3/29/2012 - Reyman wrote:

Nicely integrated. Earthy cherry nose and a fruit forward style with enough acidity to keep everything in balance. Cherry and licorice on the palate--tannins are moderate. On the young side but drinking nicely. Good value for the $10-15 dollar price range.

1/6/2012 - Reyman wrote:

Rustic, dark and full bodied with raspberry, menthol, and earth on the nose and more of the same on the palate. Tannins are fairly pronounced, so this might mellow with age. Not a lot of subtlety here, but this wine is enjoyable for its enthusiasm and would probably pair well with grilled meats.

1/6/2012 - Reyman wrote:

Dry, earthy and brambly with good and balanced acidity. Nice cherry fruit. Nice by itself, but would pair well with grilled red meat. Great value at $10.00.

6/6/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Quite dry, with drying tannins that partially mask some nice cherry fruit. There are nice notes of fresh earth that dissipate slightly with time. I would anticipate that this will improve over the next few years and recommend decanting in the meantime. Probably at its best when paired with rustic Italian food.

6/3/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Not your average aussie Shiraz. Dark purple and viscous in appearance, I expected a typical fruit bomb. Blackberry, molasses and tar on the nose did little to change my mind. On the palate, this has the texture, but not the taste of a fruit bomb. This is quite dry with lots of acidity, and oddly lacking in fruit. There is definitely blackberry flavor, but the dryness and acidity seems to mask the fruit. There are also some odd medicinal (band aid) and oily notes. An interesting but ultimately unsatisfying bottle.

5/19/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Popped and poured. Starts with a hint of spritz and a few odd herbal notes which blew off fairly quickly. Lots of bramble and earth on the nose along with dark plum fruit. Smooth on the palate with mild to moderate tannins and lots more earth and plum and evergreen. Could use a bit more acidity, but otherwise a pretty good drink.

5/5/2009 - Reyman wrote:

No dirt, barnyard, blood or bacon on this one. This is all about smooth fruit, balanced with nice acidity. Cherry and black currant fruit predominates throughout with a good finish. A bit one dimensional, but it does what it does well. Very good value at $14.

5/1/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Day 1, very tannic and herbal--not so good. Day 2: Much better. Tart cherry fruit, nice acidity and plenty of earth and mineral notes. Score based on Day 2.

3/27/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Smooth and rich wine that is in its prime right now. Blackberry and ripe plum fruit with licorice and earthy notes. Tannins are integrated and finish is long. At less than 10 dollars, this is a fantastic value.

2/20/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Upon opening, the nose is equal parts vegetation (grass, asparagus, peas) and tropical (primarily passionfruit). The vegetable aspects dissipate with time but do not disappear. On the palate, intense pineapple, passionfruit and lime with mineral notes. This is by far the best NZ SB I have tried. It is basically dry, with pronounced but harmonious acidity. It does a great job of balancing the grassy and herbal flavors with tropical and citrus fruit. Great stuff.

2/19/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Grass, floral notes and peach on the nose with just a touch of cat pee as it warms up. Medium bodied, crisp and fairly dry, with mild acidity. On the palate, the peach and grassy notes predominate. Overall, a pleasant, easy drinking wine.

2/19/2009 - Reyman wrote:

This does not show varietal characteristics. If I tasted blind, I would have guessed off-dry riesling. This has a muted floral/grapefruit nose with pear and grapefruit on the palate. There is some sweetness which seems particularly out of place for a SB. There is nothing overtly offensive about this wine--it is just non-descript and does not taste at all like a SB.

2/18/2009 - Reyman wrote:

A good, vibrant rose, but it lacks the strawberry and watermelon intensity of the 2007. Still dry and nicely balanced acidity. Maybe it is the time of year, it is a bit early to be drinking rose--will try again when it gets warmer.

2/18/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Opened up nicely after an hour or so in the decanter. Blackberry, plum, pepper and a bit of heat on the nose. Cherry, plum and a touch of chocolate on the palate. The fruit, acidity and tannins are nicely balanced and there is a spicy and peppery element that runs through it. This is quite good now and would probably get better over the next year or two.

