8/24/2023 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Incredible savory, meaty minerality reminiscent of pan-fried Bolognese offal and mushroom in a subtle but persistent setting of black fruit. A great match for my wife’s slow-cooked roast beef with root vegetables. Long and meaningful finish that enhances and complements the evening’s other flavors.
I met Billo and a few of his key staff in Walla Walla last June. He’s bright, creative and focused with a ready and welcoming smile. There’s no doubt they love what they’re doing, and it clearly shows in this cuvée.

8/20/2023 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Tom, thank you for your hospitality and a beautiful bottle. I hope to return to Walla Walla and Balboa soon.

7/10/2023 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Balboa founder, proprietor and winemaker Tom Glase at Balboa last June. His passion, positivity, and perspicacity translate into this very fine 2015 Bordeaux blend, “Mith.” 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 12% Merlot, all grown in the magnificent Rocks District of Milton Freewater. Dark ruby with lots of red and blue fruit. The wine shows almost no heat despite the 14.5% ABV. Tom’s a truly good guy, and I invite all to enjoy a bottle of Mith. Cheers!

10/30/2021 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

We opened the 2011 Jackass Hill And a 1983 Chateau Haut-Brion at Cuistot. The Jackass was the wine of the evening and paired perfectly with the Classic Cassoulet Toulousain rich with duck, lamb, and sausage.

If you have the opportunity to enjoy a bottle of Jackass Hill, don’t miss it.

11/29/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Smoky black and blue fruit and and spicy finish.

11/26/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

We were incredibly disappointed by this bottle. Devoid of fruit. We've had so many wonderful bottles of Clape Cornas over the years, including the incredible 2010 last spring and a very nice 2012 we opened last August. Perhaps I should question the provenance. If you've had a questionable bottle of the 2012 that was not flawed of defective, message me to discuss the source.

10/28/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Powerful and focused, an aptly-named wine to celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers' victory in the World Series. The team never gave up, and this vintage of Relentless remains a very big wine.

7/5/2020 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

This is a nice cab and will be ready to drink if given a couple hours to breathe. It is understandably overshadowed by the 2016 Spottswood Cab, which deservedly earned 100 pts from Wine Advocate.

5/30/2020 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Monica's three kids are home. Enjoyed with Taylor watching "Sideways." Clinked glasses when Miles warned, "We're not drinking fucking Merlot."

5/20/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Dinner with Doug and Donna. Wonderful bottle, wonderful company.

3/29/2020 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Celebrated moving into new home in Indian Wells, California

11/22/2019 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Celebrated USC's victory over UCLA.

11/12/2019 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Offered at Club 33 as part of the chef's wine paring for the main course, a delicious filet mignon served with fingerling potatoes on a bed of mashed leeks and onions. Multi-layered red blend made of 7 different varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah). Deep purple with black and blue fruit on the nose. Light sediment. Hints of licorice, spice box and new leather. Delicious, long finish.

10/20/2019 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The cork reflected fairly significant oxygen penetration despite careful cellaring in our Eurocave. This somewhat affected the taste of the wine. Cellophane in the decanter for 10 minutes remedied what was "off," but could not add back in mica's tremendous fruit on the nose and palate. Still very enjoyable.

2/17/2019 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

This was my second bottle of this blend, and it fluctuated significantly from the first we opened on Thanksgiving 2018. That bottle was truly excellent. This bottle, however, underperformed in every way. It was just north of being flawed. I couldn't finish it. I cellared all six bottles in my EuroCave. Huge disappointment.

1/27/2019 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

I bought several bottles of this cuvee a few years ago. I stored the bottles in my Eurocave from day one. Yet there is a very wide disparity in quality among the bottles from excellent to nearly undrinkable. We are well within the drinking window, so I must conclude there were QC issues prior to bottling.

11/6/2018 - cjohnson2960 Does not like this wine:

This was another disappointing effort from a Temecula winery. I believe this will be my last attempt in the absence of a high mark from a trusted critic.

10/9/2018 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Complex and earthy; red and blue fruit, some acidity. Delicious, very good QPR. I used a Menu Wine Aerator (two passes) and decanted at least one hour in a borosilicate glass 2000 ml flask. A nice bottle to celebrate the Dodgers' NL division series victory over Atlanta. Rico Suave nos llevo a la victoria. Que sea Machado la diferencia este ano. c.

