9/29/2023 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Too bretty to drink at this point. Third of three - don’t remember being put off by the first two, so it may just be this one bottle? Very unpleasant.

8/24/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

This had a lot of bottle funk upon opening. I almost thought it was cooked or damaged, but it transformed with some air. So… decant! Very dark garnet in the glass - looks like a cab. Dark fruit and dust on the nose, medium intensity. Full bodied and savory on the palate, iodine, dark fruit. Spicy finish of some length. Calif style Pinot Noir.

7/21/2023 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Corked

7/20/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

This wine is orange. That is to say, unexpectedly amber in color. Nose is medium- intensity green apple, some saline notes in the background. Baked apple on the palate, almost with light caramel. Tart acidity, but lots of mouth coating body. Medium finish.The color is frankly offputting for a Pinot Gris. That said, I enjoyed drinking this wine. I bought it to learn more about the Finger Lakes region. This is certainly an interesting contrast with the many Pinot Gris we have here in Oregon.

7/10/2023 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Corked

6/26/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

A five year old Mosel Riesling picked up for a song at GO. Classic pale gold color and “petrol” nose. Enough sweetness to balance out the high acidity. Some spice and bruised fruit/bitter notes at the finish - probably bottle age?. A lot to like here! Will be seeking more if still available.

5/9/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Pale straw and clear, but with some evidence of lees. Lemon, herbs and white flowers on the nose. Green apple and a dry medium+ texture is followed by a clean, lingering finish. Mouth watering acidity. From back label : 12% abv, .2% RS, 7.4 g/L TA, 3.25 PH. Delicious.

5/4/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Opaque ruby. Dark, intense, brambly fruit on the nose and a hint of something herbal as well. More of the same in the palate. Tannins tamed with a little air. As with others, this is my first encounter with Mondeuse, but I have two examples from France to try next. This is a delicious and well crafted wine that could stand in for a California Zinfandel at table.

3/28/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Opaque garnet with dark red fruit on the nose. Lively red fruit on the palate surrounded by savory tannins and juicy acidity. More red fruit on the finish. 14.5 abv but seems lighter on its feet. 100% Counoise

1/4/2023 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium garnet. Dark cherry aromas behind a cola and savory foreground. Medium+ on the palate with a lot of cherry cola and a clean finish. Enough acid to balance. This was fantastic with a piece of smoked salmon. But don’t wait much longer. I have the feeling this is as developed as this one is going to get.

1/4/2023 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Brett! (I think) unpleasant pine branch aromas on the nose and a similar sensation on the palate that mutes most of the fruit. May have waited too long or ?

8/20/2022 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

A revelation of what California Zinfandel can be. Bright ruby in the glass, aromas of red fruit surrounded by an open halo of something clean and saline. The mix of brightness and depth is fascinating. Paired with a shrimp/tomato/feta dish with success that exceeded expectations.

4/25/2022 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Qualitätswein at 17 years: clear, medium amber; medium aromas of petrol and stone fruit; dry on the palate with flavors of bruised orchard fruit. Bright acidity and medium+ finish. Stelvin closure, 12%abv.

1/28/2022 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, Medium garnet/ruby. Aromas of dried red fruit and herbal notes of medium intensity. Bright cranberry and cherry on the palate. Plenty of acid and gentle tannins - medium minus body. A little bit of heat or bitterness on the persistent finish. 13.5%abv. 1005 cases produced. Good typicity and a deliciously good first impression of this winery located near the ocean in Cambria.

1/22/2022 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Corked

1/21/2022 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, med golden. Prominent petrol on the nose with tropical notes in the background. Lean fruit on the palate- white stone fruit and tropical flavors with bracing acidity that is at least as strong. Absolutely dry. Clean, lengthy finish. So delicious - classically styled Riesling that could be mistaken for an old world example.

1/8/2022 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Small, father and son producer with a decided interest in Italian varieties. Clear, med- ruby; light nose that is equal parts cherry and spice; med- body on the palate dominated by a bright pop of acid, cranberry bite and a lengthy cherry cola finish. 13.3% abv. Very different style than much of Paso Robles- restrained and definitely a wine for the table.

12/28/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Med garnet. Med intensity aromas that smells like PN - not always common at lower price points: gentle cherry, surrounded by a subtle savory and cola elements. On the palate, medium body - a balance of dark cherry flavors and just enough tart acidity. Med tannins that were less felt with food (roasted salmon steaks). Lengthy finish, with little change in flavors or feel. Delicious and well-made OR Pinot - less aggressively fruity than some California examples, but still full of flavor and so food friendly.

