3/21/2018 - Cliff A wrote:

FROM SOME LEADING CRITICS

Wine Spectator: 93 Points
A hint of warm ganache melds quickly into the background, while fig, blackberry and black currant confiture notes emerge steadily, picking up smoldering tobacco, pastis and tar details through the finish. This is stacked. Best from 2020 through 2030. 1,000 cases made. --James Molesworth

Wine Advocate: 91 Points
The 2015 Saint Joseph Les Côteaux was aged in a combination of barriques and demi-muids. It’s a fruit-forward Saint Joseph, bursting with blueberries, cassis and blackberries. This medium to full-bodied, supple wine should drink well for a decade or so.–Joe Czerwinski

Vinous: 90-91 Points
Lurid violet. Heady aromas of cherry, cassis, violet and licorice are sharpened by a smoky mineral quality. Juicy and nicely concentrated, showing very good energy to the smoke-tinged dark berry, cherry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes with very good mineral-tinged persistence, harmonious tannins and repeating smokiness. -- Josh Raynolds

1/19/2014 - Cliff A wrote:

Just delicious, just delicious. I won't go through all the formal tasting regimen. I tasted 1st on 1/14/2014 with my 2nd tasting on 1/19/14. Ordered 6 more bottles. JUST DELICIOUS - good fruit and wood on the nose and good fruit on the palate. Great QPR for a quality wine. A non-CDR from Lirac, ergo 100% syrah.

5/14/2010 - Cliff A wrote:

Below is my original thoughts on drinking the wine without decanting. I vacummed pumped the bottle and into the fridge it went. I popped last night and what a difference. More fruit and the "head" had dispersed. A well balanced and delightful wine at a great price.

88 - An excellent Pinot at the price - great QPR. Good red fruit on the nose and pallet and good acidity. I would give the wine a 90 except for the "hot" spots on the after palete that I would attribute to the high alcohol.

1/24/2010 - Cliff A wrote:

Not a good wine. I'll echo James Laube's review in Spectator: "Dry, earthy, herbal and dried currant and berry flavors fail to stand up to the drier leathery flavors. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes". 2007 was an exceptional vintage in CA for Pinot - what happened at Acacia?

1/17/2010 - Cliff A wrote:

BillyT says it all in his tasting note. All the characteristics of a left bank Bordeaux in this wine. At $12.99 this one has a great QPR. I have poured this guy blind to three differencent groups and all have had the same reaction - "really good wine". It is time to stock up on this everyday Bordeaux and see how it develops. It is clear from the lable that Chateau d'Issan is proud of their 4th wine.

12/21/2009 - Cliff A wrote:

I'll quite being a wine snob and give this wine what it deserves - 91! I go along with the two other tasters who gave 91 and with Decanter who rated this guy 5 STARS. A $10.99 a bottle in Costco this was a steal and using the Wine Specator's criteria for wines of the year - a definite 90+ and a great expression of a Bordeuax. Stephen Brook got it right - "not sublime, but a very good wine".

9/25/2009 - Cliff A wrote:

Not a classic Pinot Noir, but very drinkable with a great QPR. Good red fruit on the nose and palate. Needes some time to open up and decanting a must. Very pleasurable after a couple of hours and an excellent pairing for Pan Seared Salmon.

8/31/2009 - Cliff A wrote:

This Haut-Medoc is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot and a consistently well made wine for the price - excellent QPR. I found the wine clear, deep purple in color and a clear rim. On the nose this developing wine was clean with medium intensity aromas of blackfruit, dried fruit, plum and hints of vanilla and sweet spice. This is a dry wine with medium acidity and medium high tannins. In body the wine is medium full with medium intensity flavors of black fruit, dried fruit and a good dose of pepper on a medium finish. I find medium alcohol, 13%, in a wine that is very drinkable now, but will age for a few years.

Stephen Brook in The Complete Bordeaux (Octopus Publishing 2007) says it all about this wine: "This is a unashamedly commercial property making large quantities of typical Medoc at a modest price so it would be wrong to expect sublime quality. That said, the wine is suprisingly good and has been for some time".

