6/7/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Straw-tinted, moderately deep yellow. The nose is tight, with some minerality, citrus, and more faintly, some syrupy apricot - though it smells rather dry on the whole, it smells like it has depth - not like a lightweight white.

Smooth entry with the heaviness suggested by the nose, and much more fruit, particularly that ripe apricot note that verges on cloying; it reminds me of dried apricots that have been soaked in brandy, or such. And yet at the same time, there's an odd weakness to this wine, like it's actually sherry that's been watered down . There's some sour lemon, but not in a particularly nice way, and it's not nearly enough acid to balance the heavy fruit on the attack and midpalate - it's more of a clashing note here, the lemony acid. The finish is the best part - moderately long, nicely zesty with a bit of spritz and some limestone minerality. Nonetheless, I find this wine remarkably flat -lacking in nuances and facets, nearly one dimensional on the whole. It's not undrinkable, but it's either past its peak or simply was never good, and reminds of cheap white wines, especially cheap chardonnay even though the flavour profile is very different - it's that same boring, too-heavy, and totally not what I look for in whites, which is either something light, bright, and refreshing or a bit weightier, sweeter, and bursting with fruit and other nuances.

5/28/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

A deep, ruby coloured, vibrant pink - definitely amongst the darkest rosés I've ever seen, but almost magenta, really BRIGHT, vividly hued. The nose is quite dry and has a lot of depth, and in a blind tasting I might even guess it were a light fruity red, like a pinot noir - lots of red berry fruit, especially strawberry candy, almost like Starburst chews, but with the dry astringency of tobacco and a hint of sweet clove spice. Lovely and complex, but a little tight even though I've had this bottle open far too long to be reviewing optimally. Gorgeous legs, relatively thick and long, too.

Velvety entry that tingles the tongue with a noticeable spritz; very smooth, and incredibly full bodied - again, this could almost pass for a Pinot Noir, certainly, it has more substantial body and mouthfeel than many PNs I've had, and more than probably any rosé I've had - and I drink a LOT of rosé. The initial flavours are sweet, ripe fruit, almost syrupy but not too much so - not cloying That strawberry really follows through, and it's really fragrant in my mouth, with almost floral overtones. Very evocative, like a perfectly ripe sunwarmed strawberry bursting in my mouth. But I get some raspberry now too, and I specifically get golden raspberry initially - which is sweeter, milder, less tangy relative to red raspberry. But those ripe berries dissipate quickly leading to a midpalate with fantastic acid to balance sweet fruitiness; a little mouth-puckering, really zesty and tart, but without being sour or sharp. The flavours change to cranberry, almost-ripe-red-raspberry that has that zinging quality, and the strawberry is barely there, and it's more like a strawberrry that's tinged with white and a little green - in fact, I almost get a bit of a leafy quality, like strawberry tops or rasperry leafs, but it's pleasant greenery, not vegetal. The incredible refreshing tartness of the midpalate and the lengthy finish of lemon and lime and green mandarin zest counterbalance the weight of this wine and its initial sweet lushness perfectly.

This would please both those who prefer red and those who prefer white alike; it has some of the the best qualities of each type and is dangerously downable. Drink slightly warmer than you'd typically drink a rosé (maybe 50 degrees or so) to better appreciate its depth and aromatics. My only quibble with this wine is also a point of interest; it's very layered. It has stages, it mixes juxtaposing qualities, and while that's fascinating, it also brings an aspect of chaos. A more seamless blending of the various aspects, a sense of unity, is what I find lacking. Still, outstanding wine especially for $9; 92-93 pts.

5/24/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Bright coral-tinged pink. Nose is dry with surprising depth - tobacco? like a cigar husk, suble, but there - and just-ripe red berries & cherries.

Gentle entry on the palate leads way to substantial, tongue-zinging acidity; now I get more cranberry and almost-ripe raspberry fruit with citrus zest and a little nectarine especially on the finish, which lingers noticeably and shows the return of that astringent tobacco paired with the zestiness of the citrus. Some heft to the body - this is not a girly rose by any means - but it's kept refreshing by the acidity. I would like a bit more fruit personally, and overall I just find this rather generic (as I have this producer's other offerings) - but it's a pleasant wine.

