4/29/2011 - Elkiholic wrote:

A bit of disappointment this time around. Solid fruit, but a stewed tomato/green cabbage nose came through. Combine that with a ton of sediment made for a less than stellar showing.

4/3/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Can't give final judgement as last 2 bottles were corked.

4/3/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Interesting tobaco and earth notes on the nose. Deep fruit and dark stones/asphalt on the palate. tannins were present, but not obtrusinve. Overal, I liked the package... a nice mix of the 02 and 03...

4/3/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Too hot on the finish for me to rate higher. Softness of fruit and nose was there, but the finish was a bit too warm for my liking.. even on day 2.

3/27/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Initial glass was all spice and tannins with fruit behind the scense. The wine meelowed some as the night progressed. Holding well.

3/5/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Solid wine, nice dark cherry, wild berry fruited nose. I picked up scorched earth and dark fruit on the finish. Nice wine overall.

3/3/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Ripe plums on the nose and palate. A bit more simple in construction vs. prervious years, but still a solid drink.

1/25/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Right in my malbec wheelhouse. This one will benefit from 6-12 months in the bottle.

1/25/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Just a beautiful cali cab. Still has several good years ahead as the primary fruit has pulled back some, but still rewards the palate with a well rounded flavor.

1/25/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Well balanced, somewhat feminine style cab (in a good way) that rewards those who appreciate subtlety with a complete package of fruit, spice, fine dusty tannins and an expressive nose.

1/22/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

This wine has truly blossomed into a lovely well balanced beauty. Howell Mnt fruit at the core. Well done TRB.

1/19/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Deftly balanced, gorgeous nose and a palate that showed how you can intermix fruit and acidity without doing too much of either. Well done. Cost of admission is up there, but will certainly purchase again, if given the chance.

1/4/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Nice richness and roundness to the palate with a rather intoxicating nose of strawberries and a touch of raspberry cotton candy. Palate was smooth and finish allowed for the slight bit of tannins to linger on the tongue.

1/4/2009 - Elkiholic wrote:

Making a solid comeback as it develops a nice leather/tobacco element to the nose. Solid mid-palate of classic Napa cassis and black cherries. Finish is rather brief, but doesn't detract from the overall experience.

12/27/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Dark fruit, rich palate. Solid fruit structure. A solid bottle of wine.

12/19/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

A little shy at the onset, but opened up nicely as the night progressed. Creme de Cassis and black raspberry dominate the nose and palate. Initial heat subsided to reveal that lovely Bressler silky mouthfeel. Overall, a solid effort.

12/6/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Nice wine... unique flavor profile. WIll reserve final judgement following 2nd bottle.

12/6/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Consistent performer. Nice overall package of fruit, acidity and a touch of tannin to finish it off.

11/5/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Consistent with the last bottle.

10/29/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Nice mix of red fruit, earth, graphite and eucalyptus. Certainly more Bordeaux in its approach, but the palate displays the fruit impact of Cali. Exceptionally smooth in the mouth with a rounded finish. I favor their straight cab franc, but this is a mighty good.

10/19/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Same note as before minus the warm finish and more subtle tannin structure.

9/29/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

I have not met a bottle of RM Pinot I didn't like. Strawberries and dried cranberries on the nose. Nice touch of candied rhubarb pie in the background. Rounded in the mouth with ample acidity to lift the palate and carry you to the lasting, somewhat firm finish. Nice overall presentation for the "entry" level RM pinot.

9/21/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Big, dark fruit, licorice and white pepper. Fun wine, but not for the faint of heart.

9/14/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Wonderful balance and nicely put together. The wine showed beautiful purity of fruit and mountain berry intensity. Decanted for 2 hours and it only began to strut its stuff. Dark fruit profile of blackberries, plums and a touch of blueberries. Secondary milk chocolate and herbal spice on the finish.

9/14/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

This needs 2-3 years to develop. Big, dry tannins and a tight nose/palate. NR

9/8/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

I didn't give this enough air as the final glass was the best of the evening. Nice nose of red fruit and rose petals. Silky in the mouth, the wine has a nice degree of balance and finishes with a lasting impression, with a touch of tannic grip. Will look to decant the next one to help it along.

9/7/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Superb wine. Complex, fruit filled nose. Gorgeous texture in the mouth that was soft, smooth, round, etc... Nice finish with a touch of tart cherry following the big currants on the palate.

9/7/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Similar impression as before. More "aggressive" in the mouth vs. the Altagracia I served with it. Very nice bottle, with good extraction and tons of fruit.

9/6/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Much better than previous. Similar up front fruit profile of blueberries and lilacs. Nice food friendly wine with a decent 20 second finish.

9/6/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Consistent with the previous bottle.

9/3/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Big, big, zin with a gobby fruit profile that centers of black raspberry liquor. Thick mouth feel with tons more fruit. A very extracted style and a bit of a departure from the SC zin we've been having. More in the Turley style of things, but still enjoyable.

