9/19/2020 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

I have sat in this wine for a few years and was starting to worry that it might have peaked for my taste. Boy was I wrong. The color is still very dark. Aroma initially was predominated by tertiary notes that make you feel like you are in the cellar. Afte about 20 minutes the grape varietal came through. Not sure where this wine goes from here, but now is a great time to open this for my taste. I’d give it a 30 minute decant and enjoy on its own

12/31/2019 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

My first Dunn experience. Taken from coravin. What a great wine in a bad year. Smooth. Primarily red fruit with some cinnamon on the nose. Drinking really well with no signs of tiring. Im a fan.cellaring the 2012 Howell mountain and will definitely look into better vintages

12/29/2019 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Second of two bottles. I can definitely appreciate the style more than the last time I tried it. Restrained in style by Napa standards. Acidity, smooth with polished tannins. Great steak cab.

2/7/2019 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

From coravin. Still very young. Tannins just slightly intrusive, But the character is there. Despite the dryness you still get a relatively smooth taste of cherry and tobacco. The mouthfeel is so well balanced for a wine this young. I can’t wait to try again in 2, 5 and even 10 years.

6/2/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Really appreciated the balance of this wine. No hard edges or tartness. For me, this is at a great place and am happy to have opened when I did.

3/5/2018 - Danvinoatx wrote:

This is a big wine. Not overtly tannic, just big. Still, no harsh edges if that makes sense. I think 1-2 years will put this wine in its prime drinking window. Really enjoying 2015s and this might be the best of what I’ve tasted so far

1/23/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Drinking so much better than when last tasted +1 year ago. The acidity has now subsided. The palate opens with red fruit and finishes with blue if that makes sense. Not an extremely long finish but would gladly buy again for the same price. 1 more bottle left and I am totally cool finishing it off within the following calendar year. My preference now- 2019

1/22/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Extremely dark by Rioja standards. Nose shows your typical cherry and floral Rioja character but the wood is not obtrusive in any way. Elegant and while the finish isn’t extremely long I have a feeling it would go perfectly with grilled tenderloin. A steal at under $30. Showed well after 45 minute decant. Everything in its right place

1/15/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Extremely dark and pungent. Red fruit and menthol nose once the barnyard smell dissipates. I’d give it some time in bottle. Not long, maybe 8 months to round out the edges. If not a 2 hour decant will set it straight. Loving the 2015 wines at this stage

1/11/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Still too young and tannic even after 1.5 hour decant. There is some cherry, and leather in there. Delicious savory notes remain after the chalkiness. Will revisit in 4-5 yrs.

1/9/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Agree with prior note. Very well balanced. Elegant even by Margaux standards. Secondary characteristics prevalent. By no means excellent. But very good considering the vintage.

1/5/2018 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

I’m sure this wine will get better in a couple years time. For now, more red than black fruit on the palate. Nose still rather muted, medium to long finish. Tannins were still in the way despite 45 minute decant. Will revisit

12/18/2017 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Extremely dark still. Nose of strawberry, earth, violets. On the palate, cherry; black licorice,a bit of dark chocolate and grapefruit acidity. Medium finish. Will be interesting to see what this wine evolves to in 3-5 years

10/26/2017 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Sometimes you come across a Bordeaux that you know is just going to be great in 2-3 years. All the parts are there. Quality fruit, great craftsmanship. So hard to find a wine of this quality for the price

6/28/2017 - Danvinoatx wrote:

tart, tangerine and lemon flavors. Very little acid for lift. Flavor lingers but not so much in an enviting way.

4/19/2017 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Purchased for 4$ at local Walgreens! Familiar Sonoma cty nose, a little bit lacking midpalate but overall very smooth. Agree with prior posts, can't see this holding positively for more than 2 years. Steal at 4$ and would be fine paying up to 12$

4/16/2017 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Very rarely do I rate a wine favorably and not wonder if I opened it too early. This wine was big, jammy and vibrant w/o being overly complex. Now is a great time to open this. Plum, asphalt and oyster shells,?, on the nose. Decent buy at 25$

4/15/2017 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Last tried 1 yr ago. One of the few Australian Shiraz i am fond of. Still bold and fruit driven but much more mellow than 1 yr ago. Always a cellar staple for me and can't wait to try again in 2 years When I have a feeling it will start to shine.

3/13/2017 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Oak and acidity much more prominent than last tasted approximately 1 year ago. Fruit seems to have subsided.

1/4/2017 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Surprisingly open straight from bottle. Medium body, blue fruit, and leather. Tannins were in no way aggressive. Mid palate was a bit light for my taste but overall a solid wine for the price. Would like to try their wines from a better vintage.

11/18/2016 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Bought 2 bottles. Totally get the tennis ball smell. A bit disappointed. Noted dryness for Riesling standards but lacked the crisp/cleanness I normally associate with a dry Riesling. Keeping the 2nd bottle for at least 2 years to see how it evolves.