8/29/2009 - Cliff A wrote:

A big surprise for a very pleasant generic Bordeaux at this price point. Excellent QPR. I found the wine clear and a deep purple in color with a pale rim. This developing wine was clean on the nose with medium intensity aromas of blackfruit - blackberry, blueberry - , plum and black cherry. The medium body wine is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins. On the palate one tastes blackfruit - black cherry and blackcurrent - with hints of vanilla and sweet spice. A medium alcohol with a medium length finish. An excellent wine at $8.99 that should be enjoyable for the next few years.

7/13/2009 - Cliff A wrote:

Consistency, vintage after vintage, rings true on this excellent SB from Marlborough. Grassy and citrus on both nose and palate. It is a grapefruit juice tonic to me and outstanding on a hot and humid summer day. Kim Crawford just keeps doing it with this SB. Spectator got it right.

12/30/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent everyday Bordeax with good fruit on the nose and palate with soft tannins. Great QPR for a Bordeaxu from the outstanding 2005 vintage.

9/8/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An easy 90 and a total surprise for a Virginia wine. This is a Condreiu style Viognier and a $19 a good QPR. The wine was pale gold, clear and clean with an intense nose of floral and fruity aromas - honeysuckle, orange peel, tangerine. Excellent mouthfeel and with the same floral and fuity flavors on the palate and a long finish. An excellent food wine that I paired with both Chevrot and Camambert and then Grilled Scallops on Tomato Risotto. I'd give this one a try just to see how far Virginia has come.

8/1/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent dry, acidic, fruity wine from the NW of Piedmonte. If you haven't tried an Erbaluce, give one a try. Somewhat Gavi like with green fruity and citrus on the nose and palate with a hint on minerality. Pale lemon-green in color. Paired well with sauteed scallops over a spinach & herb risotto with the wine used in the risotto. I was pleasantly surprised by this certainly "out of the norm" grape and this producer's expression.

7/11/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Outstanding QPR on the $15 I paid for this regional Bourgogne. An easy 90+ with some bottle age since last tasted. Great red fruit and sweet spice on both the nose and palate. I bought another case at the $15 sale price.

5/11/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent expression of a Heathcote Shiraz with a good QPR. The wine was clear, deep ruby in color and a pale rim. On the nose, this developing wine was clean with pronounced aromas of black and red fruit - black cherry and red cherry - , sweet spice and hints of vanilla, licorice and chocolate. On the palate, dry, full bodied with medium acidity and medium tannins. Pronounced flavors of black cherry, licorice, leather, some herbaceous notes and a peppery finish. This is a high alcohol wine (15%) with a long length. An excellent quality wine that is ready to drink now, but can develope with age. Paired well with B-B-Q Spareribs.

5/5/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

My first Pinot from Victoria and I thought a real decent expression of the grape. Good red and black fruit on the nose and palate and light ruby in color. Certainly needs decanting and after 3 hours a really different wine than on opening. Paired well with Pan Seared Salmon.

4/20/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent Cab with big black and red fruit aromas on the nose and flavors on the palate. A wine with low acidity and mild soft tannins. Just a real pleasant drinking Cab with a medium + peppery finish. I go highter than the Spectator's 86 rating.

4/12/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent young Riesling. In appearance the wine was clear, a pale intensity lemon-green in color and a pale rim. Clean on the nose with pronounced intensity aromas of greenfruit - apple -, citrus - lemon & lime, slight petrol and stoney hints. This is a dry, medium bodied wine with medium + acidity and no tannin. Flavors of greenfruit - apple -, citrus - lemon, lime -, and mineral hints on the palate on a medium finish. The wine is ready to drink now, but can age and get better.

