4/23/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Badly oxidized

4/20/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Transparent, vibrant red color. Gorgeous, expressive nose of sweet cherries. Delicate but forceful on the palate. Almost riotous cherry flavors with strawberry accents. With air, a hint of earthiness develops. Fine tannins, great acidity, perfectly balanced. Dusty minerals on the mid-palate. Finishes long and bright with strawberries. Stunning example of Pinot Noir. Drink for the next 5 to 7 years. It may go longer.

4/19/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark strawberry red at the core, fading to translucence at the rim. Lush strawberry, cherry on the palate. Rich but not overpowering. Fine tannins, bracing acidity, lovely balance. Finishes long and bright with cherry notes. Lovely and it will improve for the next 3 to 4 years. Drink for the next 7 to 8 years.

4/19/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Lovely bright yellow color. Clean, light and citrusy on the nose. Very fine bead. Light and lovely on the palate, lemon, minerals, bit of tropical fruit. Bracing acidity, excellent balance. Finishes very long with crisp acidity and lemon notes. First rate.

4/18/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark purple with faint translucence at the rim. Blueberry notes on the nose. Rich and well defined on the palate, but the longer it gets air, the more it turns a bit muddled. Blueberries, currants, bit of tobacco, bit of milk chocolate. Fully resolved tannins, bright acidity, good balance. Finishes bright, red-fruited and long. This was probably better a few years ago, but still quite drinkable. I'd drink over the next 2 years.

4/15/2024 - Charlie C Does not like this wine:

Disappointing. Deep gold color. Muted nose. Some Golden Delicious appl on the palate but with a weird metallic aftertaste. A sour note on the mid-palate. OK balance and acidity. Finishes short and mediocre. I'll try another bottle, but my expectations are low. If you have a choice, don't bother.

4/14/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

From vines planted in 1934. Dark cherry color with faint translucence which grows to the edges. Blackberry, blueberry aromas. Plush, yet detailed on the palate. Blackberry, violets, anise. Hint of spice on the mid-palate. With air, a bright raspberry note develops. Just thrilling to drink. Fine, vibrant tannins, beautifully balanced with lively acidity. Finishes long and vibrant with dark fruits. Gorgeous Zin. Drink next 8 to 109 years.

4/12/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright, translucent red. Fragrant nose of violets, lavender and hints of cherry. Bright and rich on the palate. Lush strawberry, hint of raspberry, warm spice. Fine, polished tannins, bright acidity, exquisite balance. Finishes long and gentle, black cherries and a bit of raspberry. Lovely now and it will get better with 3 to 4 years of development. Drink next 10 years. 94 points with an upside.

4/12/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Yellow-gold color. Fresh peach and brioche aromas. Very fine bead. Clean, rich and refreshing on the palate, pears, apples. Lovely, light acidity. Excellent balance. Finishes long, gentle and lemony. Lovely.

4/10/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Perhaps the best baseline Gruner I've tasted. Vibrant yellow-gold color. Lovely aromas of melon and peach. Sparkles on the palate (no, it's not frizzante). Peach, lemon/lime, minerals. Delightful. Dancing acidity and fabulous balance. Finishes very long with minerals and stone fruits. Drink next 5 years (maybe longer). My wife and I happily drank the whole bottle.

4/9/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Gorgeous, transparent strawberry color. Fragrant nose of strawberries and lavender. Bright and precise on the palate. Strawberry and cherry dance on the tongue. Beautiful hint of moist earth. Fine, polished tannins, beautiful acidity, exquisite balance. Finishes long and lingering with cherries and strawberries. Simply beautiful. Drink next 6 to 8 years.

4/8/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Soft cherry red color. Black cherries and cedar on the nose. Plush, yet precise, on the palate. Black cherries, blackberry, tobacco, leather. Intense but not overpowering. Fine tannins, excellent acidity, good balance. Finishes bright and red-fruited. Lovely Cab. Not their best, but lovely. Drink next 3 to 4 years.

4/7/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Dark cherry red with slight fading at the rim. Bright berry aromas. Bit astringent on the palate, blackberry, cherry. Some heat (16% ABV). Fine tannins, sharp acidity, bit out of balance. Finishes moderately long and sharp. Much poorer showing than my last bottle. Probably better a few years ago.