11/6/2016 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Very dark in the glass. Wet stone, red fruit and Forrest floor. Acidity still overpowering but well made wine. Think I'll try again in 2-3 years.

9/27/2016 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Very dark in color. Menthol, dark fruit and Forrest floor in the nose. Licorice and spice with a very silky finish. Rather old world in style.

5/1/2016 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Not bad considering the vintage. Primarily red fruit, maybe a touch underripe but still good qpr for Bordeaux standards. Decent acidity. Drinking well right now.

1/29/2016 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Needs another year. Took 1.5 hrs of decanting for the fruit to show over the overwhelming oak

9/6/2015 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Much better the 2nd day. First day the tobacco taste was overwhelming even after 1 hour decanting. 2nd day the fruit was finally prevalent. Rec sitting on it till 2016/17.

8/6/2015 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Nose: raspberry jam, cinnamon, cloves. A bit tart, well structured, tasted better the second day. Medium finish and the alcohol level integrates well without overpowering its red fruit flavors. Would love to see how this pairs with meatball marinara or fajita tacos

7/8/2015 - Danvinoatx Does not like this wine:

Can't remember the last time I disliked a wine so much. Only bought this wine because it was recommended by the wine store clerk. Candied smell and taste. No structure, extremely sweet. Astonishing

6/1/2015 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Pleasantly surprised. Wine was smooth, refined and elegant. Great for the price and food friendly.

2/21/2015 - Danvinoatx wrote:

This would have made for a great under 15$ wine, but at 40 it really comes short on it's heritage. Obviously when purchasing a CM wine you are paying mostly for its name but tasted blind, this wine could easily be beat by several wines at half its price

8/18/2014 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Good tasting wine. Dark and fragrant. Great with BBQ or pasta. However, the wine was very thin and short finish. Definitely not worth the 35-40$ price tag. Drink now thru 2016

8/1/2014 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Very complex for the price. Tobacco, cinnamon, earth and cherry notes. Not super acidic and rather new world in style, but very good with food. One of the better classicos I've had

7/30/2014 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this wine. High acid, pear smell, not overly oaked. Lacked some crispness

7/20/2014 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Good, we'll made wine. Not overly complex but definitely showcases the jamminess of malbec and structure of its cab. Still, not a wine that needs cellar time. Drink w/in next two years w grilled meat

1/29/2014 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Reminded me of belle glos meiomi. Blackberry, cherry cola and vanilla flavors. I am a big fan of their pinot but I think I was just expecting something a little different. Nevertheless I can't deny that it was pleasant

11/19/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Great qpr. Pear and vanilla smell. Oak is not at all overwhelming. Great acidity and crispness that helps it go really well with food.

10/31/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Nice change from oaky chardonnay coming out of California these days. The acidity of the wine pairs well with food, but wine is not complex.

10/20/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Smells very vegetable. Rhubarb, carrot and cedar come to mind. Taste is of cranberry and plum. Short-med finish. This wine is at its prime drinking stage. Tannins are barely noticeable.

10/12/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Very aromatic. Smell of cherry pie and cinnamon. Taste of raspberry, blueberry and cumin. Tannins linger nicely. Very good wine

10/9/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Wine is still very tannic. After 1 hour of decanting there was some hints of cherry, pomegranate. One thing is for sure, this wine was well crafted and it has great structure.

10/3/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Minor oak scent. Wine was crisp and clean and food friendly. Little to no minerality experienced here.

9/28/2013 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Upon opening it had the typical bordeaux barnyard smell. After 20 minutes that faded into a 1 dimensional smell of red berry. Initial taste was of unripe cherry. Medium finish.

9/17/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

The color of this wine is almost copper. It's nose has pleasant baking spices, a touch of vanilla and the oak does a good job of complimenting the acidity of this wine. Finish is rather short lived however.

9/16/2013 - Danvinoatx wrote:

Nothing too special about this wine. Does what you'd expect. Rich berry fruit, smooth tannins, solid weekday wine.

9/14/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Violet color, dark berry and cedar spice smell. Long finish of cooking spice. Drinking well now but could possibly use 1 more year of cellar time

9/7/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Decanted for 1 hour. Great strawberry and baking spice nose. Full mouthfeel with cola and cherry with strawberry notes. Always a consistent buy.

9/5/2013 - Danvinoatx Does not like this wine:

I wanted to like this wine. I really did. The high alcohol content masks any personality that this wine could possibly possess. It just kind of lingers way past any fruit this wine may have had.

9/3/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Spicy nose. Texture was a little thin with short-med finish. Wine would be great at 12-15$ but at its current price pretty big disappointment.

8/30/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Great tropical fruit nose. Extremely flavorful, but not in an overbearing fake way. Reminded me of fresh mango juice. Extremely food friendly at 12.5%. Some minerality would have been nice but at 12$ this wine was a steal.

8/27/2013 - Danvinoatx Likes this wine:

Very dark wine. Cedar spice, vanilla and cinnamon nose. Tannins are still a bit overpowering but could go well with heavy fair.