12/10/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Tasted a day after opening. Some oakiness for sure, but also stone fruit and mineral on the nose. A palate that shows some creaminess, but still plenty of good, rich orchard and stone fruits. An enjoyable sipper, and a good "cheese plate" wine.

7/5/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful aromatic nose, with black cherry, all-spice, cinnamon and brown sugar. The palate is dense and massive, full-bodied, with flavors of black cherry, cinnamon, camphor and Asian spices.

7/3/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Rich strawberry aromas, with lush strawberry and cream flavors. Off-dry, medium-bodied, and very pleasant for the money.

7/1/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

A beautiful wine. Judicious use of oak. Ripe pear, apple and vanilla on the nose, and the golden colored wine is medium-bodied in the mouth, with appealing pear, spiced apple and clove notes. For those who like oak in their Sonoma wines, this is a superior example.

6/30/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Aromas of strawberry, cherry and white pepper, with a savory and warming mouth-feel of cherry, cranberry and stewed plums. Drinks as well at room temperature as it does chilled. Holding up nicely.

6/29/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Delicious, with a smooth, rich mouth-feel full of pear, peach, lime and lemon.

6/27/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nose of licorice, dark berries, elderberry, and spices, with a svelte but meaty palate of black licorice, dark cherry, leather and currants. Gains weight with time, going from medium to fuller-bodied, while the finish is good, with dark chocolate and cocoa, almost mocha coffee, notes.

6/27/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

A perfumed nose of lavender and licorice, but also smoked meats, game, and earth. The palate is amazingly complex, with garrigue, black fruits, smoked meats, leather, licorice and more, with a medium to full-bodied mouth-feel that finishes beautifully. Still evolving, this will be even better in five years.

6/26/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nose of currants, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied, with soft tannins and good acidity, with black currants and dark cherry fruits. Svelte and quite velvety. Drinking beautifully right now.

6/24/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Decent aromas, but weak and insipid in the mouth, with black fruits and tobacco. Improves a little with some air but not enough to make the wine enjoyable.

6/24/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Delicious little rose - amazing the fruit is holding up after 5 years - with simple red fruits and a good mouth-feel.

6/25/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Golden color, with rich aromas of butterscotch, vanilla, toast and baked apple. Rich, round and full-bodied in the mouth with vanilla, hazelnut, apple and pear flavors.

6/8/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Appealing nose of watermelon bubble-gum, lush ripe strawberries, red cherries, with an off-dry pick-me-up palate of red fruits, lively citrus, soft, delicate mouth-feel, and a kiss of spice on the finish. Nicely done.

6/6/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Gooseberry, kiwi and lime aromas, with a smooth, but good acid level, mouth-feel. Medium-bodied, with guava, lime and green fruits.

6/4/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Gorgeous, smooth, impeccable.

6/3/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Aromas of pear, melon and stone, lead to an off-dry stone fruit laden palate with racy acidity, a strong apple mid-palate, and a nice finish.

6/2/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Pear and apple on the nose, while there is an intriguing limey element on the palate, along with the orchard fruits.

6/1/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Delicious, an easy-drinking, softly oaked tropical Chard.

5/31/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Kind of flat and uninteresting, unlike the prior bottles. Not flawed however.

6/1/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Deliciously drinkable. Lots of peach, melon and ripe orchard fruits. Medium-bodied in the mouth. Complex for the money, and a perfect off-dry Riesling.

6/2/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Soft, slightly herbal, but aromatic nose, with flavors of gooseberry and other green berries in the mouth. It's almost like a Sauv Blanc without acidity, drinks well, and finishes with a lemon/lime kiss. Nicely done. (Note: opened on Monday 5/31 when it just tasted poorly. Left in fridge for 2 days. I think the reductiveness of the screwcap plays against this wine upon opening. Maybe decant immediately?).

5/31/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Gorgeously complex and svelte. Aromas of black tar, licorice, black pepper, camphor, dark cherry, blackberries, and more, with a medium-bodied but dense palate packed with black fruits, white pepper, redcurrant jam, and spice. The finish spicy, and perhaps a touch hot, but the wine is generous, rounded and excellent. This won't peak for years.

5/30/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Decanted. Very smooth currant and dark cherry aromas and flavors. A wee bit herbaceous, but not overwhelming. Good finish.

5/30/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful mousse, small and tiny bubbles, an attractive mouth-feel with dry apple and pear fruits. What's not to like?