12/10/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

At 32 years: medium ruby with some bricking. Cork was in good shape and easily removed with ah so. After two hours in decanter: cooked red fruit and deep savory aromas on the nose. The palate was more linear - a balance of mature red fruit flavors, acidity and present tannins. The nose betrayed the age more than the palate, which had a cleaner, more direct quality. I would not call it deep or complex, but it was pleasing - especially with food. Fair amount of sediment. Label info: 13.3 abv. Picked 10/12/89; bottled 7/12/91.

12/8/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Pale straw with a hint of green. Clean saline and tropical nose. Palate: medium body with more tropical fruit and an herbal component that fills out the mid palate. Bracing acidity. Some length to the finish.

12/4/2021 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Deep ruby. Nose is equal parts dark red fruit and herbs - especially sweet Basil. More herbal flavors on the palate with red Zinfandel fruit in the background. Wears its 15% abv very well. Unique California field blend - 1901 and younger vines co-fermented to render a glimpse of Cali heritage. Delicious.

11/29/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium+ garnet. Bright red fruit on the nose; juicy cranberry on the palate. Finish thins to a clean tea flavor. Good acidity and gentle tannins. Expected level of fruit for Sonoma Coast - well made and delicious.

11/27/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Greeted by beautiful red fruit aromas upon removing the cork after 35 years. Med garnet with a little bricking. A little disjunct on the palate at first, but got better and better after an hour + in the decanter- a balance of fruit, acid and tannin. Gentle, refined approach to CS - 12.5 abv - that held up very well.

11/22/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Dense garnet in the glass. Shy nose of dark red fruit and herbs. Similar flavor profile with some umami notes, medium + body, soft but very present tannins, balancing acidity. Finish is clean. Good weeknight food wine.

11/21/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, medium garnet. Fresh cranberry and crushed rock nose. Deeper red fruit on the fruit-driven palate. Med+ body, medium acidity. Lengthy finish that walks right up to the line of being mouth-coating/cloying. 13.4 abv. Easy drinking and on the restrained side of most Sta Rita Hills AVA wines I have tasted.

11/5/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Decant!!! Some bottle funk on opening but it blows off. Med clear garnet with a hint of brick. Cherry on the nose with a serious savory background - the nose evolved for what seemed like an hour before becoming a solid partner with the palate. Med + body, savory red cherry fruit, baking spices, and a long finish. So good. I’m a fan of this producer and this makes me look forward to the other 2 bottles in waiting!!!

10/13/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Med gold, clear. Med+ clean aromatics of ripe tree fruit. Med+ body w apple, white peach and citrus notes. Med+ acidity, good length. Example of ripe Cali chard without oak to add vanilla and butter.

10/11/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium ruby, clear. Fresh, cranberry nose with a black pepper element in the background. Med body with lots of red fruit and tart acidity on the palate. Good length. This is a well-made, delicious table wine from the Lisbon region. 50% Syrah / 30% Castelāo / 20% Touriga Nacional - 13% abv

10/4/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, light straw color. Quite aromatic: petrol, saline. Bracing acidity joined by a mouthwatering juiciness on the palate - lemon and some mid-palate savory elements. Clean, med. finish.

10/1/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, light straw with a slight green tint. Med- nose of green apple and clean saline. Pleasing balance of fruit and bracing acidity on the palate - more green apple with grapefruit. Medium body, lasting finish. Refreshing by itself or as an accomplishment to seafood or Asian dishes - we had tuna tartar with this first bottle.

7/23/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Beautiful clear pale straw in the glass. Pineapple and tropical notes with flint on the nose, fairly aromatic. On the palate: medium+ body, beautifully balanced between fruit and an acidic backbone. Lengthy finish, with a hint of vanilla and butterscotch at the very end. Delicious wine!

7/16/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Light golden color. Quite aromatic: green apple, white flowers, fresh. Medium+ body, bold fruit and bracing acidity. Lengthy finish. My first experience of this variety from the Tyrollean part of Italy. Delicious

7/1/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

My first experience of this wine. Almost no color. Quite aromatic, yeasty notes and saline. Very slightly effervescent, bracing acidity and juicy fruit that lasts. Delicious.

6/16/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium ruby and clear. Cherry and tomato leaf on the ample nose. Beautiful balanced palate with more cherry and savory elements and a long finish. Mouthwatering acidity. Delicious by itself and with food.

5/18/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium gold. Clean aromatics of tropical fruit and white flowers with honeysuckle and a hint of spice. More of the same flavors on the palate with a hint of black pepper. Medium body coats the palate followed by a clean finish that refreshes - an unusual dynamic for Roussanne (maybe the influence of the 7% Chardonnay?) A pleasing balance of fruit, spice and acid - delicious.

