11/13/2022 - truenorth Likes this wine:

The previous review is on target. This wine needs to breathe. I returned my first bottle because the cork broke and it seemed excessively harsh. Cork broke in 2nd bottle too so gave it a chance anyway. After getting some air it's interesting, has some complexity, might hope for a little more smoothness, but good at this price.

6/18/2022 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Bought several bottles from WineLibrary text message special. Typical west coast chardonnay. A lot of flavor, oak, medium-full body. Maybe it's getting late to be drinking 2017. I would take Landmark over this for finesse, or Hess for lower cost.

10/21/2020 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Ok, especially after it breathed for an hour or so. Had it with grilled pork chops. We noticed the earthy/leather aspect. No floral notes, or even a hint of sweetness. These days I'm looking for more balance and was hoping for something a little more pleasant. Hope there was not a problem in how I stored it but other wines have been fine.

4/4/2020 - truenorth wrote:

Unpleasant raisin or prune flavor, a bit sweet. Could not drink. Maybe bottle was cooked in storage or transport? There's no vintage on the bottle, but inconspicuous stamp "L8124A16" so must be 2016? I would return to store but not worth the risk during an epidemic.

3/15/2020 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Eric Guido nailed it. This was the same as my previous bottle. Richard Jennings scored it 75. I'm not into numbers, but this reflects the overall sentiment.

1/19/2020 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Quite enjoyable, though not exceptional and perhaps not worth a wait of 20 years. Saved some for the second night but it didn't hold up.

12/31/2019 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Sour berries, dark fruit, some tannins left. Cork broke, wine was not spoiled. Medium/full mouthfeel. Interesting but probably would not go out of my way for this.

12/17/2019 - truenorth wrote:

Bottle was carefully cellared. Cork was very good. Sour cherry, spice, dusty. A little astringent, was expecting a fuller wine.

9/27/2019 - truenorth wrote:

I'm not familiar with aged white Bordeaux, but had my hopes up. Cork seems fine. Not sure where this bottle was in its first year or so, but was in a controlled cellar for almost 20 years.

7/13/2019 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Has a lot of fruit. Hawaiian punch? Cherry cough drops?

6/10/2019 - truenorth Likes this wine:

We enjoyed this very much. Medium body, sour cherry and other red fruit flavors. Was stored in a controlled cellar. Cork in good condition.

4/16/2019 - truenorth wrote:

Corked. Very disappointed.

4/1/2019 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Bottle was stored carefully, but apparently kept too long.

3/21/2019 - truenorth Likes this wine:

This was great. Full-bodied, layers of dark fruit like dark cherries and plums, and smokey or woody notes. There is a lot of variance in previous reviews and scores. Maybe a factor is that our bottle was carefully cellared. Also we drank it almost right away without much decanting -- an hour and a half after opening it seemed less interesting. Very good QPR if you can find it.

3/15/2019 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Other published reviews are accurate. Enjoyed very much, though cork was in poor condition. Wine was stored in a cellar. Smoother after an hour of decanting.

5/20/2018 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Agree with DanielPHall26. Not sure what was attempted, but seems big and heavy, jammy, syrupy.

4/13/2018 - truenorth wrote:

Second bottle from my cellar. We debated whether this was drinkable and decided that if it takes so long to answer the question.... Did not seem anything like a $30 Rioja. Probably mishandled. Will try to return it.

12/30/2017 - truenorth wrote:

sour/spoiled

11/26/2017 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Totally enjoyable. A bit tart at first, needed 15-20 min. to breathe and unwind. Sour cherries, plum, dark fruit, nice depth, lingering finish. Wish we had more.

11/17/2017 - truenorth wrote:

Beautiful, powerful bouquet initially. Decanted for 1/2 hour and enjoyed over next 2 hours. Lots of sour cherries, strawberry, some darker flavors. Medium to full bodied. (For me) very astringent. Wondered if tis wasattempting an old-world style, but expected considerably more for $60(!)

9/9/2017 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

Dark red, full bodied, intense, jammy, not much depth. Tried after 24 hours, did not really improve. We have appreciated wines from this winemaker before but this particular one did not have as much appeal.

7/17/2017 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

For me, did not have the balance of the 2014, seems coarse. Obviously, a lot of oak, vanilla, full bodied.

