5/12/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

cloying and lacking acidity to maintain balance. not overly sweet. ive had more enjoyable inniskillin canadian ice wines compared to this unfortunately. real pity at a $100 cost

4/13/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

1986/2019/2020. i have little experience with this estate, except for the 24 bottles of their 2018 2nd wine, Blason d’Issan, which was a fantastic value and very enjoyable. At PnP, the 1986 is showing some primary fruit but clearly beyond its crescendo but still enjoyable. a bit thin, fully resolved tannins. dark berries and cassis quite noticeable. a bit of bricking. enjoyable yet noticeably different stylistically from a typical bordeaux or even a margaux. 2019 and 2020 exhibit the same fruit profile, 2019 coming across lighter, less tannins and not much on the nose. 2020 offers quite a pleasing olfactory experience and more density and concentration of fruit. perhaps the 2019 is shutting down, or it is a vintage variation? time will tell. currently decanting the 19/20 and letting the 1986 slow ox in the wine fridge after a double decant to remove sediment (of which there was surprisingly little). will sample again in 2 hrs

4/13/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

1986/2019/2020. i have little experience with this estate, except for the 24 bottles of their 2018 2nd wine, Blason d’Issan, which was a fantastic value and very enjoyable. At PnP, the 1986 is showing some primary fruit but clearly beyond its crescendo but still enjoyable. a bit thin, fully resolved tannins. dark berries and cassis quite noticeable. a bit of bricking. enjoyable yet noticeably different stylistically from a typical bordeaux or even a margaux. 2019 and 2020 exhibit the same fruit profile, 2019 coming across lighter, less tannins and not much on the nose. 2020 offers quite a pleasing olfactory experience and more density and concentration of fruit. perhaps the 2019 is shutting down, or it is a vintage variation? time will tell. currently decanting the 19/20 and letting the 1986 slow ox in the wine fridge after a double decant to remove sediment (of which there was surprisingly little). will sample again in 2 hrs

4/13/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

1986/2019/2020. i have little experience with this estate, except for the 24 bottles of their 2018 2nd wine, Blason d’Issan, which was a fantastic value and very enjoyable. At PnP, the 1986 is showing some primary fruit but clearly beyond its crescendo but still enjoyable. a bit thin, fully resolved tannins. dark berries and cassis quite noticeable. a bit of bricking. enjoyable yet noticeably different stylistically from a typical bordeaux or even a margaux. 2019 and 2020 exhibit the same fruit profile, 2019 coming across lighter, less tannins and not much on the nose. 2020 offers quite a pleasing olfactory experience and more density and concentration of fruit. perhaps the 2019 is shutting down, or it is a vintage variation? time will tell. currently decanting the 19/20 and letting the 1986 slow ox in the wine fridge after a double decant to remove sediment (of which there was surprisingly little). will sample again in 2 hrs

4/1/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

delicious, elegant and only 12.5% ABV.

3/31/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

corked. ugh. backup wine for easter nothing as good as this was going to be

3/19/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

light body medium plus acidity. 13.9%ABV easy drinker. mild tannins on finish. crowd pleaser. well made. first mexican wine. fresh red fruit otherwise nondescript

3/17/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

excellent. still primary!! this will go a lot longer no rush on drinking these. no decant due to impatience and a late start but an hr would have done it some good

3/17/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

that herbal note was overwhelming for me and took a good while to adapt. well made wine but not going to be a crowd pleaser!

3/11/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

excellent riesling. high acidity, minerality, just right amount of lemon lime. fantastic. pity its my only bottle

3/2/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

Nice density and viscosity. Unfortunately a bit flabby due to lower acidity. not worth the $99 I paid at Costco for these but enjoyable enough.

3/2/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Still in fantastic shape. These wines can live forever. Totally primary, youthful tannins and high acidity. Just delicious in every way. Was worried this would be aging out but will be saving my last bottle for at least 5 more years with zero concerns.

2/20/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

still fantastic. primary lovely high acidity soft tannins gobs of fruit. phenomenal qpr at original purchase price. ardanza delivers the goods time and again

2/14/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

soft and dilute at PnP but filled out nicely over the 2 hrs it was consumed.

2/10/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

best cali pinot ive had. soft tannins medium plus acidity and everything nicely balanced. dark red fruit with spice. just delicious. my god.

2/8/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

delicious. strawberry and raspberry with great acidic lift. why dont i have more kelley fox in my cellar?

2/7/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

lovely. great condition still plenty of fruit. very different than my previous bottle.

2/4/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

14.5% abv but no alcoholic heat perceptible. rich and semi dense, unmistakably riesling. medium minus acidity. wine has come together nicely and is quite enjoyable. I generally cant find dry rieslings I enjoy but this hit the mark

2/2/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

another spectacular bottle. not overly oaky, not rustic, just beauty in a bottle

1/21/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

great qpr. light and zesty with some brioche. perfect for a daily drinker

1/16/2024 - jonboy74 wrote:

nice. but a mild astringent green note. will see if it resolves on day 2

1/6/2024 - jonboy74 Does not like this wine:

not my jam. well made wine but nowhere near a cheval blanc and im not a big fan of malbec

1/5/2024 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

good but pretty shut down. not as young and fruity as my past couple bottles. will wait till 2026 before trying again

12/30/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

cork fully saturated. disappointing to say the least. cork is pretty small, not sure holding 375mls for this long is a good plan unless they started using better corks!!

