fan of Lillian and Antica Terra, but these two Syrah’s were not complex and a tad underwhelming.

Nice dark fruit and hints of smoke on the nose and palate. Both were decently balanced as well, but the flavor profile was lacking IMO.

3/3/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

We did a side by side tasting of the 2017 Lillian and the 2018 Lillian.

Both were decanted although the 2017 was decanted an hour longer. Both are nice representations of Syrah and well made but not impressive. We have been a fan of Lillian and Antica Terra, but these two Syrah’s were not complex and a tad underwhelming.

Nice dark fruit and hints of smoke on the nose and palate. Both were decently balanced as well, but the flavor profile was lacking IMO.

2/23/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

I have been fortunate to have tasted several of the Sedimentary Soil wines from Alexana and they are very nice. This wine is medium in body but knocking on full. Dark black cherry with mineral elements, oak, and slight spices. A fairly complex wine with several layers to unwrap while tasting. Of course, a food ready wine and one forgets about the layers and just enjoys. This guy has some good tannin and alcohol so one would think this should last in the cellar for several years. But then again, life is short to save good wine,

2/25/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

The 2018 CHEV is still delivering quality albeit at a price. Fresh red cherry with hints of cola. Medium bodied with a tannin structure that keeps this built up. A touch more oak this time which seemed to soften the edges. Quite enjoyable!

2/6/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

The Cinq Cepages has been our comfort Cabernet for many years. I first tasted this 2003 vintage in 2007 and almost every year this wine delivers. On this occasion we enjoyed a glass by itself and then paired with a grill filet, just perfect. The edges display the initial hints of bricking while the fruits and spices feel like its 2017! The dark fruits hang so nice on the tannin and acids with enough oak aging to mellow the wine and really soften the edges. No alcohol heat just flavor and enjoyment.

2/27/2023 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

The Rosella Vineyard Pinot Noir has become a favorite.

Medium plus in body with some dark and red cherry, mild tannin structure and enough acidity to keep this tantalizing. A smidge of earth and rounded out with toasted oak make this a food friendly Pinot to enjoy now or over the next several years.

10/27/2022 - brouigu1 wrote:

Opened young but wanted to experience my first GSM from Mark Ryan.

As a fan of GSM's this has the right makings, its just too young. Nose was light but what is there is good red fruits, pepper and some earth. The palate is also young and green yet but the appropriate fruits, spices and minerality are there. This needs several hours of air or time but it has the stuff to be pretty good!

10/7/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A juicy and flavorful Rose'. A nice blend of Syrah and Grenache that gives a sweet aroma and a pleasing palate. The Syrah is very detectable and when blended with the Grenache gives off juicy fruits with enough tannin and acids to carry this through.

10/9/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A nice Cabernet but nothing to write home about. Good aroma and palate of red and black fruits. Followed by spice, leather, and some black pepper. A fantastic second or third bottle for those late evenings.

10/8/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Lovely Pinot! Red fruits, earthy and hints of spice.

10/8/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Lasted tasted in 2019 and find the same elements, and score with one exception, the tannin. Very lush and aromatic but the tannin on this bottle was front and center.

Based on this bottle I think I would take back my comment of entering its drinking window, me thinks time may still be needed.

Glorious wine!

10/2/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A lovely Pinot from the Willamette Valley. A very light nose but the fruit is detectable. The palate is medium in body and decently balanced. Red cherry, Pomegranate and hints of black fruits. Perhaps not as good as the Kosta Browne but at 1/3 of the price it delivers a nice Pinot.

10/3/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Perhaps not a QPR wine but it sure delivers. Beautiful nose of red fruits like cherry and strawberry. Medium body with balanced acid, tannon and alcohol followed by a nice finish. Are there less expensive Pinot Noir's out there, you bet, but this KB is already open for business and drinking very well.

10/2/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Solid Chardonnay. Good acidity, citrus and with some tropical fruits. Not over the top with oak. Had with a seafood clam bake, quite nice.

9/25/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Pop one early and minimal decanting. Already quite easy to enjoy, layers of red fruits and light spices on both the nose and on the palate. A decent finish with spice and mineral. Another year or two and an hour decant for the next bottles.

9/25/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A good Chardonnay with just the right touch of oak. Not a QPR wine but enjoyable. Probably not a re-buy for me.

9/23/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

My first try of Aglianico and it was very enjoyable!

Not overly complex but nice red and dark fruit with an earthy side. A nice finish of light spice and leather. A good QPR wine IMO.

8/13/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

This is young but showing its hand a little. Nice fruit quickly followed by secondary flavors of pencil shaving, oak spices and tiny amounts of smoke. As this matures in the bottle it should improve but ti will not be like the 1996 Cinq Cépages we tasted side by side with this.

8/13/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Consistent with previous notes. Still good fruits up front with teritery notes coming on. Well balanced with spices, leather and a slight herbal finish. Going strong after many years!