Tastes a lot like cream soda.

6/18/2017 - truenorth Likes this wine:

I'm not familiar with Tempranillo, but this was possibly the spiciest wine I've ever had. At $24 the QPR was OK but this is getting above my price level for experiments.

3/17/2017 - truenorth wrote:

Pleasant table wine, berry flavors, medium body. Reasonable if you can find this around $10.

11/6/2015 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Full-bodied, dry, balanced, medium finish.

5/26/2015 - truenorth Does not like this wine:

This style must appeal to some, but it seems too sweet and syrupy to me. I can't even drink it.

3/29/2015 - truenorth wrote:

Similar to previous reviews: crisp, delicate, well balanced some floral notes and a bit of mineralogy. Well made but given the reputation was hoping for a bit more, such as a more lingering finish.

2/19/2015 - truenorth wrote:

Medium body, interesting fruit and spice, not that integrated whatever that means. Reasonable value.

11/15/2014 - truenorth wrote:

Probably needs a few more years. Very dry, hardly any hint of sweetness. Still has a lot of tannins. It smoothed out a bit with several hours of decanting. Bouquet more enjoyable right now. Tasted cherries, sour cherries. I'm not that familiar with wines at this level but it seemed like there is a lot of structure and interesting flavors that will be more enjoyable as this wine opens up in the future. Medium body.

Postscript: left about one glass in the bottle at a friend's house. He said the next day it improved tremendously.

8/31/2014 - truenorth wrote:

Wonderful.

8/26/2014 - truenorth wrote:

Looking for a little more complexity or depth at this price (around $14).

7/13/2014 - truenorth wrote:

My shiraz girl liked it, but to me it seemed kind of dusty and heavy, oxidized quickly, OK but for $22 was expecting more nuance.

4/4/2014 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Wonderful bouquet, but less complex on the palate. Good, but slightly astringent aftertaste. Drink now.

12/20/2013 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Solid.

6/5/2013 - truenorth Likes this wine:

The cellar time might have helped. Medium body, dark fruit, berries, a little spice.

5/24/2013 - truenorth Likes this wine:

Smooth, ruby, medium weight, berries, very enjoyable. The cork broke and seemed flawed, so we were very pleasantly surprised.

9/21/2012 - truenorth wrote:

Tastes funny. Cork seems soft.

8/31/2012 - truenorth wrote:

Good balance, a bit of smoke, deep fruit, tannins, really enjoyed this bottle.

7/30/2012 - truenorth wrote:

At first seemed a bit austere, then opened up, good fruit, straightforward but well integrated, will try again in 2 years.

7/22/2012 - truenorth wrote:

corked :-(

6/5/2012 - truenorth wrote:

Very interesting. The flavors trick you into think it's going to be sweet, but it's not, which is good. Floral notes. Good pick from WineLibrary.

2/28/2012 - truenorth wrote:

Agree: "nice" "old world" "merlot touch". I did not pick up as much complexity as others.

12/17/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Interesting, a bit more restrained than expected. Well integrated, some peppery/vegetable taste, hint of bitterness on the finish that some at the table actually enjoyed, but not my preference.

12/6/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Thank you to Gary's Wine in Madison NJ for making the return very easy. Too bad, I was really looking forward to this.

8/5/2011 - truenorth wrote:

This is not a complex wine, but interesting enough, a bit chewy, and was very enjoyable, even after 2 days. I'm in favor. Good structure, dry without any hint of bitterness.

7/4/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Excellent balance. Fruit, berries, plum, hint of leather. Enjoyed along with a fine meal at Dora's in Clinton NJ. Lived up to Gary Vaynerchuk review.

6/11/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Seamless complexity and unending vinification, yes, but also a slightly sweet aftertaste. Held up nicely for 2 days when we finished it. Enjoyed the 2004 Parable even more.

5/10/2011 - truenorth wrote:

This did not bring much happiness. The "laser like focus" is not doing it. I don't understand what the excitement is supposed to be about. I enjoyed other Godellos but I wouldn't go out of my way for this.

4/19/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Much enjoyment. Serious style of winemaking.

4/16/2011 - truenorth wrote:

Balanced, good structure, though hints of sweetness and harshness detract slightly.