12/27/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

in a fantastic spot! First time to try a Martha’s. if my palate ever wondered what a eucalyptus note was like, it isnt anymore. talk about a dominating note. it hits you square in the face (in a good way if thats possible). still some red fruit playing second fiddle. no rush to drink these. the cork was in fantastic shape as well.

12/17/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

mild but perceptible cork taint. less structure than the one I had 2 yrs ago. still enjoyable but lost some of its magic. lovely acidity and still smooth enjoyable tannins.

12/15/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

in a great spot but still a long way to go. perfect provenance for this bottle. still tons of fruit, medium acidity and baby tannins. had i tasted blind Id think max 10 yr old bordeaux. needs at least 30 min of air but absolutely singing now. easily will go another 20 yrs if not more!

11/25/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

tons of fruit. delicate and elegant with high acidity and medium minus tannin. drank from magnum bought from K&L. absolutely delicious and still a long life ahead of it especially in mag format

11/20/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

exceptional. medium bubbles, red apple is very prominent. a hint of kiwi and honey. this gives the impression it has more dosage than it does. wish i could find more of it. needs to sit 30 min after opening.

11/17/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

my god these are still totally primary but delicious. 5 more years before i open my last one

11/3/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

decent drop. ripe and not overly sweet. acidity is a bit lacking. enioyable but jot noteworthy

10/14/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

really was looking forward to this one. unfortunately not my style. my wife called it jammy (and she enjoys modern style wines and lots of new oak). very well mare, no question, just not a style I enjoy. alcohol level was not noticeable, this would be gteat for a big steakhouse style dinner. lovely fruit but the extraction was the distraction. 93 points if this is your style.

10/8/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

In a great spot. Simple yet very enjoyable. Softer on fruit, lively medium acidity. Hard to argue with the QPR on this one. Likely not going to improve much, I'll be finishing off my remaining bottles this yaer.

10/8/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

refreshing. a bit lighter in acidity than i prefer. mild residual sugar. very reminiscent of sprite. wonderful lemon lime. not much of a finish. not as compellijg as 2019 or 2021 but enjoyable for what it is

10/7/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

from magnum. still primary and delicious. love this vintage of LRA

10/6/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

absolutely a stunner. bid on this auction wine just for the heck of it and wow was it worthwhile Great level of acidity, feinherb level residual sugar, just a fantastic balance. this is going to be a stunner in a few years!

10/6/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

stellar but still way too young. long life ahead of it. medium plus acidity. not jammy at all just get the sensation from the fine tannins on the palate that will calm down with more rest. very much appreciating the restrained use of new oak vs rioja. glad i have a few of these for the long haul

10/1/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

OMG thought this was a 2001 Kabinett. Great density, lovely apricot/stone fruit and honey, wonderful balance. Really had planned to hold this for another 10 years and not drink it on a normal Sunday night! I like surprises like this!!

9/30/2023 - jonboy74 wrote:

cork pushed in. totally oxidized

9/21/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Still alive, plenty of fruit and lovely medium plus acidity. tannins fully integrated. medium body. bought at auction on a whim, not disappointed at all! Fruit fades quickly on the palate with a nice tingly acidic finish. Not going to improve any more but still a long runway before you have to worry about these.

9/19/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Echoing Advin's review - wine is in a great spot - wonderful at PnP but developed more after a 30 min decant. Tannins not yet fully integrated, quite pleasing while nowhere near overwhelming. Medium plus acidity. Perfect drinking window for my palate, but no rush to drink these at all.

9/10/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

still young with quite w bit of tannin. soft on midpalate but hit the spot after travelling 17 hrs

9/5/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

outstanding. drank side by side with the 2010 Greer. tasted identical. easily has 10 more years in it. decanted half for 3 hours and drank the rest on day 2. excellent both days, day 2 was a bit softer as expected

8/28/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

In a good spot. Lighter fruit profile, tannins mostly integrated medium plus acidity. Very enjoyable

8/27/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Well balanced auslese but not exceptional. Acidity was a bit lacking, especially compared to some of the other 2001's I've had recently.

8/24/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Great QPR, bought at auction for $30. Much better than the 2001. Lovely acidity, maturing nicely. no rush on these. Delicious.

8/23/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

A bit diluted but still quite pleasing. Appreciating the low abv. Bought at auction for $30 and well worth the tariff It would cost me more to store this in my offsite for 20 years

8/21/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

Still lovely but fruit starting to fade a bit. will follow over 3 days and update. not going to wait much longer before opening my last one.

8/20/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

From 750ml. Fresh as a daisy, beat out a 2011 suduiraut. A long way to go yet. Lovely lifting acidity and moderate viscosity. Sad to see my last bottle go but wow was it impressive

8/17/2023 - jonboy74 Likes this wine:

15.8% abv but no noticeable alcohol on the palate. Still tons of fruit left no rush on this one.