3/31/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Destroyed cork. Reddish purple brown. Leather, tobacco and red fruit on intriguing nose that didn’t give much on opening, but no ‘off’ notes. Later it matches the palate which is cherry fruited. Palate has resolved, light tannins, medium acidity and long, complex light, but deeply rich mouthfeel. I still remember purchasing this in 1984 on ‘close out’. Surprisingly sound and pleasurable wine, even if past it’s prime.

2/29/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Fruit-driven. Tropical and orchard. Lacks acidity. Pleasant.

2/23/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Short note. Less overtly fruity at this stage. Greenish/herby secondary aromas and flavors nicely adding much complexity to this wine. Light gritty tannins and good acid mid and late palate. Sadly my last. This has a future.

1/29/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Experience tonight with a PnP was similar to FM III’s note from 6.5 years ago. Fruit forward (dark blue and black berry), evident mineral, leather, but low acidity (for Rhys), and integrated tannins. Aging very slowly. Enjoyable new world Syrah that supported dinner well enough, but better alone.

1/26/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Still youthful and now quite open versus last encounter a decade ago. Dark fruits, slight earth notes. Seems mostly Syrah but some Mourvèdre elements that make you smile. Gritty, but easy, tannins in play which add balance, but acidity is ‘soft’. One left; might wait 2-5 years to open.

1/22/2024 - thomaskeil wrote:

Cork disintegrated. Dark violet red color; no brown edge. Lush dark fruit, fresh expression, not cooked. Could use a bit more acidity, but really nice on the palate with good fruit/tannin ratio. Enticing elements of licorice/blood/tar. Great with food or alone. Last bottle, unfortunately, but feel this wine is at an attractive, long lasting peak.

1/15/2024 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

This has evolved beautifully. Still with youthful dark berry fruit, but now layered with roasted meat, balsamic and dried leaves. Structure is beautifully matched and contributes to experience of palate persistence. Matched well with braised chicken and risotto.

11/13/2023 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Opened 3 hours, some change for the better over time. Deep blue and red fruit on palate with both acidity and a complex energy from the resolving tannins. So balanced that that aspect grabs your attention. Paired with Dijon chicken to tremendous effect. Best California PN in quite some time for me.

9/22/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Very juicy, some earthy/spice notes, but too heavy, alcoholic and spoofy for me. No flaws and some may like this style.

9/1/2023 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

PnP. Enjoyed over 2 nights with dinner. Agree with Mpls members that this wine is acid-forward with browning, but expressive fruit. Spices and earth notes as well. Seems to be holding steady as tonight was near identical experience to the 2019 notes. Last bottle will go in next couple years.

8/3/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Very nice 2014 white burgundy with both fruit, stones and acidity expressed to expected effect. Not profound, but truly satisfying.

8/3/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Slight browning. Nose of crushed dried herbs and cherry fruit. Medium bodied with lengthy flavors, sharply a point acidity, and still prominent tannins. Similar over 3 nights (fridge-stored). Okay to PnP, decant or hold for several more years. Quite nice with and without food.

3/29/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Deeper yellow now. Some brassy notes with more fruit complexity on palate. Still with great balance, crispness.

3/29/2023 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

PnP; open several hours. Light red with brown/orange tinge. Vosne spice, red berries, light earth tones on nose. Mature, medium to light fruit weight with really nice balance of acidity and fading tannins. Bright, persistent finish. Paired well with pan seared tuna and risotto. Probably at peak for a few more years.

1/14/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Pear, apple fruit with mineral and something rich/creamy on the nose. Discernible oak, but subtle. Enters palate with great fruit expression, but drops its weight mid-palate (a CC characteristic for me), creating a sublime elegance. Would have liked a bit more acidity/crispness, but perfectly enjoyable as is as there is a complex, persistent finish.

1/11/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Similar to my note 4 years ago. Still fresh and bright. Maybe more color, but age-associated flavors and aromas not in evidence. Wish I had more.

1/8/2023 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Almost translucent red with hint of orange. Bright fruitiness on opening with earth and spice deeply underneath, so decided to not decant and leave open for a couple hours before dinner. Medium fruit weight with almost racy acidic spine. Both the fruit and undertones intensified with time. Elegance and balance in full form, but nothing in danger of fading anytime soon.

