8/19/2023 - mos wrote:

I did NOT taste 33 other wines with this.

Lovely fruit and floral nose. Acids are crisp with decent sweetness but not too much. Starfruit, and something else I can't quite place on the palate. Finish is long, but not absurd.

This is representative of a typical Oregon Rose. It's not a French Provence and if that's what you are expecting, you will be disappointed.

My main ding is the acids are out of balance. Without food to tame it, it's on the tart side. Amplified, as you'd expect, as it warms above drinking temperature.

11/9/2020 - mos Likes this wine:

Little dark so hard to get a good read on the color. Appeared a more garnet in color best I could tell. Nice berry and cherry notes on the nose with a hint of vanilla. Big cherry and vanilla standing tall on the attack with a smooth mid palate. Sugars are a touch high but not flawed. Medium length finish, relatively low tannins. No mistaking this for a South American Malbec. Blind I would've picked this out to be a Syrah, or possibly even a fruit bomb Napa Cab.

Nothing to dislike. May not be your speed in Malbecs though. I liked it!

4/5/2020 - mos Likes this wine:

Pale yellow color. Mineral and floral nose with some sweet apple undertones. Crisp acidity with strong green apple and pear on the taste. Dry, medium length finish. Well balanced.

I like! I've not tasted much from this region so my rating is personal vs. representative of the wine and region. Just ordered several more Soave's from the same vintage and price range to explore.

Paired brilliantly with Indian food! Awesome QPR!

11/11/2018 - mos wrote:

Looks like this is a love/hate wine.

Good clarity, medium straw color.

Petrol up front on the nose. Some mineral, and pear coming through. Maybe a touch of vanilla, but so subtle could be my imagination.

Big puckering lemon on the attack with mineral/stone around the edges. Surprisingly low sugar for a riesling. Mouthfeel is tough to describe. Puckering is about all I can come up with.

Mellows significantly after the attack. Nice long dry finish.

Definitely a food wine. Not something I'd just open and drink. I'm thinking Indian, or hot and spicy food would be a perfect pairing here. I would avoid Korean food - too much acid for pickled vegetables! I dare say I'd be willing to try Mexican food with this wine.

5/26/2016 - mos wrote:

Non-descript nose. Maybe some red fruits and a touch of spice but nothing spectacular.

Nice bright cherry attack with a switch hit to dusty cherries shortly on the front end of the mid-palate. Abrupt sucker punch of tannin puts it away.

I might as well have been chewing on a piece of cherry flavored oak.

Ironically, like the only other tasting note at the time of writing, had with pizza. Barely worth the pizza. I feel sad for you if you waste this on even a low grade piece of meat.

12/27/2015 - mos wrote:

Fantastic!

Deep red color, with high clarity.

Nose wafting of mineral notes, with sweet red fruits and a hint of damp earth.

Attack leads with lush and pleasantly sweet combination of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. Mid palate is incredibly smooth velvet with nice sugars and an almost mineral "fruit loops" overtone.

Long slow finish with low acids help sustain the sweet fruit to the end.

Had this side by side with a 2008 Redman Willamette Valley Pinot. Both AMAZING but very different. This one being bigger on the fruit and the Redman showing some interesting leather, tobacco, and earth.

I'm starting to get into my 2008 Pinot stash a bit more now and they are all drinking wonderfully! I'd say they're at peak for the vintage generally speaking.

10/17/2015 - mos wrote:

Drinking beautifully right now! If not peak, darn well near it!

Had I smelled this blind I would've said it's a old world style Napa Cab. Luscious dark fruits, loam, mushroom, and a touch of spiciness on the nose.

Big blackberry and strawberry fruit and a touch of sweetness. The earth notes of the nose come through on the edges. Smooth, almost velvet, mouthfeel. Strong smooth finish with nice acidic balance.

Very uncharacteristic style for the Willamette area. I love old world wines so this one is a hit with me. If you're into more representative Willamette Pinot this might not be a favorite for you.

7/23/2013 - mos wrote:

Decanted for about 30-45 minutes a priori.

Dark red color. No appreciable discoloration around the edges. Holding up well.

Nose dominated by dark fruits and tobacco. Notes of leather and earth decorate the background.

Dark fruits echoed on a juicy attack with some vanilla. Moves on into a smooth mid-palate adding some nice earth notes as the fruit dies off the attack.

