3/28/2024 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Typical Cupole - intense but not a lot of fun. Cab Franc comes through as a bit of green, along with prominent acidity. Dark, med + body, high acidity, high intensity, med - fruit. Not as round as the 2018. Giving it a 90 - 91 for intensity, 89 for enjoyment

3/22/2024 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Elegant BdM that is ready to drink. Soft and round, yet elegant and medium bodied. The warm vintage shows in the softness, low acidity and fully resolved tannins. The opposite of a blockbuster - an easy to drink BdM at full maturity. May last longer, but with the low acidity and tannins drink sooner rather than later.

2/19/2024 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Color is a dark honey, almost caramel. Still alive and vibrant, everyone liked it and it went well with a pear tart dessert. Drink sooner rather than later.

2/9/2024 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Lots of oak on PnP, much better after 2 hours in the decanter. A very good wine, clearly old world, on the darker side with good acidity, but little hints that this was a Cote Rotie. So not a bad thing - it was a very good wine - but interesting as none of us could place it.

12/26/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

This bottle was very mature, almost port like. Lots of very fine sediment, decant carefully

11/30/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

On PnP, one of the lightest red colors I have seen - almost a rose color. Initial taste confirmed previous comments - quite light, but with an added tertiarty note in the nose that was concerning. After an hour - what a change! The flavor had filled out and rounded. Tertiary notes quite prominent, far more then expected in an 8 year old wine. But after an hour of air, it all came together in a very interesting wine with the tertiary notes adding so much complexity to this elegant wine fillied with flavors. Far more mature than expected, I would drink sooner rather than later. 86 on PnP, 91 at the end of the evening.

9/14/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Drinking wonderfully with a one hour decant, with lots of life left.

8/29/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Much better than my last bottle 2 years ago. A hint of tertiary flavors gives this much more interest than before. Time to start drinking this.

6/14/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Dark garnet, showing little age. Nice nose, dark, oak, spice. A big wine on the palate, very dark, very extracted, lots of oak and tannin still present. Much more structured than I was expecting, this would be good with food now but was a bit severe to be drunk on its own. Hopefully they have moved towards a more elegant, less extracted approach with more recent vintages.

6/6/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Tremedous fruit with that Cult body and creaminess, along with a coconut wrapping of oak. So delicous, I cannot see anyone not liking this wine. With my old world palate, I liked and appeciated this wine (as my score reflects) but not my favorite style. Everyone else loved it, and it was a great match with the grilled steaks at dinner. Tannins fully resolved, lots of fruit with minimal tertiary notes - I think this is drinking perfectly at this point and no reason to hold much longer.

6/6/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Garnet with a hint of brick at the rim. Mature nose with baked tones. Palate is fully mature with some oxidized tones (perhaps some heat in transit?). Medium + body, medium acidity (medium- for Tuscan). 2011 was a warm year, not sure if this was a representative bottle (in which case, drink up soon) or a slightly flawed (heat baked) bottle. Still enjoyable, but not what we were hoping for.

5/12/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Beautifully mature BdM. 5 years ago, this was bright and cherry filled. Tonight, the acidity and cherries were still there, but added tertiary notes added a touch of darkness and roundness. This may well improve but drinking wonderfully now.

3/24/2023 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Ben - I agree, if I focus on it there may be a touch of smoke taint on the finish. But it is so small I am not sure if it a negative or a bit of complexity.

Overall, this is a perfect choice if not sure if a white or red would be best - with so much much more enjoyment factor than a typical rose.

9/25/2022 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

I consistently find this wine drinks much better at age 10, when hints of tertiary flavors start to develop to complement the strawberry fruit. This bottle had threw a lot of sediment, so decant or careful on the last glass pour.

7/18/2022 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Flawed? Finish is sour and vinegary, suggesting VA. Did not see any other notes suggesting VA, but my wife could not drink at all and I gave up after one glass.

3/9/2022 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Story of two wines. On PnP it was light and not showing much - disappointing (similar to my last bottle in 2018). After 2 hours, a different wine - it had opened, softened, and expanded into fine elegant Barbaresco. Nothing exceptional, but better than I was expecting.