4/6/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A fine expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra. An easy 90. In appearance, clear, deep garnet in color with brown/mahogoney tones near a pale rim. Clean on the nose with a pronounced bouquet of vegetal and fruity aromas dominant. Blackfruit and touch of mint, or eucolyptus comes through as well as hints of sweet spice and oak. On the palate, a dry full bodied with wine medium acidity and medium plus tannins flavors of blackfruit, sweet spice, coffee on a long finish for this. Well integrated medium alcohol in the developing, well structured and balanced wine that can be drunk now, or cellared for a few years. Paired well with Cheese & Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb.

4/6/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A great wine with an outstanding QPR. In appearance clear, deep dark ruby color with brownish hues near a pale rim edge inidcating some. Clean on the nose with a medium intensity bouquet of blackfruit - blackcurrent and blueberry - sweet spice and hints of cedar. On the palate, a dry, full bodied wiine with well integrated medium alcohol, mild acidity, medium plus tannins and flavors of blackfruit, plum, sweet spice and wisp of pepper on a long finish. An outstanding wine that is getting better with each bottle. Ready to drink and enjoy now, but will improve over time with much aging potential. A well structured and balanced wine. Paired well with Cheese & Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb.

4/5/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

My tasting note from the 2004 and holds true for the 2005. A nice pleasant wine that I will buy again.

3/21/2008 rated 87 points: I found this a very good wine with food and agree with Tanzer on the 87. Very pleasant wine with Chicken Francaise and Asparagus Risotto. Pale lemon green in color. Medium intensity aromas of citrus, greenfruit - apple, lime - and some stoney hints on the nose. On the palate, medium acidity with greenfruit, stonefruit, citrus flavors - green apple, hint of peach, lemon/lime - and a bit of mineral. Interesting blend of unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

4/5/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A 90 to me for this excellent Rhone blend - 70% Marsanne / 30% Viognier - from Victoria. In appearance the wine was clear and pale lemon-green in color with a pale rim. Clean and youthful on the nose with medium intensity aromas of greenfruit, stonefruit, citrus - apple, lime, apricot - and blossom. Dry on the palate with high acidity and low tannins. Medium body with well integratred alcohol and flavors of greenfruit, stonefruit - apple, apricot - and mineral hints. Ready to drink now, but can age. Paired well with Sauteed Scallops on Herbed Risotto.

4/5/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A 88 for this blend - 60%Cab/35% Shiraz/5% Viognier - from a not well known Australian GI. In appearance, the wine was clear, deep dark ruby in color and while clear at the rim, browish hues were present near the edge. On the nose, the wine was clean with a pronouned bouquet of blackfrui, sweet spice, hints of cedar and vegetal notes. This medium full bodied wine was dry with medium aciidity and medium + tannins. Flavors of blackfruit, dark black cherry, sweet spice, hints of pepper on a long finish. Medium alcohol. A good wine with some ageability that is ready to drink now.

4/5/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Excellent value an easy 88+. Appearance was clear, deep dark ruby in color with a pale rim at the edge. Clean on the nose with pronounced intensity vegetarl and fruity aromas of blackfruit - black cherry - sweet spice and a hint of pepper. Dry on the palate with mild acidity and medium + tannins. Flavors of blackfruit, plum, black cherry and hints of oak. Full bodied with high well integrated alcohol and a long finish. A very good wine with a great QPR that is developing and while ready to drink now will age well.

3/31/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A developing wine, clear, pale in color with greenish hues. Clean on the nose with medium intensity aromas of citrus, greenfruit and stonefruit - lime, apple, peach - with floral and mineral hints. On the palate, dry with medium + acidity and no tannins. Medium body with low alcohol and flavors of apple, lime and peach with some mineral on a medium finish. This wine is ready to drink now, but will get better with age. Paired with Roast Loin of Pork w/ green peppercorn sauce.

3/31/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

87-88 for this very good Cab. Clear, opaque and Garnet in color. The was clean with medium intensity aromas of blackfruit, black cherry, sweet spice, vegetal notes and hnts of pepper and oak on the nose. On the palate, dry, medium acidity and medium tannins with flavors of blackfruit, sweet spice and some vegetal notes. Medium bodied with medium integrated alcohol (13.5%) and a medium lenght. An enjoyable, mature Cabernet Sauvignon from Wrattonbully.

