12/24/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

I struggled to write this note. Opened and decanted and drank over the course of 12 hours. Tight and structured, with big fruit and tannins initially. It is evident that the fruit is excellent. Over time it mellowed and opened up a bit. The wine is well made, but something was off. I tasted with my wife (who is not aware of the 2020 issues and has a better palate than me) and she noticed it as well. At the outset, the wine had a gritty taste (if that makes sense) that hit in the back of my lower jaw. It also had a teriyaki/soy flavor that I've never experienced with any other wine. Over the course of the day, those flavors seemed to integrate a bit more, and to me there was the faintest hint of smoke in the background. Not pronounced like other smoke tainted wines I have had that taste like an ash tray, but lurking in the background as if you drank it after smoking a cigarette the day before.

Ultimately, I don't think the above doomed the wine - it was pleasant to drink and the qualities I noted were not overbearing or overwhelming. However, given what I tasted now, I wouldn't want to set bottles down for the long haul given that they are not like other young MB's and I don't know how the flavors I noticed will affect the wine in the long run.

12/25/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Drank with Christmas dinner after decanting for 4 hours. Classic claret characteristics, with nicely integrated fruit, medium tannins and length. Limited aged characteristics, though it was from a magnum. Very enjoyable, though not a stunner. I think the wine is in a good place and has shed much of its baby fat to be a nice classic Bordeaux, and at the price, I would recommend.

12/10/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Very fruit forward. Mostly dark fruit and little nuance. Would not have guessed pomerol blind - seemed more like a cab.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Seemed to have a bit of everything on a very expressive nose. Very, very well rounded. The fruit was very pure, and the wine was extremely well balanced and rounded. Dark and red fruit are seamlessly integrated, with notes of baking spice. Coated the whole palate and hit every different tastebud. Medium acid and medium finish. Favorite Pinot of the night (barely beating the Sojeau and Koosah).

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Slight reduction on the nose, but less than all the other wines in the flight excepting the Koosah. Nose also had hints of cirrus, though was a bit muted. The flavors were wonderful and extremely well rounded. Cream soda, butterscotch, citrus, tropical fruit and floral flavors. Wife said it “had a little bit of everything”. Long finish and medium/high acid. My WOTN barely ahead of the X Novo Pinot and the Sojeau Chardonnay.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Similar perfume-like nose to the Sojeau Chardonnay, with hints of wet leather and red currant. Prominent red cherry and raspberry flavors with an undercurrent of plum and blackberry. Long finish, medium/high acid. Round, enveloping mouthfeel. Truly lovely.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Less reduction than the Freedom and Justice chardonnays. Perfume-like nose, and on the palate a more typical Chardonnay profile, with citrus notes being the most prominent. Medium, integrated acid and a long finish. A lovely Chardonnay!

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Another lovely Pinot from Koosah. Dark fruit and a hint of leather on the nose. Flavors plum, dried cherry and lively raspberry. This was more complex than the Freedom Hill and Justice. Medium, well integrated acid with a long finish. One of our favorites.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Tropical fruit nose and obviously a lot less reductive than some of the other chardonnays in the tasting. Flavors of pineapple, peach and yuzu. Medium acid and relatively delicate with a long finish. One of our favorites of the tasting.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Nose of dark fruit with a floral undercurrent. Fairly fruit forward with punchy raspberry and dried cherry and herbaceous notes. Nice, rounded mouthfeel. Medium acid and finish. Not as fruit forward as the Koosah, but seemed to be more in that style than the other Pinots.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: This also had a lot of reduction. Nose of butterscotch, honey and shredded wheat. High acid and Sauvignon blanc like again. Hint of gunsmoke on the palate and lots of citrus. Overall, another very well made wine, and I’d like to see it with slightly turned down reduction. Either way, we enjoyed this very much.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Both my wife and I thought that this wine was nice, though simpler than we’ve experienced from the other WS single vineyard offerings. Relatively muted nose, though there was a slight floral scent. The flavors were primarily dark fruit with a core of plum, and the finish was fairly short. Medium acid and a rounded mouthfeel. Very easy drinking.

12/9/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2022 Vintage Zoom Tasting: The Freedom Hill Chardonnay had the most reduction of all of the wines we tasted. I like the reductive qualities, and on this wine it was probably at the maximum level where I would still enjoy the wine as I did. Nose of brioche and wet rocks. High acid, though very integrated. Flavors of citrus and I thought Ken’s note of “burnt grapefruit” was spot on. The reduction makes this wine very interesting, though at times I have to remind myself it is Chardonnay. I’d like to try this wine with a significant decant to see how it evolves in the glass. Either way, it was very nice as is.

12/3/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Luscious dark fruit, medium tannins and a reasonably long finish. This was a bargain for the price, and very open for drinking now.

