12/31/2023 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Browning in color with light purple hues. Cherry and bright berry notes. The pallet was very smooth with no tannins. The wine was approachable upon opening and did not fall while being opened within the hour of consumption.

12/3/2023 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

This bottle is drinking just phenomenally. It opened with a strong spice that mellowed nicely into cherry, currant, and plum. The pallet is supper smooth and approachable with lots of tannic kick. The fruit doesn’t stop once you taste it, but there are wonderful berry notes that show up too.

This bottle is wonderful for a lazy Sunday afternoon now, but can definitely wait another 10 years before you to find it in the cellar and open it.

9/28/2023 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Purchased at auction, this bottle was in great condition with a perfect cork. It had a beautiful rich ruby color with a wide opaque rim in the glass. Refined nose of berry, plum, and some stewed fruit. The taste was a strong sweet cherry and buttery palette, reminiscent of cherry pie, and had no hint of the age or oxidation. The finish was long with a light holiday spice notes. The tannins were gone but did not leave the wine lacking. This bottle was drinking amazingly, and had no sediment to the last drop.

8/7/2022 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

This medium bodied Chardonnay has a floral honeysuckle and yellow peach/nectarine start. It lingers on the center of the palate with a crisp and bright saline, that leads to a long acidic finish with notes of lemon and pear.

7/26/2019 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Tasted at Fourth Friday group. Color is deep brown with hues of caramel. Tasted of an aged Trockenbeerenauslese with sweetness matching the acidity. The viscosity was a wonderful thick syrup.

5/15/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

A wonderful bottle of wine tonight. 2013 Turley Napa Valley Library Vineyard Petite Syrah. Normally I would think to hold this for a few more years, but I wanted a big heavy spicy wine tonight. This one is drinking big, but has very light tannins. The spice of the Petite Syrah is slight, but present. Deep burgundy or purple in color, with blueberry and bubble gum in the nose. The palate is smooth with hints of plum, blackberry, and a slight nuttiness.

5/3/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

The nose is full bodied with layers of spice, plum, graphite, caramel, and black currant. Lovely light tannins with a wonderful mouthfeel that showcases a crisp and concentrated flavor. The wine has a big rich taste with more plums, both dark and tart cherries, and figs. This wine is drinking just beautifully!!!

4/26/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Back in 2013 I first had the opportunity to try the 2011 Palermo from Orin Swift. We drank most of the 2011 Palermo when we got then, as I love a big, bold, spicy, tannic wine. As we are enjoying our last bottle today this has definitely mellowed. The wine is a rich deep purple, there is still some black pepper, espresso, with notes of floral and jasmine on the nose. The tannins have softened, but still bring a great pucker. There is dark fruit, cherry, slight smoke, and a finish of grape jelly. I still enjoy the wine, but don't know that it will last more than another 2-3 years.

4/18/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Tonight we are savoring the 2012 Rivers Marie Corona Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a beautifully integrated and balance wine. The wine is extremely dark. The tannins are light to medium with a lot of dark stone fruit, oak, smoke, tar, liccorice, and some funky forest floor. I love this wine!!

4/6/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

A deep purple ink color with loads of fruit right at the start of the glass. The nose is much more approachable than previous vintages. The taste is super approachable now, with tannins that seem to soften as you drink. The fruit stays at the front of the taste as you drink, and this wine is ready to consume now. Enjoy now through the next 20 years, knowing the wine will continue to grow in flavor and complexity as the years continue.

4/6/2018 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose of raisin, cassis, dark fruit of blackberry, and plum, the tannins were full bodied and smooth with a mineral and cherry flavor profile. Long finish with beautiful berry flavor lingering in the mouth. A beautiful wine that I will continue to enjoy for the next 25 to 30 years!

12/7/2017 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

At 32 years old this wine is showing some beautiful sherry qualities. A muted nose with hints of molasses and a faint vinegar. The mouthfeel is very soft, with flavors of tart cheery, dried cranberry, and slight hints of oxidation. I really like the way this bottle has aged!

4/9/2016 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful dark purple with a full aroma and long legs. The nose is full bodied with plum, blackberry, and smoke. The mouth-feel is rich and smooth with a beautiful tannin structure. The finish is quite long and does not fade into nothingness, but rather builds as the tannins linger in a lovely way. The wine opens as it aerates, and the fruit builds within the glass.

4/2/2016 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful Port, with a balance of sweet and fruit. Not too thick or syrupy in consistency. Has the body and fruit of a young Tawny Port, but the texture of a well aged and expensive tawny. Beautiful deep, rich burgundy color. Very worth the money, an exquisite bottle. Would gladly purchase many more bottles if they were available.

4/8/2016 - Robert N's Wine wrote:

Wine had frontal fruit, and medium body. Was light finish with a lack of tannins. This was a fruit bomb, but did not have the structure to maintain the flavors in the mouth.

4/1/2016 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Soft tannins, medium fruit, and medium finish. Flavors of black raspberry and tart cherry.

