2/26/2023 - Eantnay Does not like this wine:

In Feb 2019 this wine was rocking! Deep color, tantalizing nose, velvety tannin. One of the greatest wines I had ever experienced.

Today, that all changed. Sadly, the last two bottles I had were opened and both were over the hill, the first one being worse than the second. The color faded to brick red, the fruit was gone and the aromas went from tantalizing to medicinal. The first bottle did not have anything pleasurable to offer; the second was not as far gone and had some redeeming qualities, but could not hold a candle to what this wine was like 4 years ago.

The wines were stored laying down in a temperature controller wine refrigerator. The corks were in excellent shape. I learned a valuable lesson and will not hold the other vintages that I have of this wine as long.

8/1/2022 - fisk15 wrote:

Really bummed about this one as this bottle has been in my cellar since purchase in '15 and I had really high hopes. Upon opening there was an off cardboard smell and taste. Not the worst but it was enough to render this bottle very subpar. Color was beautiful, hope my remaining bottles show better.

8/10/2019 - MC2 Wines wrote:

Smokin Meat and Serious Syrah 2.0 (Westport, CT): Fitting with the Aussie theme and transitioning into some of the US new world. I always like Jayson's wines. They are hedonistic (as are the SQN), but there's something also very approachable and engaging about them. And while they are intense he seems to achieve some balance. Not over killing the fruit. Some decent acid. This was similar to that. You can't really tell the age (I wonder if one ever will - we have some of the early 2000's Napa versions sleeping), but it is as I said quite approachable and quite drinkable.

12/24/2019 - eoinhharkins wrote:

Another vintage and another great showing of this wine 2011, last time I was in Napa! Gorgeous nose of dried earthy minerals, cranberry and raspberries palate is a bit tense with lots of fruit, acidity and fine pin point mousse and a really long finish

2/10/2019 - dsgris Likes this wine:

Light golden towards orange tinge, Kiwi fruit nose. Slight off-dry with light acid, medium fruit and a good balance of the rs and acid. Drinking very well with a lovely mouth feel, some candied lemon rind and lighter limoncello. Super good sipper, need to try with some spicy Asian. Drank with some Tak-a-Way hot and sour soup, should be good with some Pok Pok hot wings. Getting some Mandarin orange and white peach notes on night two, smooth and velvety.

1/5/2019 - Grape_ape Likes this wine:

Great aromatics, dark fruits, black currant, dusty old world flavors add some nice complexity. Nice long finish. Really enjoying this with some a grilled T-bone.

8/11/2018 - rashcar Likes this wine:

My friend Johnny decanted for one hour. Great nose of lead pencil and earth to later become perfume. Great structure and well balanced. In drinking window right now.

9/3/2017 - eoinhharkins wrote:

This showed so well tonight lots of mature golden apples,nuts and spices in the nose, plenty of expressive macerated golden apples and Lear on the palate developed elegant effervescence with pleasant acidity keeping the fruit fresh and lively

5/29/2018 - brigcampbell wrote:

Mourvedre based Rosé? The best. This stands with any rose on the planet. The good news it's made by a great guy and love supporting the cause. Complex aromas of earth and leather with ripe apricot and peach. Fresh cut peaches and a little grit for good measure.

5/29/2017 - Peter Kleban Likes this wine:

* (close to **)

Very smooth, no rough edges. Dry but with a touch of sweetness. Light weight. Consistent on the palate with very good length. Not as interesting as the Eola-Amity Hills cuvée, a bit one-dimensional and less precise, so I rated it lower. Perhaps it will gain character with some time in the cellar.

Just as good the second day, after a night in the fridge.

12/18/2016 - akov wrote:

Reportedly well stored bottle. Vast disappointment. Colour is deep, tea-like. The wine has certainly an age, a bit of oxidation, cold tea notes, a bit of volatile and a very very strong medicinal character that renders it undrinkable. Cork was healthy, no TCA taint or other problem.

9/18/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote:

A lot of Wines at Tommy's Clambake (again again) (Tommy's): This was disappointing. I waited until it had been open for a while and was down to the last few pours. i do own a couple of these. Very little fruit showing. Thick tannins. Not much complexity. I could not detect any obvious faults, but it just seemed old and tires. Hopefully, just a not great bottle. I had this a few times and it showed better but always needed a lot more time.

