7/13/2010 - djlaporte wrote:

Subtle but sure bouquet; Medium body; Velvety softness; Outstanding!

5/1/2010 - djlaporte wrote:

OK, but I was unimpressed--there was nothing memorable about this one.

1/22/2010 - djlaporte wrote:

No disappointment here. A classic, crisp NZ SvBlnc.

1/21/2010 - djlaporte wrote:

Just didn't do it for me...Maybe it's past its prime, although Wine Enthusiast's 90 pt review said it s/b OK through 2011. Even after giving it time to breathe I was left wanting: A touch acidic (not at ALL what I normally pick-up in a Zin), very little nose and no perceptible fruit.

12/24/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Really good stuff, especially at this QPR. A BIG HIT on Xmas Eve. Probably too sweet for some (including yours truly), but we are talking about SPUMANTE!

5/1/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Average to mediocre; Not at all memorable; My advice: Spend a little more for something a bit more worthy.

10/21/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Simple, straightforward value wine. Has a decent nose & void of excessive heat. Works really well for a weeknight dinner, especially if there is little or no need to impress. Held up nicely on day two. (For the record, I used the last cup for cooking on the third day).

8/7/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Rather liked this Cab. Tannins in the right place (Note: Served decanted through a Vinturi aerator)--Which made it immediately approachable.

8/7/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

From memory, decent if unspectacular effort. Given the vintage & varietal, I hoped that it might offer a bit more. Would not go out of my way to find it, but wouldn't run it out of my cellar either.

7/1/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

REALLY nice: Full bodied with just enough black cherry fruit. Tannins are smooth & supple.

8/7/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Sweetness a little over the top, but enjoyable nonetheless.

7/23/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Blech!

7/22/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Abundant with the classic subtleties of a French wine, as this bottle is more about the winemaker's style and the location of the the vineyard than about the varietal. Nicely balanced tannins. Detected an enyoyable earthy essence with hints of tobacco.

6/20/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

The wine was OK, but the QPR was not all that appealing. This effort from Michigan is a decent representation of a red blend, but I prefer my wine to be more concentrated and lingering. This seems more Burgundy than Bordeaux and there are better choices in the $18 range.

7/5/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Very good QPR at ~$7 btl. NOTE: I did not detect the excessive sweetness that others have described. Perfect on a hot summer night.

5/25/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Oaky overtones balanced nicely against just the right amount of dark cherries. Seems to be at or near peak.

5/23/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Tannins have softened nicely; The fruit is apparent and it still packs a little punch. Classic PS nose that I find so enticing. Finish was a bit short, but a worthy QPR.

5/1/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Very popular in our small group, whom I would describe as wine drinkers but not experts. Full of fruit. Nice balance & easy drinking. Rich bouquet. Would definitely buy again.

4/12/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Nice QPR for an everyday red blend, but I probably wouldn't bring it out for a special occasion. I decanted for 30-60 minutes, which was not long enough. Pouring through the Vinturi did the trick, though. Dark fruit with a smooth, subtle finish (PS: NOT as fruit-forward as I prefer) & an ample nose rates this as very good.

4/6/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Ho-hum. Pretty average stuff. Not much of a nose & little depth on the palate. This is eminently forgettable and there are many choices in this price range with more to offer.

4/3/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Well past prime, so it would be unfair to offer a rating. Flabby & ever so slightly "corky". Even though, hints of apricot & raisins manage to peek through.

4/3/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

From memory: REALLY LIKED this budget blend. Decanted for 90 minutes prior to serving. Earthy nose which nicely represents the Rhone style which is referred to on the label. I should mention that these bottles are sold N.V. & this particular bottle has been in my cellar for at least two+ years. Went out & bought more bottles with the intention of laying a couple down for awhile.

3/1/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Very good workhorse port. Not overly cloying...and I rather enjoyed the subtle hints of chocolate and plum, though I didn't detect much of a nose. Heat is correct for a wine of this type.

3/7/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

YUM! I'm usually not a huge fan of Merlot but if this bottle is any indication, I may need to reassess my preferences. Nose was luscious & aromatic. Color is a deep-hued purple. Lingering dark-fruit flavors and the tannins are well-integrated. I can't imagine that this will improve anymore from here on in, so I suggest you drink up if it's still around. PS: Used a Vinturi aerator out of the bottle & there was an immediate & noticeable softening.

3/8/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Not a stand out, just a "regular joe". I didn't detect much in the way of yeast or citrus. On the plus side, bubbles were tiny & abundant. Better as a quaffer than for a celebration (& great for making mimosas).

