12/30/2009 - thatguy314 wrote:

Very fruity. Intense cherries (cordial) and chocolate aroma. Rich, sweet flavor. Alcohol not noearly as strong as the previous comment, though stills somewhat present and could use a little more age. However, in a wine driven so heavily by the fruit, I'd definitely give it a taste again sometime soon. I only wish I had a nother bottle of it. Rich, full mouthfeel. Cocoa and strawberry finish.

10/20/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Bright acidity of a ruby port, but the unmistakable spice and carmely flavors of a tawny. Nice.

10/20/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Didn't taste or smell truffles or scorched earth. A hint of blueberries, lots of funk, and a lot of unpleasant acidity. Had decanted for 3 hours without significant improvement.

8/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Strawberries all around. A little vegetal. Not my favorite of theirs, but still stands above many similar wines.

8/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Excellent. Dont' have specific notes was a couple weeks ago.

8/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Sweeter than I remember, still very nice.

8/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Initial fruit leather and earth quickly overpowered by layers of fake fruit could not get over, unpleasant long fake fruit finish. Would not buy again. If you don't mind fakey fruit explosions you might liek this.

8/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Great as always

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Excellent. Light bodied and delicious. Much, much better than any pinot grigio I've had to date (which is a very small list).

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Ultra new world fruit bomb, not a bad buy for $9. No idea what Parker was thinking.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Wierdly tastes more fruity and sweet than it was before.... Still good for $9, but past its peak.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Getting awfully brown and mollassesy smelling. Tannins are pretty much gone. It was excellent a year ago I don't think it's going to last much longer.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Not a merlot fan but enjoyed this. For $13 bucks it's a good buy.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Ok

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Overpowering blueberry. Well made, but I just couldn't enjoy it at all.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Don't recall specific notes. Was absolutely excellent. Glad I have more.

6/28/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Was not a fan

4/3/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Color: 5/5 dark, honey colored,
Nose: 13/15: Strong lemon, some pinapple, some green spice I can't put my finger on, i guess after watching the WL video i get some of that olive oil
Flavor/Mouthfeel: 9/10 Lemon, fruit, cream, honey, rubber very nice acidity, very well blended, only SLIGHTLY HOT is my only ding
Finish: 7/10 Rich, fuity, creamy, a touch of that spice i mentioned before... can't tell youw hat it is, but somewhat short about 10 sec
Aging potential: 3/5 Dunno about whites, has nice structure and acidity
Overall Impression: 4/5, Very nice. Would definitely buy again.
50+5+13+9+7+3+4 = 91

As it opens am getting some honeydew on nose and taste

3/30/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Nice aroma, very very fruit forward with some fakey fruit aspects, not a lot of complexity. Didn't have enough tannins. I'd heard good things and was a little disappointed. It was not what I expected it to be and I'm probably rating it a little harshly because of it.

3/30/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Starting to turn brown, losing some of the fruit, getting that old-wine color and aroma. Probably peaking around this time.

3/30/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Much improved from the last time I had it. Had it at a big tasting, can't really offer specific notes.

3/8/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Can't do a specific rating because I had it last night. But I'll say this is (mostly?) unoaked, little MLF. Nice nose of lemon and citrus with similar tart citrus flavor with creamy mouthfeel. It's got a much thinner body than most chards, but managed to be very creamy. Nice crisp finish. Not sure I'd pay the 16 at the winery for a number of bottles, but it was worth the 12 I paid at the store.

3/6/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Color 5/5: deep ark light eating purple with just enough translucency to give it a little halo around the edges
Nose: 12/15: Black currant, plum, white pepper, cedar. Very very pleasant, even right out of hte bottle isn't changing much
Flavor/Mouthfeel: 7/10 Tart rasperry, pepper, high acidity at teh start, mellows out, very soft, subtle tannins, don't give the pucker but definitely leave that dusty feeling on my tongue. But as acidity blows off, it ends up feeling a little thin
Finish: 6/10 tart, dry, very long. hangs around, dusty tannins, makes me wish i had a nice steak with it
Aging potential: 3/5 seems like it could definitely go a few years, I don't know how long that'll last
Overall Impression: 3/5, I wouldn't say true to style, but very pleasant, I'm just not wowed... maybe even a little disappointed because I had very high hopes for L&L (this is the first of the trio)
Total 5+12+7+6+3+4+50= 86-87/100... I think it's really nice, I just dont' think it's a great cab

3/4/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Kinda disappointed... oh well... Trying to be more scientific with my ratings, so here goes.....

