Comments on my notes

Red

2013 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley

6/7/2017 - smphelps wrote:

89 points

Medium crimson. Fragrant, showing floral cherry blossom, light orange, and mint. Medium to light in body, nice weight, good acidity.

smphelps commented:

7/12/18, 11:56 AM - Mathwonk. Just my opinion, I am a fan of Evesham Wood and Walter Scott for the price. At the higher end, I have enjoyed the Bergstrom and St. Innocent wines for years. At the highest end, and these are pricey, Antica Terra. I agree Penner Ash is consistently well done, but no bargain. Bergstrom and St. Innocent get fruit from Shea. I am not sure but I do not think Evesham Wood nor Walter Scott do.

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Red

2006 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese

3/16/2017 - smphelps wrote:

90 points

Just fine, but more reserved aromatically than I would expect from an 06 Brunello. Still tight and tannic on the palate, drink or hold, though I don't think the wine is going to improve.

smphelps commented:

3/19/17, 6:43 PM - No decant, restaurant purchase, but no doubt that would have helped.

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Red

2010 Château Haut-Piquat Lussac-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

2/13/2017 - smphelps wrote:

82 points

Musty nose suggests damp plum and wet laundry. Primary and thin, without much energy.

smphelps commented:

2/14/17, 11:35 AM - You may well be correct. Considered flawed as rating.

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Red

2008 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth Paso Robles Syrah Blend, Syrah

6/30/2016 - smphelps wrote:

75 points

Not flawed, but seems to have developed into an odd, poor place. Very acidic, with sharp, sweet candy flavors. Not pleasant at all. Needed to be consumed earlier.

smphelps commented:

12/22/16, 6:19 PM - Armento, maybe but since I had this in 2011 I thought not. Maybe a phase?

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Red

2011 Lillian Winery Syrah Gold Series No. 1 California

12/22/2015 - smphelps wrote:

86 points

Pretty crimson purple. Bottle was suspected of some heat damage so was tasted next to a bottle of known care. Presumably as a result of the suspected heat, this was drinkable, but flat and lifeless next to the control bottle. Cherries and pepper with little acidity or tannins.

smphelps commented:

12/29/15, 5:08 AM - MC, that could be a better way to look at it perhaps. Out of my element a bit, but I was struck by the fact if I had ordered the wine in a restaurant and did not have the control bottle (or prior experience with the wine) for comparison purposes, I would have been disappointed in the wine, but not able to say it was flawed. It was average, and for this wine I would expect more. Properly stored it delivered more. All an education for me.

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Red

2009 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing Sta. Rita Hills

12/25/2012 - cbbrown3 wrote:

93 points

The wine is a deep ruby to violet color. The sexy nose has black raspberries, cherries, Asian spices, wood smoke, violets, vanilla, minerals and some earthiness. This has medium body, moderate, ripe tannins, and very nice acidity. The palate shows nice, rich, smoky, spicy, dark berries and cherry flavors with some subtle earthiness adding depth. The finish is fairly long with the fruit giving way to the more savory elements. This is still on the young side and improved with air, but is very satisfying and enjoyable.

smphelps commented:

4/9/13, 6:17 PM - This is a better expression of exactly what I thought.

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Red

2008 Quinta da Pellada Dão Vinho Tinto Red Blend

2/26/2013 - smphelps wrote:

87 points

I'm usually a fan of still ports but this wine was outclassed significantly by the 05 L'aventure "estate cuvee" we had alongside. Despite the obvious varietal and technical components of these wines, this Dao seemed insipid by comparison, with more confection and less nuance (the nose was entirely oaked, and the vanilla components in the palate were more towards cloying than refined). Still always fascinating to have still port, but much better wines and half the cost.

smphelps commented:

3/29/13, 6:11 PM - In my experience it is common to refer to these type non fortified wines as "still ports". Clearly it is not a typical port which is fortified.

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