1/15/2022 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Much much better than my first bottle in 2018. One hour decant. Clearly a Bdx on the nose and palate, with surprising tertiary character already present. Medium body. Threw a very fine sediment, decant carefully. Good acidity and a hint of tannins on the finish, so can drink or hold. This is soo much more complex now - well worth the wait!

1/8/2022 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Many Tuscan cabernets taste of Tuscany first with hints of Cab, while this sings of Cabernet first, then adds Tuscan acidity and earth on top. I've been drinking a few classified Bdx recently, and this reminds me of them but a bit more rustic (and half the price). Still some tannin, could use a few more years or a longer decant (this note after only 1 hour). I love this style of dark, intense, earthy, dry and medium bodied wine (and my wife does not enjoy it at all....). My only 2013, looking forward to trying the 2016 in a few years.

12/16/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Drinking great after about 15 minutes and over 2 hours, then fading after three hours. Suggests time to drink up!

10/14/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

This wine is phenomenal! I was raised on Bordeaux (a long time ago), and this wine has all the complexity of a classified growth (say St. Julien) with California fruit gently layered on top. Much more medium bodied than Napa, and the 15 years of cellaring has added just the right amount of tertiary flavors (for me). If you like fruit drink up, and if you appreciate tertiary flavors like forest floor, this could hold at least 10 more years as the fruit is still present and the acidity is very well balanced. I love Napa cabs, but I usually drink them younger than Bordeaux (within 10 years typically) as I find the big fruit and tertiary flavors can compete - but this wine is more like old world as far as aging. Drank well on PnP, very well after an hour decant, and was still going strong with no signs of fading after 3 hours in the last glass. No significant tannins or oak present and a the touch of tertiary flavors add complexity, so this is drinking perfectly now for me. Enjoy!

7/8/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Light bricking at the rim. Classic chianti nose, with that bitter sour cherry thing going on. On the palate, elegant and very easy to drink. Medium body at most, a bit rounder than expected due to 2015 heat and/or Felsina style, with adequate acidity. With the bouquet and softness, I find this fully ready to enjoy after only a 30 minute decant. Nothing extraordinary, but exactly what I want in a <$20 chianti.

3/28/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Rich and full, with a hint of tertiary nuances. Fully ready to drink, I would drink this sooner than later.

2/20/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Unique nose for Napa - a touch of menthol? - that hints at Bordeaux and is certainly not valley floor. Tasting gives the same - medium body (for Napa), dark intensity in a medium body. I could quibble that the mid palate is a bit hollow and the finish just a touch short - but instead I prefer to focus on how much I enjoy this wine. If this was $35/bottle, I would drink cases of this. At $50 lots of interesting competition, including Super Tuscan, but regardless I really enjoy this wine! Ready to drink after a 2 hour decant, but will hold for many years.

2/6/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

I pulled this from my cool cellar, and it was firing on all cylinders - no hint of being over the hill (but ready to drink). It was lush and full for PN, with just barely adequate acidity to balance. Almost like drinking cherry candy with a hint of cranberry. Certainly not Burgundy, but still delicious in its own way. Not my style, but my wife loved it!

1/27/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Textbook CdP in a medium bodied (for CdP) format at 14.5%. Classic spice and fruit on the nose, with a hint of maturity. Similar on the palate, with a beam of raspberry fruit cutting through the spice and hint of maturity. While the fruit and acidity suggests this will hold a few years longer, I would suggest drinking soon. Threw a bit of sediment. Last of my 2010s, can't wait to try the 2015s in the cellar.

1/15/2021 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Brett

12/30/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Dark with good intensity. Tertiary flavors starting to peak through. I always question aging these full rich fruit filled wine, as the tertiary flavors do not always mesh with the fruitiness. I love my 10+ year old Bordeaux and Barolo, but full rich wines like this I think I prefer a bit younger than this, perhaps 5 years after the vintage.

12/19/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Lean, intense and green. Not for everyone (wife and son preferred the Hall Merlot), but I love this style. Classic cool vintage Tuscan red, with some Cab Franc green notes to add interest (or detract, depending on your palate).

11/18/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Initially closed and not impressive on PnP, with limited nose and tight. Decanted and started to open after 2 hours, and was much better at 4 hours. An elegant St Julien that initially went better with dinner, but after more time was quite good on its own.

