2/23/2024 - jwilliams6 wrote:

This thing is done. Not much left to it flavor-wise. Drink or dump.

2/3/2024 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Drink this now. It's so good. Will it get better? Who cares, drink it now. Fruit is fading to the background, earth, pepper, spice, herbs, and rose dominate. Well-balanced and textured with medium tannins and medium+ acid remaining. The 2010s continue to impress. Drink it!

11/26/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale purple. Strong nose of red and violet flowers, potpourri, cherry, cranberry, and licorice. Some dried leaves and spice. Slight pepper. On the palate, red fruit and spice dominate. Wet stone, clay, leaves, and some oak on the finish. Well balanced, nice acid-driven finish. Enjoyable.

11/26/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Beautiful rich yellow color. Nose of candied lemon and mandarin oranges. Hay. Wet stone. Petrol. Sweet flowers, honeysuckle. The palate is rich but balanced. Sweetness is immediate but tapers off as fruit and stone flavors come forward, finishing with a lingering acidity. Very good wine that could age another 5-10 years.

10/29/2023 - jwilliams6 Does not like this wine:

Not balanced, not interesting.

9/8/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Medium ruby. On the nose, red cherry, spice, plum, tomato sauce. Pepper, oregano. Balsamic vinegar. Leaves, earth. Cocoa and some baking spices. On the palate, tart red fruit, green leaves, soil, savory spices. High acid, medium body and tannin, med+ alcohol. Overall, light and clean. Not overly complex. Enjoyable but not memorable.

9/6/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep purple with moderate extraction and heavy tearing. Rich and jammy blackberry, black plum, cherry. Exotic spices, licorice. On the palate, very rich, fruity, and earthy. Ripe fruit and fruit juice. Alcoholic heat is very present. Finish is mod+, not overly complex. Overall, very classic Zin. Jammy, alcoholic, fruity. Great with food.

8/17/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby with heavy tearing and moderate extraction. Ripe and jammy red and black fruits. Cherry, blackberry. Pepper, spice, cedar. Dust, clay, soil. Potpurri. Some green pepper. On the palate, rich, earthy, and fruity. Nicely balanced between ripe fruit and strong structure. Oak is present and fits in nicely. Overall, pretty good. Could us a little more acidity to balance the richness but I'm being picky.

8/11/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium ruby with an orange rim. Fruit is delicate but dark and rich. Smoke, bacon, pepper. Some oak. Not overly complex. On the palate, much more flavor. Acid and fruit still present and vibrant. However, it fades quickly. Overall, seems a little past its prime. Enjoyable but drink it now, it's not getting better.

8/4/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium yellow color with heavy tearing. Ripe and fresh pear, yellow apple, orange, peach. Hay, wood, a "thickness" and "oiliness" to it. Some white flowers and honey. Wet stone, cream. On the palate, rich and creamy texture. Ripe tree fruit and wood. Oak is almost too much. Acidity could be higher given it's a chenin. Could be mistaken for a new world chardonnay. Good, not great.

7/21/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Beautiful medium straw color. On the nose, ripe and fresh apple and pear, peach, some underripe tropical fruit, some orange. Hay, honey, lees. Limestone and some salinity. On the palate, a very weighty yet balanced feel with medium-plus acid. Rich and ripe fruit, apple/pear. Creamy texture of tree fruit that lingers for a while. Good wine.

7/6/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Deep purple, almost black. Heavy tearing and extraction. Initial dusty/mustyness on the nose. Black fruit, earth, oak. Menthol? Maybe some slight cork taint that is masking other aromas. On the palate, rich black fruit. Soil, oak, licorice, cherries and cherry pie. Pie crust. Oily. Palate is much more interesting than the nose. Alcohol is very present. Tannins are slightly grippy but fade slowly and fruit/earth lingers. Day 2: less cork taint, fruitier. Bitterness on the finish. Fine but wouldn't buy again.

7/4/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium gold with some amber. Ripe and tart citrus, lemon/lime. Wet stone, calcium, limestone. Salinity. Hay and grass. Underripe peach and tropical fruits. On the palate, tart citrus, lemon peel, lime peel. Very tart and fresh. Medium body, high acid, medium alcohol. Bone dry. Not overly complex. Zippy and fresh. A great food wine or for summer sipping.