1/28/2009 - Reyman wrote:

This is unoaked, so it is very clean and simple (in a good way). Light bodied with good acidity and crisp apple and pear fruit. Was not really expecting to like a wine in this price range, so this is a pleasant surprise.

1/20/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Sweet soft cherry fruit and no tannins, acidity or complexity. High alcohol (15.5%) + sugar = major headache. Not a good deal, even at $8.00.

1/19/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Drank several nights ago, so I don't have detailed notes, but I remember quite well this intense, tart and dry CB. Pale straw color with a touch of green. Green apple, some pear and serious rocky minerality. Strong but pleasant acidity and there is an undercurrant of coconut that I am guessing is attributable to oak. By far the most interesting CB I have ever tried, this is one that I am guessing would improve with age.

1/11/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Color is ruby with a touch of brick. Nice cherry nose with a touch of earth. On the palate, red cherry, red currant, pepper and dusty earth. Not as tannic or as intense as I was expecting, my hunch is this is one to drink relatively soon.

1/9/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Ripe black cherry and blackberry with nice notes of vanilla and toast. Fruity, but under control. A good value.

1/9/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Although designated "demi sec" this is more dry than off dry. Very nice green apple, pineapple and mineral notes. This is full-bodied with beautiful golden color with just the right amount of acidity. A very interesting and enjoyable Chenin Blanc.

1/4/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Nice lime, grass and grapefruit on the nose. Similar flavors on palate along with mineral notes. This is somewhat similar to NZ SBs but it has greater subtlety and depth and a bit more richness and less acidity. A very nice bottle, good on its own or with food.

1/3/2009 - Reyman wrote:

This is definitely a Shiraz, but quite good if you like that sort of thing. Big nose of dark cherry fruit along with pepper and sandalwood. Initially on the palate the cherry fruit and earth/incense elements vie for supremacy. After awhile in the glass the fruit predominates. There is just enough acidity keep things lively. Good long finish. This is very good but not to be confused with CdP.

1/3/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Smooth and rich cherry and black plum fruit with a bit of earth and pepper--this has a lightness and subtlety to it that keeps the fruit from feeling overpowering. Very nice and food friendly.

1/3/2009 - Reyman wrote:

Unusual example of an aged Muscadet. Tart, very dry and lots of limestone/mineral notes as one would expect. The age definitely has not done any harm--the wine still tastes bright and fresh but it has an underlying depth and smoothness that you might not find in a younger wine. Would pair great with shellfish.

12/28/2008 - Reyman wrote:

A nice opportunity to try an unusual varietal. This wine is absolutely bursting with cherry fruit along with an appealing underlying earthiness. Dry with good acidity and noticeable tannins which I imagine will smooth out in a few more years.

12/28/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Toast, green apple and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Rich and elegant on the palate with nice pear, apple and citrus fruit. A great domestic sparkling wine.

12/28/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Very elegant and dry with a nice, stony minerality along with notes of pear and apple. This has aged nicely and seems ready to me.

12/28/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Nice balanced viognier with good acidity and pear, citrus and mineral notes. A very nice deal at $10.

11/19/2008 - Reyman wrote:

This is a very nice Gewurztraminer. Very floral on the nose with hints of pear, peach and spice on the nose. Fairly dry with just the right amount of acidity on the palate. More pear and spice on the palate along with very pleasing mineral notes. It works well by itself and would pair well with a variety of foods, and not just the types of spicy food that Gewurztraminer is typically paired with.

11/19/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Received as a gift--a pleasant Pinot Gris, but not a good value at $20.

11/14/2008 - Reyman wrote:

We liked it. Rich and nutty with a basically dry finish.

11/14/2008 - Reyman wrote:

This was good. Full bodied for a Montepulciano D'Abruzzo with very nice cherry flavors a touch of earth and cinnamon and clove spice. Definitely better with food.

11/14/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Very earthy nose with blackberry notes and a hint of menthol. On the palate, medium body with cherry/blackberry fruit and a hint of sweetness. Moderate acidity keeps it in balance--this was fruit forward, but not what I would call a bomb. Smooth and enjoyable.

