3/2/2024 - kryelvine wrote:

Liquid gold. Aromas of peach, apricot, ripe pear, curry paste, bees wax and honeysuckle. A little dried fruit and forest floor in the background. Remarkably fresh on the palate, despite very limited acidity. But mainly just powerful and muscular with tonnes of weight and a long, long finish. This does not feel old at all.

1/21/2024 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Colour is still a deep ruby, showing very little age. Cassis, dark plum, cedar, coffee and graphite on the nose. Energetic, not tired. But very classical. On the palate the wine is dry with pronounced but fine tannins. The lively acidity is almost more prominent. Full-bodied, but lots of freshness. The pronounced intensity of the fruit is balanced by lovely grip and structure. The medium to long finish is dominated by secondary (cedar, smoke, chocolate) and tertiary (leather, tobacco, plum chutney) aromas. Drinking very well rigtht now.

12/15/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Light but rich golden colour, aromas of stone fruits, ripe pear and almonds. Weighty and dense on the palate with medium acidity and a satisfyingly dry and chalky finish.

12/15/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Deep straw colour. Complex nose, although a little reserved at first. Vegetal with fennel and asparagus, autolytic with bread dough and browning butter. Soft and medium to full-bodied on the palate. Only moderate acidity and yet incredibly fresh! Good length, Firm and food friendly.

Was lovely with a paella-inspired chicken casserole with lots of lemon and parsley.

12/4/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Lively red fruit-nose (strawberry, raspberry) bogged down a bit by strong oak influency (clove, vanilla, coconut). On the palate, there's high acidity, low tannin, good freshness. Strawberry meets black liquorice in a slightly simple flavour combination. To me, this is like a well-made but unassuming CDR, probably excellent with rustique dishes.

12/2/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

Very intense aromatics with honeydew melon, peach, banana, honeysuckle and pear drop. Seems a little candy-like. On the palate, it's soft and creamy with medium acidity. Quite mouth-filling, but not overly alcoholic. High flavour intensity, medium finish. The quality is good but the fruit is very ripe and sweet, a little one-dimensional and lacking in freshness.

11/21/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

Transparent and light with orange hues, just a bit cloudy like rhubarb juice. Extremely aromatic with struck match, salt liquorice, red currant, dild and chalk. Beautiful acidity and freshness, nice long finish with smoke, liquorice root and paprika-like spice. Overall, the pungent, smoky notes dominate a bit too much, throwing off the balance (for me), love the structure with super-juicy fruit and freshness.

Edit: Much more at ease, hamonious and balanced on day two. Strangely, also more tannic and muscular, though still defined by its acidity.

7/13/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Clear, medium ruby colour. Medium (+) intensity nose, red cherry, black cherry, medicinal, liquorice
High acidity, grippy tannins, high alcohol. Medium to full-bodied. Medium flavour intensity with herbs, dark berries and earthy notes. Medium to long finish, pleasing, but also a slight alcohol burn. The quality is pretty high, but the style is a little robust for my liking.

7/7/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

- Hazy, medium amber colour.
- Clean, pronounced nose. Marmalade, apple peel, spearmint, honeysuckle, curry paste, honey, cider. Fully developed.
- Dry, medium acidity, medium tannin, medium alcohol, medium body, pronounced flavour intensity.
- Medium finish, good quality level. Great aroma complexity, less impressive on the palate.

6/10/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

Beautiful little wine, fresh red fruit, also a little earthy, rustic and dense somehow. Bitterness is so pleasant as a counterweight to density.

5/3/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

Medium lemon colour. Very aromatic with intense aromas of ripe pear, melon, chives, wet stones. Initially it has high, prickling acidity but mellows and softens on the midpalate. Becomes medium bodied. Not as ripe now, though, more linear and mineral. There's a peppery, flinty note. Finish is medium, the wine is well-balance and enjoyable.

4/20/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose with blackberry, bacon, smoke, green herbs and pepper. Also floral. Intoxicating, elegant. Fruit-driven palate, ripe dark berries, very peppery-spicy but also slight alcohol burn. Long and satifying finish. Pleasantly robust acidity, ripe tannin.

