2/10/2020 - MikeJK wrote:

Remained closed throughout the night

11/28/2019 - MikeJK wrote:

Sour, presumed flawed

2/10/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Drink

2/10/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

In good shape; Cote Rotie-esque; needs 2-3h decant

2/27/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Still full bodied with lively acid and intense nose and palate for its class and age.

2/7/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

On par with premier cru burgundy in my opinion. Exceeded expectations in complexity on the nose. Palate structure is balanced m+ acid, m tannin, m body if not as expressive in flavor as the nose.

2/2/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Well-made weekday village burgundy. Note that it finishes with some bitterness which I found refreshing but may clash with certain foods.

1/26/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Sweet black fruit on nose and palate. Full bodied but missing some acid and tannin. I have not had this wine before, but I assume it’s gracefully over the hill.

1/20/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Nice mature, reminds me of a good quality mature bdx. Acid is m+, body is full but tannin is m. Probably a bit over the hill but still elegant.

1/16/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Although the complexity, concentration and length are all there for an outstanding, fully developed Riesling... I think it could have used a touch more acid. Based on other reviews, I may have had an improperly stored bottle... purchased second hand.

1/14/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Over the hill, lacking tannin to support the blackberry fruit (still primary on nose) and acid.

1/11/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Probably over the hill, the nose never quite opened over a 6 hour decant though the palate showed well after 5h. Still some dusty cherry fruit, acid still available and most importantly, the tannin is fully integrated but still provides a fine, close-knit texture. Overall I’m happy with this secondary market purchase and still a good example of mature Nebbiolo even if not exceptional.

1/11/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Salty, nutty and most importantly alive. Slightly darker and more oxidized than I would typically expect from fino with an unfiltered haze in the glass. Neither observation is a complaint, on the contrary the complexity, intensity and length on nose and palate are memorable. Fine example and steal at $15 for 375mL.

1/6/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Basically a southern Rhône blend left to ‘cure’ among the elements in glass demijohns. As you would expect, there are madeirized overtones and high acidity a la dry sherry. Understanding the wine making process, I still did not think this one came together and makes for a tricky pairing with food. I attempted with shawarma and hummus but was still missing some fruit or, in the other extreme, missing some umami that might have come from additional oxidation.

1/5/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

From 375mL, this wine is elegantly over the hill. I would not seek it out, but it is an interesting experience. The palate is more interesting than the nose, still some body and plenty of acid. Some complexity and length highlighted by a salty, deli meat quality that I’m okay with but wouldn’t say is a crowd pleaser.

1/4/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Very good for $30 price point. Tannin, body need 1+ h in decanter to fill out. Good for weeknight drinking now; though there will be improvement over 5-10 years, I would not buy for bottle aging.

1/3/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Still kicking! Needs about 90 mins to fill out.

1/2/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Initially quite interesting on the nose but closed off within 10 minutes and remained almost dead for about 2 hours before revealing some olive tapenade. Acid remains high but body, tannin and flavor intensity do not quite match. I am having my first taste after 7 years in bottle, but I assume it was a 90+ wine 3 or 4 years ago. Bought second hand, so maybe a storage issue.

Update on day 2: much more enjoyable with fuller body, richer mouthfeel and tannin catching up to the acid. Still lacking intensity and concentration to be ‘outstanding’.

1/2/2020 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

50/50 Napa/Sonoma fruit which comes through in the flavor profile. Lemon/lime and tree fruit, not quite tropical but still high acid to maintain a lively balance. Concentration and intensity on nose and palate are also satisfying. Body is medium plus and agree with earlier notes that mouthfeel is creamy for an SB. Certainly a new world wine but well done and appealing to Francophiles like myself.

12/13/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Has aged well and was likely overwhelming ripe at bottling but now mellowed with bottle age. Would buy again and could probably improve for another 3+ years

12/6/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Second bottle even better than the first, also consumed in 2019. Improved with standing time > 1 week and careful decant off of fine sediment.

11/23/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Fine for weekday drinking though I was hoping for a bit more texture/tannin and character from Collio.

11/24/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Though medium bodied, the QPR is quite good for this cru bourgeois. M(+) acid and m tannin provide a nice structure supported by an interesting nose and palate balanced between fruit and now some tertiary notes. Fine weekday drinking but a bit light in body and short on the finish to be considered typical.

11/20/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Fuller bodied beaujolais with fruit of cherry and bramble. Reminds me more of a lighter, ready-to-drink rhone than classic BJ; however, fully deserving of village status. Would be a great crowd pleasing introduction to the genre for lovers of California red but without totally sacrificing minerality and elegance for fruit. Deserving of cru status but probably on the heavier side of the Chiroubles brand.

11/2/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Previous experiences have had a more intense “incense” nose after 2-3 hours of decanting. Initial nose seemed tainted with VA (vinegar, not acetone) but this blew off after 45 minutes. Remaining was a nose driven by bramble. The palate echoed with bramble flavor, m(+) on acid, flavor intensity; m on body and tannin; generally well balanced but lacking concentration which gives a sense of hollowness on the mid palate. M(+) length. Good QPR.

10/30/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

This is an elegant rioja with expressive nose highlighted by American oak. Though this is an outstanding wine, I would wait another 5 years for greater integration of oak. Double decanted 2-3 hours before consumption.

10/30/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

American oak up front but integrated, similar in style to Rioja Alta with acid and fruit to support. Good QPR for weeknight enjoyment.

10/13/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

I did not find this bottle to be as linear as expected of GC. I would give it a bit more time (5y), unfortunately this was my only bottle. I did not find it worth $100+ ... grab it at $75?

