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Tasting Notes for Nighthawk244

(47 notes on 46 wines)

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Red
2018 Cheval des Andes Vistalba Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
3/3/2024 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
93 points
Really enjoyed this on a friend's boat on a Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure it would ever be confused as Bordeaux. Tight when pnp, but opens up nicely over time. Great balance, nose of herbs, dark berries on the palate & slightly dry finish. Will age well for the next few years, but I think the score stays the same.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
11/25/2023 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
94 points
Great bottle, opened 3 days before Thanksgiving, had a glass each day before the holiday. Last of my 3 bottles, could have lasted another 5 years easy....time to replenish the stock.
Red
9/29/2023 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
91 points
Good, just not at this price point.
Red
9/2/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
Really enjoyed this, red blend, seems more cab forward than indicated on label. Pnp, cherry, & hint of black pepper. Pleasantly light. Easy drinker.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2019 Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge Paso Robles Santa Margarita Ranch Red Blend (view label images)
9/2/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
92 points
Opened on a Sunday evening, pretty tight red blend. Good bottle over all, typical dark fruit flavors. However, didn't finish the bottle until Wednesday night - this should have been decanted. Poured last 2 glasses and an explosion of dark fruit on the nose, swirling in the glass you could smell it on the other side of the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, the wine really found great balance. Lost some viscosity but after 3 days that's to be expected. Need to get two more of these. Rating could be higher with proper decant.
Red
8/25/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
Drank over 3 days, best in the third day. Great QPR.
White
8/25/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
94 points
Excellent wine, wonderfully balanced, perfect compliment to lobster salad & homemade vinegarete. Melon, citrus & full body.
White
5/18/2023 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
90 points
Sweet, good value purchase - enjoy by the pool on warm summer days. Should be a crowd pleaser for those who like sweeter wines.
White
1/29/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
92 points
Really good bottle. More typical Sauvignon Blanc with good acidity, great nose, not overly sweet.
Red
1/17/2023 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
92 points
Really nice, heavy on the spice for my taste, but its still a great quality wine. Absolutely opened it to early, but thats why I have another....a little dry, plenty of black pepper. Finished the bottle the next day, really opened nicely, should have decanted at least a few hours.
Red
2020 Chappellet Mountain Cuvée Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
10/22/2022 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
91 points
Pnp, really nice entry level Chappellet. Lots of dark berries, well balanced, opened up even more the 2nd day. Can't go wrong really, solid qpr as well.
Red
2015 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
10/2/2022 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
94 points
Great bottle in every way. Needs a minimum of 3+ hours to decant, but absolutely worth it. Enjoyed with the family for dinner, roasted veggies & chicken. Pairs best with earthy foods - or by itself.
Red
10/2/2022 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
91 points
Great wine, wife liked it more than I did but, id buy it again. Like most reviews, fruit bomb, but done well.
Red
2014 Amuse Bouche Vin Perdu Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
10/2/2022 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
94 points
Loved this wine, wonderfully balanced. Paired perfectly with steak dinner & shared with the family. Never hesitate to add more of these to the cellar.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
3/6/2021 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
Really liked this, agree with previous review that this came together really nicely. A solid 1hr to decant this will do wonders. Not as dry as dry as a typical Malbec (75% Malbec & 25% Cab Franc is probably why). The last glass was closer to a California Cab.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1/17/2021 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
89 points
Really nice surprise, going to get a few more of these....
Red
5/11/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
Really enjoyed this, should have given 1 hour or more to decant. Nose of dark fruits, palate of herbs & a mouthfeel that was lighter earlier but became fuller as the bottle balanced itself the longer it was opened.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
4/14/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
PNP, very light in color. I was surprised how tight this wine was, needs an hour + to decant but really worth the wait. Cherries & minerality, nice balance throughout. 2nd half of the bottle was far better than the first.
Red
3/28/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
Wow. Great finding this, very happy to have a few more for later. Deep dark purple out of the bottle, lush blackberries and cherries in the nose. A touch of oak on the palate with plenty of fruit to spare. Viscous in the mouth, with a long finish. This needs about 2 hours to fully open, can lay this down for a few years easily.
Red
3/27/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
90 points
A favorite of mine, excellent QPR, a crowd usually likes it alot. Easy, everyday drinker, matches well with any red meat. Nicely balanced, and evolves nicely over 2/3 hours. Berries on the nose, mostly dark fruit. Dry finish.
Red
3/27/2020 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
90 points
Really nice QPR @ $20. Dinner with the family, opened nicely over time.
Red
3/27/2020 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
89 points
Great value for $10. Dark fruits, cherries, blackberries.
Red
3/23/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
90 points
Excellent QPR, nose is cherry and dark fruit, some herbs on the palate, very nice balance. Got even better the second day.
Red
3/14/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
89 points
Under $20, great value. Earthy tones, herbs & leather on the nose. Some nice fruit, cherry mostly on the palate. Not the longest finish, but nice nonetheless. However, the second day, the wine became quite light on the palate. The leather a bit more noticeable.
Red
2/2/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
So I'm a bit late to the party on Torbreck, but I'm glad I made it. Had the 2016 Struie a few weeks ago. The 2015 is not on that level but it is excellent none the less. Dark purple in the glass, lots of fruit, blackberries, cherries. Thick mouth feel. Excellent balance, needs about 30minutes to decant.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1/26/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
92 points
As noted by others, very tight, needs an hour to unwind. A touch of floral on the nose mixed with herbs & oak. Blueberry, really nice balance. An excellent wine on it's own or paired with dinner. The qpr here is really good as well.
Red
1/25/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
To me, this is one of the more interesting wines I have ever had. Quite good, lots if fruit in the nose & and on the palate. There was something else in this wine that completely escaped me, maybe it was cedar, maybe truffle. It is so distinctive & i cant place it. Either way, good qpr.