4/20/2023 - kryelvine wrote:

Very ripe and soft style. Citrus, pineapple, curry. Great concentration and length but not the level of acidity and freshness I was looking for. Blindly I might have pegged this as an Alsace Pinot Gris.

3/29/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

This is a blend of treixadura and torrontes. Highly aromatic nose with white peach, lichi an honeysuckle. On the palate it is simple and fruit-driven with peach and red apple. Dry, medium-bodied, good acidity for balance. Great value.

3/26/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

A beautiful wine that will age well for at least 5 more years. Ripe, concentrated aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, strawberries, thyme and sage. Incredibly inviting. A bit single-minded, but I believe this will gain in complexity over time. On the palate it is well-structured with substantial but ripe and oh so delicious tannins and high and refreshing acidity. It is a ripe style and the structure is needed. I also get flavors of coffee, liquorice and dried meat. Overall quality is very good.

3/25/2023 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Fully developed, likely past its prime, but still delicious. Very intense and complex nose, fully tertiary, with dried craneberry, forest floor, mushrooms, dried meat, balsamic vinegar, cherry sauce, smoke and struck-flint.
Light, dry and acidic on the palate. A spicy, peppery note, medicinal, hoisin sauce.
Finish and length is fine but lacking intensity. Drink now.

10/20/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Appearance:
Clear deep ruby.
Nose:
Medium intensity, developing. Primary aromas of black currant, black plum, mint, tomato leaf. Secondary aroma of cedar.
Palate:
Dry, high acidity, high tannin, high alcohol, full-bodied. Pronounced flavour intensity. Primary flavours of black currant, blueberry, black plum, black cherry, mint. Secondary flavours of cedar, cloves, vanilla. Long finish.
Conclusion:
Quality level is very good. Can drink now but has potential for ageing.

9/28/2022 - kryelvine Does not like this wine:

Has lost most of its fresh fruit character. Very stewed and not particularly complex. To me this is now past its prime.

9/19/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

- Clear, deep garnet colour
- Clean, medium intensity nose
- Primary aromas of red cherry, black cherry and black plum
- Secondary aroma of vanilla
- Tertiary aroma of mushrooms
- Dry palate, medium (+) acidity, high tannin, pronounced intensity
- Same flavours as on the nose, now also leather and dried meat
- Finish is long
- Balance and complexity are excellent, overall quality is very good
- There is still primary fruit and some freshness, drink now or in a couple of years, will not improve with further ageing

9/16/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

- Clear, medium lemon-green
- Clean, medium (-) intensity nose
- Primary aromas: Green apple, grapefruit, peach, pineapple (fresh)
- Seconday: Hint of toast
- Development: Youthful
- Dry palate, High acidity, medium body, medium (-) flavour intensity
- Primary flavours: apple, pineapple, peach, flint (fresh)
- Seconday: Hint of toast
- Finish: Medium (-)
- Quality level is good
- Level of readiness for drinking: Drink now, not suitable for ageing

9/16/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

- Clear, pale lemon-green
- Clean nose, pronounced intensity
- Primary aromas: Elderflower, gooseberry, lemon, grapefruit, passionfruit, flint (intense)
- Development is youthful
- Dry palate, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body
- Flavour intensity is pronounced
- Primary flavours: Grapefruit, lemon, gooseberry (fresh, intense)
- Finish: Pronounced
- Quality level: Very good
- Readiness for drinking: Drink now, not suitable for ageing

9/13/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

Clear, medium lemon colour. Clean nose, medium intensity. Aromas of lemon, green apple, fennel, blossom and peach. Also a herbal, medicinal note. Dry on the palate. Medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium body. I get the same complex flavours on the palate as on the nose. Great freshness, very few, if any, secondary flavours. The finish is medium. This can be enjoyed now but will keep for a few years although not gain in complexity, I think. The overal quality is very good. The complexity is impressive considering the absense of secondary and tertiery flavours.

9/12/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

Clear, very deep ruby. Massive tears, obviously. Clean nose with pronounced intensity. Black cherry, bramble, basil, eucalyptus. Wiff of alcohol, but still some freshness, not overly ripe. Bit of cedar, bit of chocolate.
Dry on the palate. High acidity, medium tannin, high alcohol, full-bodied. Pronounced flavours of bramble, black cherry, black plum, mint. Perhaps coffee. Flavours are less complex than aromas, dominated by black fruit. Alcohol is noticeable. Finish is only medium length. Overall quality is good.

