9/5/2015 - Swise73 wrote:

Best cab I've had in a long time. Glad I waited.

3/22/2014 - Swise73 wrote:

This is a beautiful wine. Although a GSM, the syrah is dominant especially on the finish which is spicy and peppery, but also nice and long. I think the granache brings it together in the middle and tames the tannins from the syrah. Drinking perfectly right now, but think it could hold for a few more years. Keeping my last bottle for a few more.

5/14/2013 - Swise73 wrote:

I really enjoyed this wine. Maybe I have a soft spot for Failla, but damn this just jumps at me. I've never had a Failla Pinot that disappoints.

5/10/2013 - Swise73 wrote:

Based on CT reviews I was disappointed. Was nice up front but had nothing on the back end. Decanted for 3 hours. Warmed up to it with a nice steak, but still was hoping for a little more. For a $27 1997 Bordeaux, I will still say a nice QPR.

3/27/2013 - Swise73 wrote:

Definitely past prime, but had some nice redeeming qualities. Terrific aroma with hints of strawberry and tobacco. Peppery at the start but with a short and somewhat sour finish.

7/11/2012 - Swise73 wrote:

Beautiful. Perfect BBQ wine, and paired very nicely with ribs. Great Zin, drink now.

3/2/2012 - Swise73 wrote:

Awful. Enough said.

3/2/2012 - Swise73 wrote:

I've sat on this wine for a few years now and I was pleasantly surprised at the result. Decanted for 2 hours and once drinking continued to open up through the bottle. Very enjoyable for a nicely priced aged Bordeaux. I look forward to the next bottle. Probably at or near peak, but definitely drinkable for a few years.

1/23/2012 - Swise73 wrote:

This wine could cellar a little longer, but don't be afraid to crack it now. I enjoyed the spiciness up front and felt that it carried into a nice finish, particularly as it opened up. Not disappointed in this wine as it falls in line with what i would expect from an OS wine.

1/19/2012 - Swise73 Likes this wine:

I loved this wine, but i realize it's not for everyone....and it's very young. Big fruit both on the nose and pallet. This will get more sophisticated with age. If you like big fruit then you'll enjoy this. I plan to hold the second bottle for a year or more, can't wait to see how it develops.

1/12/2012 - Swise73 wrote:

This is my 4th bottle over the last few months and it grows on me each time I crack a new bottle. Don't expect a complex Cabernet, however I find the fruit and tannin combination works very well on its own. Good by itself or with food, but I felt it paired very nicely with pizza.

12/21/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

Surprising! Thought this wine would be spent, but I was wrong. Delicious with a fantastic long finish. Intricate and earthy.

12/21/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

This is a very unimpressive wine. Super bland with absolutely no finish. Steer clear of this one.

12/9/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

I typically love lirac wines, but I found this wine to be bland. Not much excitement from begin to finish. Not bad, just not great. Wouldn't buy again.

11/17/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

Very good wine. Delicious on the front, but a little weak at the end. A light pinot, but tasty.

10/4/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

Delicious. Lots of plum fruitiness. Great with a steak and brussels sprouts.

7/8/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

good wine. Give it some time to open. Beautiful tannins, great with a good new York. Dry and rustic.

6/10/2011 - Swise73 Likes this wine:

Wonderful. Simply wonderful.

5/18/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

This is a delicious red table wine. Very rich with red fruit flavor. Great with BBQ, burgers, lamb and steak.

3/24/2011 - Swise73 wrote:

This is a very good $12 pinot. Very fruit forward (if you like that).

3/16/2011 - Swise73 Likes this wine:

We were told this was past its drinking prime, but once it opened up very delicious. A little lite on the finish but otherwise a very nice zin.

7/4/2010 - Swise73 wrote:

Awesome! Had it with great friends!!!

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

A tale of two Carignanes. Carignane (pronounced karen-yawn) is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, found in abundance in Spain, France and California. Most Carignane is grown in a prolific manner and used as a blending grape for its color and structure. By contrast, our Carignane, from our ancient vineyards that yield a mere two tons per acre, is a wine with firm structure and rich, dark fruit that will age gracefully. Dark ruby in color, the wine shows aromas of plum, chocolate and clove and hints of dark berries.
Production Notes:
Individual lots of fruit were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. The grapes underwent near total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel with select cultured yeasts. Temperature was controlled at an optimum 85 degrees F to extract color and flavor. The wine was pressed off its skins at dryness and racked twice before being laid down to French cooperage (approximately 35% new oak) for six months. Prior to bottling, the separate lots of old vine Carignane are blended together. This creates a wine that is both balanced and harmonious, exhibiting firm structure, ripe tannins and plush fruit.

Winemaker Notes:
Carignane holds the distinction of being one of the most widely planted red grapes in France. It is also grown abundantly in Italy, Spain, Algeria and Israel and was once the most planted varietal in the new world. It has traditionally been used as a blending grape because of its favorable yields, excellent acidity and big tannins. Cline Cellars is one of a few wineries to vinify this varietal. Dark ruby in color, the 2006 Ancient Vines Carignane offers aromas of plum, chocolate and clove. The old vine elicits a taste of typical Oakley terroir, a dusty, dark cherry fruit and a nice bright acidity.

Food Pairing:
It’s a perfect match for grilled meats, braised short ribs, even pizza with goat cheese.

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

The 2005 Carneros Syrah has aromas of bright blueberry and boysenberry, nutmeg, black licorice and smoked meats. The palate explores hints of toastiness and exhibits flavors of berry and currant spice, ending in a lingering finish of plum. Try this wine with pan seared venison steak and sweet potato mash.

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

Our 2005 Carneros Syrah boasts seductive, varietally expressive aromas of ripe black fruits, violets, white pepper, roasted coffee and sweet vanilla. On the full-bodied palate, lush blackberry, plum and fig flavors mingle with savory, roasted spice tones, with supple tannins and a long, toasty finish completing the package. Delicious now with grilled red meats and other hearty fare, this sumptuous example of classic cool-climate Syrah will develop gracefully in the bottle for another 3 to 5 years.

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

Our 2006 Rubáiyat offers wonderfully fresh, fragrant aromas of toasted blueberries and warm, ripe strawberries, with enticing baking spice scents. Soft and supple on the palate, it boasts juicy, red-cherry and strawberry flavors enlivened by a zesty spiciness and enriched by savory toasted oak tones. Delicious, especially served slightly chilled with picnic and barbecue fare, this richly fruited wine is meant for consumption in the near term. So find a corkscrew!

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

Winemaker Notes: This wine is 93% Syrah and 7% Merlot. grapes.

Sensory Description: Dark garnet red, bright and clear in appearance. Aromas of huckleberry, black pepper, cocoa and toast mixed with roast coffee. Focused to show off its jucy flavor of blueberry, plum and blackberry fruit, shaded by hints of mineral and cream as the finish lingers effortlessly against light, crisp tannins.

11/4/2008 - Swise73 wrote:

Color: Beautiful black cherry with touches of ruby and mashed strawberries on the rim.
Nose: Beautiful interaction between the oak and the dark berries, black cherry and blackberry with touches of spices like pepper and lavender with hints of Kirsch and marzipan.
Palate: Beautiful velvety start evolving on a nice acidity with raspberry jam and touches of blueberry lingering on ripe tarragon and thyme.