Color/Appearance: 4/5 -- Crystal ruby, a little translucent, but it's pretty
Nose/Bouquet: 10/15 -- Very nice, but reasonably simple aroma. Cherry, cedar, tobacco. None of that leathery or earthy smell I expect from pinot or burgundy.
Flavor : 3/10 -- Not much of a flavor. Cherry jolly rancher, but not so intense. A little new world for burgundy. Thin mouthfeel. No acid or tannin.
Finish: 5/10 -- Better than the flavor,
and black pepper coat the finish that starts a bit hot, but quickly fades to a pleasant glow.
Aging Potential: 2/5 -- It's pretty integrated, not very acidic, I don't know where it's supposed to be able to go somewhere
Overall/Quality: 2/5 -- Highly recommended by wine store. Definitely not taking those suggestions again. Not only bad for the price, just not very good. Nice aromas compensate a little.

2/25/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Not ready. Beautiful nose, but restrained flavor.

2/21/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Has definitely improved. Not so merlot/graphitey. More fruit, sour cherry, some cocoa on the aroma, some nice tanins, improved mouthfeel.

2/17/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Strong notes of orange/tangerine and chocolate (not cocoa). Very interesting smells form a red. Already bought several more.

2/11/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

GV SAYS:
#2; COLOR-dark; NOSE-big wine; port reduction sauce; loaded w/ strawberries; some vanilla cream; explosive; dark chocolate; some really ripe cherries; TASTE-this is a BIG wine; an Ernie Shavers wine; this wine kicks me in my teeth and I like it; massive, explosive & rich; very fruit forward; extraordinary Strawberry flavors; a fruit punch tootsie roll flavor on the mid-palate; gorgeous backbone & structure; lovely chocolate on the back-end; just a massive, rich wine; a fruit bomb of fruit bombs; enjoying the plums; WS-93; GV-92+

2/7/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Smells o fcherry and alcohol (like a liqueur), pretty translucent, thin color in contrast to what is a big smell and what was later a fairly big body. Chocolate. A little bkackberry.

Delicious brambly berry and cherry and pepper. Finish is acidic and long. A little bit of a stemmy aftertaste or it would be much better.

Don't know why everyone rates the 2003 so much higher. I had a bottle of it a while back and remember not being particularly impressed. This was supposed to be worse but I am pleasantly surprised.

2/4/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Hasn't changed much in six months. Smells of cherries, strawberry jam, some earthiness. Tastes like it smells, fruit bomb, cherries, strawberry jam, glassiest mouthfeel i've ever had, incredibly pleasant, some definite but pretty silky tannins. Shows what just the most basic simple flavor can be excellent if it's done right. Evolved very little in the hour + it was open, but some subtle pleasant changes.

1/29/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

What happened? A totally mediocre wine evolved into something that's actually really good. Sweetness is more gone, it's turned brown, devloped a raisony flavor that reminds me of brunello. Not quite so well blended of course. but WTF, was not nearly so good a couple months ago. I was the only one who liked it then.

1/22/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

The first one was an 89+. This one was abit past it's prime.

1/19/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Best Cali pinot I've had that I could afford. Didn't knock my socks off, but had the right amount of fruit and tannins (normally I find Cali pinots way too fruit forward). Would definitely buy again if I could find it for around 15 again. Not really in the mood for a detailed review. 88, maybe even 89, but just shy of that oomph that would make it a 90

12/14/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Still great

1/13/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Has gone down in quality a bit

1/12/2008 - thatguy314 wrote:

Good, but probably past it's peak. Weird aftertaste.

12/10/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Nose of black cherry and floral mineral. Tastes of tart blueberry and blackberry. Excellent mouthfeel. Dry tangy finish.

11/14/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Was not a fan at all. Too much acidity, begged to breath. Neither my friend or I wanted to finish the bottle after 1 glass each. And we were both looking forward to drinking.

11/14/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Rasperry and earthy. Very smooth. Not incredibly complex. For the price, a great table wine.

11/12/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Not bad. Remember it beeing much more tannic and chalky with an overpowering finish that really ruined it for me (about 83ish). This is thick silk of blackberries, just the right amount of tartness and a much darker chocolate. The overpowering chocolate aftertaste it had seven months ago has mellowed. I'm much happier with it now. Very fruit forward, chocolaty sour fruity finish. Depending on how I feel when I finish the last one, I might buy again, but probably not right now.

11/9/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Very complex.... really needs to breath... friend brought this over and I'm really looking forward to my own bottle. Starts out very acidic, but mellows with some time

Color: Purple, not as dark as I'd expect
Nose: licorice, mint, somethign floral?.... as it opens you really get into a strong smell of blueberry syrup, passion fruit ( (once i recognzied that smell it began to dominate in my mind)... really smells like port... i'd like to thank Frank for helping me dissect this smell
Taste: Blueberry, tannic, dry, thick velvety mouthfeel.... when i first opened it had a wierd aftertaste
Finish: Sharp tang, seedy flavor and aftertaste. Too sour acidy in the beginning but nice when it opens up. Definitely long lasting seed aftertaste...