I think you should try a bottle and let me know what my nose is missing.... ;)
Red
1/25/2020 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
I really liked this, pnp, ready to go. Like other reviewers, jammy in a good way - excellent way to describe it. Black fruit with some milder spieces, black pepper. Great dinner wine & qpr if you can find it.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Clos Fourtet St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
12/31/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
NYE dinner, decanted 3 hours. Pale purple. Blackberries and herbs on the palate. A hint of minerality. Nothing overwhelming, exceptionally balanced. The fruit may be fading on this one, but it's still really good.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
12/29/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
89 points
A good bottle overall. Very tight, needs 1-2 hours to breathe. Fruit forward, some chocolate notes. Quite well balanced after 2 hours. Easy drinking pinot. Given the price point, there other options to try. I still have one more i can wait on...
Red
12/17/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
93 points
Decanted 2.5 hours, near perfect balance. A wonderful all around bottle. There is potential here for developing more complexity, but if you decant 2 or more hours I'm not sure there would be that much difference. I could be wrong, but with two more lying down & plenty of time, let me see what happens.
Great fruit on the front, a touch of minerality & a little dry on the finish. Great QPR if you can find these lying around.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
11/16/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
95 points
Just a great bottle. A California Cabernet decanted 2 hours before dinner. Gorgeous purple, loads of black & blue fruits on the nose. Exceptional balance. Blackberries & cherries, very fruit forward on the palate. Velvety smooth. This is a crowd pleaser. Now is the time to drink this 2012, can last a few more years 3-5 maybe.
Red
11/15/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
93 points
Very nice, a lovely bottle.
Red
10/25/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
92 points
Lots of spice, earthy notes throughout - takes about 2 hours to unwind this one. Surprisingly light mouth feel once it opens up. Developed into a very nicely balanced bottle about half way. Agree with others, lay this down for a while, 3-5 years. I wouldn't be surprised if thus this gains a point or even 2 with extra time in the cellar.
4 people found this helpful Comment
Red
10/11/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
94 points
Very nice balance, like others noted, deep purple, Blackberry & pepper on the palate. A nice smooth & dry finish. This is s great bottle, you won't go wrong having a few in the cellar.
Red
8/28/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
95 points
I joined a wine club years ago, this was the first bottle they sent me. Had i known what i was sitting on i never would have waited this long. Decanted 90 minutes, the kitchen started to smell of blackberries & cherries. A great Cab. Very deep purple, loads of fruit in the nose, same on the palate, cherries, spices & a hint of tobacco. Superbly balanced, very smooth. Slightly dry but long lasting finish. I will absolutely be looking to this vineyard in the future. This is why I love wine more than i should, sipping and swirling this for hours at a time without a care in the world.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
8/27/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
93 points
Very enjoyable, great balance & acidity. A really nice summertime white wine, crisp & refreshing, beautiful golden color. Minerality to begin - similar to what others have said, honey & melon sweetness on a long finish.
Red
8/17/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
93 points
Wow, this is very enjoyable right now. This may age well for 10 years or more. Decant at least 1 hour, 2 if you can find the time. Black berries, cherries, on the nose & palate. This wine is plush, keeps getting better as the night went on. Coming together with sweetness & herbs while swirling in the glass. Very long finish. The complexity which could potentially develop here is REALLY intriguing. I have two more, may try to find some more.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
8/17/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
95 points
This was wonderful, i'm thrilled to have 2 more. Going to lay them down for a long time. Really enjoyed this outside on the deck as the sun went down on a warm summer night. Should decant for an hour, this comes together beautifully. Silky smooth, near perfect balance & surprisingly light. This is not some viscous fruit bomb. Berrys & herbs on the nose, cherry & pepper on the palate. Long & dry for a finish. Take your time with this one, either laying them down or after opening, patience well rewarded here.
6 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Montes Purple Angel Colchagua Valley Carménère (view label images)
8/7/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
95 points
Pnp, just didn't want to wait.
Should decant for 2+ hours.
Agree with previous reviews, so dark, deep purple. Loads of dark fruits. Opens beautifully becoming very smooth and well balanced.
Could almost spread this toast...that much fruit. Saved 1.5 glasses for tomorrow just to see what happens.
Very happy I have 2 more - going to leave those for quite a while. This could last 10 years, but no way they stay in the cellar that long.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
8/1/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
90 points
I wanted to like this more than I did. It needs about 90 minutes to decant, agree we previous reviewer, very earthy & spices are quite strong. There are better options given the price point.
White
5/31/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
91 points
This was very nice, light, ideal chilled on ice, by the pool or on the beach on a hot day. Notes of citrus, slightly acidic but overall nice balance & sweetness.
Red
5/17/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
94 points
This is a wonderful bottle. Agree with others that this will be better as time moves along. Also, opened this bottle with steak, easily held it's own. Two hours later, it just keeps evolving and coming together. I will definitely be adding several of these to the cellar.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
5/5/2019 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
Agree with most reviewers, pretty tight, but really good. Needs at least 1.5hrs to decant. Also like a previous reviewer, last glass was the best glass. This wine could age really nicely.
4 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
1/17/2019 - Nighthawk244 wrote:
86 points
Underwhelming given the price point.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
11/22/2018 - Nighthawk244 Likes this wine:
91 points
Needs at least 1 hour to breathe, 2 hours if you can find the patience to wait. Really opened up during the last half of the bottle. Worth the wait. Pretty dry, great with steak or other meats. Spices primarily, herbs, earthy.
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  • Tasting Notes: 47 notes on 46 wines
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