Really nice oak and tannin into the finish. More subtle and not over powering. Just a hair on the sweet side.

Really enjoyed this bottle over grilled beef tips. Super yummy and in prime drinking range now. I'd say it will easily hold up another 3-4 years properly cellared.

2/7/2013 - mos wrote:

This is a truly unique wine. Nose of raspberry, cassis, and eucalyptus. Some spiciness also mixed in but I can't id the exact spices.

Attack is full of lush raspberry, and prunes. Mid palate kicks in some mushroom/earth notes but relatively subtle. Still pointing at those eucalyptus and spice notes from the nose on through the taste.

Huge juicy-ness lingers on through the mid palate and finish, with a nice smooth but slightly velvet mouth feel.

Just a hint of oak on the finish with fruit staying strong throughout.

If you're a traditionalist you may not find this wine to your liking but I really enjoy this Zin as it is truly unique spin on the genre.

1/17/2013 - mos wrote:

Plum, cassis, and oak on the nose. Brambly blackberry attack with a bold velvety mid palate. Closes out with a long fruit finish and some nice tanins.

Fruity zin but not as big as most in the appellation. Well built but not unique.

11/19/2012 - mos wrote:

Deep dark purple color, nice legs!

Nose of blackberry, earth, cocoa, and I kept having a fleeting hint of anise. I can't tell if I was imagining the anise or not.

Attack goes off like a blackberry/grape bomb in your mouth! HUGE front end of fruit! Syrupy thick mouth feel.

Once past the attack black tea, coffee, and earth kicks in. Mid-palate acids tame the attack sugars. While still off, balance is better.

As the finish starts moving into a smooth (yet still thick on the tongue) feel this crazy zing of herbaceous spice (geraniums come to mind), mushroom, and pepper pops in and hangs in there for a short/medium length finish.

This wine is a crazy roller coaster ride! I could do with a little less fruit on the attack, but it's one fun ride for $8!

11/15/2012 - mos Likes this wine:

Nice ruby color!

Cherry, smoke, hazelnut, and coffee under tones on the nose.

BIG cherry/raspberry blast on the attack with stone, mineral, loam, and a hint of mushrooms playing through as the attack fades. Acids spike up quickly in the mid palate for a little pucker, but drop off quickly into a nice floral fruit finish. Long smooth-ish finish. Little bit of velvet mouthfeel.

Acids a little wild in the middle but overall greatly enjoyed! Might give it a year more to see if the finish mellows out a little but I don't expect much really.

8/7/2012 - mos wrote:

Kind of disappointed. The 2008 was pretty darn amazing. Especally at this price point.

Nose was fairly consistent with a generic Oregon Pinot. Red berries, smoke, and mineral notes.

BIG attack! Really comes out swinging with raspberry and strawberry fruit. Given how hot 2009 was I was expecting this kind of opening so I wasn't surprised.

Mid palate comes up fast and passes in a blink. The attack dies off and mid-palate passes so quckly it's really hard to pull any nuances. Nice body and consistency though.

Finishes with a mouth sucking dryness. Alum on the tongue kind of dryness. Quite a bit of bitterness on the finish as well. I don't wonder if there might have been a destemmer malfunction and too many seeds were crushed in with the mix.

The finish is what really tanked me to an 85.

You can try to cellar this but I seriously doubt it's going to do much. Drink up!

Redman is very small and young winery. Given how good some of their other wines have been I chalk this one up to inexperience with potential to grow. I won't be turned off of trying a 2010 vintage.

5/19/2012 - mos Likes this wine:

Deep purple in color.

Blackberries, Currant, draped with creme brûlée, and coffee notes on the nose.

Attack elevates the dark fruits of the nose, with a mid palate of graphite, tobacco, and leather accenting a velvety smooth mouth feel.

Finish is mid length with nicely balanced tannins. Good overall balance in acids.

Definitely give this some decanter time before drinking. I snuck and early sip and there wasn't much going on here until you gave it some air time.

4/24/2012 - mos wrote:

First night popped and poured. Good nose of red fruits, smoke, and everything I'd expect of an Oregon Pinot. Wicked acids overpower everything leaving a pretty puckering experience in it's wake. Had I stopped here would have rated lower.

Vacuum sucked the bottle and stuck it on the counter.

Night two: Wine a little warmer and certainly a little more open.

Nose of strawberries, hay, smoke, and loam.