6/30/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium gold, beautiful color. Strong notes of petrol, orange, florals, spice, honey, and hay. Lemon, wet stone/granite. Salt. Grapefruit and ginger. On the palate, rich honeyed orange, citrus, pear, peach. Smooth and rich. Acidity is not high, likely due to age. Body is medium, acid is medium-plus. The wine is off-dry. Overall, exceptional. Fresh yet complex and rich. Would recommend drinking now but can definitely last many more years.

6/23/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium ruby with a garnet rim. Ripe red raspberry and cherry. Licorice. Oak. Bramble. Vegetal. Red and purple flowers. On the palate, ripe and fresh fruit. Rich but not heavy. Oak is nicely balanced. Medium-minus body and tannin. Medium-plus acid and alcohol. Overall, good and easy. not overly complex.

7/8/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale straw. Moderate intensity citrus, lemon, orange. Apple/pear w/ golden apple. Citrus blossom, honey. Some warm spice and light vanilla. Salty and mineral. Rich-smelling. On the palate, ripe and fresh apple/pear. Orange. Lush and fuller body. Smooth and oily. Off-dry. Acid could be higher to better balance. Overall very enjoyable. Acid seems somewhat low for a "traditional style" chenin that you might find in places like Saumur or Vouvray. However, still excellent!

4/14/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium ruby with garnet. Heavy tearing. Primary fruit flavors are almost completely gone. Definitely "vinous" smelling. Woody, licorice, pepper, exotic spices. Strong oxidative notes. Leather, soil. On the palate, tart red fruit. Wet stone and earth. Oxidized qualities. The tannins would confuse me with Barolo! Medium-plus body, acidity, and alcohol. High tannins. Overall, definitely past its prime. But still very interesting and fun. Drink now!

4/8/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium ruby quickly moving to "brick" on the rim. Subtle red and black fruit. Earth, clay, jalapeno, pepper. Cedar. Some barnyard funk. Rose. On the palate, more fruit, ripe and tart. Earth, stone, clay, soil. Some alcoholic heat on the finish. Rich but not heavy. Acidity is still there. Extraordinarily balanced. Finish is medium-plus in length, complexity is medium-plus. Beautiful wine.

4/5/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Deep ruby with medium-plus tearing. Jammy red and black fruit. Savory herbs. "cool" sensation, like eucalyptus? Lilac, earth, clay. Some oak, likely mix of used and new. Wet granite after a rain. Delicate but showy. On the palate, lean and tart black and red fruit. Green herbs. More stone than earth. On day 1 there isn't much to it. Alcohol dominates, fruit is almost non-existent. Boring finish. Medium-plus body, acid, tannin, and alcohol. Day 2, seemingly better balanced but really not a lot going on. Somewhat disappointing.

3/7/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium purple fading to a ruby/garnet rim. Medium tearing. Ripe, fresh, and jammy blackberry, strawberry, raspberry. Green pepper, jalapeno, black pepper. Savory spices. Rutherford "dust" and mustyness. Hint of oak. Smoke, chocolate. On the palate, leaner than most Napa cabs. 2011 was a cool, wet year. Fruit is still dominant. Smoke, earth. Medium-plus body, tannin, acidity, and alcohol. Overall, showing it's age in the best of ways. Rich fruit, great secondary and tertiary characteristics. Very enjoyable.

3/5/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium purple, medium extraction, medium-plus tearing. Ripe and tart raspberry, blackberry, bramble. Pepper. Savory spices, thyme. cherry. Wet earth, leaves. Wet clay. Red flower. On the palate, rice and fresh cherry, blackberry, strawberry. Fresh flowers. Hint of oak. High acidity, medium-plus body and alcohol, medium tannin. Overall, very bright and fresh. So easy to drink. Medium-plus complexity, medium-plus finish. Truly a great food wine.

3/1/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep purple with some extraction. Medium tearing. On the nose, rich and ripe blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry. Savory spices, baking spices, pepper, vanilla. Rose. Jammy fruit. Maybe eucalyptus? Some earth, but fruit is more dominant. On the palate, rich and ripe black fruit. Almost jammy. Vanilla is very present. Not too much else. Medium complexity, medium-plus lenth. Body is full, tannin, acidity, and alcohol are medium-plus. Alcohol is noticeable but richness and silkiness of tannins are well balanced with the fruit. Very good.

