6/13/2012 - bradleyx wrote:

If you're still holding this, it's time to drink up. Better yet - cook with it. I made the mistake of serving it to guests and it's simply several years past its prime.

5/31/2011 - bradleyx wrote:

This wine may be going through a transition phase, as I didn't sense the same depth and complexity that I had with previous bottles. It's drinking very fruity and straightforward. I found it almost too sweet. While the acidity was well-balanced, tannins and oak were softer than I expected and this impacted the overall structure. A good wine but not what I had hoped for this bottle.

2/17/2011 - bradleyx wrote:

Had some trepidation about trying the Cabernet from such a well-known Zin house, but this is a fantastic Cabernet. Plush, dark red berry, with just the right acidity and that slight earthiness that tells you it's from Alexander Valley. Popped and poured and it was delicious right out of the bottle. Tannins and acidity tell me that it has 3 years at least, but it's terrific now.

12/10/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

Really delicious and drinking beautifully right now. I found it to be free of the vegetal/earthy/over-oaked characteristics noted in previous reviews. Tannins are still firm, but it's extremely well balanced with full dark berry character. This is what the 2007 vintage is all about. Best wine I've had in awhile.

4/22/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

A very nice, drinkable Zin. Very inky out of the bottle, but more of a medium-bodied style, fairly tart with dark cherry, raspberry and cranberry notes, nice finish. Mild pepper, spice. 15.9% alcohol, but this wine doesn't taste hot.

4/11/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

This wine is massive and intense - I encourage at least a 2-hour decant at this point. Tannins are still really chewy but accent the wonderful dark fruit and well-integrated oak.

3/19/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

This is a delicious wine - the color is beautiful - deep garnet. Nice, soft, and well-balanced, with the perfect mix of tannins, acidity, and heat. Dark berries with just a hint of vanilla and a lush finish. Drinking beautiful.

3/16/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

Disappointing. Didn't deliver the lush, spicy, brambly fruit that I've always experienced with Rafanelli. This was earthy, a tad hot, and the fruit was simply muted. Not enjoyable and certainly not up to the lofty standards to which I've been so accustomed with Rafanelli.

1/23/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

Drinking decently now. Decanted and saw that slight raisinish tinge of a wine that's now 12+ years old. Tannins have softened, but still a bit of mouthpuckering acidity. Medium- to heavy-bodied with a decent balance between the earthy tobacco and wild berry flavors. Not the grace and power of other '97 Brunellos but quite respectable.

1/18/2010 - bradleyx wrote:

This wine definitely has a little life left in it, although after all this time, it still tastes a bit green. Pretty, dark purple. I decanted. First few sips showed that it still had tannins, with some simple tart berries, earth, and oak. As it opens, the oak and earth have subsided, but the fruit remains simple and in the background. Not a bad wine, but a bit disappointing.

12/25/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Very impressive. Decanted for 3 hours, and it probably could have sat for another few hours. This is drinking beautifully, however - full bodied, deep red, luscious dark fruit. Soft, although its tannins were present throughout our evening with it. Definitely enjoyable now with enough time.

12/23/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Wow - what a mouthful. Exceptionally complex, almost Syrah-like dark cherries and cola with some spice and earthiness. We decanted, but it still hadn't fully opened up by the time we finished this bottle. A very noteworthy Pinot for its full-bodied yet highly well-crafted style. Should be good for several more years.

11/28/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Had two bottles on Thanksgiving at a restaurant. It came out of the bottle looking like a lighter style Pinot, but showed earthiness uncharacteristic of Russian River area at first. Became noticeably darker. Medium-bodied, with some complexity - much in the style of a Santa Lucia/Santa Barbara Pinot. Came out of its shell after about an hour with decent dark berry fruit. Drinkable now or to 2011, in my estimation.

9/13/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Absolutely delicious - quite refined, incredible depth, excellent balance. The dark fruit, acidity, and tannins are working in perfect concert with this wine.

8/21/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Quite enjoyable. Out of the bottle, it definitely needed to be decanted. After 20 minutes, the flatness gave way to very tight and focused dark fruits, with a touch of pine and tannins that continued to hold their own. It slowly opened up over the next couple of hours. There's definitely life left in this bottle, so enjoy now or hold for another 2+ years.

8/2/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

A fairly straightforward Zin, not a bomb like I had expected. Nicely balanced, briary fruits, just a little pepper. It's not hot at all. Really delightful. Recommend it with food - we had with smoked BBQ ribs. Not terribly complex or noteworthy, but quite nice.

6/28/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Lots of sediment, which necessitated decanting. Color was smoky and opaque at first but turned a more classic Pinot purple after 20-30 minutes. It's drinking nicely at this age - the fruit has softened--plum, black cherry, some nice oak. Still very fruit heavy and a bit tart, but enjoyable. Nicely balanced.