4/7/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red at the core, fading to the edges. Anise and cherries on the nose. Still soft on the palate, blackberry, cherry, roast meat. Fine tannins, nice acidity, good balance. Finishes long and bright with cherry liqueur notes. Still very nice but on the downhill trek. Drink up.

4/6/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Pale gold color. Rich nose of grapefruit and lemon. Rich and crisp on the palate, lemons, minerals, grapefruit, hint of sharp spice. The grapefruit softens with just a bit of air. I'd suggest letting this sit open for 60 minutes (unless grapefruit is your thing) or even better, decant it. The grapefruit was much less pronounced (and the wine was better for it) on Day 2. Lovely acidity, great balance. Finishes long, gradual and surprisingly elegant. A lovely and refreshing wine. Hard to miss its NZ origins! Drink next 4 years.

4/6/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright purple-red color with slight translucence. Spicy, blackberry nose. Deeply flavored on the palate, big blackberry fruit, hint of raspberry, anise. Firm tannins, bright acidity, good balance. Finishes moderately long with bramble fruits and spice. There is a touch of heat (15% ABV). Classic Zin. Drink next 3 years.

4/5/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Deep gold color. Vigorous bead. Yeasty nose with pear notes. On the palate there are pear notes, spice, bit of lemon, hint of Granny Smith apple. Brilliant acidity, great balance. Finishes long, long, clean and brilliant.

4/5/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Bright red color, slightly translucent. Gorgeous, fragrant nose of cherries, raspberries and floral notes. Soft and lovely on the palate, raspberry, cherry, bright spice. Almost grenache-like. Bit of rich blackberry on the mid-palate. Precise, fine tannins, lovely acidity, beautiful balance. Finishes long and mellow with bramble fruits. Drink next 4 to 5 years.

3/31/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Lovely light gold color. Minerals and honeysuckle aromas. Precise and rich on the palate. lemons, melons, gobs of minerals, hint of black pepper. Crisp acidity, brilliant balance. Finishes long and delicate, lemons, minerals, spice. Gorgeous wine. Probably at peak. Drink next 5 years.

3/29/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Lovely deep yellow color. Fine lively bead. Spring flowers and lemon on the nose. Lush lemon notes on the palate with pears and apples. Zingy acidity, lovely balance. Finishes bright and lingering. First rate and enjoyable. Disgorged March 2022.

3/29/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Disappointing given its price and reputation. Deep cherry red color edge to edge. Not much on the nose even on the second day. Plush on the palate but without a lot of definition. Dark chocolate, blueberry, black cherry, tobacco. Beautifull resolved tannins, nice acidity, good balance. Finishes moderately long with soft cherry notes. Became almost muddled with even a little air. Not a bad wine, but not great by any means. No idea how much longer this will drink without falling apart. I wouldn't wait.

3/29/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Dark red with fading at the edges. Green and funky on the nose even after being open for 90 minutes. Plums and cherries on the palate. Sharp tannins, hot, decent acidity, bit out of balance. Finishes short and harsh. Past prime. Bought from winery and stored under good conditions.

3/28/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Why we age White Burgundy -- despite all the uncertainty. Vibrant yellow-gold color. Honey, minerals, hint of lemon on the nose. Precise and rich on the palate, lavender honey, citrus, beautiful minerality. Crisp acidity, fabulous balance. Finishes long, long with flavors that mimic the palate plus a bit of black pepper. No need to wait longer, this is drinking beautifully. Drink for the next 10 years.

3/27/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Cherry red color, fully translucent. Black Cherry and earth on the nose. Light and ethereal on the palate on first impression. Picks up some weight with air. Black cherry, moist earth, bit of strawberry. Minerals on the mid-palate. Fine tannins, lovely acidity, beautifully balanced. Long and lingering finish of strawberry and raspberry. Lovely, graceful Pinot Noir. Drink next 5 years.

3/26/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Deep gold color. Flinty nose with a touch of honey. Crisp and precise on the palate, lemon, honey, gobs of minerals, green apples. Really lovely. Beautiful, brisk acidity, great balance. Finishes long and clean with minerals, lemon/lime, hint of honey. Wonderful and refreshing. It's more like a rich Sauvignon Blanc than a dry Riesling. Becomes flintier and less aromatic as it warms, but still very nice. Drink next 5 years.

3/26/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red fading to translucence at the edges. earthy, berry aromas. Soft on the palate, black cherry, strawberry, forest floor. Fully resolved tannins, light acidity, good balance. Finishes moderately long with strawberry notes. Still quite nice. Drink next 2 to 3 years.