2/24/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Pale ruby with a watery rim. Medium tearing. On the nose, sweet strawberry, ripe, jammy fruit. Candied fruit. Sweet cream, licorice, savory spices/herbs. Raspberry. Strong vanilla notes. On the palate, ripe and tart red fruit, cherry, raspberry. Green herbs, stone. Little evidence of oak. Good food wine. Medium body, acidity, and alcohol. Medium-plus tannin. Medium finish and complexity. Not super memorable but still enjoyable.

2/17/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby with some orange/garnet on the rim. Heavy tearing. Nose is ripe and fresh black, blue and red fruit. Blackberry, bosenberry, raspberry, blueberry. Pepper, fennel. Bacon, meats. Baking spices, vanilla. Rose, earth, soil. Currant, chocolate. On the palate, ripe, rich and fresh black fruit. Savory spices, thyme, fennel, oregano. Some oak notes but subtle. Still "fresh." Fine, silky tannins. Overall, very enjoyable. Alcohol is noticeable. Fruit dominates but acidity is present and balanced. Length is long, complexity is medium-plus.

2/3/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby, light extraction, and moderate tearing. Ripe and fresh blackberry, black cherry, cranberry, bramble. Strong spice and pepper. Dusty, cedar. Vanilla. Ripe raspberry. Thyme, oregano. Tobacco leaves, granite, clay. On the palate, ripe and tart black and red fruit, crushed rock, earth. Some florals and spice. Leather, some oak but not powerful. medium-plus body, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Overall, excellent for the money. Vary strong and rich. Acidity is balanced nicely. Long and complex finish. Will be buying more of these.

6/29/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Earthy red and black fruit, soil, leather, leaves. Spice. On the palate, ripe and tart red raspberry, cherry, and blackberry. Tannins are grippy!! Finish is medium and somewhat complex. Very good with fatty meats.

6/4/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

This bottle is definitely showing its age. Black and red fruits are subtle. Strong notes of spice, earth, and oak. Baking spices. Palate is nicely balanced with fruit and earth. Oak is present but in the background. Tannins are strong and grippy. Acid is medium plus. Alcohol is medium plus. Overall good wine but probably was better a few years ago.

6/2/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Just a really solid riesling. Ripe pear and apple. Florals and textbook petrol. Off dry and great acidity. Would buy again.

4/1/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Delicate dark fruit, soil, and leather on the nose. The palate is rich and warm dark fruit, herbs, soil, and oak. The tannins are fine and smooth. Acidity is medium+, tannin is medium. Beautiful wine. Drink now.

3/23/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

This wine has some of the best QPR I've had in recent memory. While a medium-plus to full body, the moderate acidity and tannins make it feel light and airy. But the flavor is opulent and rich, full of dark fruit, savory herbs, and meats. Fantastic on its own or with food. The very definition of quality rustic Italian wine making.

1/29/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Pale straw with some gold flecks. Apple/pear, light peach. White flowers, hints of mange and pineapple. Ripe and tart characteristics. Slight nuttiness and creaminess. Some wet stone. Very light baking spice and vanilla notes. On the palate, ripe and tart apple and pear. Stone fruit, white peach. Tart yet smooth and rich. Strong minerality. Some buttery/nutty characteristics. Some bitterness. Clearly young. Tartness dominates the palate.

12/22/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale ruby purple color. Ripe and fresh blackberries, cherries. Sweet cream. Honey, rose. Boysenberry, blue fruit. Jammy blackberry, raspberry preserves. Jalapenio, black pepper. Baking spices. On the palate, ripe fruit. Clay, earth. Fruit-forward, oak is noticeable. Vegetal, granite. Very easy drinker. Great balance with lower tannin and medium plus acidy. Not super complex, but enjoyable.

1/25/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Very pale ruby and garnet. Delicate and subtle black and red fruits. Spice, savory spices, woody. Hint of licorice. Honestly, not a lot on the nose, even a day or two later. Fresh and bright on the palate. Cherry, strawberry. Very light. Some minerality and florals. Very little else. Medium body, tannin, acidity, and alcohol. Overall very light and delicate. Fruit is most dominant but not overpowering.

