4/8/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

White Rhône-style White Blend; Viognier - 62% & Marsanne - 38%.
13.5% abv,- $12.

Served @ 12c/54f with Pacific Snapper, Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Rice. I try not to post multiple reviews for wines so as not to skew the ratings (nothing more disappointing than looking up a new wine - "Oh Boy," 91 points by 6 reviewers - only to find all the reviews are by the same individual).

Delightful pale yellow in the glass with a fragrant nose of stone fruit. Creamy, slightly waxy (typical of Marsanne) on the palate with a hint of sweetness. Actually a dry wine with the impression of sweet from the fruit. White Rhônes are a particularly good accompaniment to seafood and shellfish and I was glad to find this Australian blend at this price point. Surprising acidity results in a freshness and slightly mineral finish. Spouse-Endorsed.

2/21/2023 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Received a partial bottle
14.5% abv

Had a sip from a partial bottle received from my Oenophile neighbor. Another great wine from a California winery I'm not familiar with (Where Does he find these?). Wine was smooth, with a nice round mouth feel. An Elegant wine.

7/13/2021 - red freddy wrote:

Impulse Purchase @ Costco. 14.5% abv - $25

I don't believe I've ever tried a Nebbiolo wine so got this to accompany stuffed bell peppers purchased for dinner. I had been intrigued with Nebbiolo since reading the Barbera varietal (which I like) was considered inferior to Nebbiolo; with some regions devoting their better locations to Nebbiolo, relegating Barbera to lesser terrain.

Clear, sort of brownish garnet in the Glass. Initially Rose aroma on the nose along with hints of cherry & cocoa. Just a hint of sweetness on the palate, combined with spice, licorice and tart acidity. Light bodied (like a Pinot Noir) with prominent tannins leaving a fuzzy-tooth feel. Lingering, astringent finish. A little different palate and mouth feel than say, a Barbera. Aromatic & spicy, but neither I nor spouse found particularly 'savory;' At least not yet! Perhaps we just got a bad bottle, but tasters like 'Fractalage' know their stuff; when they believe the wine is too young suggesting several years more cellaring, I'll defer to them. Meanwhile, I'll just have to wait, and wonder; Where is the smoothness, the flavor, the roundness, until I get a chance to try Nebbiolo again?

6/29/2023 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse purchase @ Costco (2020)
13.5% abv, $24
Sangiovese - 90%; Merlot - 10%

Served following aeration and 4-hour decant, with Meat Lasagna, Garlic Bread & Salad.

The 1st bottle of this wine I opened (2020) was rather disappointing (I gave it 87 points). I had 'Popped & Poured' with no aeration or decanting. What a difference additional cellar time and decanting has made.
Lovely, clear garnet red on the pour and in the glass. Nose of Red fruit, predominately cherry and raspberry.
The first sip opened with a burst of flavor(s) on the palate; predominately cherry. Exceptionally smooth with a nice round, polished feel in the mouth. But Only After one experiences the initial burst of flavor do the tannins and acidity appear; coming to the fore with the characteristic 'Earthiness' and 'Rusticity' of the varietal; You Know, all the 'Usual Suspects,' like leather and tobacco, pencil lead, etc, along with earth notes, a little smoke and spice.

"SRH" commented on my prior tasting note (as well as commenting on tasting notes of others) providing more details on the "Ser Lapo" wine for me. Designated as the 'Sommelier' for his family's restaurant in San Diego (I only wish I knew which restaurant), "SRH' built the extensive knowledge of wines that he was so willing to share. Sadly, "SRH' has now passed-on; the Cellar Tracker community has lost a valuable resource and true friend. Here is to you "SRH" 🍷; This tasting note is dedicated to your memory. 🙏🏿

7/14/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse purchase @ Costco
14.5% abv - $13 (after $7 off)
Served slightly-chilled (66f) with Pork Chops over Orzo Pasta, sauteed Zucchini and Onion with Salad.

Clear ruby-red in the glass. Nose of Raspberry and red fruit on the nose, with more of a Cranberry and Cherry on the palate and some notes of Cola. Light to Medium Bodied with moderate acid, and subtle tannins. Pleasant lingering finish. Spouse Endorsed. Will buy more.