6/11/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Extremely disappointing and not typical of the Chalk Hill Chardonnays of previous years. The wine was hot, even when chilled, and even more so when it came up to drinking temperature. More of a crisp style with mineral, green apple and melon flavors, not the soft, buttery, oaky refined style I'm accustomed to from this winery. Also a tad acidic. Improved slightly after 2 hours, but was still hot. If you're drinking it now, give it at least 90 minutes.

6/11/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

A tremendous fruit bomb with no noticeable heat. Dark briar fruit, a touch of peppery spice, extremely well balanced. As good as any Zin I've had in several years. I don't think my other bottle will make it through the weekend.

5/9/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Sadly, I have to agree with the previous reviewer. Gorgeous nose - some nice spice, bright fruit. But the wine is not well balanced - a bit astringent and acidic, which is throwing it off. After an hour, it's better, not unlike other Willamette Pinot Noirs that give you lots of terroir. Balance is still off; the fruit is muted but coming out more. Suggest that you decant for at least 90 minutes before consuming - it's significantly better.

2/14/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

Wow - everything a wine should be. Drinking beautifully. Had at a restaurant, so not decanted. Came out soft and refined and gradually revealed plum and black cherry . Perfectly balanced, well-integrated tannins. Best wine I've had in recent memory.

1/10/2009 - bradleyx wrote:

This wine certainly improved after opening and was at its best when we finished it 2+ hours later. Came out a tad hot, briary, and minerally and evolved to expose wild berry and bramble fruit flavors. I worried about the wine getting hotter as it warmed up, but it never went over the top - it stayed right at the edge, balanced by the acidity which also teetered on the brink but never went over. This isn't a jammy or particularly peppery Zin but provides a touch of spice and minerals to enhance the berry fruit. After some initial concerns, this was overall a unique and enjoyable Zin. Definitely has more life in the bottle.

10/19/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

I agree that this is not at all a fruit bomb, but it lacked the depth that I would have hoped an old vines Zin would deliver. Woody, a tad herbal, a bit of spice, but not enough to make this interesting. Nice balance and acidity, and not hot. If you're holding onto this wine, I suggest you drink now.

10/5/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

Drink up, folks - this one isn't going to get any better and can't bear to lose any more fruit. It's a very simple, relatively light-bodied and straightforward Cab that has a nice deep color but delivers only modest depth. Some dark fruit flavor but nothing powerfully noteworthy on the palatte. Absolutely wilted under a good steak, but would be a pleasant swiller. Not a bad wine, but not memorable.

9/4/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

Had 3 bottles of this with friends for a Labor Day BBQ - it continues to be a solid drinker with another two years on it at least. Simple, straightforward dark fruit, some peppery spice, fairly long finish. Not hot. Tannins were never too serious on this wine. Definitely a nice Zin but still a disappointment after previous Rockpiles.

9/4/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

A gorgeous Pinot Noir that has quickly become my favorite. Luscious aromas of dark berries, deep color, very soft and extremely well balanced. Delivers an elegant mix of cherry and dark berries with a perfect finish. This wine is very difficult to find but is a must if you do find it available. The best that Russian River has to offer.

7/16/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

Drinking much better than it did immediately after I purchased it. The cloying sweetness from 2 years ago has been replaced by a rather simple, straightforward Zin that isn't especially spicy or peppery. Nice dark fruit, reasonable acidity, nicely controlled alcohol level makes it versatile as a quaffer or with BBQ if not particularly noteworthy.

7/16/2008 - bradleyx wrote:

I agree with the consensus here. This wine is drinking terrifically right now and has plenty of life left in it. Decanted but tasted delicious immediately. The tannins have softened up considerably giving this wonderful, soft mouthfeel with lush, refined dark fruit. I'm excited to still have another one of these in the cellar! Drank with New York Steak.

12/25/2007 - bradleyx wrote:

Very disappointing - cloyingly sweet, not at all characteristic of what Sangiovese should be.

12/25/2007 - bradleyx wrote:

Agree that this is an excellent time to consume this bottle - nice structure and balance. Did not require decanting - 30 minutes after opening, the mouthfeel was soft. Luscious dark red fruits with just enough complexity to make it interesting. Enjoyed quite a bit.

9/3/2007 - bradleyx wrote:

Opened for 2 hours and then decanted for an hour - this wine is drinking beautifully, especially with the time out of the bottle, which tamed the tannins - beautiful balance between the dark fruit and Sonoma earthiness. Can still go for several more years, but if you're ready to go, it is too.

6/2/2007 - bradleyx wrote:

Not up to the standards of other Conundrums (Conundra?) I have enjoyed, perhaps due to the age of the wine. Slight effervescence, but also a bit syrupy and cloying. More sweet than fruity, but some citrus notes. I agree with the tasters who would match it with spicy foods--I didn't find it to be an enjoyable quaffer.

6/2/2007 - bradleyx wrote:

Still delicious. Started off earthy and herbal, but quickly evolved into beautiful floral aromas and flavors before the dark fruit came forward. It stayed deep, rich and complex until we drained the last drop. Still seems to have some time left despite recommendations here that this be consumed by 2006.