Attack of strawberries, raspberry, and green grass. Mid palate smoothed out tremendously flowing into a nice lingering finish. Acids much better balanced this evening and overall a much better experience.

I'd recommend decanting for an hour or so before serving this.

4/18/2012 - mos wrote:

Very deep rose red color and ever so slightly cloudy.

Immense nose of strawberry, raspberry, and the smoke notes I love so much in Oregon Pinot. A very classic Oregon Pinot nose.

Attack echoes the red fruits, with almost a cardamom spicy overtone. Alcohol is a little hot on the mid palate. Tanins are between velvet and smooth on the mouth feel.

Acids are overbearing. A little more age might help integration but I don't foresee this becoming an exceptional wine. Just a good casual drinker. With the big acids this would definitely pair well with food. Maybe a light tomato based dish? Steak would be over kill.

For a freshman winery this is a great turnout and I'm very anxious to see how the winemaker matures.

3/24/2012 - mos wrote:

Decanted about 60 minutes. Big nose of cherry, loam, mushroom, earth mineral, and oak. Minimal to no brixing tainting an otherwise nice ruby/garnet red color.

Cherry rush on the attack, with casis, mushroom, hints of leather and nice oak. Surprisingly thin and stretched on the mid-palate with almost nothing on the finish.

This is like one of those 4th of July fountains you get that starts off great but doesn't really go anywhere and is altogether too short.

Not a bad wine per se. It just doesn't live up to all the mystique and hype and is definitely not worth the crazy price tag!

3/18/2012 - mos wrote:

Crazy dark red color, with obvious body to it just on the swirl.

Nose of black cherries, casis, leather, and oak.

Powerful fruit on the attack: black cherry, and casis from the nose strongly echoed. Bits of tobacco, mushroom, and earth linger on a smooth mid-palate.

Tannins coming in a little too strong on the finish!

A stellar wine right now but needs another 2-4 years for the tannins to integrate somemore.

3/4/2012 - mos wrote:

Overall a simple wine with little depth. Strawberry and herbacious notes on the nose. Nice red fruits on the attack with a simple finish. A little rough on the mouth feel.

This is a good basic wine. Nothing special except the price.

3/3/2012 - mos wrote:

Very light ruby color. Mineral/hot stone nose with heavy red fruits. Nuance of nutmeg or cardamom on the nose yielding a sweet spiciness.

Attack of raspberry and strawberry, quick drop to an astringent mouthfeel and sour bite that overpowers the finish. Thin but not completely weak body. Overall non-complex.

Strong acids on this wine keep it from being an excellent standalone experience, but pairs great with a milder food such as a grilled pork chop and a tomato side dish. Or maybe a nice cheddar cheese.

2/23/2012 - mos wrote:

My second bottle. Drank my last bottle with toke_man and would have to agree...something was just not here.

Decanted for 30 minutes this time around and didn't mix with other wines. I have to say this time around I'm impressed. More inline with a California Pinot. Black cherry, vanilla, smoke, and sweet spices on the nose.

Palate delivered a nice cherry blush, the smallest hint of plum, and earth notes I can't quite put a finger on. Almost a sweet tobacco, but not. Crisp acids and decent body lend a firm and bold mouth feel. Not precisely smooth, not quite velvety, just...invigorating.

2/12/2012 - mos Likes this wine:

Light rose color.

Powerful smoke on the nose with hot stone, strawberry, and red fruit decorations.

Strawberry echoed on the attack paired with raspberry and sweet herbal elements. Extremely smooth finish and mouthfeel.

A simple and delicate Pinot; best with very light flavored foods. I'd personally recommend drinking without food at all. Would be great on a summer evening.

2/2/2012 - mos wrote:

Not sure how this made a Robert Parker list.

More like a flat strawberry wine cooler than a real wine. Nose is very yeasty. Red fruity. No body. Drinkable, but flat and boring.

Starting to think French wine is just not my thing. I've had everything from a 95 Lafite to this and 95% of the time I'm unimpressed, or feel I can find a WAY better wine for the money.

1/29/2012 - mos wrote:

Nice surprise! At under $20 I didn't have high expectations, but it all worked out. Nice dark red color.

Nose of black cherry with hints of leather, must, and oak.

Cherries are immediately echoed on the attack with bits of currant, leather, and a nuance of sweet spices. Intense vanilla mid palate with a smooth but bold mouthfeel. Finish sports some oak, nice tannins, and pretty good balance on the acids.