1/6/2023 - thomaskeil wrote:

Thoroughly, surprisingly enjoyable. Has strong secondary notes, but with fresh fruit elements, mostly on palate, clearly present, and decent, not bright, acidity holding it together. On a plateau’ed peak? Not sure where remaining 3 bottles are, but will now search for them.

12/11/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Not as overtly fruity or ‘foamy’ now, 8 years later. Still zippy and citrusy, now with hints of nuts. Good acidity and food friendly. No slouch.

11/30/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Midweek surprise elegance in a glass. Super expressive with stones, citrus and, perhaps, some apricot. No hint of oiliness, rather laced with bright acidity and mineral on palate. Long, fine finish.

11/17/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Note being written on night 3 after PnP. Rich, focused, floral, and with a great vibrancy. Drink now or hold for at least 5 years.

11/14/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Light ruby red color. Notes of cherry and red fruits on nose and clearly evident on palate. Loved the balance of fruit, medium acidity and hint of tannins. Medium-low complexity, but such a treat at the table with food. Terrific !

7/3/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Quite some nice evolution since 2005. Strawberry, cherry with dried herbs on nose. Light medium fruit on palate with ashy acidity at midpalate. Good balance and several years to go.

7/3/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Expressive on nose and palate. Medium weight on palate with crisp mineral, citrus acidity on finish. Very good friendly with a range of matches possible.

5/25/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Found buried in cellar. Oh my, such a treat. Nose is multi-fruit driven, tinge of acid/mineral. Palate is unique with round, waxy fruit and refreshing acidity. The balance leans towards waxy fruit but the cut is there.

5/9/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

PnP. Some evolution over the evening. Would not recommend decanting. Color showing a bit of age. Fruit, acid and light tannins in balance. Elegant and interesting. Still with some years ahead.

4/7/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Fresh, bright and balanced by weighty chenin fruit. Exactly what I was hoping for in a Savennieries.

4/1/2022 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Rich, cut and balanced. Kind of like a juicier version of Grand Cru Chablis.

2/25/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

Agree with reislingfan. This is still quite nice with bright notes, but overall vibrancy and citrus fruit and seaspray of its youth are a notch or three lower now.

2/10/2022 - thomaskeil wrote:

PnP. Light garnet. More fruit on nose than neb funk. Highly energetic palate with fruit, acid and tannin playing their parts well. Built for earlier (5+ yr) consumption at table with food. Really nice.

11/27/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

PnP. Expressive and somewhat balanced from get go; fruit rounded out over next 30-90 minutes. Light cherry and floral nots on nose (very clean). Palate has nice balance, bordering on elegant. Light weight but with persistent fruit. Years to go. Fingers crossed that secondary elements will emerge, but beautiful table wine now.

11/20/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

Very tight on opening, so this is a 2nd night note. Full fruited on nose, mostly cherry, but a full fruit melange plus stone, dried Tuscan herbs. Palate is fairly lean, but has nice fruit presence. Built for the table; French bistro wine comment is apt. I would re-purchase, especially in a restaurant.

9/17/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

For a Cali Syrah, this is different. I find FMIII 2015 notes spot on. This is an energetic, lighter style with blackberry fruit, floral notes and some earth notes. Very nice for wide-ranging food pairings. Plenty of backbone remaining. Fruit and dark color indicates plenty of further aging possible, however, I don’t see it getting ‘more interesting’. Drink or hold.

6/28/2021 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Elected to not decant, left open for 3 hours prior to serving. Lighter in color than 6 years ago. Complexity and expressiveness have were both in play. Layers of fresh and mature aromas and flavors. Very balanced with light, silky tannins and a good dose of acidity. Long finish.

6/28/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

This wine was amazingly fresh, expressive and balanced. Out performed its price and age by a long shot. There was also a depth of flavor, including mineral, citrus, pear/apple, and vanilla/almond. Bright acidity, very food enhancing.

3/23/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

Super bright apple and citrus on the nose, laced with mineral. While this was light and acidic on the palate, the fruit was expressive and lengthy, adding a touch of elegance and textural complexity. Wonderful with Ottolenghi's Bridget Jones salmon as it cut through the complex flavors, oil and fat to leave its bright fruit.