1/18/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale ruby with some garnet on the rim. Moderate intensity sour red cherry, raspberry, strawberry. Red flowers, rose, pepper. Thyme. Earth and some wet stone, minerality. Candle wax. Some vanilla and baking spices. Some oxidative notes. On the palate, bright and sour cherry. Wood and stone. Earthy, pepper. Fruit lingers. Overall, fruit-dominant, but medium complexity and interesting. Balanced. Enjoyable but I'm not sure it's worth the price.

1/16/2023 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium purple with some ruby color. Intense aromas of jammy blackberry, jalapeno, green pepper. Rose. Clay and soil. Slight baking spices, not overpowering. On the palate, brambly black and red fruit, blackberry, black cherry. Earth and clay. Red flowers. Chocolate. Some oak is present. Medium-plus body, tannin, acidity, and alcohol. Really well-balanced. Acidity is noticeable and balances smooth tannins. Fruit is still dominant but not out of balance. Very good.

1/2/2023 - jwilliams6 wrote:

Medium ruby color with some purple hues. Ripe and fresh red and black fruit. Blackberry, red cherry, strawberry. Savory spice, oregano, pepper. Hint of rose. Baking spices but not overly vanilla. Clay and earth, no stone/minerality. Warm and inviting. On the palate, ripe and tart fruit. Black cherry, raspberry, blackberry. Vegetal greenness. Slight savory spice, pepper. Alcoholic heat is noticeable. Medium plus tannin, acidity, and alcohol. Medium body. Lean, yet powerful. Tannins are grippy. Interesting but not that memorable.

12/30/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby color, heavily extracted. Strong jammy blackberry, cherry, and blueberry notes. Some currant. Baking spices and vanilla. Savory herbs, pepper. Smoke. Clay, some red/purple flowers. Some sight pyrazines. On the palate, jammy fruit. Fine tannin structure. Vanilla is noticeable but fruit dominates. Acidity seems light. If acidity was higher it would be much better balanced. Seems somewhat flabby, but still enjoyable.

12/17/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

60% zin, 24% carignane, 12% petit syrah, 4% mourvedre
Medium ruby with a brickish rim. Some sediment is present. Heavy tearing, heavy extraction.
On the nose, jammy blackberry, cherry, strawberry, raspberry. Spice, vanilla, herbs, Dried and bruised fruit, raisins. Candied fruit. Smells sweet and rich. On the palate, rich, ripe, and jammy black and red fruit. Oak is noticeable but not overwhelming. Tannin structure is solid and pleasing. Still showing a high amount of fruit despite its age for a zin. Acidity and tannin balance well. Opened nicely after about 1 hour. Drink it now!

12/8/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium straw color. On the nose, bread and yeast dominate. Strong notes of brioche, fresh and somewhat buttery. Cream, sugary. Like a bakery. Dough. On the palate, lemon and orange. Ripe fruit. Bread, lemongrass. Stone, minerality. Fresh. Truly great champagne for the price. Creamy and balanced with racy acidity and bubbles.

12/4/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale straw color, medium tearing. On the nose ripe and fresh lime, orange. Apple and pear are noticeable. Quince. Honeysuckle and other white flowers. Peach. Some stoney minerality. On the palate, ripe and fresh fruit. Ripe apple and pear. Peach, some tropical notes. Flowers. Minerality yet oily. Very clean finish. Residual sugar is present but not overpowering. Acid balances nicely.

11/23/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium yellow color. Medium+ tearing. One the nose, ripe and fresh fruit. Orange. Apple, yellow pear. White flowers. Stone. Nuts, almonds. Melon, stone fruit. On the palate, rich and ripe fruit. Apple/pear, stone fruit dominates. Acidity holds up at the end, balancing nicely. Sweetness hides the alcohol. Such an easy drinker. Finish is long and somewhat complex, nothing crazy. But freshness balances the sweet/rich body. Very good.

11/13/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium ruby with some purple hues. Heavy tearing, some extraction noticeable. On the nose, delicate blackberry, red cherry. Licorice. Earth, spice, herbs. Rose. Black pepper. Clove, baking spices. Cedar. Floral notes are dominant with some time in air. On the palate, ripe, fresh, candied red raspberry and cherry. Spice (herbs and pepper). Alcohol is noticeable. Rich earth, clay. Oak is present but not overpowering. Overall a stunning wine. Delicate yet powerful. Great by itself. Alcohol is high but higher acid balances nicely.