Not the best cab ever but no slouch. Especially at this price point!

1/22/2012 - mos Does not like this wine:

Disappointing. I thought perhaps I had a bad bottle the first time, but this is my third of the 2007 and they have all been consistent.

The 2006 and 2008 Cowhouse weren't exceptional for me either but drinkable. Seems this particular vintage is off the deep end.

Light red color, almost a rose in appearance.

Nose is tight even after some decanter time. Strawberries with smoke notes and an odd almost acrid overtone I can't put words to.

Weak strawberry and raspberry on the attack. A bit of hay or green vegetable lurks.

As the mid palate kicks in everything turns almost literally lemonade sour. There is really nothing to taste in the mid palate beyond puckering sour.

The finish is bitter and unfortunately lingering.

Bottom line the acids in this wine are out of control and it's pretty apparent the poor 2007 harvest stymied the wine maker on this bottling. Odd because other 2007 Argyles Ive had have been quite good.

I'll probably try cooking with this wine but I'm not sure it's even suitable for that.

11/30/2011 - mos wrote:

I'm going to stick with my previous rating but in a fit of comedy I change my notes on the nose to "Play-doh". I can't shake it but this wine smells just like Play-doh to me.

11/20/2011 - mos wrote:

Nose of cherry with a hint of roasted hazelnuts and strong smoke and hot stone over tones.

Cherry, raspberry on the attack, and a brief mineral mid palate.

All the pieces are in place for a good finish until the acids crush everyting with a puckering assault.

I've been drinking Argyle for many years and am a great fan. This is the worst vintage of Clubhouse of the last six I've tried. Which is a real shame given the 2008 growing season was near perfect.

11/5/2011 - mos wrote:

Deep red color. Nose of cherries, tobacco, loam, and a hint of stone and smoke that I love so much on Oregon Pinot.

Cherry nose comes through on the attack with nuances of mushroom, cedar, and spice. Incredibly silky smooth mouth feel. Beautifully integrated. Delicious!

Easily has more cellar time in it, but nearing the starting edge of prime range now.

11/2/2011 - mos wrote:

Still sticking with my original rating. I'm going to go with less fruit this time though and more earth tones.

Blackberries, black currant, and tar on the nose. A hint of iodine or cedar adds a band-aid sort of overtone. That is to say, a medicinal nose.

Attack of stewed prunes and tobacco. A flat mid palate then ramping up into strong black tea tones for the finish.

Tannins are beginning to integrate a bit better.

Overall a nice enough wine but still not my style.

10/30/2011 - mos wrote:

Decanted 30 minutes. Big!

Nose of plums, tobacco, and black pepper.

Very nice mouth feel with the attack led by black cherry and plums, trailing into a nice mid-palate of earth, leather, and pepper. A hint of tar in the mix as well.

Tannins are pretty pronounced. Another year or two of cellar time would help take the edge off.

9/21/2011 - mos wrote:

Pleasent surprise! Pop and pour.

Big strawberry and smoke notes on the nose. Nice strawberry, raspberry, and mineral tones on the palate. A tweak over acidic but not distractingly so.

Good value for the money!

9/21/2011 - mos wrote:

Generally non-descript. Bits of red fruit on the nose and palate.

Hot alcohol on the nose. Acids unbalanced.

9/18/2011 - mos wrote:

Heavy nose of red fruits, and vanilla. Wafting hot on alcohol.

Big front end of cherry, with some raspberry and mineral notes. Almost a menthol mid palate and a dry coating mouth feel. Chewy oak and tannins throughout.

I'd cellar a little longer and see if the tannins chill out a bit.

9/5/2011 - mos wrote:

Nose of fresh baked bread and honeysuckle. Crisp and acidic palate. Subtle peach tones.

Not the most complex or interesting Viognier I've ever had but a nice casual summer sipper.

8/24/2011 - mos Likes this wine:

Drank this long enough ago I can't remember anything beyond I liked this wine enough to give it a 91, and order more. Great Napa Cab for the price.

Will leave a detailed tasting note when next I sample.

8/3/2011 - mos wrote:

Rated above 90 with Robert Parker, Spectator, and Wine and Spirits but I'm not seeing it. It could be that I rarely drink Portuguese wines of this variety.