11/24/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Had with Thanksgiving dinner. Typical Bordeaux profile, with a medium length finish and integrated tannins. Very nice, but not a lot of complexity at the moment and was mostly primary with just a hint of aged characteristics. I definitely see how some reviewers said this skewed a bit more modern than other vintages of GPL. Perfectly fine to drink now (we decanted for 4 hours) but probably best to forget about these in the cellar for another decade.

11/23/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Tropical fruit flavors with zingy acidity. Hint of petrol that blew off after the bottle had been open for a while. Not the most complex, but at the $18 I paid for this, it is a steal. Not showing many aged characteristics yet, I think this will stay drinking well for another couple decades.

11/3/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Surprisingly enjoyable! Lots of red fruit, smooth tannin and aromas of cigar box. Went great with Spanish food. Would def have again.

10/27/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable. Zippy red fruit up front with a blackberry backbone. Medium finish and medium acid. Not as fruity as estate Moshin's I've had in the past which is a good thing. Very nice wine.

10/14/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Need to reiterate that this needs a significant decant. I decanted for 3 hours before the first glass and it still had a significant barnyard aroma. It took another 3 hours (6 total) until it blew off. Definitely decant in the morning if you want to enjoy that day. After the funky notes blew off, it had the typical Bordeaux aroma and flavor, with a medium finish and minimal complexity. Score reflects the post-decanted wine.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

From a magnum. The color has shifted from the darker color of the more recent vintages to a ruby color. Many more aged characteristics than the 2010 - I was surprised it was from a magnum and would have guessed it was a 2000 based on the appearance and taste. No evidence of decline and is drinking wonderfully now.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Another wonderful wine. Integrated and enveloping like the 2016 but with some additional aged characteristics. I tasted a bit a mushroom and leather. The fruit was still primary however and the acid and tannin were perfectly balanced. Long finish.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Delicious wine. The tannin is prominent but integrated, and flavors of blackberry, red cherry and raspberry are primary, with a very tiny hint of some aged characteristics. The wine coats the entire palate and is incredibly well balanced. This will last for a long time.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

No rating right now as this wine was pretty shut down and the fruit was overwhelmed by a wall of tannin. The flavor of the wine was very nice, but this is going to need a long time and is not open for business currently. Buy some, lay them down and forget about them.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Fragrant bouquet and prominent fruit and surprisingly integrated tannins. Drinking well now as a youthful wine but with the bones to go to the distance. The hot year is evident in the prominence of the fruit but its not baked or too hot. Very enjoyable.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Muted nose as compared to the Moulin, but much integrated and a more "complete" wine on the palate. Lacking the depth of the grand vin (as expected) but enjoyable. Lots of red fruit and medium tannin and acid. Medium short finish.

9/21/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet. More aromatic than the Blason but not as smooth or refined. The merlot dominance was evidence and the start was very silky, though the tannins were less integrated into the wine and the acid was a tad sharp. Very nice still and would be a good daily drinker.

8/20/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Mature nose of fig and prune. Surprisingly alive still with some dark black fruits (blackberry and prune) with a streak of raspberry. Medium tannin and acid with a medium/short finish. Definitely on the down slope so drink up.

8/20/2023 - bdisk1235 Does not like this wine:

Well past it’s prime at this point. Limited fruit and disjointed acidity. Pop it if you have it (or if you find it in the depths of your parents cellar like me) and likely pour it out.

5/13/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

I didn’t notice anything off on the nose but this tasted smoky like a campfire. I knew there was a risk going in but my wife didn’t and to check against any bias I may have had I didn’t say anything. She noticed it independently when I asked for her thoughts. Very disappointing and caveat emptor.

5/13/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Core of black fruit. Medium length and acidity. Paired well with some burgers. Not particularly complex at the moment. Maybe a bit of a dumb phase.

4/18/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Decanted initially for 4 hours and drank over 2 nights. The wine wasn't that great on the first night - not much depth, muted black fruit and high tannins. The wine also had a green streak that I associate with Cab Franc and was surprised by given the relatively low proportion of Cab Franc. On the second night the wine was better - the greenness had mellowed out and the wine was much more integrated and the fruit and tannin were more in balance.

I know its entirely too early to drink this wine and I'm hoping its just in a dumb phase. Either way, I'll stash my remaining bottles away and forget about them for a long time.

4/3/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

James Kim's note is right on point. This wine is delicious, and frankly was better on the second day. Killer value.

3/29/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Crisp and high acid. Fresh strawberry and yuzu flavors. Medium finish. A delightful wine for the price!

3/28/2023 - bdisk1235 Does not like this wine:

Big jammy fruit with high tannins and high alcohol. Little to no nuance, and a short finish. The mega purple is noticeable (it tastes in some respects like Meomi Pinot, which is amusing). This is absolutely not the style I enjoy, though I suspect it will appeal to lots.

3/24/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

A steal for the price. Lots of red fruit, very enjoyable and a lingering finish.

