4/2/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Drank over 2 days. Simple, competently made, Pinot that is just fine. Expected more but this was a Garagiste deal so glad I didn't pay more than $20

3/24/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Solid Napa Cab. Fruit forward but with good acid and low tannins. Has a quality profile and is aging nicely.

2/29/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Tannins mostly resolved. Wine is balanced and enjoyable. Not memorable but well made. Drank over 2 days and day 2 the wine had degraded a bit. Recommend drinking now.

2/25/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Drank over 2 days separated by 2 days. On day 1, it was a bit stewed and to my palate seemed perhaps past peak and heading down. Still enjoyable and I'd give it 92 points. I only had half the bottle, stored it in the fridge, and then finished it 2 days later. The wine was much better! Brighter, fresher, more fruit!? Quite a surprise and demonstrates this wine has many more years of development to go. Legend lives.

2/21/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Holding up nicely, has years left but not sure it will improve. Baked strawberry, a bit of leather, other red fruits. A bit of soap. Nice mid palate and a pretty good finish. Somewhat disappointing at the price paid.

2/14/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Loved this wine when I tasted it at the winery 7 years ago. Opened my only bottle now and it delivers what I remember. New world take on Sangiovese which has depth, texture and balance. Yes, it is fuller bodied and richer than old world Sangiovese but it is a delicious expression. Drinking well now, not sure if it will improve with age.

2/11/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Enjoyed over 2 days. Classic gamay Beaujolais with little carbonic aspects. Rich for a gamay with good mineral, red current, and some structure. Held up nicely the next day.

2/10/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Solid but not memorable. Agree with recent notes. May improve with age.

2/9/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Still youthful, fruit forward, and full bodied. A bit too new world but on the second day it builds a better backbone of structure. Should be a crowd pleaser and will probably improve with age.

2/5/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Love the uniqueness of this wine. Drinking well now but can age a bit more. Beautiful balance and nice finish.

1/28/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Nice. Circumstances lead to saving half a bottle in the fridge for 3 days. Was a little diminished and not as enjoyable. Drink now.

1/26/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with recent positive notes. Beautifully integrated and pleasant on the palate. Expressive nose and long, enjoyable finish. This note is from a magnum so from that perspective, there are many years left in this wine.

1/18/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Still has some youth and drinking well over 2 days. Drink or hold.

1/12/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

From 1.5L. Still youthful. Delicious out of the gate and decanting several hours had not effect. Uncertain about its development forward from this point but would guess many more years of youthful energy.

1/12/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

It's been a decade since I tasted this wine and it has definitely improved. I saved this bottle as an educational experiment. Good balance and soft tannins out of the gate. Day 2, the wine is even better. This wine has more aging ability. Enjoy now or hold.

1/5/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Concentrated and complex. One of the nicest full bodied Barbera I've tasted.

1/2/2024 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Tasted a year ago and purchased from the winery. I liked it more then than now, or is it bottle variation? A bit of stewed fruit and seems clumsy at this point in its evolution. Not sure if it will improve.

12/29/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Tasted from ~80ml pour from coravin at wine bar. No signs of age and nicely integrated. Opened up nicely over 30 minutes. Very enjoyable at this point but I think will improve with more bottle time.

12/29/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

A bit rustic but fairly well balanced. Fairly high acid, medium plus tannins. Needs time in the bottle.

12/24/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Purchased a few days earlier from the winery. Beautifully maturing Barbaresco. Nicely integrated and beautiful texture. Tasted open bottle two days later, very little degradation. Might improve with more age but why wait?

12/19/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with recent notes. Upon opening, it is delicious and balanced. About 15 mins after air exposure, it becomes much more structured with tannins coming to fore. Next day there was no degradation and tannins remained quite intense. Recommend holding for years.

11/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with TANNICBEAST note but do not detect any bret. This is a nice, light to medium bodied, fruity, easy drinking red best paired with hearty veg and chicken soup or stew.

11/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with other recent notes. Wine is still youthful, tannic, acidic, and fairly full bodied. Tasted on second day with very little change in character.

9/19/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

No decant. Wine immediately has intense aromas with a measure of mature wine. Quite a bit of sediment (not a criticism, I like it.) Wine is seamless, balanced, and has a long finish. I do not recommend to decant. The wine starts to degrade after about an hour so it's time to drink up and enjoy - this will only decline from here IMHO.

9/11/2023 - rogerr wrote:

One of my favorite Stolpman bottlings. This one is a disappointment at this point. Fruit is diminished and what remains is high acidity and tannins. Did not decant, and probably should have. Maybe it is in a dumb phase. Maybe the influence of Raj "High Acid" Parr. Strange.

9/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

There are some harsh notes here for this bottle but I think they are unwarranted. Classic dark fruit Saint-Joseph. I think it is drinking quite well in its youth and will only get better.

9/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Mineral and a bit vegetal in the nose. On the palate Very dry with good weight and texture. Unique wine that is atypical of the California central coast. Would guess it is an old world wine.