3/30/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

I go with Tanzer and give this one a 90. The wine was clear with pale intensity lemon-green color and a pale rim. This Chardonnay is developing. Clean, medium intensity aromas of greenfruit and stonefruit - apple, pear, peach - on the nose. On the palate, dry with medium + acidity and no tannin. Flavors of citrus - lime - and stonefruit - peach - with hints of mineral. Medium body with medium integrated alcohol and a medium + finish. Ready to Drink now, but this one can evolve over the next few years. Paired well with Pan Seared Salmon on Asparagus Risotto.

3/30/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent Shiraz with a little age on it. The wine was clear, opaque and purple in color with brownish/mahogany shades to a clear rim. Clean with medium intensity aromas of dried blackfruit, sweet spice and hints of smoke and eucaplypus on the nose. Dry on the palate with mild acidity and mild tannins. Flavors of blackfruit with a little pepper on a long finish. A medium + bodied wine with intergrated medium alcohol and a nice smooth mouthfeel. The wine is ready to drink, but could age a couple of years. Paired with Brie and Salami.

3/29/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent Shiraz 93% / Viognier 7% from an Australian GI not that well known in the US - Great Southern, Denmark, WA. The wine was clear with a deep intensity purple color and a pale rim. On the nose a clean, developing wine with medium intensity aromas of blackfruit, plum, black cherry, sweet spice with hints of cedar and vegetal notes. On the palate medium acidity and medium + tannins with vegetal and blackfruit flavors and hints of pepper on a long finish. Well integrated high alcohol - 14.5%. Excelent quality and ready to drink now with some decanting, but could age for a couple of years.

3/29/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A tasty Chardonnay with an excellent QPR. Good acidity, a touch of oak, tropical and stone fruit on the nose and palate. Paired with sauteed cod.

3/21/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

I found this a very good wine with food and agree with Tanzer on the 87. Very pleasant wine with Chicken Francaise and Asparagus Risotto. Pale lemon green in color. Medium intensity aromas of citrus, greenfruit - apple, lime - and some stoney hints on the nose. On the palate, medium acidity with greenfruit, stonefruit, citrus flavors - green apple, hint of peach, lemon/lime - and a bit of mineral. Interesting blend of unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

3/21/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

I'd give this winea 87-88. A very enjoyable everday wine. Dark ruby in color with medium intensity aromas of blackfruit - black cherry - sweet spice with hints of toffee and mint. On the palate, medium acidity and medium + tannins with flavors of blackfruit, mint or menthol, and a long peppery/spicey finish. Paired with some Brie and Salami. Interesting the blend of Shiraz from WA and SA.

3/18/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent wine for the price. Really good! Good fruit and good spice. Mild tannins. Paired with Herb & Cheese Crusted Rack of Lamb.

3/16/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent expression. More a Rhone Syrah than an Aussie Shiraz in character. Good fruit, a little barnyard and spice on the nose. A peppery finish with fruit on the palate. Paired w/Steak Au Poivre.

3/12/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

85-86 if I was to give a rating. A pleasant Bourgogne from the heralded vintage. Not much on the nose. Some red fruit and sweet spice. On the palate, again, some red fruit and sweet spice. For $15 a good buy. Good acidity and mild tannins. Certainly needs some decanting as it gets better once opened. Could be better in a couple of years. A food wine for sure. I bought a case and the first bottle was slightly oxidized with seepage on the cork. The second bottle had mold on the cork, but was OK.

3/7/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

OK for under $10, but not a good expression of Chardonnay.

3/7/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

An excellent Cab for $14 - good QPR. Need to decant for a hour, or two and this wine really opens up with a bunch of blackfruit on the nose and palate. Herbaceaus notes and big spice on the nose and palate. Medium + tannins and a long finish.