5/17/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Deep garnet. Bright fruit with a savory, spicy background. Lifted and bright on the palate - this producer is making good on the intention to leave a heavier style behind with this entry level bottling. Silky tannins, medium weight and plenty of acidity make for a food friendly, balanced wine.

5/15/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Still quite tannic and closed upon opening - even after 16 years! A long decant revealed more fruit, but the astringent tannins persisted. Quite a lot of sediment, as might be expected. Color has held - medium+ garnet. Overall, this has held up, but is a good example of tannins not integrating over time. Enjoyed it most with rich food.

5/3/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Med garnet and clear. Nose features red fruit and a woodsy savory note in almost equal measure. Cherry and earthy flavors on the palate accompanied by significant texture, maybe from the oak barrel aging? Silky tannins and medium acid. Lingering finish that favors the fruit flavors. After some air, the fruit took on more cranberry character - more prominent and more tart. This is a substantial but not overdone California PN. 13.8 abv. Pinot and Chardonnay are fairly recent additions for this excellent small producer that is mostly known for Rhône varieties. Sourced from Sta.Rita Hills.

4/17/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Light ruby. Cherry - almost candy - aromas. Cherry and cranberry on the palate with assertive acidity and significant but integrated tannins. Medium finish. I opened this while cooking and found it just short of cloying - almost a biubble gum finish. But it was a revelation paired with salmon with an onion/tomato/balsamic sauce. The wine cut through the sweet richness of the sauce and the grilled crust of the fish. Amazing—a pairing triumph. (Be sure to give it a good chill - not as much as a white, but on the cold side).

4/16/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Deep garnet. Aromas of dark red fruit and earth and game - like Syrah should smell. Med+ on the palate, lots of fruit with a pleasant round finish. Balanced acidity and fine tannins. Very easy drinking and quite the find at GO prices. Looking forward to weeknights w this.

4/15/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Med+ ruby. Red fruit on the nose with a bit of black pepper in the background. Generous on the palate with lots of firm tannins - but juicy. Delicious with the sun dried tomatoes on a home baked pizza! Less intense than anticipated- 13.5 abv.

4/8/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Clear, gold with hint of green in the glass. Aromatic with saline, white flowers and white stone fruit. Medium palate with a lengthy finish. Fruit is prominent w notes of stone fruit, pear, tropical fruit. Dry. Not as acidic as some Albariños, but still quite mouthwatering. Delicious.

3/16/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium garnet. Somewhat shy nose of dark cherry. More of the same on the palate with a pleasant, long mid-palate finish that seems like it might veer into cloying sweetness but instead stays herbal/savory. Beautiful paired with salmon (classic!). Really delicious and thoughtfully crafted.

2/20/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Ruby with little sign of age. Musty nose blew off after 30 min in decanter, then dark red fruit, cedar and spice. More of the same on the palate, with grippy tannins and balancing acidity. Med long finish. Wish I had given it more time - got better and better in the glass. But glad we didn’t wait any longer to open this. Drink up!

2/8/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Very dark garnet/purple. Black fruit, green bell pepper and a bit of game on the nose. Mouthfeel is medium with intense tannins and acidity. Opened up well with decanting. Clean finish. Bold wine.

2/7/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Medium garnet in the glass; aromatic with cherry, cassis, saline on the nose. More of the same on the palate — plush cherry enrobed in a savory, velvety mouth feel. Long finish without bitterness. Plenty of acid but still has structure and sufficient tannic backbone. Really pretty wine - paired well with tomato bisque and warm mushroom salad. Looking forward to more. Delicious. 13.8 abv.

2/2/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Unusual version of Syrah - and, despite the name and blend with viognier, not an homage to côte rotie. Dark Garnet in the glass, fresh red fruit on the nose, and very easy drinking. Cranberry and a background of something darker and savory. Great with a little chill. Paired well with barely seared tuna steaks - just enough tannin. I got none of the effervescence mentioned by others. Delicious glass of wine.

1/24/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Med garnet. Black fruit and a background of spice on the nose, med+ intensity. Balanced palate: med weight, red and black fruit, med+ finish. Acidity is just enough to make for a food friendly wine. Paired well w lasagna. Tannins are still pretty firm, especially on its own. Delicious. Should evolve a while longer.

1/21/2021 - OnTheVine.blog wrote:

Corked

1/10/2021 - OnTheVine.blog Likes this wine:

Pale straw, saline and mineral nose. More of the same in the palate with tropical fruit and something savory in the background. A bit of grapefruit rind bitterness on the finish with a little candied note. . Delicious food wine, like you would pair a white Bordeaux. First SB vintage from Liquid Farms.