4/5/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Delicious varietally near-perfect wonderfully balanced deep yet intensely fruity and complex wine. Will review later in more depth. 90+

3/16/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Slightly brickish deep burgundy core that lightens noticeably towards the edges. Lovely, expressive, complex nose of dried fruit - prunes and raisins, with lots of bing cherry and a little cranberry. Some smoke, an almost balsamic intense vanilla note, and dark chocolate shavings. Lush!

Shockingly sour on the attack, wowza! Followed immediately by mouth-drying tannins - I can't imagine what these were like 5 years ago if they're still so substantial now. Though, they are softened in weight, but they're still very woody and drying. The vanilla comes through a bit on the mid-palate, but it's a brief flash - this is all attack and lengthy finish. A lot more of the cranberry, loads and loads of sour cherry mixed with that vanilla, and a finish that's very long and zesty (bergamot rind), almost like a white. Some gingersnaps on the finish, too. Lots going on here - really interesting, and even at this age it definitely still needs air, so I'll report back.

This really improves over time as it airs, starting at a solid 89 and working up to 90-91 pts. A very well-made & well-blended wine; great balance & structure with good fruit.

3/18/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Coral-salmon coloured. Slightly sour, tart, crisp nose with an underlying depth of flowers (magnolia?) and fruit (strawberry all the way, maybe wild strawberries).

Velvety smooth entry leads to muddled fruit - I can't really pick out individual notes, and they're not bright - I suspect this is a tad past its peak, age-wise. The strawberry still, maybe, and actually that creamy, rich magnolia floral note stands out the most to me here. The mid palate and finish remind me more of a white that's seen oak, almost Chardonnay-like - this has some substantial body and apple, pear, vanilla notes and a bit of citrus zest on the short finish.

Fine, but unexceptional and mostly uninteresting. I'm bumping its rating to what I think it would have been a year or two ago; now I'd rate it about 84-85.

3/15/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep violet-tinged garnet colour, lightening at edges. Expressive nose of violets, black cherry and pomegranate along with astringent, earthy and almost spicy tobacco.

Tart, slightly hot and sharp attack of not-quite-ripe raspberry leads to smoother dark fruits on the mid-palate along with some slightly rough (in a pleasantly rustic sort of way), substantial tannins. Loads of acidity keep this almost refreshing, though. The finish is dry, really showing the tobacco and a little oak and dirt. Solid.

3/10/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep coral/salmon pink. Lovely lush nose of rose petals, ripe red berries, and melon.

Surprisingly sweet - the nose does suggest sweetness, but not this much. Definitely off-dry to possibly even semi-sweet - significant RS. Much sweeter than I like my rosé.. There's some nice acid but not enough to balance the sweetness, and lots of ripe stonefruit - peach, cherry, - as well as candy strawberry and ripe, ripe melon. Some heft gives this wine good mouthfeel and body but makes it a bit cloying and less refreshing than I'd like. The finish is another surprise - quite long, zesty and mineral, marred by an apple juice aftertaste.

Too sweet and cloying after a few sips - I can't drink this.

3/5/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Light salmon colour. Tart, crisp, mineral nose. Reminds me of a white. Citrus, flowers and stone fruit.

Surprisingly sweet (off-dry) on the palate; very smooth with good mouthfeel and weight - not too thin. Some acidity keeps this bright but it's not at all sour or too-dry as many roses are. Maybe a hint of sparkle. Lots of strawberry fruit and and a little peach, which gives way to citrus zest and chalky stone on the reasonably long finish.

I like this style of rosé - light but not too dry or sharp.

2/28/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Dark violet-red core lightens out to burgundy on the edges. Slightly hot, rich, nose of smoked bacon, wood and clove. Deep, intense, and savoury.

Good fruit with plenty of acidity - a little sour, in fact, especially on the finish. Actually, the finish is shockingly bitter in an unpleasantly green/grassy way. Some blueberry and lots of brambly blackberry. Still fatty/gamey, almost salty. Mouth-drying tannins and solid oak. But the bitterness seems to dissipate after brief aeration - phew!