5/29/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Ridiculously delish for the money.....

5/29/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Varietally correct, very tasty for the money. Good plum.

5/28/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Luscious pear and tropical fruits on the nose, with a definite sherbety-Spatlesen-style mouth-feel, with medium-bodied tropical, pear, apple and melon flavors. A delicious wine, and great value.

5/27/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Soft oak, spicy briary fruit, and white pepper on the nose, with a medium-bodied palate of currants, black raspberry, blackberries and black pepper on the palate. Excellent value for money.

5/27/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Rich aromas of peach, ripe pears, and melon, with delicious, rich, ripe and plump orchard fruits in the glass. Medium-bodied, delicious acidity, and a vibrant finish.

5/25/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Decanted 3 hours. Outstanding. A deep, dark nose with plum, leather and tobacco, which followed to a big but svelte palate loaded with fruit, good nuance and soft tannins. A big wine, but not clumsy or jammy. Beautifully done for the style.

5/25/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Grassy, racy, herbal - full of gooseberry, key lime, and banana on the nose, and grassy and zingy in the mouth. A classic NZ SB.

5/23/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Sour cherry, acidic, and quite dreadful. This is the second bottle like this. It doesn't seem faulty but it must be......

5/23/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Not showing well. Acidic and monolithic.

5/23/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful bottle drinking at its peak. A nose of licorice, asian spice, dark cherry, menthol and berry that leads to a medium-bodied, plush, expressive and expansive palate of red and dark fruits, as well as licorice, camphor and tar. Lush, savory and flavorful.

5/23/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Aromas of melon, juicy lemon, and ripe peach lead to a dry but fruity palate which resembles an orchard in a glass. This is varietal blending at its best.

5/23/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Cloying and sickly sweet. A nose of ripe (over-ripe) strawberries and other red berries that leads to a overly-cloying and sweet palate of strawberries, etc. Chilled down it is palatable (barely) but as it warms that sweetness takes over.

5/21/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nice middle of the road Chardonnay. Nothing special, but solid.

5/21/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Delicious bottle of wine, with crisp white and yellow fruit flavors. For the money, a great buy.

5/22/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Aromas of lemon curd, toast, and hints of lemon grass. The palate is rich, round and floral, with good acid.

5/21/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Tasted off, and corked.

5/18/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nose of strawberry and raspberry, with a killer palate of svelte, deft red fruits, with hints of creaminess on the soft, soft finish. An absolute delight and an incredibly good rosé.

5/17/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful purple colors, with a good decant, dark sweet macerated cherries, hints of tobacco and mocha, with a palate of dark cherry, dusty chocolate, cocoa bean and currants. Sweet and grippy tannins, good acidity and a lingering after taste make for a wine drink a point now.

5/17/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Losing some of its zest, but still delicious. Gooseberry and sugar snap on the nose, with herbal flavors and textures in the mouth. Guava, green pea and lime zest.

5/16/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

If you love bone-dry Rieslings in the Alsatian-style I give you exhibit E for excellent! The aromas in the wine are orchard fruits, while the palate has laser-like precision, with superb minerality. An amazing value.

5/16/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful small bubbles, an amazingly floral nose, and superb, crisp biscuity fruit.

5/16/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

This is a sensational value. A nose of cassis, red cherry, and black currants, with an amazingly rich and rewarding palate which reflects the nose. Easy drinking, svelte, smooth and delicious. Anyone making Cab take note!

5/8/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Beautiful rich purple color, with a nose of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, spice, and licorice. The palate is rich in acidity, and grippy tannins, so it balances well with the blackberry, licorice, raspberry jam and dark cherry flavors. An outstanding Syrah for a bargain price.

5/8/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nose of lychee, Anjou pear, quince, with a steely mouth-feel, this off-dry riesling is a superb value. 2-3 years from its peak, this is a great match with any Asian cuisine.

5/7/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Mineral and earthy nose, with pine cone, peach and apricot. The palate is bone-dry, almost too dry, with lemon, apricot, wet stone, and hints of lime. A dry, grippy finish, that is short but thankfully lacking bitterness.

5/3/2010 - mdstenner wrote:

Nose of grass, gooseberry, passion-fruit, and guava, with an earthy, minerally, gooseberry driven palate. It is certainly less fruity than the 2008, but nonetheless rewarding. A benchmark Sauvignon Blanc.