1/15/2010 - vbprog wrote:

Way to the top of my Zinfandel list. Smooth, full body - definitely a big boy.

11/7/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Bold and flavorful zin.

9/10/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Now here's a Tuscan blend we really liked. Fragrant, flavorful, smooth and very enjoyable.

9/20/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Yea - it was OK....

8/13/2009 - vbprog wrote:

blah

8/9/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Surprised... very good wine...

7/1/2009 - vbprog wrote:

O gotta say - this was a surprisingly enjoyable wine. It was gifted and I didn't actually think it was going to be worthwhile. Pleasing flavors, solid ruby color, longish finish and pleasing aftertaste. Very good low end wine.

6/18/2009 - vbprog wrote:

This is why I love Chiantis. Smooth, flavorful and overall enjoyable.

6/7/2009 - vbprog wrote:

We've had better Argentine Malbecs but this was a decent showing. Started off a bit bland but built up strength after sitting half a day.

6/1/2009 - vbprog wrote:

I know I'm stepping out a bit here with this score but this is a damn fine wine - perhaps our favorite white blend. There is so much to like. Citrus and tropics on the nose - in fact we lingered exceptionally long on the aroma it was so intriguing. The taste is quite complex - with floral and citrus and a touch of lime. It is an outstanding value at this price and a refreshing, beautiful taste. Chill before opening.

5/30/2009 - vbprog wrote:

kinda boring...

4/26/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Not nearly as enjoyable as the other Argentin Malbecs we've tried recently. In fact it was hardly enjoyable at all. Sharp, bitter, hot... words come to mind to describe.

Somewhat better on day two. Perhaps it is just too young. A couple years on the shelf and maybe it will hit the 80s.

4/26/2009 - vbprog wrote:

The descriptive word that comes to mind when I taste, smell and look at this wine is: mellow...

The color is a mellow brownish red. The smell is a mellow blend of berry and oak. I detected a hint of that maple candy that melts in your mouth.

Very well balanced between tannin, alcohol and fruitiness. Really loved this wine!

4/17/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Light straw color. Lovely fresh smell. Pretty good taste and finish. Not particularly going to look for this agian though...

4/13/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Nice, OK, somewhat tasty. Probably would have gotten a much better rating if it was in the 9$ range. At the 15$ range it was just OK.

3/22/2009 - vbprog wrote:

We liked this producer for other varietals and so tried their cab. We were not disappointed. very bold and held its own up to grilled steaks.

3/22/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Great zin at this price point. I've had much more expensive zins that weren't as good. Abit strong on the alcohol on the back end but very zin fruity and very zin earthy. Overall a very good zin.

3/22/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Nose was very earthy - I'm in the woods and turning over a mossy log. This is a big boy. It is full and big on the nose, full and big on the taste. Loved it.

3/1/2009 - vbprog wrote:

A new vintage year for us - but it did well. LOVED the 2006. They haven't let up - its still great!

2/25/2009 - vbprog wrote:

We enjoyed this a lot more than the previous taster. The rustic side was a plus for us. Just as pleased with this vintage as last year's. This is a wine born to be paired with food. Its bold enough to stand up to beef or Italian. Very nice vintage.

2/21/2009 - vbprog wrote:

I'm going to up my previous score by a point here. We love this refreshing, crisp white blend. It is very complex... I get citrus and oak - but its not an oak monster. Loved it.

3/1/2009 - vbprog wrote:

We're in the 90s with this one for a reason: its smooth. The nose gives off hints of blackberry and cinnamon. The taste is solid, nice fruit, balanced with tannin and alcohol, and smooth.

2/7/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Really nice Merlot blend. Nose of berry fruit, earth - maybe a bit of a veggie component? At first I thought the alchohol was a bit overpowering the other flavors but it settled down and became very enjoyable.

2/1/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Full bodied and delicious wine. The alcohol did a bit overpower the flavor. We had a wine tasting with strong foods so it paired well.

1/20/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Easily one of our favorite blends. Complex and full bodied. Wonderful Bordeaux flavors.

1/20/2009 - vbprog wrote:

This is a good wine, not an excellent wine. The pricing should put this above the lower tier merlots - but its not. I would have liked it alot better at $9.99. A bit off balance and tanniny for a merlot. Love thier blend though...