3/23/2021 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

PnP. Drank over 3 nights. Reddish brown, showing age. First night the nose was reticent, showing some strawberry and cherry along with some mild floral notes. Medium fruit on palate with light tannins and medium acidity, minimal mineral. Over the next two nights there was a virtual explosion of secondary notes on nose and palate. Fruit remained, but complex earth, spice and vegetable notes took the fore. Seems fully mature, but will plan to decant the next bottle to bring out the complexity this wine holds.

3/1/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

Bright, gorgeously balanced palate. Mineral acidity with citrus, floral notes and apple. Exceeded expectations as a match for rich tartiflette and salad.

2/21/2021 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Opened 4 hours; not decanted. Dark berries and ‘rustic’ notes on nose; Very expressive. Palate had medium full-bodied fruit with layers of flavor; spice, blood and floral notes as well. Nice acidic cut with maturing tannins. Excellent now, but with several years left for sure.

2/16/2021 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

This was terrific. Orchard fruit on nose with mineral/stone/bread notes. Palate features energetic perle, cutting acidity that perfectly balances fruit. Bready earth notes with some citrus. Perfect with homemade pizza (pesto, roasted cherry tomato, capers, feta, arugula) but could accompany just about anything with elegance and pleasure.

2/14/2021 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Opened 3 hours ahead, elected not to decant. Some slight brown on edge, otherwise dark red/violet. Mostly dark fruits with some smoky earthiness on nose. Balance on palate leans towards round fruit with edge of acidity and pretty much resolved tannins. Lacked precision and complexity. Good, unlikely to develop further - should hold.

1/11/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

Short note. Drank this over 3 evenings. Just a great example of Cali pinot in that the fruit was expressive with not an ounce of being cloying. Bright and elegant on the palate. No cola or baking spices. Mostly cherry and strawberry with some stone. Lovely.

1/11/2021 - thomaskeil wrote:

Somewhat spoofy, but in a good way. On cusp of benefiting from decant. Elected to leave open a couple of hours. Violet with hint of red. More complex as evening wore on and wine warmed. Blackberry, dark cherry, lead pencil and hint of roasted meat on nose. Full bodied fruit on palate with deep penetration, but quite nicely balanced with some (light) acidity and still prominent tannin. Beautiful length. Just great with food (migas and pork chops). Good now or hold for at least a decade.

1/4/2021 - thomaskeil Does not like this wine:

Waited too long. Golden yellow. Some fruit and stone on the nose, but it is dominated by nuts and other oxidation notes. Thick palate, lacking balance. Drinkable, but just barely.

12/20/2020 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Similar to my note from 2009. No decline at all.

12/6/2020 - thomaskeil wrote:

Orchard fruit, hint of green herb and mineral on nose. Palate leans towards acidity, but there is copious amounts of round fruit weight as well. Mineral on finish. Zesty by itself and is perfect with a range of food. Awesome now, but can see this maturing well.

12/1/2020 - thomaskeil wrote:

Agree with note from C Cairns last year. This is deep, dark violet in color. Nose somewhat closed with charred meat notes, blackberry and a hint of mint. Palate has dense fruit weight, with prominent, gritty tannins and a good dose of acidity; balanced towards tannins at this point. Even at 13 years of age, this is on the young side with the exception that the earlier, overt primary fruit nose and flavors are not present. I'm hoping that the fruit may re-emerge or be transitioning to more secondary expression. This could sit for 5-15 more years.

11/16/2020 - thomaskeil Likes this wine:

Opened 3 hours before serving and deemed no decant required. Red, violet, and some browning on edge. Remarkably fruit forward and complex on nose (iodine, blood, leather, earth). Palate is beautifully balanced with bright acidity and some firm tannins still present. Gorgeous with food. Drink or hold for years.

8/4/2020 - thomaskeil wrote:

The score is based on night 2. First night was a pleasant PnP: cherry fruit and excellent balance of fruit weight, tannin and acid. Night two brought on an explosion of complex aromas and flavors, mostly on the earthy, meaty and herbal spectra. If you have this wine, consider a good decanting to get this effect; wow.

8/2/2020 - thomaskeil wrote:

In a beautiful spot right now exhibiting both the crispness, mineral and fresh fruit of a recent vintage with some palate weight (almost a creamy quality) and complexity gained with some age. Drink or continue to hold.