3/13/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Drank next to the 2016 Mondavi To-Kalon Reserve. Decanted for 1 hour. This wine has much more up front fruit and a "bigger" initial feel to it, but was much less complex and nuanced than the Mondavi. Had a medium finish and wasn't nearly as integrated. Compared to the Mondavi, this wine really punches you up front with dark and blue fruit flavor and then fades, as opposed to a slow build of the Mondavi.

3/11/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Drank with some steaks next to the 2016 Justin Isosceles after a 1 hour decent. This was much more refined and nuanced than the Isosceles, with less up front punchy fruit, a longer finish and a smoother, more integrated feel. I absolutely preferred this wine, and it opened up in the glass over the next few hours. This has a long life ahead of it, though is very nice now. I would give it a longer decant if drinking now - 3 to 4 hours.

3/11/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Drinking very well now. Decanted for an hour. Well rounded fruit, with some spice and brine in the background. Medium acid and finish. Went very well with some BBQ. Would drink now and through 2030 easily.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: My wife’s WOTN, my second place. This Chardonnay had a savory quality that we didn’t find in the other WS chards. The Mrs. described it as a “sweet yeast” flavor like a King’s Hawaiian roll. Other flavors of citrus, apple and a minerality akin to wet rocks. Balanced acidity and a heft we didn’t get in the other Chardonnays - and a very interested juxtaposition to the X-Novo. Very long finish and extremely enjoyable. Would be fantastic with food.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: My WOTN. Green apple and citrus with a crisp, round taste. Extremely nuanced and soft, with sauvignon blanc-like qualities. Like the Freedom Hill, seemed to almost border on bubbles. The Mrs. didn’t appreciate my freshly cut garden-hose analogy. Only got better with time in the glass and had a finish that lasted forever. I could drink this everyday.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Aromas of tropical fruit. Tasted of apple and pear, with integrated oak (which we didn’t get in any of the other WS chards in the tasting). This wine had a pronounced crispness and the minerality was seamlessly integrated. Very long finish.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: This Chardonnay stood out from the others in the tasting and was delicious. Crisp nose and flavors of butterscotch, citrus and tropical fruit. It had an integrated minerality that seemed to border on effervescence, like just a touch more would have resulted in bubbles somehow. The Mrs. said the minerality reminded her of a “freshly watered golf course.” Round mouthfeel and a long finish.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: This wine was more closed off initially, but after about 30 minutes in the glass this was spectacular. Nose was initially muted but after it opened it had a floral bouquet. Extremely smooth and integrated with red fruit intertwined seamlessly with medium acid and an extremely long finish. The Mrs. described it as feminine. This was fantastic and our favorite of the WS pinots in the tasting. Definitely give it some air before enjoying.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 wrote:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Enveloping aroma with a pronounced blueberry scent. We both really enjoyed this wine. This was more fruit-forward than the other WS pinots in the tasting, though it still remained soft and nuanced. Lots of blueberry and fresh cherry flavors. Medium acid and an extremely long finish. Will definitely seek some more out.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Very strong nose and on the palate this wine was “bigger” than the other WS pinots with a fuller and rounder mouthfeel. Crunchy and zingy red fruit flavors with a hint of vanilla. This struck me as closer to some of the big pinots I’ve had from Sonoma, but with more nuance and finesse. Extremely smooth and well integrated. Unlike the other WS pinots we tasted, this had some noticeable tannin. Medium acid. The Mrs. and I both agreed this would also be great with food.

3/5/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Walter Scott 2021 Vintage Zoom Tasting: Aromas of dark fruit with pronounced blueberry notes. Tasted much more of raspberry and cranberry. Very tart as well and high acid - this would have been excellent with food. The wine had an appealing freshness but it was wound very tight - I think it would have benefitted from a little air prior to drinking. Long finish. If I was having more I would definitely decant beforehand.

3/4/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Super funky nose of Parmesan cheese. The funk blew off after a bit and the wine is well integrated and balanced, though still tightly wound so no issue decanting a long time (we decanted 1.5 hours). Finish in the short end and not super complex, but very enjoyable (especially at the price). Went well with gnocchi and lasagne.

2/26/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Like BJWeiss I raided the local Costco as they were essentially selling these at release pricing. Decanted for 2.5 hours prior to drinking. Full bouquet and initially lots of plum and other dark fruit flavors, with balanced tannin and acid. Over the next couple hours it evolved to be much more red fruit forward. Long finish with secondary cedar and cigar flavors. This was very enjoyable now, and looking forward to how it develops in the future.

2/26/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours and opened. Very old world style. It was still pretty tightly wound after 2 hours so I should have decanted longer. Dark berry, olive brine and a long finish. This has the backbone to last a long time.

2/17/2023 - bdisk1235 Likes this wine:

Decanted for about an hour and ate with some lasagna. Bouquet of red fruit and toast/cedar notes. Raspberry flavor with high acid, medium tannins and finish. Wife noted distinctly wet rock and cedar notes. This was enjoyable and much better with food given the acidity. Given the other notes I will hold my other bottles for several more years.