I really enjoy the intensely gamey and meaty qualities of this wine along with good fruit and acidity; this is not an overripe hollow mid-palate fruitbomb Syrah and I am very picky about Syrah! My roommate even thought it was a Petite Sirah based on its great tannins and fruit. Not as delicious as the 05 but still a great QPR.

2/16/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale nearly colourless straw-gold. Crisp, refreshing nose of stonefruit and minerals. Nice legs.

Bright citrusy attack with a hint of sparkle leads to a bit of peach but still heavy citrus on the midpalate, and a long, super-zesty and slightly mineral finish. Clean and varietally correct without the syrupy fruit of many CA whites, and light in feel despite a bit of heft to the body. Well-made and an excellent QPR. 84+

2/14/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Nice deep raspberry with a slightly coral tint to it. Nose is quite crisp and dry, rather like a white; some citrus and mineral notes, with a bit of light cherry and peach.

Very smooth on the palate; velvety! Amazing rich mouthfeel and body; luscious. Tart wild strawberries and ripe raspberries with a bit of mandarin and white pear; juicy, deep fruits without being too sweet or fruit-bomby - just great fruit. This tastes like it has *no* alcohol in it at all - that's how smooth it is. It reminds me quite a bit of Minute Maid Berry Punch, which I love, but more complex - though it's still a fairly simple wine. Lots of bright citrus; zesty lemon and lime peel on the finish with some wet stone and chalk, too. This goes down amazingly.

FYI, I decanted this for 2 days in my fridge. It was sour/harsh and I thought maybe even corked when I first opened it, but this has totally blossomed into an incredibly and dangerously enjoyable quaffer. For pure enjoyment it's in the 90s, but for actual structure and style it's more like mid 80s, so I'd give this 89+.

2/7/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep ruby colour, not opaque - dark, but not as dark as many a cab, on the lighter side visually. Nose it HOT, a bit oaky/cedary, with something savoury - gamey mushrooms or meat. A little cassis, but not much in the way of fruit - I'd say the nose is a little tight.

Quite tart on the attack, verging on sour, and a bit harsh - HOT, still. Sour cherry, red fruits, strawberry candy (i know, in a cab?), red cherry - this is actually kinda fruit-bomby, like a sangiovese blend. It reminds me a LOT of Woot's Emergency Holiday Provisions, but hotter, more acidic, and harsher and most importantly NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. Not a lot of tannins or body, and this is almost syrupy with noticeable (and to my palate unpleasant) sweetness. This is REALLY a cab? REALLY?

No finish, varietally wildly inaccurate, fruit-bomby, way too hot, no tannins…75?

2/9/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Popped & poured. Dark violet-tinged nearly opaque garnet colour. Nose of dark fruit - blackberry, Bing cherry, black plum, a little spicy wood, vanilla bean and even a hint of cocoa. Dark and lovely, but a little closed.

Smooth entry, but it's an iron hand in a velvet glove; rich almost jammy fruit, balsamic notes, chocolate and vanilla lead to substantial dry, woody, mouth-puckering tannins and bright acidity (blackberry!) on the mid palate. The most vanillic wine I've ever tasted! Good body, but the mouthfeel's a tad thin. Moderate finish of tart berries, balsamic vinegar, dark oak and dutched cocoa. Lovely! 90+

1/18/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale straw colour. Complex, deeply aromatic nose of guava, passionfruit and peaches, but not in an overly sweet way - this is still crisp and quite zesty and even a little mineral. Lovely!

Surprisingly rich, heavy (languid) and sweet on the 'attack'; almost syrupy fruit, with pleasant but not-quite-syrupy sweetness. This has quite bit of heft for a SB; substantial body and mouthfeel. Less tropical and less complex on the palate; peaches foremost, with slightly bitter lemon and lime pith and zest. Oddly, unpleasantly bitter from these last two on the start of the finish. The finish is shockingly long, very crisp, dry, and beautifully mineral. A wine with a lot of beautiful features but that doesn't quite come together optimally.

1/27/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep almost-opaque violet-tinged burgundy. Complex nose that is savoury (gamey/meaty), earthy, leathery - with some dark plum and blackberry fruit. Lovely!