3/19/2016 - Charlie Carnes wrote:

Very good for a 2011. Pretty firm with some red and black fruit hiding behind some strong tannins. Needs time, and I would like to try another vintage.

3/6/2016 - Valbonne Likes this wine:

Outstanding. Still drinking well. red fruit - some chocolate and vanilla notes.

1/17/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote:

1989/1990 Bordeaux Dinner (Feast & Imbibe - Evanston IL): Intense dried apricot and marzipan hints. Very good concentration, less impressive acidity. Best now through the next 5 years, not a wine to cellar long term. Also better with dessert than on its own.

12/1/2015 - ConnIntChicago Likes this wine:

Touch of oak and crushed apples on the nose. Full bodied, complex and well integrated wine that matched the guinea hen ballotine perfectly. Medium plus acid and extract will allow this to age for some years. Overall, beautiful wine to come back to 5 years.

5/9/2015 - MikeATL wrote:

Brisket, Bordeaux, and Rhones: Totally dominated by green bell pepper, to the point of being unpleasant even for a lover of Loire cab franc like me.

4/7/2015 - J @ y H @ c k wrote:

Popped and poured to celebrate my son taking his USMLE Step I exam. He wanted his kind of wine, which is Scarecrow, but since I am a meanie and wouldn't open a Scarecrow, I picked this. It is REALLY DELICIOUS. An incredible, outstanding wine. Extremely dark with red highlights around the edges. Nose is dark red fruit with plum. Palate still has tanins with red fruit, acidity and, in an odd way, a tiny touch of sweetness on the back of the palate. For a TRB wine, this is actually more sexy than brawny. There are tiny hints of other flavors, like a bit of chocolate, coffee and spice, that I am convinced will flower with some more age. Takes on additional red fruit flavors as it gets some air. Give it an hour or two decant. Long finish. This is no where near its peak. Space out the remaining four bottles over the next decade or so.

6/14/2014 - cjsavino wrote:

Deep garne color, earthy nose, palate shows some forest floor, strong tannins, coffee, and plum skin.

4/24/2014 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

This was a really lovely surprise. Very good wine and excellent for the price point. Has some nice rich fruit (lots of plum coming through) but a great balancing earthiness that keeps it together. Maybe some mocha and cinnamon contributing as well. A WineBerserkers purchase and wish we'd gotten more.

3/12/2014 - cjsavino wrote:

A real special wine that hits you in the nose like summer time at a fruit stand. Delicious on the palate the fruits and acidity dancing together.

9/12/2013 - mgstull Likes this wine:

Black fruit, tobacco, and the same bell pepper streak as in previous bottles.

12/21/2012 - chokkon Likes this wine:

Tense, assertive (I'm starting to get the green pepper controversy in this wine--in the end, not my favorite Bordeaux style), a bit rasping (esp. next to my favorite Pauillac): 17.5

7/20/2013 - Phredd Likes this wine:

NC Cindy Tasting, Pinot Noir (NC Wino's Stately Wayne Manor): Darker than the Rodgers Creek which immediately preceded it, this wine still has substantial youthful purple. The nose is less pretty and more muscular than the Rodgers Creek, with a significant bit of funk which blows off quickly. There is also solid red fruit. One the palate, this comes across as a touch sweet and if anything, even more delicious than the Rodgers Creek. It still has a bit of cola, but is just starting to take on some secondary earthiness. The wine is quite acidic, with a long, mouth-watering and well-balanced finish. There is plenty of time to go with this wine, which should only get better over the next 3-5 years, but it is more than drinkable right now. Smooth, well-made, and extremely inviting, this wine just gets better as the hours unfold. The best of the California Pinots that were opened this night by a significant margin, at $44 this is an excellent buy. A magnificent effort.

7/21/2012 - brigcampbell wrote:

Born to Rhone - Wine Tasting in Central New Jersey (Central New Jersey): Barrel Sample: This wine has not been blended yet but the bones are outstanding. Cherry and a bit more fruit than '09, tar, spice, and earth notes. Big showing of tannins so the sructure is there. The finish is long. This could be really something special and is cellar worthy.

11/5/2012 - cjsavino wrote:

In the glass a bit muddy in glass with a ruby color, very tannic on the palate, dry leather and dusty