3/5/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Soft translucent red color. Bright cherry nose, bit of a green note. Soft on the palate but slightly maderized. Harsh tannins and out of balance. Rare to find a Saxum flawed but this one was. Bought from winery and stored under good conditions.

3/19/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Deep red color, translucent at the rim. Bright berry nose. Sharp and slightly hard-edged on the palate. Black cherries, bit of raspberry, brown sugar. Bit of heat (14.4% ABV). Fine tannins, decent acidity and balance. Finishes long and hard, bit of heat, dark fruits. Past prime but not shot. Drink up.

3/18/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Beautiful deep cherry red with faint translucence. Spicy blackberry nose. Plush on the palate but with enough definition and cut to provide structure. Blackberries dominate with some raspberry and anise. Sweet tannins, bright acidity that lifts the wine. Excellent balance. Finishes long with juicy red fruits. Lovely Zin. No need to wait on this. Drink next 4 to 5 years.

3/16/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Greenish gold color. very minerally on the nose, tropical fruits, iodine, Riesling petrol. Crisp and full on the palate with an oily texture. Honey, sour lemon, minerals, bit of green apple. Sharp (not unpleasant) acidity, fine balance. Finishes long and crisp with lingering lemon notes and cleansing acidity. Well-made but not to my palate.

3/12/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Brilliant red color edge to edge. Lush nose of cherries and sweet tobacco. Smooth and elegant on the palate, cherries, plums, cedar, the barest hint of dark chocolate. Blueberry on the mid-palate. Smooth tannins, bright acidity, fabulous balance. Finishes long, gentle and dark fruited with a final touch of bitter-sweet chocolate. Fabulous wine. Will continue to develop for at least 5 to 6 years more. Drink for the next 15 years. Decanted 90 minutes before service.

3/14/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Beautiful, transparent ruby red color. Lovely floral nose with hints of strawberry. Smooth, elegant and rich on the palate. Strawberry, cherry, moist earth. Fine tannins, bright acidity, brilliant balance. Finishes long, bright with strawberry, licorice and minerals. Gorgeous bottle of wine.

3/15/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Three years since my last bottle and this has developed nicely. Cherry red with a soft translucence at it moves to the edges. Cherries and lavender on the nose. Elegant on the palate, black cherries, raspberries, bit of smoked meat, anise, blueberry. Gorgeous. Fine, firm tannins, beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and intense (but not overbearing) with black cherries and blueberries, bit of anise. Drink next 6 to 7 years. 56% Grenache; 13% Petite Sirah; 10% Syrah; 9% Mataro; 7% Zinfandel; 5% Tempranillo. 15.7% ABV but no detectable heat.

3/15/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Deep gold color. Very fine, active bead. Apples on the nose. Rich and crisp on the palate, lemons, Golden Delicious apples, a saline note. Soft but evident acidity, lovely balance. Finishes long and gentle. Very nice champagne, pleasant to drink.

3/8/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright red edge to edge. Plums and blackberries on the nose. Smooth yet intense on the palate, bright raspberry, blackberry, anise. Smooth tannins, beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and bright with raspberry and spice. Gorgeous Zin now but should develop for 3 to 4 years for peak and drink well for 10 years.

3/8/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark purple-red with the slightest fading at the rim. Violets and roast meats on the nose. Plush on the palate but with the slightest bit of bite. Blackberries and cherries. Sharp tannins, bit overly acidic. decent balance. Finishes long and dark fruited with a bit of anise and sharp spice. Good but not what I expected. This is not typical of my experience with aged Lagier Meredith Syrahs which tend to hold their age very well. Still pleasure here, but if you have any (I still do) you may want to try one and see where it stands. I'll try one in a year or so. I'm hoping this is just a bit of an off bottle. Otherwise, I'd drink up.

3/8/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Lovely yellow-gold color. Fine, plentiful and active bead. Lemons and pears on the nose. Beautiful and precise on the palate, lemons, minerals, pears. Finishes long, long and clean. Really a beautiful sparkler.

3/6/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Vibrant, translucent chary red color. Aromas of violets and strawberries. Soft and full on the palate, black cherries, strawberries, bit of warm spice. Lovely and delicate. Precise tannins, bright acidity, great balance. Finish goes on forever with strawberries and spice. Lovely wine. Opened 90 minutes before service, with even more air it became darker and richer. Drink next 4 to 5 years.