12/8/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium-ruby color, watery rim. Strong nose of bright sour cherry, black fruit, pepper, and leather. Some red/violet flowers. On the palate, zippy cherry and blackberry. Alcohol is noticeable. Peppery and rich, yet very light and drinkable. Very old-world in style, with fruit balanced nicely by earth/leather/spice.

11/9/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Idk what's wrong the the people below, this is a great wine for the price. Medium ruby with purpley hues. Ripe and fresh red and black fruit. Somewhat jammy. Blackberry, raspberry, cherry. Savory herbs, pepper, a "greenness." Red flowers. Cedar, wood, slight baking spices. On the palate, ripe and tart red and black fruit. Tart, green herbaceousness, wood, cedar. Dry, dusty finish. Plum sauce. Overall, fruity and jammy to start, giving way to a dry, somewhat alcoholic finish. Give it plenty of time to open up 1-2 hours min.

10/25/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

2 hour decant, minimum. Pale-medium ruby/garnet. Orange and garnet rim. Medium+ tearing. Bright, fresh, ripe cherry and raspberry. Earth, spice and pepper notes. Soil, clay. Savory spices. Animal fat, bacon. Rose and violet. Some oak/oxidative notes. Smells "old world" and "dusty." On the palate, ripe and tart red fruit, cherries. Floral notes are strong. Earth is present but subtle. Oak is not noticeable. Overall, very well balanced. Tannin has softened after being open for 2 hrs. Acid is refreshing. Finish is long and complex. Could age but why? Enjoy it now.

11/11/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium purple/ruby with some garnet on the rim. Ripe and fresh cherry, raspberry, blackberry. Bramble, leather, oak, smoke? Baking spices are prevalent. Rose or other red flower. Earth, forest floor, clay. Day 2: jammy, smells like strawberry preserves. On the palate, tart red and black fruit. Rich but fruit fades quickly. Alcohol is strong but not "high." Over all, fruit and earth balance nicely. It's good but alcohol strength is noticeable.

11/11/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Medium straw color. Bosc pear, ripe green pear, ripe yellow apple. Orange or lemon peel. Ripe white peach. Bright yellow or white flowers. Honey/honeysuckle. Orange tang. Sweet and rich nectar. Wet stone. Dried fruit is prominent. On the palate, ripe apple and pear. Some floral notes but mostly rich honey and wet stone. Maybe some bitterness? Overall, richness dominates. Acid is present but not quite "refreshing." Very interesting and long finish. High complexity.

11/11/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Needs a full 1.5-2 hr decant. Deep ruby with some garnet/brick on the rim. Ripe red and black fruits. Raspberry, blackberry, currant, eucalyptus. Pepper, savory spices. Crushed gravel. Cedar, tobacco. Leather. Slight oak notes, not overpowering. Slight cocoa. On the palate, Ripe & fresh red & black fruit. Raspberry dominates. Savory spices. Cedar, vanilla, wet rock. Noticeably lighter in body than expected. Still has a great acidity, nicely balanced. Rich yet very food friendly. Day 2: jammy blackberry and blueberry

8/22/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale yellow color with white rim. Ripe leon peel, white peach, some melon, mango. Creamy texture but no evidence of oak. Light floral smell, but nothing distinct. Slight salt and seashells, crushed rock. On the palate, Ripe lemon and orange. Ripe stonefruit. Underripe melon. Great sense of structure, body is fuller than expected. Acid isn't overpowering. Overall, enjoyable despite not having a strong "crispness."

8/19/2022 - jwilliams6 Likes this wine:

Pale straw color, some evidence of gas. Lime, lemon, underripe melon. Light florals, white flowers, honeysuckle. Not heavy or rich. Some yeast & doughiness. Stone, chalk, wet salt, salinity. No evidence of oak. On the palate, tart and effervescent lemon and grapefruit. Maybe some tart strawberry? Saline and granite. Sour gummies. Overall high acid dominates. Fresh and clean with some evidence of gas. Enjoyable and easy.