10/17/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Needs about an hour in decanter to come together. Ultimately a good QPR and delivers some rustic complexity though still lacking the concentration and length of the next quality tier.

10/5/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

This wine is best after day two or three. The nose shifts from candied to a more fragrant bramble. Body is m(+) with m tannin and m acid. Good QPR.

10/5/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Needs about 30-60 minutes to come together

8/20/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

TexSom Grand Tasting (Four Seasons, Irving, TX): Tasted at TexSom 2019 through Austrian Wine Marketing Board. I've never tasted nor seen a SB from Austria. This exceeded expectations.

9/11/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

This is an exceptional CA pinot. Beautiful unfined pale ruby in the glass. No decant required, pronounced vibrant, Burgundian nose of red fruits (strawberry and raspberry). Morish complexity benefits from ripe stems and no filtration.

Palate does not disappoint with bright, savory, tart red fruit. Great texture with perfect balance, in my opinion. Body is medium-, tannin medium, acid medium+. Excellent intensity and concentration of flavor that lingers. Nose may become more tertiary over 5 more years, but I wouldn’t wait.

Will be buying more... QPR is unreal at $45.

9/9/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Coravin to a glass and allowed to stand for about an hour. The robe is a deep, murky ruby--hazy with fine sediment. Pronounced nose with vanilla top note and backdrop of mature red fruit and old, damp cellar (in a good way!). Lovely aromas of spice box linger in the empty glass.

Palate also delivers with m+ body, m tannin and m+ acid. The lively acid cuts through to invigorate the slightly muddled dried fruit. Well done, sorry to only have a single bottle of this particular vintage. Typical, mature tradional Rioja, very well in balance. I would consider this an excellent example that is at its peak (for my taste).

9/7/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

This one is still quite closed. Even after 4 hours in decanter, the nose was still quite shy with notes of red fruit and anise though missing the perfume I was anticipating. Palate showed well--dominated by tart cherry fruit.

9/8/2019 - MikeJK Does not like this wine:

Decent medium bodied red wine with mixed red/black fruit notes. I was a bit distracted by an astringent (metallic?) note in the mid palate. Also quite short.

9/7/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Seemed to peak in the glass (and bottle) after about an hour; thereafter, a bit sharp. Otherwise, this is a very good example of Palo Cortado with an above average intensity, complexity and length. Notably saline with the expected nutty rancio notes and a bit of fruit. Strongly recommend some air time so as not to miss that peak window. Will try again after a day or two in the fridge.

9/7/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

First Rivesaltes. Closer to 30 yr tawny port than madeira with a bit more fruit. Pronounced, complex nose with rancio notes of caramel, candied orange peel. Palate became more 'creamy' after 30-60 minutes. Not sure how to pair... probably not as ideal as madeira with chocolate.

9/8/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Exceeded my expectations with a grown-up nose indicating natural yeast. It seems fully dry with a m+ acid and m+ body. Suggest drinking chilled with food.

9/1/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Suggest waiting on this one, still too much fruit to really appreciate the nose which I'm sure will develop with another 5 years.

8/30/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Granted it was opened on my wedding night... seems to be at a peak showing bottle maturity.

8/24/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Great QPR with complex, pleasantly Brett-y nose. Palate is medium bodied with m(-) length. Good weeknight Italian red to have around but would like to see more body and tannin on the palate.

8/24/2019 - MikeJK wrote:

I believe that this is a good quality wine, but the palate shows a cloying cough syrup element that I can’t get past. No rating.

8/23/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Stood for several days at cellar temp, opened with tongs, poured clear. Decanted 3-4 hours.

My first bottle of two and first experience with this wine. Was a bit alcoholic on the nose and hot on the palate which distracted from what would have otherwise been a delicate nose of medium(+) complexity. Paired with dark chocolate tart.

8/16/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Still fresh!

8/21/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Good QPR with appealing complexity on the nose despite youth. Seems to be dominated by touriga nacional fruit and bergamot on the nose but Alicante cuts the body to m or m(+). Would be a good pairing with grilled white meats or sausage. Quality is good, finish seems a bit clipped.

8/10/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

de Moor Wine Tasting (Verjus, San Francisco): Rare Chablis SB. Leans riper than I would expect for the climate and reputation of Chardonnay in the appellation. Well done, elegant, mineral wine consistent with the brand.

8/11/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Medium weight closer to Valpolicella than Amarone. Many qualities in common with a heavy (cru) Beaujolais or a structured, elegant California pinot. Red fruit (cherry) on the nose is echoed on the palate which shows m(+) body, m(+) tannin and m acid. This is a good quality with good QPR but has some hints of over extraction with limit my score. Consider this a structured Valpolicella but not an amarone replacement.

8/11/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

Medium rudy, clear with slight/fine sediment. Initially nose was dominated by earthy funk (cab franc?) but two hours after double decant was showing more like an elegant (cooler) cab with m(+) intense nose of developed dark fruit and earth. Body is m(+), tannin m(+), acid m(+). Obviously a Bordeaux style but surprisingly restrained and elegant. Developed and probably at peak but has another year or two before freshness starts to wane. Great find at this QPR; it has its own character but definitely closer to fruity medium weight bdx than anything classically Italian.

8/6/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine:

This is a good quality wine for the price point. Nose has medium intensity and avoids the preserved or over-extracted elements that are usually a turn off. 10 years in bottle has benefited both the nose and softened tannin on the palate. This wine is likely fully developed and unlikely to improve with more time. Enjoy on a weeknight with some beef.