Bright, tart attack shows excellent (and surprising) acidity; the dark fruit/berries are very juicy, and quite present without being jammy or fruit-bomby - the fruit and acidity reminds me a lot of Petite Sirah. Mid-palate is more characteristically Syrah, deep and earthy and woody, though not overoaked - it does have that bit of dullness in the middle that I find typical of Syrah. The finish is long and smooth but bright; little hits of black pepper and tart berries pop as the wine fades away.

I popped and poured. This has good tannins and structure, but it's not so intense that it really requires decanting, and I think it's drinking beautifully right now. 88-89 pts. I'll re-evaluate my rating when I drink the rest of the bottle in a couple of days.

1/21/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Dark violet-tinged garnet, very deep for a Merlot. Nice legs. Soft fruit - Bing cherry, black raspberry, and plum on the nose with a little earthy and astringent tobacco. Pleasant.

Smooth, bright entry - lots of lively acidity to balance the fruit - this is NOT a fruit bomb. Surprisingly bold and mouth-drying tannins - this is a wine with structure and balance and much more going on mid-palate than many merlots, though it's still a tad hollow. The fruit is more tart, less ripe on the palate than on the nose. Raspberry primarily and sour cherry, even a little red currant. Very red, tart berries. The finish is lengthy and dry, a bit woody, tobacco and cedar with an almost green edge - really interesting.

Great structure but I do like a bit more fruit in merlot personally, or I'd rate this REALLY highly. Still, a very well made wine, a merlot for cab drinkers. Not quite worth it for me QPR-wise but I'm glad I got to try this.

1/19/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale lemon yellow. Tart nose of zesty citrus with some almost buttery depth below and a little peach. Smells more like an unoaked chard to me than a SB.

Surprising attack! Sparkle, and an almost off-dry sweetness that's a little syrupy - lots of body to this, rich mouthfeel that's not cloying because that little sparkle keeps it refreshing. Still plenty of lemony acidity and a little pineapple fruit. Lengthy finish of lime peel and chalk. Great QPR!

10/5/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Woody nose. tobacco and blueberry. Dark. Tight and not fully opened - went through the Vinturi but definitely needs more decanting.

Surprisingly smooth - velvety! - on the palate, with that blueberry, some blackberry, a little black cherry - sort of tastes like a merlot-cab-PS blend but in a really good way, the best fruit notes of each varietal. Noticeable acidity, but not as much as I'd like, andIi find the tannins - while there - a bit soft. And then I feel like there's a bit of over-reliance on oak to make up for the lack of tannins, giving this a bit more of a cedar presence than I'd like.

Short finish with a hint allspice & anise on the end. Holds up well - I poured through my Vinturi decanted for an hour, then corked and left in fridge for 5 days and it's only a tad vinegary - still drinking quite well. Good QPR and expression of the varietal.

10/10/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Cedar and blackberry nose - almost smells a bit like a zin, but with more wood and darker. A little hot and a little spicy, and overall tight.

Shockingly light on the palate. The colour is the typical deep opaque violet of a PS, but the mouthfeel is more like a white wine. A bit of zesty acidity and blueberry that let me know there's some PS, but where are the tannins? Where's the depth and body? And where's the finish - 2 seconds of concord grape? Really?

1/8/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Rich, dark garnet - almost opaque. Nose of red roses, juicy red cherries, leather and clove. This is a vibrant, 'red' smelling wine. The strong flowers and fruit are grounded by the earthier/spicier notes

Velvety smooth entry of cherry jam and intense lush rose with an almost meaty fatness/richness to it - almost a bacon note, or buttery, and this mystery note coats the mouth in much the same way. The midpalate is brighter and lighter, showing properly acidic Sangio fruit - sour cherries and quince. The finish is even tarter, almost zesty, with a slight sour bitterness. This is also where the leather emerges forcefully, mingling with some good mouth-puckering tannins. The clove is there too, spicy but really more sweet-woody-deep. Decanting has really smoothed out the rough edges.

1/9/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale lemon yellow. Dry, tart nose - very crisp. Peach and citrus zest with a strong mineral undertone.