1/23/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Decanted for 3+ hours, which helped to tame this young beast. Rich, fruity nose. Blackness in the glass. Gentle oak overtones. Quite a fine choice for an everyday wine.

1/17/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

Raised to an 82 after day one. Odd, but even an oldie like this is better on the second day!?! Thin, watery & rust-colored. If you have any of this in your cellar, DRINK UP NOW as it's already well past prime. I could just barely make out a bit of pepper: Perhaps a last remnant of it's more robust past.

1/17/2009 - djlaporte wrote:

A worthy effort from a Wisconsin winery (OK, admittedly we don't have a suitable micro-climate for growing wine grapes...What are we supposed to do, produce cheese, milk and fruit wines exclusively?). The winemaker uses a cold hardy grape varietal (Marechal Foch) to produce a reasonable juice. It's especially not too shabby when paired with food. Syrah-like qualities with a peppery pungency paired with subtle herbs.

12/22/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Jammy opulence; Dark purple fruit; I didn't notice any excessive tannins; Opens up nicely after 60-90 minutes; For those who enjoy PS, this is quite nice with a worthy QPR to boot.

11/27/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Just OK. Fairly thin & nondescript; More of a French finesse wine than a powerhouse Spanish garnacha (which is where my preferences lie).

7/27/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Reminds me of an unoaked Chardonnay. My tastes for warm weather whites tend toward Sauvignon Blanc & this doesn't satisfy at that level but it's a fine summer patio wine at this price point.

6/8/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

What a nice surprise! Excellent QPR. Just enough sweetness & reasonably tiny bubbles.

6/2/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Solid if uninspired California Riesling. Slightly off-dry; Nose was not memorable.

5/31/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Luscious, honey-like nectar; Deep golden hue; Faint tropical nose. Just what you'd want in a dessert wine.

5/25/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Not at all memorable. A dry riesling, very little for the nose & little joy for the palate. Non-oaked? (NOTE: In fariness, my impressions may have been colored by mild illness).

5/14/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

This bottle overcame the crumbled cork to provide an enjoyable experience. Medium-bodied with a reddish-brown hue. Full, robust nose. Tastes of leather, earth & tobacco.

5/9/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Easy drinking & clearly a food wine (think pizza or a pasta dish w/ a hearty marinara or meat sauce). Medium body which lingers reasonably on the palate. Controlled tannins. Nose just "OK". Deep purple hue. Good QPR.

4/15/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Spltff! (Or whatever it sounds like when you spit). Either fading badly, just never had it, or likely a combination of the two. Not much left on the nose--faint tobacco & black olives. If there was ever any fruit in the bottle it has disappeared (remnants of strawberry?). I have to agree with the other members. This one is not worth the space it's taking in your cellar.

4/17/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Absence of nose and nothing for the palate; Then again, I didn't expect much...This bottle was almost certainly past it's prime. In addition, I made the mistake of buying from a store that does not move much inventory. I also suspect that this was a display bottle. Live & learn.

4/6/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

I wish I'd had this a couple of years ago...Past its prime, but gives hints that it may have been worthy in its day.

4/5/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Pleasing honey-like nectar. Simple and understated.

4/5/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Held up well for a bottle that should have been consumed a year or two ago. Mineral & slate with a nicely acidic finish.

4/5/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

A little beyond peak & I would suggest that you drink it now. Even at that, was a very decent pop & pour and captured the fancy of some who had never sampled Pinotage.

4/5/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Took my own advice (see prior comment from Mar 08) & gave it about two hours to blow off: Evolving nicely; Not yet at peak but offers a great nose & fills the mouth with a cascade of dark cherries & black currants.

4/5/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Very good QPR; Nice bouquet & plenty of fruit; Brought to P Patterson's f/ NCAA viewing party

3/8/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

May I suggest: Drink it NOW! She still has a LOVELY bouquet & a ruby-red hue (if a bit muddy). Medium-bodied; no legs, but at or JUST beyond peak and does not disappoint. You may need to decant (mine had minor sediment), but pop, pour & enjoy!

3/6/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

Fair QPR. Better on nose than palate as it's a bit watery. Faded quickly on Day Two & wasn't worth drinking the leftovers.

3/4/2008 - djlaporte wrote:

We recently opened a bottle & let it sit for just 20 minutes: Unfortunately, it needs more time than that to evolve (Though I did notice an improvement after an hour). If you're going to drink it now, I'd suggest you decant for at least an hour or two. I'm going to set some aside in the cellar and check back later to see if it comes around as I was ELATED with the depth of the '05 vintage. However, this doesn't seem to have the same concentration of fruit.