Not my favorite wine, but very enjoyable, and very complex. I'm not sure I'd buy it again, but it was certainly really nice to just sit around and taste it. 88+

UPDATE: after it opened it up the blueberry (and some blackberry) became more dominant, the acidity eased, and it became a much nicer wine. At least 90 points... I hesitate to go more because I'd had a bunch to drink that night. Moves from "not my favorite wine" to "something fantastic."

11/4/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Popped an poured. bright translucent red. thick legs. nose of mineral, vegetable (green onion), rasperry moss, a little wierd actually.... tastes sweet strawberry, sour, vegetable. tart, dry finish, like unripened berries. very french. Certainly worth the 10 dollars at winelibrary though like I said I found something abotu the smell a little off

After an hour of breathing the wierdness of the smell goes away, the red strawberry flavor gives way to more purple and blackberry. Different, but very nice.

10/26/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Silky and smooth the first day, did not appear very tannic, rich fruit, velvet mouth feel, almost like a merlot but not oaky

Second day tannins come out, sour cherries and crazins, the tannins really came out with the pucker

Don't feel like writing a complicated review but while it was c

10/21/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Needed to breath, unusal for a white.

floral nose. tastes of apples and lime with a nice body. nice

10/12/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

I let it breath for 2 hours. It took that long to get the tannic leathery flavor from the wine. It opened up. Nose of strawberry jam and tobacco. Mouthfeel of sweet strawberry, red currant earth and leater and a some sour cherry/unripened towards the end. Finishes leathery with a hint of that soury berry. Do not try drinking it any time soon without some serious breathing / decantingitme.

10/9/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

I know it's not New Zealand, but wow... one whiff of this and I really understood what people meant when they talk about gooseberries and cat pee. Right out of the fridge that was all there was so I let it warm a bit. It's less overpower and I also get aromas of lime and a little bit of melon. Medium body, yellow grapefruit and lime and acid and slate. A clean finish. Very good but by now means spectacular

10/7/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Bright golden color, dark straw, big legs. Nose has canteloupe, lime, honey or honeysuckle. Sweet (it's a desert wine) rich flavor, with lime and strong citrusy/acidic flavor dominating, some melon towards the end. Citrusy sweet finish. I'm not a desert wine person, and I really liked it when I bought it from the vineyard two months ago and I like it alot now (I'd forgotten how much). I wouldn't drink it every day but that's because I don't want a desert wine most days. I'm going to give it an uncharacterstically high score. Maybe it's not this good, but I like it this much.

10/3/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

I let it breath for about 45 min before drinking

Color: deep crimson, a little purple but i wouldn't quite call it ruby, very glassy, thin to medium legs.
Nose: powerfully strawberry jam and black fruit with hints green onion and a spice can't quite name
Taste: Again, medium bodied but with a delayed but strong tanic punch that makes me want to pucker, but overpowers some of the subtler flavors that I got on the first taste. A little salt cuts through this and exposes the flavors (so i'd probably prefer it with food than straight up drinking). Dry flavor with dark sour cherries, chocolate (not cocoa). Oak on the tip of the tongue, some strawberry jam I smelled on the sides.
Finish: Long and sticky. It makes me want to sip it, or eat a nice steak with it.

A heck of a lot going on for a $9 bottle of wine... i'm going to put it away and see what it tastes like tomorrow. I'm definitely going to buy a couple more bottles, I'd like to see what this tastes like with a little more age. Great QPR. I found the second glass much more open and enjoyable than the first.

-----------------------------

Day 2: Dark flavors really evolved. Plummy nose has come out, dark fruit and chocolate taste, the tannins have really mellowed to allow the flavor and there is a much heavier mouth feel. At the same timethat strawberry jam is gone... i kind of liked it. While the flavor is very different day 2, it's certainly just as good a wine, if not better.... I'm going to have to raise my rating.

10/3/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Nose is fake red fruit, like kool-aid. Taste is the same, maybe a darker fruit, but with lots of chalk. I drank 3 days after it was delivered, maybe travel shock? I would not buy again, even for $7. The only thing to it is the flavor did not change 1, 2 or 3 days in the fridge.

9/23/2007 - thatguy314 wrote:

Fruit bomb, cherry candy. That's the nose, that's the taste. Slightly mineral finish. I'm unimpressed, but it was 6 dollars, so I can't really complain either. The Cotes de Ventoux gives you a lot more bang for your buck at the same price.