11/13/2015 - Robert N's Wine wrote:

Notes of chocolate and meat in the nose, as well as currant, casis, and forest floor (mossy with hints of wet dead leaves.) This wine does not have the spice or alcohol that Dave Finney's grenache's posses in their noses. Very light and fruity on the pallet, with almost no tannin structure. Medium finish leaves you wanting to try more to guess what the blend might be for this Anonymous wine.

I know time will start to give guesses at the final blend, but with the Orin Swift line-up the possibilities are endless. With that I will not yet make a guess, but will say this wine should be consumed over the next 5 - 6 years.

11/14/2015 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful notes of dark fruit and minerals in the nose. The color was deep garnett. The tannins were soft and refined, much softer than the 2010. Sediment was present but minimal. The body was medium on the pallet and the finish lasted long after the glass was empty. A great bottle to enjoy for the next 10 years.

9/26/2015 - Robert N's Wine wrote:

This wine was very hot with lots of rubbing alcohol in the nose and on the mouth. At 14.6% and as old as it is this wine has not settled down, and shows no fruit or balance. No big tannin structure, and lackluster on fruit, this wine leaves a lot to be desired.

5/26/2015 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful bottle of everyday wine. Has notes of cherry pie. Slight spice along the pallet shows but does not overpower. A bottle to enjoy with anything from brats & burgers to stir-fry.

2/27/2015 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Full bodied nose, lacking the rubbing alcohol of most grenache. Vanilla and black pepper in the nose, but not over powering. Stone fruit, chocolate, currants, and hints of blackberry show through the middle of the pallette. Small spice and slight acid temp in the back of the throught. Drinks well now, but could appreciate a few years of aging.

6/28/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

The 2011 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon had a very deep color and easily illustrated its full bodied characteristics from the beginning of the bottle to the end. We decanted on a German decanter with a filter, and had very little sediment from the bottle. The wine shows amazing with beautiful dark fruits and ripe plums in the noise. We enjoyed the beautiful tannin structure that accompanied the cassis and black currant on the palate. This wine drinks beautifully now, but will age for the next 10 - 15 years without issue. Enjoy now, then, or both.

6/1/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful peach hues with an abundance of tiny bubbles. Nose is soft with clean berries, fresh peach, and orange blossom. Palate is a smooth, crisp balance of sweet and tart. Flavors of honeysuckle, strawberry, and honeydew melon. Slight blackcurrant hits at the back of the mouth, resulting in medium finish and mild acidity.

4/10/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

The full flavor of this Zinfandel was drinkable, but could use some time to age. Beautiful spice and tannins were present in the wine from the initial pour to the end of the bottle. Spicy anise was present in the nose along with slight strawberry jam.

4/8/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful balance on this nicely aged vintage. Slight sediment was noticeable in the bottle after decatation. A beautiful deep burgundy hue with long legs that were beautiful in the glass. The nose was an amazing blend of dark berry and woodiness with slight black pepper/tobacco finish. Caramel and Chocolate are slight friends from the aroma to the finish of the glass. Very light tannins kept the wine drinkable with any foods.

4/2/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

Heavy alcohol in the nose, mellowed with time in the glass. Would do well with decantation. Very dark purple hue with a caramel border. Nice tannin level that will stand up to more time in the cellar. Big wild berry jam flavors in the nose do not disappear in the mouth. Slight notes of tobacco linger in the mouth with the soft tannin that makes you pucker and salivate while you dream of your next sip.

2/7/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

A beautiful fruit front on a very modern style Cabernet. Not as big and spicy as most single vineyard cabs, but a wonderful drink none-the-less. I enjoyed the fullness and ease of drink on this wine and will definitely enjoy more in the future. Many wonderful layers of flavor give this wine some beautiful flavors.

8/20/2013 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

A beautiful everyday drinker that has enough body to stand up to steaks perfectly. This wine can handle the fat of a rib-eye without hesitation. There is no lack of body in this wine, and it can easily last the next few years. Great job Orin Swift, keep up the good work.

1/1/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

This was my introduction to Trefethen HALO. This was a beautiful bottle of wine with hints of berries in the nose and a fruit forward mouth-feel. I did not notice the tobacco that my party did, however they felt it added to the finish of the wine. I loved the spicy finish that lingered with me and added to the complexity of the Demi-Glace that accompanied my Tomahawk Steak. This 2007 is ready to drink now with decantation, but can easily rest and age for another 5 years.

2/7/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

This California Cabernet based blend is easily ready to drink now due to the addition of Merlot. But don't let that keep you from aging for many years. With decanting and time to breathe this was a beautiful bottle to enjoy with a steak. Lots of fruit greet you at the front of your glass and stay with you until the last drop.

1/1/2014 - Robert N's Wine Likes this wine:

My introduction to Pulido Walker was on NYE with a 2010 Melanson Vineyard. A fantastic easy to drink Cabernet that had a beautiful spice/tannins that will mellow with age. The dark fruit was full frontal in both the nose and the taste.