Excellent rich mouthfeel and very full bodied for such a dry, refreshing white. This has heft. Vibrant acidity and an almost hint of sparkle. Light peach, lemon (fruit, pith, and rind) and magnolia on the palate. Dry, zesty finish of good length that shows a touch of apricot and a bit of chalk. Very drinkable, great QPR.

1/6/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Popped & poured.

Beautiful dark deep burgundy tinged with violet. Dark berries and dark wood on the nose - but GOOD dark wood, mahogany!, not the Oak Monster.

Slightly acidic entry, in a good way. Blueberries galore with some secondary cassis & blackberry. On the mid-palate I get a teensy bit of greenness - like fresh green peppercorns, not bell pepper/grass. Interesting and not unpleasant. Pretty hot - this would benefit from decanting, I would bet. Short but smooth finish with the fruit holding on while the wood shows through with notes of deep tobacco.

I am not a fan of Cabernet Franc but I quite enjoyed this. Rich, well-structured style with great fruit.

12/20/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep peachy-pink coral colour. Crisp nose of ripe red raspberries, flowers, and minerals/crushed stone.

Very dry on the palate with an almost hint of sparkle. A little more tropical in terms of fruit - pineapple foremost followed by kiwi and then the raspberries, which are more tart and tangy here than on the nose. Zesty finish of citron and wet stone/chalk. Eminently drinkable and remarkable for how it balances the traditional dry, complex French style with a more fruit-forward, rich New World style. It bridges those two styles seamlessly.

12/23/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Cranberry juice coloured; the darkest rosé I've ever seen. Nose of red rose, ripe raspberry and strawberry, nectarine and plums.

Very smooth and velvety throughout the palate, though tarter than the nose suggests, with great acidity to balance the abundance of ripe fruits. Raspberry dominates followed by strawberry and plum. Still quite floral and the finish is long, clean, zesty and mineral - like a good dry white's finish. Refreshing but with good mouthfeel; substantial. Very much a rosé for red drinkers but with some excellent 'fresh' qualities. An absolute steal of a QPR.

1/1/2010 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep coral-pink colour. Nose of stewed fruits, port-like, brandied and sherried and somehow musty. Dank, overripe. I'm a bit scared.

Thankfully brighter on the palate, with zingy acidity (a little on the sour side, but not intolerably), and fruit that's less spoiled. Still not the sort of juicy fruit I look for in a rosé; this feels muted, old. It could have been improperly stored, though the screwcap showed no evidence of tampering, or it could simply be the varietal, which I've never had in rosé form. The alcohol is unfortunately quite noticeable, in fact, it seems far too boozy for 14% - like it's been spiked with (cheap) brandy.

This may in fact be undrinkable. Later: yeah, it is. Because I am not familiar enough with this varietal to gauge whether this wine is spoiled, I won't rate it officially - but if I had to give this points, ~75 pts would be about right.

12/31/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Extremely pale straw colour; one of the palest white wines I've ever seen. Nose of tropical fruit salad: lychee, mango, passionfruit. But there's some zesty citrus, a little bit of white peach, and some freesia more faintly. Very complex and aromatic nose.

All the promised fruit (especially passionfruit which dominates, followed by lychee) with excellent acidity and good structure and mouthfeel to back it up - this is vividly fruity yet still properly dry, and coats the mouth a bit more than the average SB. Not viscous, but wonderfully tangible. The finish is lengthy, showing off the citrus and substantial, almost chalky minerality - it's also super zesty. One of the best SBs I've ever had, I recommend drinking it by itself to fully appreciate it.

11/10/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Poured twice through the vinturi with filter in place - lots of sediment.

Opaque dark violet. Rich, deep nose. Blackberry, blueberry, black cherry brandy, violets, a little bit of pencil-shaving cedar and a little thyme. Really complex and lovely. Not hot at all - the alcohol doesn't show through.

Velvety, fruity entry gives way to mouth-drying tannins and lots of dry woody notes - like licking fresh-sawn logs. Plenty of acidity, but it's slightly off, a bit too sour. The fruit notes after the attack are now unripe, green, pithy, zesty. There's almost something medicinal and there are a lot more green notes overall, almost like some Cab Franc snuck in.