9/11/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

Clear, deep garnet. Clean, medium (+) intense nose. Cooked red plum, chocolate, fig, slightly medicinal note. Very cooked character, this is at least fully developed, probably past its best.
Dry on the palate. Medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins. Medium alcohol, but full-bodied, I would say. Flavours are fresher now, and pronounced: red plum, cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, mint. Comes off a little austere, the finish of medium length. Overall quality is good.

9/8/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Clear, deep lemon colour. Clean, medium-intense nose with complex aromas of flint, smoke, green apple, lemon zest, fennel. Dry on the palate with medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol and medium body. Smoky and herbal flavours continue but also lemon juice, hazelnuts and a hint of butterscotch. Finish is medium (+). Can be enjoyed now but will remain delicious for a few years. Overall quality is very good.

9/8/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

Clear, medium ruby colour. Clean and pronounced aromas of strawberry, red cherry, blackberry jam, vanilla, smoke. Seems fully developed. On the palate it's dry with low acidity, medium (+) tannins (but smooth) and high alcohol. Full-bodied with pronounced flavours of red cherry, black cherry, kirsch, vanilla, nutmeg and chocolate. Medium finish, drink now. Overall quality is good.

8/30/2022 - kryelvine wrote:

Clear, medium lemon colour. Clean, medium intense nose. Ripe aromas of pear drop, red apple, almonds/marzipan, honeysuckle. Seems youthful. Dry on the palate. Medium (-) acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) body. Pronounced flavours of almonds, baked apple, pear, fennel. Long finish. Should be enjoyed within a year or two, I believe. Quality level is good to very good.

8/30/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Pale, clear lemon colour. Clean nose, pronounced intensity, developing. Intense aromas of green apple, lime juice, lemon juice, flint, kerosene. Off-dry palate, high acidity, low alcohol, light body, medium (+) intensity. Flavours of lime, pineapple, lemon, kerosene, passion fruit, chalk. Medium finish.
Conclusions: The wine is good to very good, its complexity its strength, the weakness its length. Can be enjoyed now but sugar and acidity gives potential for further ageing.

7/2/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Dark, dense ruby red color. Opaque but clear. Complex nose: blackcurrant, ripe plum, cool mint, sweet tobaco. Mouthfeel is full-bodied, chewy with lots of ripe tannins. Later it has a creamy, dairy-like texture. Taste has tonnes of ripe fruit, lots of sweetness but balanced by a late, lingering bitternes. Burnt toffee note reminds me of quality bourbon. Finish is long with ever so slight smoky note to the lingering fruit.

4/9/2022 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Deep purple-red colour, violet reflections. Initial reductive aromas that later disappear. Medium intense but complex nose: Thyme, tarragon, kimchi, cranberry. Dry and medium-bodied on the palate. Medium acidity, pronounced tannins. Good length. Has a lovely lightness, but is not especially acidity-driven.

6/25/2012 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

The colour is somewhere between straw and gold. The nose has medium intensity and is dominated by interesting spicy and autolytic elements. On the palate its full-bodied and intense w. low acidity and a long finish. Biscuit, toast, caramel, hazelnut, perhaps liquorice. Not a hint of fruit! Alcohol might be a bit high and the ripeness is almost too much, but very complex and interesting.

6/25/2012 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Pale straw. Low to medium intensity nose w. lemon and green apple and an underlying peachy note. On the palate its medium bodied and has low to medium acidity. Citrus, stone fruit. Freshness but also a sense of viscosity and weight. Good balance but short to medium finish and quite simple.

6/25/2012 - kryelvine Likes this wine:

Deep purple-red. Medium intensity nose w. black fruit and hints of oaky spice. Very ripe on the palate w. medium acidity and medium to high tannins. Blackberry, black cherry. Powerful but simple in its fruitiness. Still the finish is medium to long and intense and a pleasant balancing bitterness lingers.

3/14/2010 - kryelvine wrote:

Port-like nose. Cherry syrup. Sweet black liquorice. Some sweetness, a bit of acidity, low in tannins. Massive weight and length.