11/9/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Nice crisp lime and apricot notes with ample minerality.

11/4/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Drank on election night--tasted a bit sweeter than I was expecting. It has a nice toasty richness and a touch of coconut on the palate, along with apple and pear. This is one of the better values I have come across for sparkling wine.

11/6/2008 - Reyman wrote:

A little bit grassy and herbal on the nose along with quite a bit of citrus (lime), green apple and mineral notes. On the palate, the type of great acidity you would expect from a GV, along with more lime and green apple. I am thinking this is a good option for warm weather and it would pair really well with shellfish.

11/6/2008 - Reyman wrote:

To me, Carmenere is a good, affordable "every day" wine. This one is a great example--nice blackberry and currant on the nose along with a touch of menthol and earth. On the palate, more berries and earth and the right level of acidity and mild tannins to balance things out. It is good with food too.

10/21/2008 - Reyman wrote:

This wine has great promise in about two to three years. Even now it has a complex nose with licorice, menthol and hints of currant. On the palate, medium bodied with good intensity and smoke, earth and black currant. Maybe even a touch of bacon. I will show more discipline with my remaining five bottles.

10/21/2008 - Reyman wrote:

To me, this was quite fruit forward with a bit of chocolate and without much else. It struck me as pleasant, but a bit one dimensional, especially for the price.

10/21/2008 - Reyman wrote:

High alcohol and fruit-forward--makes me think Australia before I think of Merlot. I found this on clearance for $15. If you can get it for that and like the "hedonistic" style, it is a good deal.

10/21/2008 - Reyman wrote:

I have always thought of Torrontes as a fun and inexpensive varietal suitable for casual consumption. This wine is by far the best Torrontes I have tried and for me it elevates it to a new level. The nose is very powerful with peach and intense floral notes. Quite dry on the palate with less acidity than I would have expected. More floral notes on the palate (orange blossom and jasmine), also peach with stony minerality. I hate to sound hyperbolic, but at $12 a bottle, this is one of the best deals I have ever found. Ordered it through Garagiste, so I don't know if it is otherwise available.

10/9/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Raspberry, cherry and a bit of earth on the nose. On the palate, this wine has balanced acidity and nice concentration. Intense cherry fruit with lots of chocolate and a bit of alcohol burn. At a price point of $12, this is a very good value.

10/9/2008 - Reyman wrote:

My impressions are consistent with many of the previous notes. There are not, in my view, a lot of good domestic Chenin Blancs out there, but this is a nice everyday type of option. Perhaps the 20% Viognier adds complexity, but I found myself liking this unique blend. There is nothing particularly complex about this wine--it just has very nice peach and green apple notes on the nose and palate. I agree with the assessment that this is very slightly off-dry.

10/7/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Vibrant red, almost magenta color. This wine smells of sour cherry mixed with a bit of pine. Bright and energetic on the palate with flavors of cherry, cranberry and a bit of earth. Light but very tasty--very easy and enjoyable drinking.

9/15/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Balanced with floral and peach notes and nice acidity. Good stuff for the price.

9/15/2008 - Reyman wrote:

I can handle some funk, but there is more than a hint of cat pee, and that got to me.

9/9/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Light crisp and enjoyable verdejo. Not a whole lot on the nose, but nice peach and green apple with mineral notes on the palate. Clean and food friendly, this is quite good for the price.

9/9/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Most Torrontes is light, relatively dry with fruit and floral components. This wine caught me by surprise because it has concentrated fruit (apricot, peach and a bit of lemon) with more body than I would have expected. It also had a touch more sweetness than I would have expected (though not enough to call it off-dry). Tastes quite ripe--not exactly what I would think of as a summer sipping wine, but good nonetheless and a very reasonable price.

9/5/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Lush with noticeable oak on the nose and palate. Blackberry and currant on the nose and palate with mocha on the finish and just enough acidity. A good effort.

9/3/2008 - Reyman wrote:

Black cherry and bramble on the nose. More cherry on the palate along with black olive, smoke, a bit of tar and meat. Very assertive now, I could easily see this becoming more refined with time, but it drinks nicely. One of the best bottles I have had in the $11 range in a long time.