Somewhere between a typical Aussie Shiraz and a Big CA Zin. Loaded with jammy red fruit and an almost syrupy mouth feel. Not bad, but not 90+ either.

7/7/2011 - mos wrote:

Surprising! Dark fruits and plums with a bit of vanilla on the nose.

Smooth mouth feel. Attack echos the dark fruit nose, big plum and blackberry. Complimented by earth/mushroom, a touch of oak, and a nice dash of spice on the finish. Well balanced. Tannins a bit tame but not distractingly so.

5/24/2011 - mos wrote:

Big blackberries and milk chocolate on the nose.

Wicked mouthful of blackberry, and blueberry on the attack. WAAAYY too much residual sugar lends a grape soda taste. A bit of a bitter back end kind sends the finish askew.

I would never have pegged this as a Malbec on a blind taste. More like a low end Shiraz. Big, fruit juicy.

Overall for the price point not a bad week nighter.

5/5/2011 - mos wrote:

Nothing spectacular.

4/10/2011 - mos wrote:

I'm sticking with my previous rating. The tannins in this wine are settling down and this wine is integrating quite well after more cellar time.

It is still most definitely different than your typical cab. I'd liken it more to a power house Aussie shiraz, decorated with more earth and elegance.

4/10/2011 - mos wrote:

Slight improvement since my last taste. I decanted this time for about 30 minutes as there was a sulphur barnyard stink on the initial nose. The stink blew off calming my fears.

I do love the color of this wine - it has a deep ruby hue and pretty strong legs. This is perhaps where you're lured into thinking there is some body to the wine that never really shows up.

Nose of cherries, strawberries, and a waft of wood smoke and/or mineral so common to Oregon Pinot.

Sweet cherries deliver on the front end but little else. Nice smooth and clean mouthfeel. So nice and smooth the wine comes across as somewhat flat and thin.

Acids and tannins are subtle further suporrting the flat delivery.

This is a decent enough wine, but I'm still disappointed and agree with another reviewer that this wine was much better at the winery tasting.

4/9/2011 - mos wrote:

I am stunned! This wine has held up remarkably well for an $8 cab and I've really been holding onto it this long just for fun.

Minimal brixing. Big sulphur on the nose masking cherries, hay, and a touch of menthol. Palate started with bright cherry and pretty much dropped off after that. High acids brought in a very tart finish that lingered way too long.

I recall at the time I bought this it was a great every day drinker. Certainly not a great wine now, but it was a fun aging experiment.

3/23/2011 - mos Does not like this wine:

meh. Pretty flat. Acids are overdone. Not much body. Overall unimpressive.

3/14/2011 - mos wrote:

What a pleasant surprise! I was thinking Colorado Cab...yeah...right.

There is no way this would ever stand up to a CA Cab, but for an every day pop and pour drinker a great wine!

Nice clarity and a deep red color. Nose of cherry, raspberry, and oak. Very delicate cherry and cassis palate with huge oak. An interesting spicy/pepper finish. Nothing fancy here.

Tannins a touch flat, but good acidity.

3/4/2011 - mos wrote:

Nose of dark fruit, spice and a hint of must. A little drier than I was anticipating but great palate of red fruits and cassis. Interesting frame of oak and peat cruising out of the mid palate.

Nicely balanced and a great pairing with red sauce and pasta.

2/27/2011 - mos Does not like this wine:

Simply awful! Tastes like Vick's cherry cough syrup. Ended up dumping this one.

2/9/2011 - mos wrote:

Sampled at Hooked Restaurant in Dulles, VA

A fantastic sample of Carneros Pinot! Powerful nose of red fruits, hot stone, and wood smoke.

Front loaded with strawberries and raspberries, mineral notes, and just a touch of earth. Nicely integrated acids and a smooth and supple mouthfeel.

A big Pinot but not over the top!

2/7/2011 - mos wrote:

Fairly typical GSM. Good balance of fruit and earth notes. Nothing extra special but a nice wine at this price point.

1/29/2011 - mos wrote:

What a great wine! Decanted for about 20 minutes. Yummy cherry, creme, and a hint of spice on the nose! Velvet smooth mouthfeel echoing the cherry, with nice vanilla and creme notes. Really well balanced and quite a treat!

1/21/2011 - mos Does not like this wine:

Awful. Little to no nose. Tasted like stewed prunes. I choked it down but just barely. Made a subsequent 2008 Erath pinot divine.