2/3/2024 - darrenv Likes this wine:

One hour decant. I'm not sure it's too early. This is simply not a good example of GT. More austere of body, but decent fruit.
Day two: WAY BETTER.

2/2/2024 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This has aged well. I pop and poured this one. It was drinking well immediately, but benefitted from a half hour to warm up and open up.
Big black cherry nose, some raisin note and ash-tray (in a good way), (maybe I'm thinking tobacco). Smooth tannins. Perfect drinking window.

1/28/2024 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Decanted a couple hours. Nice big fruit-forward nose of dark cherry and blackberry. Full bodied and a palate with dark plum, oak, cooked blueberry. The finish is somewhat grippy but with a detergent edge to it, not totally off-putting and it got better. This may be on the younger side still. Give it at least two hours decant and have with food.

1/7/2024 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This is great right out of the bottle. Third time I've opened it and drank immediately and couldn't believe how good it was. I was lucky and bought seven bottles. I will now only open one per year and see how this improves. Big, flavourful wine that is smooth and satisfying (this sounds like a 70's Marlborough ad, but whatever....if you have this, you know).

1/6/2024 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Pop and pour. Deep nose of black and blue fruit. Great balance of acidity and tannin. Could use some air, but drinking easy already. Day two: Huge nose of stewed prune, gingerbread and smooth as velvet. Not going to improve. Perfect opportunity.

12/20/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Still needed an hour to two to really open up. Aa Canoehead said, this drinks like some top shelf Bordeaux or Super Tuscan. Like many best of BC wines, this needs at least five years to shine. Fabulous QPR.

10/1/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Typical ethereal nose of liquorice, floral notes, ripe black fruit.
Decanted three hours and still needed more time. It was full of sediment that wouldn't settle in decanter and bottom of every glass had crud. It was still tight and had some abrasive tannins. I think this needs at least five more years to mellow out. It was great with grilled lamb.

7/12/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

and here I go again....first note.
This was great right out of the bottle. Full bodied, great fruit, good if not a tad heavy acidity. Went so well with a pork/teriyaki noodle dinner.
I'll buy this if I can find it again!

7/10/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Why am I always the first note for many BC wines?
I'll say on day one I found this fairly thin in body. Day two was fabulous and day three I'm going to go get more. Not sure if a four hour decant would do what a couple days after opening does, but it was so good after being opened.

7/3/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Not a great note, but this is incredible. Cocoa, baking spice, black currant, cigar, fullest body I've had in a long time. Now I'll back up and say I opened this on Monday and had a big glass left on Wednesday. This is when it blew me away. Give it a long decant, or uncork it, let it breathe (recork) and have it next day or something. Wow...I'm speechless.

4/15/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours. Some sediment. Took to restaurant and had with spaghetti Bolognese. Deep nose of stewed plum, black currant and graphite
Full bodied and velvet tannins. This is most likely at its pinnacle. Jammy and what a finish! Beautiful wine.

4/5/2023 - darrenv wrote:

I thought maybe they put Pinot Noir in a Merlot labeled bottle. This is very thin. You can read print through a glass of it. It's fragrant, plum and oak. Little on the palate but alcohol and sour cherry finish. I normally love Kettle Valley. I can't say I love this. I barely like it.

3/9/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This was opened at the table (Heron Rock Bistro), generously provided by Canoehead.
It was still somewhat cool, but after some time it opened up nicely. It could use an hour decant. It was a blackberry feast with cassis and spice. Still some grippy tannin, but went perfectly with rare steak. Gorgeous wine.

3/9/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Decanted for one hour and brought to Heron Rock Bistro with Canoehead, who brought a 2008 Pinfolds Bin 389.
The L'Orage was a rush of cocoa, black fruits, full bodied. Smooth. I didn't take notes, so going from foggy memory next morning. I really enjoyed it and was glad I waited to open it. I don't think longer cellaring will help it become more complex. It's just a darn nice 100% Washington cab that beats a whole lot of other more expensive ones hands down.