2/20/2010 - kryelvine wrote:

To me this is interesting and different. It has typically ripe fruit flavors, some oak (at least on the palate) but the finish is lively, fresh and has an interesting cranberry-like bitterness, which balances out the ripeness very nicely.

2/20/2010 - kryelvine wrote:

Herbs, anis, plum and red fruit. Soft tannins, slightly hollow mid-palate. Medium to full bodied, ok finish.

2/4/2010 - kryelvine wrote:

Colour: Cola.
Nose: Raisins in rum. Hints of cherry, actually. Perhaps bitter moca element. Dark, slightly burnt toffee. Honey.
Taste: Syrupy, old leather, tree bark, raisins and molasses. Intensely sweet, hugely concentrated.

9/12/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Not exactly aromatic but still very perfumy to the point of almost being heavy and cloying. It is quite full bodied for an unoaked white but has fairly good acidity. It's a food-wine that shines in the company of asian-style dishes with ginger, spring onion and coriander.

6/10/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Crisp, strawberried rosé. Still, some richness and body. Hints of a fruity sweetness but overall fairly dry compared to many other new world rosés.

6/3/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Pretty pale salmon colour. Delicate, understated nose with strawberry and rose petals. Fairly light-bodied, good acidity and commendably dry. Not a terribly long finish but good food-matching potential.

2/21/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Purple and opaque in the glass. Medium intense nose w. red berries (strawberry), flowers, some spice, buttermilk and bellpepper. Medium to high tannins, medium to high acidity. Medium bodied, dense and chewy. Chalky, slightly drying tannins. Red fruit, herbs, fairly long but simple finish.

2/21/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Ruby with purple hues. Intense dark fruit combo: Blackcurrant, blackberry. Meaty, slightly smoky. Baking spices, liquorice. Medium tannins but very ripe and soft. medium to low acidity. Intense blackcurrant on the palate. A vegetal element and a lingering spiciness on the finish. Full bodied but soft. Probably too soft, but very enjoyable.

2/15/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Alluring and concentrated nose. Cherry syrup, cherry pit, dried flowers, black tea, hints of sour dough. On the palate it is highly extracted and extremely dry. Sour cherry, underbush, a minerality that I liken to biting a cherry pit. Tannins are very chewy, acidity takes no prisoners. Fruit is completely overwhelmed, particularly on mid-palate. A real mouthful none the less, like an underripe nebbiolo. Interesting at best. Likely to improve with food though.

2/9/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Pleasantly surprised here. Medium lemon colour. Green apple and melon nose. Also nectarine, slight smoky minerality. Good intensity. Medium bodied, medium to low acidity. Melon and peach on the palate. A flinty smokiness which seems to add body and richness. Medium to long, honeyed finish. A tad buttery - maybe just a lacking a little freshness, otherwise terrific.

2/4/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Initially slightly muted nose. Opens up a bit with vanilla, spicebox and fruit compote. Tannins are very ripe and mellow. Medium acidity. Medium to short finish. Leather and clay dirt. Flavours are mudled and slightly stewed. Lacks freshness and definition.

1/29/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Has improved with bottle age. Still very firm, rustic and robust. Still fails to balance out the alcohol. Red fruit, leather. Peppery and meaty, almost gamey. Shines with hearty dishes.

1/29/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

At first very ripe black fruit nose. Black cherry and something approaching cola. Becomes more herbaceous, pleasantly so. Very ripe and silky mouthfeel. Clean with good acidity, no tannins to speak of. Some spicy oak influence. Balances dark fruit and herbs, some complexity, very satisfying.

1/25/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Melon and apple nose. Some lift and freshness. Close to full bodied on the palate. Medium to low acidity. Still balanced though. Almonds and hints of anise on the finish. Not long, but pleasant.

1/25/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Flowery apricot nose. Peach and apricot on the palate. Dense, some spice and quite a bit of heat. Full bodied, low acidity, medium to high sweetness.

1/20/2009 - kryelvine wrote:

Close to opaque, brown hues. Cherry, leather, barnyard and a sprig of mint on the nose. Very ripe but balanced, signs of oak influence. Medium to full bodied. Ripe, sweet tannins. Some acidity. Spice intermingles with sour cherry. Rustic but not overly so. Ripe but pleasantly grippy. Superb.