10/23/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Interesting and delicious. Old world medium body with new world fruit profile. Good acidity and tannins resolved. Ready to drink after a 1 hour decant, but should last and improve with more cellar time.

10/23/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Interesting and delicious. Old world medium body with new world fruit profile. Good acidity and tannins resolved. Ready to drink after a 1 hour decant, but should last and improve with more cellar time.

9/24/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

This was not impressive at all on PnP. After an hour, it evolved into a tasty , dark, yummy if not complex Cab. Tannins fully resolved, no reason to wait. This doesn't stack up to most Napa Cabs, but at half the price it is a very good QPR. 89 - 90 pts.

8/26/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Rich, a bit roasted (some of it oak), soft, with a touch of acidity. Very long lingering finish. Went really well with our steaks. Tannins fully resolved. Decanted for one hour, I would drink sooner rather than later as this bottle was soft and ready to drink.

8/16/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Agree with SLYWKA7's notes, especially that this veers more towards CA. For the first hour I would have guess this as Santa Rita Hills. At three hours, it had faded a bit and was perhaps more Oregonian, but not as enjoyable. Had with Ahi Tuna steaks and was a perfect match. So I recommend drinking now and enjoying it for what it is - a relatively big and fruity Oregon pinot that is delicious and ready to drink.

8/14/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Nose was subdued. Fruit really started to come through the earth and acidity after a 2 hour decant. Ready to drink now with a long decant, or will last quite a while longer as has good acidity and structure. Lots of sediment so pour with care.

8/7/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Needed on hour decant and then drank well in a structured way. So can drink now but I will hold my last bottle a few more years and see where this goes.

7/26/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Finishes just a touch short for a 90, but really a nice wine. Medium body, very dry but tannins in check. Went really well with lamb chops, too dry for Sherry to drink alone.

6/2/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

A bright and herbal cool climate Syrah. Like a N. Rhone - not with the complexity of Hermitage or Cote Rotie, but more like a St. Joseph or Croze Hermitage.

5/15/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

A classic example of Pinot Syrah. A plump, soft, lush and fruity wine with little to no pinot noir character. I served it blind to friends and they all loved it - and were shocked to hear it was a Pinot. So serve it for what it is - a crowd pleasing cocktail wine. Don't serve it if you are looking for a RRV PN.

5/2/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Strong tertiary notes on nose and initial palate detracted from the vivid fruit on the finish. This was clearly on its downward slide and I held it too long before drinking - drink up!

4/11/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Lush merlot fruit, and now some tertiary funk coming through - which does not work out as well as hoped. I would recommend drinking up now while the fruit is still in the forefront.

3/25/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Amazing what bottle age will do. I gave my first two bottles, drunk ~3years ago, consistent reviews - bright, light, and a bit boring. A bit of tertiary notes are now starting to peak through, adding considerable complexity. This is my last bottle of 2010 (lot 13-074), and I will now keep my 2012 until 2022 before trying.

1/5/2020 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

drinking very well after a 2 hour decant. Soft and easy to drink. Perhaps a bit simple, but a very good match to the chicken dish we had with dinner.

12/31/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Agree with Zinnful, this is as close to left bank Bordeaux as you can get in Napa - with that extra Napa fruit. Decanted for an hour and was open enough - nose was dark fruit and spice, palate was medium body (for Napa), dark and complex - Bordeaux like with a touch of Napa mountain fruit and structure. Drinking well now after a decant, but I feel like this could age and improve for many years.

12/28/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Much more approachable than my bottle a year ago. Now has CdP character in a medium body format

12/15/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

A big rich style, even for Siduri. Fruit forward and a crowd pleaser, but lacking in Pinot character.

11/24/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Typical NZ SB nose. On the palate, an intensely bright wine. I enjoy it and find it refreshing, others found it too lemony and couldn't drink.

11/24/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Drinking wonderfully after a 1 hour decant. Faded a bit at 4 hours, so likely best to drink up in the near future.

10/30/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

1 hour decant gives a wine that is smooth yet bright. Clearly new world, yet the acidity keeps it lively and helps hides the 14,8% alcohol. Ready to drink but should be fine for a few more years.

10/23/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote:

Still drinking wonderfully, with big and lush fruit. No reason to hold, ready to enjoy.