3/6/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

I opened this the night before and had a small glass, but realized it had a nice dark, cassis and prune nose. The next night it was fabulous. I'd put this up against my favourite BC cab (or blends), like Lariana cab sav, Fifth Element. It definitely needed all this time to tame the tannins and they're still grippy, but a tomato based sauce with pasta and grilled pork chop was great with this wine. I'm genuinely surprised.

3/5/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

While I ticket the "I like it" option, I don't feel it was good value at all. $48 after tax. It's pleasant, but there's no enthusiasm in that statement. An Honest John's Red would outdo this. Thin body, barely perceptible fruit. Gigantic bottle with splashy label. I was hoodwinked.

1/1/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This had a really dark colour. Currant and stony mineral nose right away, but then I was getting a real whiff of wet newspaper and I was worried it might be corked. It had tannins though and a nice finish. I only had a glass and a half and then had the rest the next day. Incredible! It had really opened up and became so nice, I was glad I was alone and didn't need to share it. It had lovely leather and black fruits and molasses. Actually begged for food still. Great job Adrian!

1/7/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Classic shiraz. Not a fruit bomb, but very elegant. Pop and pour. Got better and better. Nice peppery finish. Not showing its age. I wouldn't hold it for years though.

1/6/2023 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Essentially was pop and pour. No decant. It took an hour to really blossom, but wow! Ethereal. Gorgeous violet, tar, dark fruits. So smooth. Wonderful vintage of RWT.

12/21/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Had at a restaurant. Pop and pour. It was very tight. I was only getting some wet stone. After an hour it finally had a trace of red berry and some pepper on the finish. Either painfully young or one of the most austere Burrowing Owl vintages I've ever had.

11/27/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

The nose on this is like the best La Frenz grand total or Poplar Grove Legacy that I've ever had. It's right up my alley. Black stuff, spicy stuff, smokable stuff. Nice full mouthfeel with spice and cherry. If this were a BC wine I'd be walking around town with a sandwich board on promoting it loudly. $32 all-in. Happy fella right here!

11/13/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

I opened this on a Sunday (two days prior to this note) and it was pop and pour, cold and no air, but yet it was drinking well and getting better. Today it is massive but elegant. A huge nose of blue and black fruits, liquorice, cinnamon, stewed prune. Hard to believe this is a BC wine. Still some granular tannins on the finish. Big Big wine. If I had another one, I'd do the same. Open the day before. I'd say this will be drinking optimally in a few more years.

10/12/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Day one (last night) I thought it was just okay. Tonight, wow, it's far better. Obviously it's young, but with enough air (until next year I'd open 24 hours in advance). Black fruit nose, tar, molasses, hockey puck and violet. Full mouthfeel, but instead of pepper on the finish it's some tannins that are not harsh, but persistent. This could go with a lot of food. If this were $25 I'd say back up the truck. I think it's $30 pre-tax. For a 2020, I'm pretty happy. I wasn't sure it would be a good year.

10/2/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

I barely selected 'I like it'. It's thin and not really doing anything for me except that I bought it, opened it (hoping for more than this) and don't feel like dumping down the drain, but don't bother...get ANYTHING else.

10/1/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

A really nice Similkameen wine. Nice plush nose of dark cherries and pruny plum (I'm guessing Merlot dominant), but there's cab sav in there as it still has dust, grippy tannins on the finish. There's some cedar and liquorice on the nose too. I'll be curious to see how it is on day two. Nice for about $35

Day two: The fruit is coming through and the nose screams Vanessa, but the finish is still grippy tannins and it needs food. It's nice and dense though. I opened a Winemaker's Cut 'Bohemian Cuvee' and it seemed like water.

9/25/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Three hour decant. Had with filet mignon. Some spice, anise, so fragrant and velvety on the palate. Beautiful.

9/7/2022 - darrenv wrote:

I have had some very nice D'Angelo wine, including Sette Coppa in the past. It's hard to imagine someone didn't intervene with this to keep it from getting to 15.8% abv. The fruit is austere and although after an hour of air, there's perceptible cherry and raspberry notes, the alcohol does a Mike Tyson and ruins the night. The wine is thin on the palate and although there's lot's of acidity, the finish is dominated by a flash-furnace. I've tasted at D'Angelo and like them, but this is actually brutal.