3/7/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

88? because I think this wine needs some time in the bottle. Right now the wine is crisp, medium + acidity with citrus and floral aromas on the nose with a hint of petrol. Apple and stone on the palate. A medium finish. A good mid-priced wine that is ready to drink now, but should be cellared for a couple of years. A great QPR if this wine evolves.

3/4/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

A delightful light bodied, pale colored wine with citrus - lime - and a hint of apple of the nose. On the palate citrus, lime and a bit of minerality. Paired well with grilled Mahi Mahi.

3/2/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Here is what Steve Tanzer had to say: Ruby-red. Candied cherry, plum and red licorice on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and vanilla. Lush cherry-vanilla and blackberry flavors are seductively sweet and nicely lifted by gentle acidity. This medium-bodied, gently tannic shiraz has a persistent, sweet finish. A nicely balanced example of an Australian fruit bomb. 89 points.

I tend to agree with Tanzer although this not the big "fruit bomb" that other Aussie Shiraz are. This is more mellow wine with a good bit of character. Enjoy.

2/28/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

At least a 90. Tanazer got it right. Dark purple in color. Good black fruit and maybe some mint on the nose. A mouthful of fruit on a solid finish.

2/11/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Tasty Chinon and a great QPR. A much more balanced wine as it matures. Leather, earthy and red fruit on the nose. Ruby garnet in color and showing signs of age at the rim. On the palate a good bit of red fruit - raspberry, strawberry - and some musky flavors. A medium finish on the medium bodied wine.

1/25/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

This is a high 80's wine and excellent at the price. Dark ruby in color. Not much intensity on the nose, but some some mushrooma and dark fruity comes through. ON the palate some fruit on a short finish. Mild tannins and acidity.

1/25/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Excellent QPR for this wine and an easy 90. Take a whiff and you know immediately that this is a Rhone wine. Earthy, fruity, herbal and animal aromas on the nose - Mushroom, Bacon, Dark Black Fruit and Spice. On the palate some mushroom and backfruit with hints of black pepper on a medium + smooth finish. A balanced wine that ready to drink now, but will get better over then next few years. Paired well with Beef Stew.

1/23/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

Other reviewers got it right. Good black fruit and a little chocolate on the nose. Blackfuit and soft tannins on the palate. Not a complex wine and we shall have to see how/if it evolves. An every day Bordeaux froma great vintage with a great QPR.

1/7/2008 - Cliff A wrote:

I found this wine to be excellent. 1st time I've tasted a Muller-Thurgau and if it were a blind tasting I would have thought a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I found the wine a bit floral,but more citrus on the nose and definate citrus on the palate with a tad of sweetness on the finish. I know this is a Riesling hybrid, but no aspect of Riesling came through to me. I paired with sauteed Cod and Spinach and it went extremely well.

12/28/2007 - Cliff A wrote:

Excellent Dolcetto. An easy 88. Good red fruit and some earth hints on the nose. Red fruit on the palate. Good acidity and mild tannins. Should evolve well over the next few years, but drinkable now. Paired well with a sauteed loin veal chop with a white wine lemon sauce.

12/18/2007 - Cliff A wrote:

For $11, an excellent bottle of Dolcetto. I found good fruit on the nose and some fruit and mild tannins on the palate. A food wine for sure and paired well with Cheese Ravioli in a Tomato Vodka Sauce with a Capresse Salad. Great QPR and I'd buy again. RTD now, but I'll bet a couple of years in the bottle will see a different wine. Did not decant.

12/13/2007 - Cliff A wrote:

A well structured enjoyable wine. Fruity and floral. I got dark black cherry and violet notes on the nose. Soft tannins and good acidity. Gary V got it right. Great QPR for this one.

12/12/2007 - Cliff A wrote:

Easy 90+. A steal at $12 - great QPR. By any other name this guy is a Chateaneuf du Pape. Southern Rhone all the way a little barnyard on the nose and dark red fruit.