8/13/2022 - brouigu1 wrote:

A fine enough blend but on this day it was not giving up much. A 1.5 decant didn't seem to move the dial much. Nice fruit with a good tannin backbone, we will see in a year or two.

8/14/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

The Adriane is in a good spot and previous notes still apply. An easy drinker that brings joy but not overly complex.

8/17/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Similar to all previous notes. The 17 La Pom is a great representation of RRV pinot IMO. Bright red cherry and strawberry with a pomegranate side. A well balanced Pinot with subtle tannin that carries the earthy side quite well.

8/15/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A full bodied Rhone style wine with big flavors. Dark fruits of black cherry, blueberry and hints of currrent. Earthy elements with a floral side. Nice balance and the alcohol is bold yet just right.

8/15/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A nice Rhone style blend of 50% Mourvèdre/47% Syrah/3% Grenache

Red fruits, some earth, some herbal flavors and a soft round vanilla finish.

7/24/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Tasted this alongside the 2018 Ramey Rochioli and both wines are extremely well-made Chardonnay’s albeit from different regions of California. The Montelena suits my palate a little better as it has a nice blend of Oaked and non-oaked, where the Ramey had oak throughout its aging time. Beautiful flavors of citrus fruits, some caramel and a finish that really lingered.

A Chardonnay that has some complexity of layers yet so enjoyable by the casual sipper. This is a crowd pleaser as it highlights the oak flavors while not over doing it allowing the secondary and even tertiary flavors to come though.

7/23/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

The 2018 Fennwood is very lovely and already quite enjoyable. A nose of red and black fruits and a tad heavier than a typical Pinot. The characteristic forest floor coupled with bright fruits creates a very enjoyable Pinot that IMO can be enjoyed alone but will pair nicely with a grilled protein. The Yamhill-Carlton area has been and continues to grown some fantastic grapes as highlighted by this vintage from the Fennwood Vineyard.

7/23/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A little young out of the gate but had to see where this vintage is and maybe where it’s going. A tad closed on open but after some time it bloomed nicely. Red cherty some oak and some wet leaves. The palate was packed with red fruits, some cola and light oak application. Balanced but the alcohol was a little dominate. Some cellar time or a good decant and you are good to go.

7/24/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

A solid showing and one of my favorites from Mark Ryan. Opened and it needed about an hour in the decanter. Ripe red fruit with hints of black currant, vanilla and oak imparted spices.

The palate was quite resolved and balanced with juicy red & black fruits, some pencil shavings and light oak flavors, very nice and very food friendly.

7/17/2022 - brouigu1 wrote:

A nice wine and expressive. The acids were tangled with the alcohol and fruit si it lacked the power to really please. Decent with food to add the balance.

7/17/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Young, fresh and fruity and very enjoyable.

Nose of tart cherry with hints of vanilla & spice. The palate is fresh with nice acids and plenty of fruit to compliment. A crowd pleaser.

7/17/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

PnP and enjoyed over several hours. Beautiful nose of raspberry, strawberry and perhaps plum. Very easy to sip and enjoy with a well balanced flavor profile and acids, tannin and alcohol in harmoney. Paired with french Baguette and home made Pesto, fantastic.

6/17/2022 - brouigu1 wrote:

Corked,

6/15/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

PnP and enjoyed over several hours. A decant would be great but if you're not in a rush its not needed, in the glass decant is good.

A warm yet fruitful nose with a palate of ripe red fruits, nice spice and a distinctive finish of Sangiovese. A great wine that will last for years and pairs very well with grilled meats or Italian dishes.

6/8/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

PnP and very enjoyable now but will last for years yet. Aroma of strawberry, cranberry and hints of cherry. Nose was full and very enticing.

The palate is just as strong with grippy tannin but packed with red berry's, spices and a decently long finish, very nice!

6/1/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour and enjoyed over several hours.

A soft and packed nose with plenty of black fruits, Asian spice, chocolate and some vanilla, quite enjoyable.

On the palate the fruits and spices are noteworthy! Plenty of tannin yet balanced with the alcohol gave this a nice mouth feel. Flavors of leather, oak and cigar box helped the finish linger just long enough!

Very Stags Leap in flavor and style and that is a good thing!

6/1/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

PnP and enjoyed over several hours.

A nice nose of black fruits, spice, and vanilla but it seemed tad muted.

The palate was nicely balanced with both red and black fruits, touch of leather and oak with an herbal finish. A nice bottle but not overwhelming and makes a great second bottle for the evening.

5/30/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted for an hour then enjoyed for several hours enjoying patio time.

The initial attack seemed hot from the alcohol, but this calmed down fairly quickly. A packed nose of red & black fruits with oak spices and a slight pepper aroma. The palate was equally packed with the dark fruits, vanilla and again that slight pepper finish. As you sniff and sip you can detect the layers, but they are not showing themselves just yet. Amazingly enjoyable now and with a few more years it should reveal the layers that are teasing you at the moment. Enjoy now but patience will be rewarded IMO.