8/23/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Definitely needs some air to get the nose to expand. Camphor/mint/ tobacco leaf and prosciutto on the nose as well as dark red berries and black cherry. Fuller on day two. Pretty impressive a BC Malbec is great at this age. Nice work Robert VW.

7/24/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

One of the best wines I've had this year.
Huge nose of black fruit, creme de cassis, baking spice and good old Washington graphite/pencil lead. Dense, jammy mouthfeel and smooth to a point of shocking (only decanted an hour) and a long spicy finish. At about four hours it did seem that some tannins showed up on the finish. I sincerely hope I can get even one bottle by begging at the winery. Fabulous wine.

7/11/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This is tough. I love D'angelo, but the abv on this (15.6 %) has essentially damaged an otherwise good wine. There's some alcohol on the nose and the finish is like Bourbon. If you can get past that, there's plenty of dark fruits on the nose, black liquorice, blackberry. On day one there were fine, grippy tannins, but day two those have become some mild bitterness on the finish. This is probably the most beast-like BC wine I've tasted and as much as that intrigues me, it can't accomplish what it sets out to do other than beat me up. I just wanted a little respect! I have one more and will lock it in the Bastille for at least five years.

7/3/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

After reading the notes on this, I wasn't expecting too much. I decanted it after getting the cork out (which broke in two) and there was marked sediment stain in the bottle from where it had been lying for many years. It wasn't offering up much from the decanter. At 2.5 hours it was okay, with some tannin telling me it certainly wasn't dead. At about 3-4 hours out got better and better. With dinner I was getting liquorice, black fruits, prune, cinnamon and cedar on the nose. Palate was pleasing with black cherry and was able to tame some fairly spicy burritos. I was pleasantly surprised and wish I had another bottle. On to the next vintages!

5/29/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Interesting nose of cherry cola (Dr Pepper) and some black cherry. There's actually a bit of orange tinge to the meniscus already. Palate is all bright red fruit like cherry, cranberry and red huckleberry with mild bitterness on the finish. It's probably the best BC Petit Verdot I've had for a while and I did enjoy it after spaghetti for dinner.
Day two: There's blackberry and stoney, mineral notes. Much better on day two.

5/27/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Huge nose of cassis, baking spice (nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon) liquorice and smoke. Cherries on the palate. I could drink this entire bottle with no food. A delight.

5/22/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Classic merlot. Dark plum coming at you like a tennis ball launcher. Sucks that we can’t get this in BC.

5/14/2022 - darrenv wrote:

The cab sav is green and unripened. I wish it was simply that it's too young, but it's bitter and green. I couldn't share this with my neighbour. It'll go with pizza tonight if it's softened up a bit. Otherwise it'll go into spaghetti sauce.

5/14/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Only decanted for a half hour and shared with a neighbour. It continued to open up over the next hour. Nice nose of cigar-box and baking spice. Velvety mouthfeel. Easy drinker. Well made. The cab franc and Petit Verdot definitely make you realize this isn't a pure cab sav. Good qpr.

5/4/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

I gave this 92 because on day three it's a beast. Probably the nicest BC cab franc I've had. It's still got years to go. Day one was pink candy and oak, day two was black cherry and cigarette packet (sweet tobacco) and day three it's iodine, blackberry, black olive creosote. Still needs food, astringent tannins, but juicy and long finish. There's no more of this, but I wrote the note for anyone who may have some. It's just ready now honestly. I'd open it the day before you want to drink it.

5/1/2022 - darrenv wrote:

Do not open this for two more years.

4/3/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

92 only because it's had five hours decant so far.
This is much better than when I first tasted it upon opening. I'll say this isn't really ready to open. The nose is gorgeous now, but only now. When I smell it, I think Super Tuscan. The palate is barely at the point where it's more than sour cherry. The tannins have mellowed, but it's still vibrant and acidic and kicking. Goes better with food (having a spicy paprika beef and noodle thing). I have a soft spot for Township 7 and Mary McDermott. To it's credit, this needs another couple years rest in my opinion.