Wine compared well with a recently purchased 2017 Lucas and Lewellen Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara - Central Coast) in an informal side-by-side taste comparison. Both are legitimate 90 point contenders imho, and excellent examples of the California 'New-World' style of Pinot Noir; reminiscent of a Kosta Browne or Williams Selyem, but not quite yet the same league of excellence.

1/23/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Gift of Partial Bottle - 15.0% abv

Received a partial bottle from my Oenophile neighbor. Dark, but clear purple red on the pour, nose of red fruit. Lighter-bodied than I expected, but full-flavored; Blackberry, Boysenberry, and Bramble with spice notes. Ample acidity, nice tart lingering finish. Prime example of a California Zinfandel. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven!!!

4/14/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Gift of Partial Bottle - 2% Petite Verdot - 14.7% abv

Received (another) partial bottle from my Oenophile neighbor. We have a symbiotic relationship; I give him a 2020 Daou (Paso Robles) Cabernet Sauvignon (that he says he's been eying), and get a vintage rarity to sample in return. As I mentioned before, he is the only one in his household that inbibes, so will give me partial bottles to try (rather than let them oxidize and spoil). He has significantly upgraded my taste in wines (and cost), since I have been able to try such wines as Carlisle Zins, Hall (CA) Cabs, Williams-Selyem and Kosta Browne Pinots.

Dark Purplish Red on the pour. Red fruit on the nose (Cherry, Blackberry & Cassis) carrying over to the full-bodied palate. Intense flavor with a full, round, mouth-feel. Soft and supple tannins for exceptional smoothness. Moderate acidity, lovely, lingering finish. An Elegant wine.

2/20/2020 - TKM59 wrote:

Not as bold as I would like. OK for a 3rd glass

1/18/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whites, 8 Reds, & 6 *shared* bottles] from 01/17/20 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉

N: Vanilla SLIGHTLY atop RIPE berries with notes of spice

P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which works its way into & through the LONG, possibly very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with hints of swtness to the dusty tannins. A lean, almost austere style that may well blossom with cellaring through '22 (poss even longer), then EASILY making its 10th. 14% ABV; My EXC- with higher DISTINCTLY possible... eventually. [This vendor's $49.95 puts it in the TOP 1/3 of wine-searcher's currently somewhat limited postings.]

6/25/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Purchase @ Costco. 12.5% abv - $14.
Blend: 50% Sangiovese; 50% Prugnolo Gentile

First encountered at a Restaurant (2019 vintage), subsequently found @ Costco. Served several times, most recently with Stuffed Salmon and Basmati Rice with Caprese Salad.

Somewhat 'orange-ish' color in the glass with some 'zip' on the front. Wine was aromatic, crisp, properly acidic and refreshing. As with the 2019 vintage, there is not much left to say after 35 other reviews for the 2020 vintage. Delicious!

Always on the search for Good Rosés, this wine is among the best Rosés I have encountered. A legitimate 90 point contender. Spouse and Daughter Endorsed, I'll buy more.

6/5/2021 - cltean Likes this wine:

A lovely old world styled sauvignon blanc that paired nicely with grilled tuna. Light to medium bodied with crisp acidity, bright citrus and flinty minerality. It opens up with air in the glass. I think its an excellent value at $12 at Trader Joes. 14.2% alcohol. A nice wine for a 90 degree day.

5/2/2020 - red freddy wrote:

Opened and served with Spaghetti & Meatballs, along with a 2016 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG) in a comparison tasting.

Kirkland Italian Chianti ($10) - 86 pts
Clear Ruby Red in the glass, Cherries/blackberry on the nose. Medium Tannin with lingering somewhat astringent finish, but not quite as astringent as the Ser Lapo.

Ser Lapo Reserva ($24) - 87 points
Clear Ruby Red in the glass, Cherries on the nose carrying over to the palate. Light-bodied, seemed 'thinner,' but at the same time more earthy and astringent than the Kirkland.