8/30/2018 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

I enjoyed this lovely Pinot with a homemade fennel sausage and hot pepper pizza. It is worthy of its high ratings and, in my opinion, completely resolved and ready to drink. I cellared the bottle for five years, decanted it for an hour via Menu Wine Breather into a borosilicate glass flask, and drank from a stemless Riedel Pinot glass. Cheers.

2/24/2018 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Damn. Flat out gorgeous. And I have two more bottles. Thank you, Monica, for that Feb 2014 trip to Shafer.

11/10/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

I respectfully disagree with Ms. Larner and Messrs. Galloni and Suckling. This Brunello is certainly good. At present, however, it is not very good much less exceptional - even after oxygenating with Menu and Vinturi and several hours of decanting. I will hold my other bottles until the reviews suggest the wine has improved. The reported drinking window of 2017-2030 should be re-evaluated.

11/9/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The 2015 Château de l'Ou Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Secret de Schistes is a delicious, worthwhile Syrah at three times the price and a QPR superstar at the price point. Decanted two hours via Menu Wine Breather and Vinturi. Velvety label, velvety mouthfeel. Dark fruit, ample mineral, melted licorice, Chinese tea, and smokey, brambly herbs. There is an engaging and persistent spice element reminiscent of Quatre Épices with white pepper and cinnamon stick. Long and satisfying finish. For 15% ABV, Secret de Schistes is not hot to the taste or experience. Glad I bought a case; I'm considering a second. Cheers!

6/3/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The QPR of the 2014 red blend Freakshow offers drinkers an excellent everyday red table wine. The wine opens up nicely after decanting for an hour. Blue, black and dark red fruit on the nose. Jammy, chewy fruit, hints of leather and a new Cohiba robusto.

5/1/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The 2014 vintage of Machete is outstanding. Dark purple, nearly black. Lovely garnet beam at the rim. Blackcurrent and blue-black fruit, creme de cassis. If you can find the 2014, get it.

3/6/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Decanted over two hours while at the theater seeing "Get Out." I concur generally with JVIZ - the wine reveals its high alcohol content. Enjoyable, but I will not make the mistake of drinking it without serving some complementary fare.

2/22/2017 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The 2011 Domus Aurea exhibits savory, meaty notes and black fruit. Very dark and inky. It blossoms over a one- to two-hour decant and is delightful on the nose and across the palate. Use this one for a blind tasting and enjoy your guests' attributions to Napa and Bordeaux before you disclose the Maipo Valley origin of this wine. I intend to buy a case of the 2010 and 2011.

12/19/2016 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

This wine needs to breathe. It transforms dramatically if you decant it for 3-4 hours.

9/18/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

I cannot overemphasize the importance of decanting this wine. Over a Vinturi pour and three-hour decant, the wine opened to the point of allowing its effect on the palate to match its powerful aromas.

9/7/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The whimsical label with circus tents and elephants is belied by this excellent, serious effort consisting of 82% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot. Great quality at the price point.

9/5/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

A very average, light, almost pedestrian pinot lacking sufficient ripeness and complexity to balance its considerably tart red fruit.

6/4/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

The 2012 Overland Kick Ranch Argonaut is a bold blend comprised, I believe, of syrah, grenache, mourvedre, and petite sirah (these were the varietals in the 2011 vintage, but I could not find the composition for the 2012 blend). Dark purple with a bright garnet beam at the rim. Red, blue and black fruit notes, with cinnamon and other baking spices along with licorice and white pepper.
Fine grained tannins and some tobacco on its long finish. The label reads, quite accurately, "wines of promise; effort & optimism." Kick Ranch kicks ass.

5/26/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

This is a lovely red blend that surpassed my expectations and demonstrated excellent QPR. It's much bigger and richer than I would have thought. Ample blue and black fruit followed by smoky and marbled meat drippings and cooking spices. Pleasant, if not fully integrated, tannins and dry, nice finish.

4/29/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Bursting ripe, mostly red, fruit tempts the nose upon opening the bottle. Deep and muted dark purple color, like the fringe of a rainstorm retreating into the sunset. Cassis, some dark berries, pipe tobacco and toasted spice on the palate. Nice finish. Perhaps not as big as other marquis Malbecs, but still plenty of horsepower and good QPR.

4/2/2016 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

This is the third corked bottle of this wine acquired from a local wine store.