1/7/2009 - vbprog wrote:

outstanding Merlot! Very smooth finish that had soft tannins and even acidity. The flavor was full. Paired well with pasta and crusty bread.

1/3/2009 - vbprog wrote:

Very pleasant nose and taste. Not long enough for a 90ish rating but quite good on its own. It is a very dry zin which I liked and the wife didn't - take it for what its worth.

12/18/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Real nice Malbec. Smooth, medium body.

12/12/2008 - vbprog wrote:

OK flavor but hot finish. Totally unimpressive.

12/10/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Ahhh... old vine Zinfandel at its best. Rich and flavorful. Well balanced and complex. Find all these you can but them!

12/1/2008 - vbprog wrote:

I'm upping this a point since our last bottle. This is one you sit and savor and enjoy. Wahootaster suggests going a bit deeper into the Nero d'Avola grape with a bit higher price point. Well I'm game. I really enjoyed this one and 89 is a great score.... We'll see....

12/5/2008 - vbprog wrote:

What an outstanding wine! The Argentine Malbec has a character that is so distinctive and fun. The balance was perfect and the finish was long. I'm prompted to explore more Malbecs.

12/10/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Wife picked it up on sale and on a whim - and it turned out to be a very enjoyable wine. Not too complex but a solid, well balanced wine.

11/20/2008 - vbprog wrote:

This is sold as swill in France (where I purchased very cheap) - where here it is a pretty good bottle. Not a great bottle of French wine but I paid about $5 for it!!

11/29/2008 - vbprog wrote:

See previous notes

11/16/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Wonder dark ruby color. Full, fresh aroma. Tatste is so well balanced with tannin and acid. Flavor of oak comes through with a hint of spice and vanilla. Had this bottle in the cellar for year and served during a group wine tasting party. Excellent choice as it was loved by all.

11/9/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Excellent Merlot. Kinda weak on the finish but it has a wonderful, fresh flavor and pleasant nose.

11/2/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Incredibly crisp and bright, this wine is an exceptional California Viognier. The taste is citrusy and full bodied. I realize this rating is above others here - but this is a wine that we look for in great wines: complex, smooth, interesting, good price and fun.

11/1/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Real nice Merlot. Fruity, smooth and full of bold taste.

11/1/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Kinda nondescript. We've had better blends. Oddly enough we couldn't get any of the alcohol to come through. The bottle said 13% but we thought we were drinking grape juice - good grape juice - but just grape juice.

I'm excited about wines from this region, but this found this on the disappointing side.

11/1/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Really outstanding Merlot. Very dark color. Very smooth taste. Hints of spicy oak. We really enjoyed this bottle. Planned on drinking half, we ended up drinking it all in one setting.

10/24/2008 - vbprog wrote:

I see why this botle was under $10. It was oh so blah. Would go well paired with water.

10/24/2008 - vbprog wrote:

The smell on this is of old trees, earth and musty mold. I think they used the oak barrel this aged in one too many times. The bad smell didn't come across in the taste how ever. The taste was, well, good. An 83 is a fair score for this stuff.

10/13/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Bought this in France for about 3$. Its cheap swill to them - wonderful, bountiful elixir to us. Its light textured but full of complex flavor. Should have bought a case...

10/13/2008 - vbprog wrote:

OK - I get the oranges, but I don't feel the smoothness. Nice taste underneath a somewhat harsh structure.

10/11/2008 - vbprog wrote:

What can I say... small producer from rural, back woods Pennsylvania. Don't compare it with the great wines of Italy, France or Napa and enjoy it for what it is: a fun little wine from a rural, back woods Pennsylvania producer.

10/11/2008 - vbprog wrote:

Agreed... needs air - after which this becomes a very interesting wine. This obscure grape satisfies a uniqueness need that we have as wine lovers, but holds up well on its own. Color is a muted, almost thin violet. Taste is a bit light on acid & tannin - but overall quite good.

9/30/2008 - vbprog wrote:

The color here is way to thin - it looks like a watered down grape juice. The taste is not quite as thin - but almost. No boldness, no distinctiveness, no.... nothing. It isn't an unpleasant wine, but neither is it enjoyable or memorable.

9/27/2008 - vbprog wrote:

I found this to be quite a good cab. Not sure why the comments of unbalanced have been written - I found it to be very balanced and smooth. Nice feel of tannin/acid composition. The fruit taste was prominent. This will be on my buy list in the future.