Compared both Chianti's again with Spaghetti Bolognese. Both had smoothed out somewhat, but the Ser Lapo was just a little more astringent. While both were good, I wasn't sufficiently impressed to hurry on out to buy more of either, especially at $24 for the Ser Lapo.

There was quite a bit of sediment in the Ser Lapo, which is another reason to decant before drinking.

7/5/2021 - krhaugh Likes this wine:

Not much to say but Stupid Good! Almost 10 years old and drinking beautiful. Awesome Pinot from KB

8/6/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse purch @ Costco (re. recent wsj wine article on Pouilly-Fumé)
13.0% abv - $19

Opened to serve w/stuffed salmon & caprese salad. Originally served @ about 56f, a little too warm, yet minerality and zest came through and nonetheless a good accompaniment to the richer salmon. Subsequently sampled @ about 10c/50f.

Clear pale yellow in the glass. Enticing fragrant nose of white apple blossoms with just a hint of sweet honeysuckle. Crisp and lively minerality with green apple and citrus notes on the palate, but I was unable to discern any 'smokiness,' characteristic of some Pouilly-Fumés. Nice acidity, refreshing, pleasant tartness on the long finish. A legitimate 90 point contender. Spouse Endorsed, will buy more.

8/5/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Received partial bottle to try (yes, from same Oenophile friend who gave me samples of Williams Selyem Pinot Noir & Turley Zinfandel, all 90+ pts, to try). 2012, Where Does he get these? As mentioned before, he is single-handedly upgrading my appreciation of wines.

There isn't much left to say after 514 other tasting notes; But count me with the 'Stupid Good' crowd (i.e. KRHAUGH: "Not much to say but Stupid Good! Almost 10 years old and drinking beautiful. Awesome Pinot from KB"

Pinot Noir at its finest, Luscious, aromatic and, yes, robust but refined; right up there with Williams Selyem. But probably near the end of it's drinking window (perhaps depending on how well it has been stored); if I had any I'd be (happily) drinking-up!

6/15/2021 - Fractalage Likes this wine:

Excellent wine.
Too young.
Needs 10 more years, at least.
Even after a full decant from a slow oxed bottle opened 5 days ago it was big and burly, tight, but still held those Barolo finesse notes of roses. It was like chewing on a leather belt.
That last glass was delish, more mellow with plethora of herbs, tars and spices.
This is quality Barolo that is case worthy for this price. ($25 at Costco! Are you SERIOUS!)
In 10-20 years it will truly show off its stuff.
Buy 12 and revisit in 2027.

If you're like I, and you appreciate quality juice for its spiritual and healing powers, then this is one of those bottles. Luigi extracted some God essence in this wine.
One day, in the future science will come around to what is really going on with the leaves, sun, soil and biodynamic production.
Because of its purity I call this Temple Wine.

8/17/2020 - Les Raisins Du Aron Likes this wine:

If I were an optimist, I would think this wine might taste like a nice vintage Petrus. If I were a pessimist, like I should be here, I would think this would go down the sink.
Alas, this wine was very good for the price. It wasn't heavy or bold, but a nice sipping wine, with blackberry/blueberry notes. This one is a great midweek wine to enjoy.

6/25/2020 - Mike Kopanski wrote:

My first written review in 38 months, wow. Totally agree this is solid 86 point offering from Trader Joes. Starts off with a really deep golden color. The nose has ripe peach, honey, white flowers and lemon peel. Considerably thicker viscosity than most white wines. Rich, honeyed entry that is best when chilled. An overall impression of a little sweetness, that is capably countered with just enough acidity. Nice value for easy drinking, especially for Happy Hour.

8/7/2020 - rustyRudy Likes this wine:

Light orange in color, very nice balance of tangerine, mineral, pleasing tartness and refreshing cold or at cellar temperature.

8/4/2020 - pigdaddy wrote:

medium salmon/bronze; tangy, blood orange, leaner fruit, but by no means a lightweight. savory, requires food.

little 'stew' of grilled corn w/butterbeans & calabrian chile, poached egg & pecorino

6/6/2021 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine:

Red fruited nose with some crushed rocks and some herbs. Dry on the palate, savory, with good minerality and brighter than 2019. Acid is definitely good this vintage. Feels more balanced than last vintage. Had it against the popular AIX bottling and this was just as good. Very good QPR.