3/11/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

I drank this Merlot at a celebratory after-trial dinner with clients that included rib eye prepared medium rare and served with potatoes mashed with a sweet corn, pork belly and fig chutney. Afterwards, we opened a bottle of the venerable 2007 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It was a beautiful evening, and the Chateauneuf - which earned a 99+ from Robert Parker - did not overshadow this fine Merlot. I concur with various other commenters that the Merlot, while ready to drink now, still benefits from a good hour of decanting. Deep purple-black in color with a nose of dried exotic herbs and spices, tea, and ripe dark fruit. As it opens, the wine reveals tobacco, tar, and chocolate. I will open my last bottle (and various others) the night my daughter graduates from law school - a chip off the old block!

3/19/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Dark, impenetrable, and full-bodied. Notes of dark berries, underbrush, black tea, dark roast coffee, and meat drippings. Black pepper and spice fruit. Based on another reviewer's notes, I decanted the wine for more than four hours. This is a unique wine that will not please everyone; I believe it will more than please those that ski life off-piste.

3/2/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

This is a bold, complex, and stunning offering that should not be missed. Black to the rim, where it reveals a bright amethyst glow. Notes of back and blue fruit, smoke, melted licorice, savory herbs. Beautiful long legs, just like my wife's. At mid palate it exhibits creme de cassis, dried plum and tobacco. Lovely and significant finish. This wine has a "wow" factor and deserves its favorable reception by professional wine critics.

2/13/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

This is a big wine, ready to drink. Beautiful purple-garnet blend of mostly Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre. Ample notes of delicious ripe dark fruit, BBQ smoke, tobacco, fragrant herbs, menthol and licorice. Wonderful balance and finish. I see only one vintage of the Cante Lebre cuvee, this brilliant 2009. I have enjoyed other offerings from Chateau Puech-Haut, including the 2009 vintage of Quercus (Grenache) and Bosc Negre (80% Mourvedre 20% Grenache) and the 2009 and 2011 vintages of Le Recantou (Syrah). I highly recommend the ones I've mentioned here, especially the Cante Lebre.

2/1/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Deep purple - black, impenetrable; garnet at the rim. Forest floor, loam, and oak on the nose. After a half-hour decant, the earth and wood devolve into blue and red fruit, slight oak remains. Significant evolution over a relatively brief decant. Medium bodied but still big enough to complement Tuscan beef stew.

2/1/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby, glowing at the rim. Notes of red fruit, spice box, and mineral. I decanted for two hours after Vinturi pour, based on others' suggestions. By the end of your three, fully integrated tannins, resolving sweet and warm with nice finish.

1/25/2016 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

A pretty and subtle wine. Opaque plum color, brilliant ruby at the rim. Fragrant nose of black and red berry fruit and earthy stems. Largely resolved tannins, velvety and evolving mouthfeel. Layers of fruit, underbrush and mineral.

1/1/2016 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

2d corked bottle.

1/1/2016 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Corked

12/15/2015 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Inky, dark color, beautiful and impressive in my decanter. Fragrant, rich nose of new flowers and red and blue fruit. Devolves into cassis and cherry softness over a two-hour decant. Lovely blend that will not disappoint now and should well exceed expectations in another two years.

11/15/2015 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Beautiful claret, dark and inky, emitting a brilliant garnet light at the rim. Huge dark red and blue fruit on the nose, berries, licorice, and crushed mineral. Unctuous and substantial. Nice finish.

10/30/2015 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

This wine needs to breathe. Decanted one hour, and it continued to open over another hour. Floral on the nose, dark cherry, licorice, spice box, and savory herbs. Lovely wine, tremendous value.

5/13/2015 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

This requires significant time in a decanter. I gave it two hours. Inky black and deep garnet at the rim. Beautiful long legs, just like my wife's. Dark fruits, violates, licorice and tobacco at mid-palate, firm tannins and strong finish. Very nice if given the time to decant. Would benefit from additional time in the cellar.

5/9/2015 - cjohnson2960 Likes this wine:

Vinturi pour and two hour decant. Pretty, long legs like my wife. Nearly black, deep garnet at the rim. Tart black and blue fruit on the nose, strong licorice, menthol and crushed rock. Nice finish. Great QPR. Very nice petite sirah.

4/17/2015 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Nice, jammy wine with great QPR.

4/5/2015 - cjohnson2960 wrote:

Corked. Hope to enjoy this free of the must of a corked bottle.