10/23/2023 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

The nose has a plastic scent that is hard to get past. Maybe an off bottle.

8/20/2023 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

Odd flavors for a chardonnay. Very acidic with an off-putting bitterness. Not a re-buy.

7/3/2023 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Dark fruit and blood and meat. This needs a good decant and will last many more years.

6/7/2023 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Very nice value Brunello. No hard edges and still with plenty of life ahead, so no hurry to drink.

6/4/2023 - chanote44 wrote:

Tannic and tight. Needs at least a year in bottle and a good decant. Light strawberry fruit profile and medium acidity.

3/28/2023 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Great funky Pegau nose. Well integrated with delicious fruit. Drink now and over the next 5 years.

3/21/2023 - chanote44 wrote:

Sweet and disjointed. A blend most likely made from leftover lots of grapes. Nothing special

12/25/2022 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

Thin cherry upfront fruit with no mid palate what so ever. Nice acidity with medium tannins not supported by any structure. Definitely pass on this wine. Not worth the Costco $.

12/16/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Needs more time, not ready. Dark black fruit and heavy tannins. 2 more years at least.

12/13/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This pinot is tannic and shut down at this point. It has great promise and should be given at least 2 years in a cellar. My advice is to wait.

12/11/2022 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

Simple and uninteresting. Very light body. Avoid this if possible.

12/8/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Still a bit tannic. Give it another year if you have a bottle.

12/5/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This is just entering its drinking window. For a wine with 12 years age it has plenty of black and red fruit with chalky minerals and medium tannins. The finish is a bit short but there is still so much going on that this wine merits a high score. No hurry to drink- this easily has 10 more years of life.

11/27/2022 - chanote44 wrote:

Beautiful nose, but tannic with a short finish.

11/14/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This improved after an hour, so give it a decant if you drink now.

11/6/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Had last night with steak, grilled veggies and couscous. This was delicious with a great balance of fruit and a peppery spice that worked so well with the meal. Definitely worth another bottle purchase.

10/12/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This wine has a very dark color. After an hour it smooths out with plum and blackberry fruit. There are hints of tobacco and earth with chewy tannins and a medium body. Very nice.

9/7/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Fabulous aged Rioja. Needs an hour of air for the American oak to blow off and then you have an amazing expression of tempranillo, a perfect mix of new and old world character.

8/20/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Wow! This merlot opens with blackberry and currant and has a full bodied, savory mouthfeel. A bit heavy on the oak (Trefethen style) but that blows off with some decanting. The tannins are chewy and firm and there is plenty of acidity to make me think this wine will cellar well through 2030. What a great example of Napa Merlot.

7/12/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Much more integrated than my last bottle. Bright red fruit and spices along with white pepper and zippy acidity. Maybe even better in another year or 2.

7/10/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Amazing!!! Complex and balanced.

7/10/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Give this time to open up. Classic, dry old-school Cabernet.

6/19/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Simple Burgundy. Easy to drink but not overly complex.

6/8/2022 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

I am unable to rate this wine as it strays so far from typical Sauv Blanc. It is heavy, overly oaked and sweet. Meh!! This is the Rombauer of Sauvignon Blanc. Not my style of wine.

5/22/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Great old school Napa Cab. Not overly sweet or extracted.

5/1/2022 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

Thin body and lacking in acidity. Not nearly as good as last years bottle.

4/24/2022 - chanote44 Does not like this wine:

Way too much smoke and sulfur on the nose. Viscous palate. I hope this is an off bottle and not the house style. Undrinkable!

4/23/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

modern ripe fruit

4/17/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Pretty grenache fruit flavors but a bit one dimensional. Lacking complexity at this stage. It may improve with some time in the bottle. Drink in 2024.

4/17/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Easy drinking but a little too sweet for my palate.

4/16/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Just a fabulous rioja. Give it a long decant.

2/25/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Big and burly Rioja. Delicious and has the goods to last a long time.

2/12/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Drinking really well now. Ample blue fruit with a bit of leather and tobacco. Medium finish with a splash of acidity.

1/29/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This is a dark, burley, tannic Rioja. It opened up nicely over half the bottle. Will try the other half the following day and make an update if needed. Most likely, this wine will benefit from another year or two in the cellar.

1/24/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Interesting Dry Creek Valley Primitivo. A bit leaner and restrained compared to its Zinfandel counterparts. Crunchy red fruits with a hint of spice and zippy acidity make this a great food wine. I didn't get to try this on day 2 because we finished it all at dinner. I am interested to see how it develops. Need to pick up another bottle.

1/13/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Easy drinking field blend. Short finish and not overly complex.

1/13/2022 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Smooth and well integrated blend. Nice core of fruit and acidity.

11/21/2021 - chanote44 wrote:

A little too sweet and fruity for my taste. Maybe not my style. Not sure how this will improve. I'll revisit my other bottle in 3-5 years and hope for the best.

11/17/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

A year and a half since my last review and this has improved. Still a massive American Oak bomb, but the fruit and texture are more harmonious. Smooth delicious dark berries, oak, and a bit of earth dust round out the palate. I'm impressed and will buy more to try at a later date.

11/8/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Smooth and delicious Cabernet. Gobs of dark black fruit and modest oak and some spices. The wine is drinking beautifully and is completely integrated. Great juice.

11/8/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Nice easy drinking Pinot but a tad too sweet and simple for a single vineyard release. Maybe better in a year or 2.

11/8/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Great Cab with dark fruit and good overall balance and structure. No hurry to drink this. It needed at least a 2 hour decant to show its stuff.

11/1/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Lovely white blend. Rich and full in the mouth without being oily or heavy. Good overall balance. Some lemon and melon with a hint of salinity.

10/25/2021 - chanote44 wrote:

Drank this way too young. Extremely tannic. Needs at least 3-5 years to be approachable. Hold!

10/19/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Just flat out delicious Zin. Ready to drink with a short decant. Harmonious.

10/16/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Really good on night 2. Long decant or hold a few more years.

9/4/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Chocolaty dark fruit with a bit of oak. Modern to the core.

7/16/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Smooth dark fruited and integrated. Medium finish. Enjoyable

7/8/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

This is a modern, dark fruited Pinot.

6/6/2021 - chanote44 Likes this wine:

Fantastic young tempranillo. Rich black fruits smothered in cedar, dill and american oak.