6/24/2021 - vang Likes this wine:

This was a real surprise. Served with friends and family and an assortment of food. It stopped conversations it was so unexpectedly good. Medium to full body with lots of ripe fruit on the nose and on pallet. Notes of raisins, ripe black cherries and smoky spices. Mellow tannin was well balanced with good acidity. Full mouth feel and medium long finish. It reminded me of a good Amorone, but without over powering boldness. An excellent will that everybody loved and were shocked that it only cost $17.00. I searched online for more this week and found more of the 2016 vintage for $14.75. I should have bought it all!

6/20/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 4 *shared* Bottles] from 06/19/20 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): "Récoltant is a collaboration of declassified barrels of premium Cabernet that didn’t quite fit into Le Pich or Purlieu. The final blend was stitched together from several celebrated regions throughout Napa Valley, & Julian Fayard made the wine with the same standards of excellence that he practices in all of his projects.”

N: Closed; Smoke, probably toast, atop ripe berries?

P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much irons itself out by the LONG, balanced, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with a TANGY/swtness to the relatively few, unoffensive, dusty tannins. For now with food, may improve through '21, then drink into, probably through, '25. My VG+/EXC- for this decently made wine, trending upwards for QPR (assuming one can find it heavily discounted) from this commonly pricey AVA [e.g. the winery's "sold out" $60 :( ]. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

6/19/2021 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:

What a fantastic Rosé! Great acids, minerality and enough fruit to keep you coming back for more. Speaking of which I'm going to go buy some more; it's that good at locally priced $17-20.

2/20/2021 - vinero Likes this wine:

Very smooth, ready to drink, sweet Verona red. Top recommendation for if you find the Amarone too much in price, power or alcohol.

6/24/2021 - red freddy wrote:

Impulse purch @ Costco - 14.8% abv - $11

Served after an hour decant with Stuffed Bell Peppers & coleslaw. Translucent Ruby-red in the glass. Cherry, raspberry and cranberry with a slight hint of alcohol on the nose. Cherry and cranberry on the palate, with hints of spice and pepper. Light to medium body, with subdued tannins. Seemed slightly harsh, like cedar or oak, and may benefit from cellar time to smooth and round out.

6/23/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse Purchase @ Costco. 13.5% abv - $15

Served @ 10c/50f with Pork Loin & Porcini Linguini. Pale yellow on the pour. Floral notes with hints of white flowers, green apple and honeydew on the nose, carrying over to the palate with notes of Pear. Dry but with a hint of sweetness. Light-bodied with ample acidity; nice round mouth feel. Medium to long, slightly mineral finish without any bitterness. Spouse Endorsed - will buy more.

5/30/2021 - df1962 wrote:

PnD let air for 3hrs.

Clear. Medium ruby.

Clean. Medium intensity with aromas of cedar cherry rosemary plum and cinnamon.

Dry. Medium alcohol. Medium acidity. Medium tannins. Medium body. Medium intensity with flavours of cherry sage and black tea.

Medium finish. Good. Drink now not suitable for further ageing. Angular and lacking depth and complexity. Disappointed.

6/11/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse Purchase @ Costco. 12.5% abv - $11
Served @ 10c/50f with Breaded Cod, Fries & Caprese salad. Pale yellow in the glass, citrus on the nose; lemon/lime with green apple prevalent. A little effervescent zip on the palate; lighter-bodied, fruity, yet crisp with prominent acidity refreshing the palate. Short to medium finish.

I had a bottle of 2018 Dobson Sonoma Coast (CA) Albariño ($15 – 90 Pts) that I had opened for an informal taste comparison. The color of the wine was the same, no differences were distinguishable. However, there seemed to be some stylistic differences, sort of like 'Old World' contrasted with 'New World' versions. The Dobson was not as astringent and seemed a little softer in comparison, with more prominent apricot and honeysuckle notes. There was no 'zip' apparent in the Dobson but it seemed a little smoother with a rounder feel in the mouth and had a nice, longer, minerally finish.