Mouthfeel and structure are substantial, and this wine is drinking pretty well now - it doesn't feel too young but would drink well for a few more years I'd bet. Finish is shockingly short and very drily woody, with maybe a bit of earth or clay in there.

I want some juiciness in a red, and I don't get any here. Further decanting didn't help either - even more of the fruit has faded, and it's bitter green sawdust (and rosemary?!). I would recommend AGAINST decanting. Tasting this wine was a very interesting experience, but it's not a wine that I'll want to drink again, or drink in quantity.

11/4/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Very dark ruby/maroon colour - a tad brickish. Hot, acidic nose with maybe a little oak and cherry cough syrup. Unpleasant nose, actually, and thin legs too.

Harsh on the attack, too. HOT and vinegary with some mouth-drying tannins but still a rather thin mouthfeel - odd, and not a good combination. Eucalyptus and still some fake cherry as well as plenty of oak. Finish is spicy (nutmeg, black pepper) and a bit short.

Not quite as bad as it sounds (it was certainly drinkable), but entirely unremarkable and I paid too much for how little it pleased me.

9/26/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep violet colour, dark but not as dark as some PS. Muted berry nose; overripe dark fruits, including blueberries. Velvety. A bit of...violet? It's a soft nose, but it's complex and lovely.

Tart, tannic attack - mouth-puckering. Loads and loads of acidity in this one, but it's very refreshing and leads to some solid but not superb tannic structure on the mid-palate. A bit hot - this decanted for an hour, but could use longer for sure. Blueberries, elderberries and raspberries - very extracted (but not jammy or punchy or fruit bomby) fruit.

Good QPR and expression of this varietal.

9/26/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep violet hue, almost opaque, but with maybe a hit of muddledness. Nose of dark tart fruits - cassis and a little blueberry. Also a bit hot, oaky, and a hint of clove.

Deceptively smooth entry on the palate of more rounded but still very tart fruit, followed swiftly by mouth-puckering acidity, solid tannins, and a significant (but bearable) oakiness. I fear the Oak Monster but he's behaving here. I decanted this for an hour after pouring it through my Vinturi, and then half the bottle was in the fridge, with the air removed, for 4 days. It's significantly better now than it was when I tried it first - so definitely decant extensively. This wine also really benefits from a proper 55-60 degree temp; the hotness, while noticeable, is tolerable at lower temps but bothersome when this wine is too warm.

Bodywise it's a little thin for my tastes, more like an Old World cab in that regard (to my palate) although it certainly has the New World fruit, though not at all in a fruit bomb or punchy way. This is fruit-forward, but in the best possible way for a wine of this level. The finish is a bit harsh (poorly integrated, a little acidic, sharp) and surprisingly brief, though there is lingering heat, that clove from the nose, and maybe a hint of white pepper.

Solid QPR but be sure to decant!

9/26/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Syrah-based rosé blend.

Deep, vivid pink, really more of a light red - I've seen Pinots this colour. Nose of ripe strawberry, white peach, and mineral/stone quality. Not too muted or too bright, though not especially aromatic either.

Lush, rich fruits on the attack; juicy, ripe red berries - strawberry ruling with a hint of raspberry and a little bit of tart red currant. Excellent full body and mouthfeel for a rose - not a light weight. So heavily fruity it's almost off-dry, but not quite. Despite the depth, there's noticeable sparkle on the medium-length finish which shows sour cherry and mineral notes. This starts off luscious and finishes crisply.

Could be a tad more acidic to counter the intense ripe fruit, but nonetheless a well-balanced and deliciously drinkable wine. 89-90 pts. Needless to say, incredible QPR.

8/30/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep peach colour. Crisp nose of red berries and citrus, with maybe a little apricot and a bright floral quality. Quite lovely.

Tart, zesty attack opens up to softer, fuller ripe fruits. A really striking contrast. Lime peel and 7-up (hint of sparkle) give way to apricot and strawberries, returning to acidity for the rather brief, slightly bitter finish. It would maybe be too sweet without the attack and finish, but it's still oddly conflicted. Nonetheless good QPR, very enjoyable, solid daily drinker and pairs well with food.