9/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Light and Bright, citrus, hint of grapefruit and white flowers. Good acid balance. Long finish

9/4/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully. Seems to be declassified Condrieu as it is similar in quality. Recommended.

9/3/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Opon open and a 30 min decant, was not showing much. Reminded me of a generic Napa cab. After about 2+ hours in the decanter it became more interesting. I suggest holding this wine for a few more years.

9/2/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

In a good drinking spot. Decanted and immediately started to taste it. Should have decanted at least an hour prior. Over time the wine went from very good to excellent. Drink now or hold.

9/1/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

This is a highly finessed wine with low tannins and low acid. Supremely new world. Might be off putting to those who prefer old world. Very smooth and easy to drink. The typical aromas and flavors of Mourvèdre are barely present. This would make a good rich and easy drink after dinner red.

8/29/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully at this point. I tasted this upon release 11 years ago. It was thin, fruit and acid out of balance. Not worth the price at that point. Now it has integrated, balanced, and is showing its stuff. Saved some and next day had noticeable oxidation. Drink now.

8/28/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with STEPHEN.SOMM but rate it at this point in it's development much higher. Beautifully integrated with soft tannins yet there is still good tannin structure. Very long and delicious finish. This wine is just starting to hit its stride and has years left. Drink or Hold.

8/21/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Full bodied, a bit of characteristic nuttiness. Good intensity, texture, and finish. Left about 1/3 bottle in fridge for 4 days and almost no degradation. Beautifully made at this price.

8/19/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Tasted 2023-06-23 at Hill Barolo tasting in La Morra. One of my favorite of the 2019's that evening.

8/6/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Beautiful intense Sauv Blanc. Aroma, texture, and finish tops. Grapefruit aromas and flavors predominate. This wine is drinking beautifully now and is the best SB I've tasted outside of the Loire.

7/28/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Immediately has intense and pleasant aroma. Palate is complex and well integrated. Texture is nice and the wine has a good finish. Saved some for next day and oxidation was noticeable. Probably will not improve with age.

7/23/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. I recommend a decant. A bit disjointed early on. I suggest holding for another 2 years.

7/20/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Already loosing freshness. The concentration and mouthfeel are excellent. Finish is long and it has a nice integration. Would be many points more if the hint of oxidation were not there - maybe my bottle is flawed?

7/8/2023 - rogerr Does not like this wine:

Distinct aromas of ripe cheese?! Rustic on the palate. Tasted next day with same aroma and flavor profile. This is my first experience with this producer. Not sure if this bottle is flawed.

7/2/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Modern Barbaresco that is nicely integrated and drinking well. I would have guessed it was an older vintage as it seemed like an evolved wine with secondary characteristics. I don't know if it will improve with age.

6/7/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Very competent Fiano with nice aroma, mouthfeel, and finish. Very good value .

5/31/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Probably will improve with age but wanted to share this bottle with friends. Nice aroma and good texture. Palate intensity is a bit on the low side but finish is nice. Noticeably better second day.

12/31/2012 - rogerr wrote:

From Garagiste: A devilish blend of Rkatsiteli and Mtsvani that will make your knees week and orange with envy – Gotsa's White Wine is the new incarnation of a heritage that started it all. Call it Orange Crush, Agent Orange, Orange Julius or whatever you wish, this is the original tangerine dream that’s been copied by countless natural winemakers with their own indigenous grapes. The difference? No one else has a combination of Rkatsiteli/Mtsvani, deciduous fauna (chestnut/oak/aspen), hand made/hand-picked natural methodology, high-elevation terroir and the unspoiled/national park setting that Gotsa possesses. A wine made with heavy skin contact in the traditional qvevri amphorae that have inspired natural icons from Cornelissen to Vodopivic (see twitter pics throughout the day: garagiste_wine ), Gotsa’s White Wine is an experience of emotion that kicks aside decades of repression by the Soviets and urges a complete roundabout in the ranking of land with important vinous potential. A truly mesmerizing drink that reminds this scribe of a somehow dry 1929 TBA but also of Movia Lunar Ribolla. 13.0% alcohol. Drink 2013-? (examples from this region have lasted for 25-50 years – 2011 was a top vintage but I have no idea what the ageing curve will be?). A scant 100+ cases produced

4/3/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Still drinking fairly well. A bit of funk and oxidative aromas and flavors but they don't linger on the palate. Don't recommend holding any longer.

4/1/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with recent note by THE DRUNKEN CYCLIST. Singing right now and wind is in prime shape. Can go for years more. Too bad this maker is no longer together. Wish I had more.

3/29/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully. Saved some corked in fridge and 2 days later was even better.

3/26/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Saxum Terry Hoage has consistently been my least favorite Saxum but still good. I think this is drinking quite well but is a bit low on acid. Saved some to try on day 2 and it improved.

3/21/2023 - rogerr Likes this wine:

Agree with other recent notes. Drinking beautifully. A bit of tertiary aromas and flavors adding to the complexity. Drink now, I do not think it will improve much more.