3/5/2024 - Charlie C wrote:

Cherry red with fading at the edges. Plums and cherries on the nose. Rich and precise on the palate with a bit of harshness. Roast meats, cherry, blackberry. Tannins are a bit harsh. Good acidity and balance. Finishes long and sharp. Still alive but it's seen better days. Drink up.

3/4/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark raspberry red edge to edge. Plum, raspberry, black cherry aromas. Rich and intense on the palate, blackberry, cherries, dark chocolate, hint of oak and tobacco. Gets brighter with some air. Smooth but pronounced tannins, great acidity and balance. Finishes long with dark fruits and semi-sweet chocolate. Beautiful wine, but it will be better with 3 to 4 years of development. Drink next 10 to 15 years. Decant this for at least 2 hours if you drink it in the near term. 94 points with an upside.

3/2/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red color with some fading at the rim. Spicy, berry nose. ush on the palate, plums, cherries, raspberries, spice. Fine tannins, brisk acidity, good balance. Finishes long with candied cherries and warm spice. Nice but not great. A step down from my last bottle 3 years ago. Drink next 2 to 3 years.

3/2/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright cherry red fading to translucence at the edges. Gorgeous nose of violets, lavender and cherries. Smooth and elegant on the palate, black cherries, strawberries, hint of warm spice, bit of rhubarb. Fine, dusty tannins, bright acidity, excellent balance. Very light in texture at first, but it deepens and darkens with air. Finishes long, gentle and dark fruited. Lovely right now but give it 2 to 3 years to develop (or decant it for 2 hours or so). Drink next 7 to 8 years.

2/27/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright plum color, fading to the edges. Light, lovely nose of violets. Beautifully textured on the palate. Bright strawberry with raspberry and plum. Fine tannins, bright acidity, brilliant balance. Finishes long, bright and lovely with deep strawberry flavors. Absolutely lovely. Drink next 5 to 6 years.

2/27/2024 - Charlie C Does not like this wine:

This bottle was disappointing especially given the most recent tasting notes on it here. Bright, translucent red color. Spicy nose but no discernible fruit. Bright and spicy on the palate but a bit harsh. candied cherry and no complexity. Harsh tannins, overly acidic, out of balance. Finishes long but unpleasant. Your mileage may vary.

2/25/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red, almost glowing, and faintly transparent. Blackberries and violets on the pretty nose. Plush but detailed on the palate, blackberry, blueberry, anise. Fine, structured tannins. Brilliant acidity, great balance. Sharp, attractive spice on the mid-palate. Finishes long with dark fruit and spice. Elegant and it gets better with air. Gorgeous wine. Drink next 10 years. 14.9% ABV but no heat.

2/23/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red color. Blackberries and spice on the nose. Bright and juicy on the palate. Raspberry, blueberry, bright spice notes. With air blackberry comes to the fore along with dark chocolate notes. Smooth tannins, lovely acidity, great balance. Finishes long and bright with raspberries. A lovely Zin but not overly complex at this stage. Give it 2 to 3 more years and the complexity will develop. 91 points with an upside. Drink for the next 10 years.

2/23/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Dark red with fading to the edges. Bit of plum on the nose. Still bright on the palate, cherries, bit of a sour note, cedar, tobacco. Smooth tannins, bright acidity, good balance. Finishes long with plum notes. Still alive but past prime. Drink up.

2/23/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Muddled red color, transparent as it moves to the edges. Bright on the palate, bit one-dimensional with plums and cherries. Soft tannins, good acidity and balance. Finishes moderately long with red fruits. Pleasurable but fairly simple. Drink next 2 years.

2/23/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Bright gold color. Yeasty nose with apple notes. Very fine, lively bead. Crisp and subtle on the palate. Green apples, lemons, small bite of pepper. Bright acidity, fine balance. Finishes long and lemony with a lovely herbal note. Lovely champagne. 70% from 2017 vintage, the rest reserve wines. Much better than my previous bottle 8 months ago.

2/21/2024 - Charlie C Likes this wine:

Brilliant red color with slight fading at the rim. Fragrant nose of raspberries. Juicy and delightful on the palate, raspberry, blackberry. Refined tannins, nice acidity and balance. Finishes moderately long and bright with red fruits. Classic old school Zin. Not profound, but a delight to drink.