8/30/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Very deep, dark nose; intense. Cassis and oak with a hint of spice.

Refreshing acidity on the attack that follows through with a zesty, mouth-puckering finish. A bit hot and a little spicy (clove) on the lengthy finish. Plenty of dark fruit, black currant joined by blackberry - but this is not jammy, not at all. It's barely ripe, lush but still tart fruit. Smooth tannins - a little mild - more structure would be optimal.Much better (by at least 5 points) on the 3rd day and that's after 3 hours decanting!

8/17/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Slightly brickish dark garnet, a little on the light side for a Cab. Tart nose of red fruits. Raspberry, strawberry, sour cherry.

Bright and vivid with all the promised fruit - verging on fruit bomb. A good dose of acidity and some chalky tannins keeps the fruit in check, but barely. This could use much more structure. Mid-palate I get a bit of grassy bell pepper. A bit thin in mouthfeel and the finish is rather brief, though it shows the tannins and acidity more - a bit of licorice and wood, too.

Doesn't pair well with food, surprisingly - best to drink on its own.

8/17/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale straw colour. Tart, citrusy nose with a little syrupy-sweet stonefruit behind it, maybe white peach or apricot.

Surprisingly heavy and rich in mouthfeel quite sweet - off-dry - much sweeter than expected. Canned peaches, mostly in a good way. Finish is short and dryer, more zesty. I could do with more acidity and minerality, though, and this is a bit simple. I'm rather disappointed.

8/10/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Beautiful deep violet-red. Good clarity, very vivid, but definitely darker than the average PN. The purplish tint is stunning; full points for appearance. The nose is tart, almost sour, and earthy. Maybe a little shroomy funk? Zesty red fruit, a little bit of strawberry but mostly sour cherry. Slight tight, but very interesting & complex nose.

Velvety entry; this is an extremely smooth wine. Very fruity, almost punchy on the palate. Strawberry & raspberry galore, almost candied with noticeable but pleasant sweetness. It's almost off-dry, and perhaps very slightly sweeter than I like my reds...but, it's sort of fun. It's juicy, and there is lots of acidity here, though it hits after the berries. Sweet, intense, texturely-soft berries, then mouth-tingling almost citrusy acidity several seconds later. The zingy-zesty acid lingers lovingly on the palate and the earthy and shroomy funk return to round things out.

Paired wonderfully with my root vegetable, French lentil, hazelnut & lamb stew. 89+

8/6/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Clear lemon colour. Tart, mineral nose of citrus (lemon) and wet stone. Dry!

Oddly flat; it seems to skip over the front of my tongue and go straight to the back of my mouth. Still dry, but not as dry as I expected - less tart, and a bit dull in terms of acidity. Light but well-rounded mouthfeel - smooth. Simple but very pleasant to drink.

7/24/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Slightly brickish dark violet-burgundy. Smoky, meaty, gamey nose; also some 'funk'. A bit hot, and a little Portish/like fortified wine.

A little harsh and still like fortified wine; mouth-drying but smooth tannins and very little acidity. This definitely tastes over the hill to me. It reminds me of aged wines. It's not bad, but it's no longer in its prime. Flavours of raisin and bacon with a peppery finish. Very dry.

7/19/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Deep clear garnet with gorgeous long legs. Hot on the nose and a bit oaky, but with some darker tobacco and spice notes too, as well as a little violet and cassis below.

Jammy fruit hits first - blackberry and currant, brambly - with mouth-puckery acidity and tannins following just behind. Pleasantly astringent, with a little bitter-smoky tobacco on the midpalate. Finish is hot, but long and peppery.

It seems like it would benefit from decanting, but instead it becomes markedly more bitter, and eating food with it makes it undrinkable. :\

7/23/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Beautiful dark violet-hued garnet. Legs are a little thin. Nose is hot, a little woody - cedar chips. A little cassis and suggestion of blackberry, but the nose is still very tight despite 2 hours of decanting.