6/12/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Repeat Purchase @ Costco. 13.5% abv - $15
Pale yellow in the glass. Citrus, Lemon, and Honeysuckle on the nose. Apricot and green apple on the palate. Delightfully bright, wine is smooth with a well-rounded feel in the mouth. Crisp acidity is refreshing and cleanses the palate with a pleasant, lingering, minerally finish. A Hit! Spouse endorsed.
(Dobson Family Wines is a small vintner in NoCal; availability seems to be limited to 2 or 3 Costco's around SF Bay Area)

I did an informal taste comparison with a 2019 Bodegas As Laxas Albariño (12.5% abv - $11) I had opened previously. The color was the same, however, I thought there were some stylistic differences in an 'Old World' meets 'New World' sense. The Laxas did not have the Honeysuckle notes of the Dobson, but did have some effervescence (zip) apparent on the palate. The Laxas was a little more acidic. Crisp and Refreshing, with a little more astringent, but pleasant finish. The Laxas did not seem to have the 'roundness' or 'smooth' feeling in the mouth as the Dobson.

I had previously done a tasting note for a 2019 Compania de Vinos del Atlantico Alvarinho Sacrata (13.0% abv - $9). A nice wine but in comparison not as crisp as the Laxas with more salinity.

As far as the three Albariños, my hierarchy would be: Dobson (90 pts); Laxas (88 pts); and Sacrata (86 pts.)

4/28/2021 - Vinnut Likes this wine:

Medium-light salmon pink in color. Full, fragrant & aromatic nose of ripe fruit aromas of strawberries, cherries & a hint of orange peel with overtones of floral notes, some spices & minerals. Light bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, crisp, ripe fruit flavors of strawberries, raspberries & citrus notes with some spices & minerals. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present & is made for immediate consumption. A blend of 35% Grenache, 28% Carignan, 11% Syrah, 9% Tibouren, 7% Ugni Blanc, 4% Vermentino & 2% Mourvedre. Very good QPR for a enjoyable Summertime quaffer.

9/16/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote:

I'll join the passion that Neras posted in his previous note, too. The bottle for my note here was opened on Saturday morning, and it's now Monday afternoon. We had so much left that I have just been working through it the past few days. The bouquet on this stuff leaps out of the stem. Bramble, floral, reminding me of the aromas that come from a barrel sample, just a joy to take in. The palate starts with crisper red fruits like cranberry and maybe some black cherry, with the latter giving the wine a juicy note. And even after 2 full days open, there is structure remaining here, too. I really do like the Mancini vineyard and like the 2016 that wowed me last year for similar red fruits and structure with acid, the 2017 is not far off from that same profile, which tells me I need to keep buying it. Delicious wine.........ah hell, one more update. Day 5 and this stuff keeps going. This is the end of the bottle from this past Saturday and it's rounded out well. Still some light structure but mostly now just a beautiful, pure red/black fruit with a zippy acidity. Damn straight, one of the best Carlisle zins I have ever had, and I've been drinking them for 15 years now. Awesome wine.

8/13/2020 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Received this split as a gift and opened for a celebratory occasion. Not much left to say after 3,246 prior tasting notes except maybe LIKE. 89 Pts.

3/8/2017 - TannicBeast Likes this wine:

Tasted blind. Clear pale yellow, frothy petillage. The nose is clean and fresh with medium intensity golden apple and pear aromas. The palate is dry but with plenty of sweet, fresh apples, pears and crisp, ripe but bitter lemon on the finish. The acidity is medium to medium (+) while the alcohol is medium (-) at 11%. This, however, is consistent with the minimum requirements for a Prosecco Superiore. The clean, palate-cleansing, slightly bitter finish keeps the sweet fruit in check and keeps you coming back for more. Drink now, not intended for aging. Asolo Prosecco Superiore is a DOCG and is from a much better terroir than the regular Prosecco DOC or Venezie IGT.

3/17/2020 - Lyubomir Lefterov Likes this wine:

Disgorged 2016, colour evolved in golden yellow, the freshness is there, the elegance as well, there is a charm from bottle aging that the fresh bottles lack. Loved it.