Day 2- Simply magical. Tannins smoothed out, full bodied and blue fruit/plum, warm vanilla. This can stand against any Nota Bene/Portfolio/Red Icon I've had. Give it the extra day though at this point.

3/27/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This is best now with a four hour decant.
Pink candies (thanks KillerJ), vanilla, black cherries, humidor, blueberry compote and black olives. Fine tannins beg for lamb. Nice full mouthfeel and lengthy finish. Day two it's unbelievable. You can still get all the nose qualities from one drop left in the glass.

3/24/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Brother-in-law offered to buy me the ‘most expensive’ bottle on the list at a great Italian restaurant in Puyallup and that turned out to be Quilceda Creek cab, but I decided to go easy on him and get the Feather. After it warmed up and opened up, it was fabulous. The nose (to me) had a rush of cocoa like I’d snorted a line of Fry’s. Cassis and black fruit and toast. I had Florentine steak and must say, I was in heaven. Mt. Rainier was clear as a bell and big as can be out the window. I gave the waiter a half glass as he was learning more about wine and deserved to try it. I was surprised how smooth it was for being so young. I think this is incredible QPR. Unfortunately I have my paltry quota (duty free) for my return to Victoria and it doesn’t include a Feather :(

2/20/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

I was at a loss of how to describe this. I had my pen and post-it notes and couldn't really think about my senses. All I wrote was cassis and then still somewhat tannic, good acidity, needs another three or four years. It is really nice wine and obviously well made. It just seemed to not be as integrated and easy to love as the Andrew Will.

2/20/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Less than stellar notes, sorry. Canoehead will post a much more descriptive tasting note ;). I think he decanted this half the time I gave the Figgins and Sleight of Hand (four hours). It opened up as the tasting went on and I enjoyed this the most. Awesome nose, big, jammy dark berries and black fruits. It's up there among the best wines I've had.

2/20/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This had a four hour decant, which probably wasn't necessary. Had a beautiful nose that I got Christmas spice/gingerbread right away. Maybe a molasses and tobacco note. The mouthfeel was like velvet. So smooth. It was strange though, at about two hours into a Washington tasting (with Andrew Will Sorella and Figgins Estate) it seemed to drop off and made me think it's past it's prime, then a while later it perked up. I've never had quite this much of a change back and forth before. Bottom line, I'd drink this sooner than later and don't decant. Really nice wine especially for the price.

2/13/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

Seemed a bit thin on opening, but really opened up nicely. Lots of ripe, red berries (raspberries) on the nose, plum, vanilla and oak. Very fruity on the palate, great acidity and long finish (some minor heat though). Worth getting some shipped from the winery.

2/3/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This is 84% merlot and 16$ cab sav. It was pleasant when I opened it and had a couple glasses with dinner. It was on sale for $23. I had the rest two days later and it was really good. Great nose of plum and currant. The cab sav notes stood out. Had the second half of the bottle with spaghetti and it was perfect. I'll be enjoying more of this, especially if it's on sale!

1/9/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This took a while to open up and soften up. At first it was very dusty and closed. After three hours it was expressive and spicy. Unusual, but fun. I'm not going to run out and buy it all, but glad I tried it.

1/9/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This is a shadow of the former Howard Soon One. I have a '16, but haven't opened it yet. I opened this because if it were stellar, I can get more. Alas, it's not stellar. In fact, for the price it's a let-down. I decanted this and two hours later it was barely beyond Pinot. Some time later it became perceptible as a blend, but austere. It sounds like I DON'T like it, but it was fine. Just NOT like previous One at all.

1/7/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

No formal note. Had a a local restaurant (Wind Cries Mary). They decanted it and served with great stemware. It was really nice immediately. After forty-five minutes it was pure plum paradise and a big, soft merlot pillow. My favourite. I enjoyed this more than La Stella Maestoso and Longshadows Pedestal. The food and company helped of course.

1/2/2022 - darrenv Likes this wine:

This had a three hour decant and it was not ready until five hours, even then it was still too young, but at least had opened up a little. It was barely what I'd call a ready to drink Brunello. It had hints of great Sangiovese characteristics. I'd hold this for at least two or three more years.