More fruit on the palate with a hefty dose of acidity; so tart it tingles on the tongue! Dark berries as suggested, though it's still not as fruity as many PSs. Still a bit hot, but bearably - the alcohol hits harder on the nose than on the palate. Less harshly woody and overall more smooth, with some nicely drying but rather subdued tannins. I don't see this being one for the cellar - it doesn't have the structure. I find this surprisingly light in body and mouthfeel, unfortunately.

7/18/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Dark garnet, clear, vivid. Dark berries, mushroom on the nose.

Very dry and floral, smooth - medium bodied but light in feel - it goes well with my Bison strip steak, and yet is light enough for a hot summer evening. Plenty of rather refreshing acidity. Long, spicy finish. Intriguing, well-balanced, and an excellent QPR.

7/10/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Had this at West End wine bar in Chapel Hill - a very tasty, rich Petit Verdot that should be even better in a few years.

7/4/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Tobacco, blackberry, dark fruit. Smells like an intense red grape - I'm reminded of PS & PV, in a very good way.

Dark berries: blackberry, blueberry. Medium bodied with excellent mouth-drying tannins & acidity. Very well balanced and drinkable while stilling being quite bold. An excellent QPR.

6/29/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Gold yellow - surprisingly dark and bright. Heavy, almost sherry-like nose, with a bit of dryness like a champagne - altogether odd.

Strong and dry on the palate; much more heft than the typical white, but not overoaked like a chard - still, it has a buttery richness like oaked chards tend to. Not how I like my whites, and overpriced IMO - though perfectly drinkable.

6/27/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Clear medium peach colour. The nose is rather sharp and hot; harsh/chemically with maybe a little citrus? Definitely not a rose to get for the nose, as this has almost NO nose.

Semi-sweet, in a syrupy sort of way. Lots of heft to the mouthfeel, which really coats the palate, and yet there's the faintest hint of sparkle on the finish that relieves the heaviness somewhat. Flavours of ripe red berries (strawberry and especially raspberry), with a strong apricot note and maybe something akin to mandarin - a sort of 'sweet orange fruit' vibe. Reminds me of Grolleau. Decent but not great acidity, with solid minerality on the finish, which is almost a little ...woody? Definitely interesting, but not a great QPR and I won't get it again.

6/27/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Very pale lemon-straw colour. Nose is tart, bright, acidic with muted fruit, - ripe white pear, and soft tropical floral note like plumeria.

Surprisingly sweet, off-dry to semi-sweet, with a lovely dose of sparkle and rich, languid mouthfeel - it really coats the mouth and keeps the finish (which is a little hot and grassy, as well as nicely mineral, with a vaguely spicy-dry hit like fresh ginger) long. I get some lychee, and soursop (!!!) maybe a little pineapple even, and still that plumeria note. Sweet, white, ripe tropical fruits. Unique and very pleasant. It's so well balanced despite the sweetness; complex but overly adorned.

6/20/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Pale straw colour. Crisp, fruity nose - peach, apricot, a little cantelope- rich, ripe fruits, with a mineral undertone and some freesia. A little sweet, almost syrupy, and extremely aromatic - I could sniff this wine all night long!

Off-dry, almost semi-sweet, with the suggested fruit bursting on the palate - the peach note explodes in particular - it's almost like canned peaches, in the best possible way. Vaguely desserty, with still that syrupy edge - but a hint of sparkle and mineral, limestone finish just barely keeps the sweetness in check.

It could do with a tad more minerality - I wish it were just a bit crisper - but it's a lovely wine and a fantastic QPR, great for easy summer drinking.

6/18/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Dark, nearly opaque violet-hued burgandy. Tobacco, spice, ripe dark fruits (blueberry, blackberry) on the nose, which is overall rich, intense, and a little smoky.

A little wood-chippy/cedarish/astringent, but still some of the berry notes. Loads of tobacco. Full-bodied, but not as strongly tannic as many PSs. Young, but not undeveloped. Clove on the nicely long finish. Good QPR.

6/18/2009 - fairnymph wrote:

Beautiful deep peachy pink. Nose of ripe fruit (plum, apricot), but with some tart berries too.

On the palate, there's an edge of sparkle. A little over the hill perhaps - the fruit is a bit port-like, overripe, but this is still tasty - an enjoyable mindless quaffer.