8/28/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Needs time to open up, but when it does, it reveals a lovely fruit core soaked in maple sugar. What a neat combination... Will revisit in 6 months.

8/27/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Big, bold nose of vanilla, cherries, and chocolate milk shake. I always get a big snickers bar aspect to the palate of the HM cab. Nice thick, almost creamy mouthfeel that is packed with cherries, milk chocolate. Medium finish leaves a bit early for higher points. There's still some oak that needs to integrate, but certainly starting to show its stuff.

8/13/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

High octane grenache here... I think the alcohol needs to pipe down some (as it did at the end of the bottle). Super ripe strawberries and cinnamon stick abound on the nose and palate. Slight heat on the finish initially worked its way out by the end. Looks to need another 1-3 years of resting to really hit its stride.

8/13/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

What a knock out of a wine. Hides the 15.6% wonderfully behind a thick, weighty palate full of apricots and honey. The wine has such wonderful body, you'd think it was a red wine (if your eyes were closed). Certainly will look to expand my purchases next time around as we loved the blended white also.

8/10/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Can't keep my hands off these!!! Always a hit with BBQ pork ribs.

8/4/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

What a great wine. Big, fruit packed nose and palate. Milk chocolate creaminess that adds to a very smooth mouthfeel. Wlll have to order more next time around.

8/3/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Far too young.... Needs 1-2 years to shed its oak and come together. Last glass was by far its best, but still lacked the intensity of the South American versions....

7/31/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Step up from the 03 with much more of everything.. fruit, secondary flavors, tannins. Really sang after 2 hours of air. Two bottles.

7/16/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Right in my wheel house for elegant, pure pinot noir. Initial heat on the nose dissipated slowly over an hour to reveal lovely raspberries and spring flower scents; a touch of black tea and a hint of sassafras rounded out an intoxicating nose. Easy drinking wine that dances nicely in the mouth with a fair amount of acid lift. Flavors of raspberries, tangy grapefruit and black tea coat your palate. Finish lingers gently on your tongue for 15 + seconds and allows for a pleasant experience all around. Very nice 1st effort from the grapes that helped make others famous.... putting this one on an ever shrinking "buy again" list.

7/3/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Still rockin'. The wine has developed a touch more cedar on the nose along with a melted licorice note that is very interesting. Red fruit on the nose and palate still dominates with a very soft, rounded mouth feel. Finish even added a touch of milk chocolate. One of the better '03 Napa cabs I've tasted.

6/26/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Really nice wine with beautiful aromatics, silky mouth feel and nice bright acidity. Certainly on the dry side, but it lends to the wine's character. Pineapple, bread dough and ginger dominate.... After a night in the fridge re-corked, it lost its lively nature.

6/25/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Step up from the '04 with more depth of flavor and complexity. Nice dark fruit core with nuances of cocoa dust and cloves. Lively mouth feel with just enough acidity and tannins to keep the fruit balanced. Top QPR of the year in my book.

6/23/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Red Twizlers and Everclear on the nose nearly singed by nose hairs. Big jammy style was broad and fruit packed, but the alcohol on the nose was a bit much for me this time.

6/11/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Fruity nose of red cherries, loam and underbrush. Light to medium weight on the palate with marchiano cherries and rasberries on the palate. Short/Medium finish that was a bit astrigent. Not the best bang for the buck. Must remember to stick to the whites next time we head to the North Fork.

6/9/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Gotta love Howell Mnt. fruit when its done well. This wine fits the bill very nicely. Big wine with tons of dark fruit, nice use of oak to give you a vanilla/brown sugar/caramel thing. Nice palate attack of black current, cassis and a subtle wild blueberry twist. Tannins are slightly aggressive, but it helps to handle the fruit, so its surprisingly balanced. Very nice finish with a laser like beam of creme-de-cassis lasting for a solid 30 seconds. I chose the liquor influenced fruit aspect to the finish as its slightly warm from the alcohol, but not at all off putting. Well done TRB!

6/8/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Killer combo with my wife's BBQ baby back ribs. Notes are consistent with my previous entry.

6/5/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Consistent with the last note.

6/3/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

For the price range, I find this wine to be a decent overall quaffer. The nose is rather shy with some pixie stick sweetness to the fruit. That sweetness carries to the palate as your mouth is showered with fruit syrup (think blackberry/blueberry syrup) you would pour on pancakes. The finish is a bit short, but the mild tannins suggest this could improve with 6 months in the cellar. It needs to get passed its adolescent sweetness to garner further score appreciation in my book.

6/1/2008 - Elkiholic wrote:

Big cherry fruit, chocolate nose and palate. Nice and round mouthfeel with excellent balance. Touch of expresso bean on the finish. Pretty straight forward fruit bomb, but the Foley chocolate/Mocha thing helps to add complexity. Very nice overall.