8/21/2023 - 97edwardc wrote:

Appreciate the gesture of providing this wine for free to list members. But having finally consumed one there was a reason for that. It’s fine I guess but very sweet, reminds me of an overblown Aussie Shiraz without as much heat. It’s great for the price (free) but I wouldn’t recommend that anyone actually pay money for it aftermarket.

12/4/2022 - 97edwardc wrote:

Drink ‘em if you got ‘em. Past its prime but ,Anne you’ll get lucky.

9/8/2022 - 97edwardc wrote:

Better than I expected. The glass closure was a new one for me. Simple but pleasant.

12/4/2021 - 97edwardc wrote:

Bad cork

5/24/2021 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

Wow this is fantastic right now. I wish I’d held my other bottle until now. Flavors perfectly integrated. Excellent.

9/26/2019 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

Dear god this was bad.

3/1/2019 - 97edwardc wrote:

Must give air. Not really drinkable on pop and pour. But with an hour’s air really begins to sing.

1/23/2017 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

Exceedingly tart. THought it might improve second day. It did a little but not enough to justify price or meet expectation.

12/3/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Delicious. In a great spot right now

9/12/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Outstanding. Every year I buy a case. Hide it for a year. And then dig in. Works like a charm.

9/11/2016 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

This was really very good, mature Cabernet. Good fruit, well integrated oak (always like it when oak is not prominent). Good stuff, if you have it drink it now or soon.

5/23/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Without a doubt the best $19 or $20 I spend on a bottle of wine every year. Just make sure you hold for a few years after vintage.

5/15/2016 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

Still great. No detailed notes but a revelation.

5/9/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Gone. Really a shame that Grey Stack first moved away from Syrah and then went under. Was a great Syrah vineyard.

4/29/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

This is in the zone. Outstanding. Have 10 left but I think I need to buy more...

3/13/2016 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

Bitter, spicy. Not enjoyable.

3/6/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

This is really good. Very pale color. Slight tartness. Solid fruit and ever so slightly sweet. Great value.

1/27/2016 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

I really didn't like this. Poured half down the drain.

1/11/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Fading. Drink now.

1/11/2016 - 97edwardc wrote:

Exceptional value (for a Napa Cab). Rich aroma and palate, lengthy finish.

11/20/2015 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

Austere, highly acidic. Pairing with food is a must. Even then not appealing to me.

11/9/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

With age this is outstanding.

10/4/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

Still quite good. Fruity but not over the top. A touch of black pepper. Mouth coating. Delicious.

9/24/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

FISK15 nailed it. Nothing to add.

9/17/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

Thin. Typical for the vintage.

7/26/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

This was a very pleasant surprise. Pleasant in the sense that I have become disillusioned with the "Pursuit of Balance" school of winemaking in that it often seems that it would be better termed "In (fruitless) pursuit of flavor". I haven't been a fan of the Red Car wines have had recently but loved this. It is by no means a fruit bomb but it is also not ascetic. Instead it is indeed balanced. Nice balance of fruit, mineralogy, light oak, excellent.

6/20/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

Nice fruit, but too much oak.

6/20/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

Clearly this is a divisive wine, based on other ratings. But I really found it undrinkable. Excessive oak, no acid, minimal fruit, heavy olive tapenade, no pleasure. Poured 2/3 down sink.

6/8/2015 - 97edwardc wrote:

Tart, plenty of acid, makes the mouth pucker. Moderate to elevated oak. It's ok, but must have with food.

12/22/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

Bought a case on release. Immediately placed in off site storage. Just pulled a few out last week after a year in storage (and replaced with a case of the 2013). Stunning, stunning QPR. Dark, rich, with an intoxicating aroma and long finish. For me neither a highly fruited, overripe Syrah, nor a meaty, olive-y Syrah. It's the sweet spot of dark fruit, a touch of pepper, maybe a tiny bit of dark chocolate. Great stuff. Should have bought 2 cases.

11/21/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

I see that my last note - from a year ago - was drink em if you got em. Should have heeded my own advice. This is done and done.

11/5/2014 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

I found this wine to be quite unpleasant. I know it's young but I don't think youth had anything to do with it. There was a soy sauce like tinge on the palate, as well as a distinct saline undertone. Disappointing. A substantial portion of the bottle ended up down the drain.

10/17/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

Holy oak. Opened this to celebrate a major milestone. Not a fan at all, wonder why I bought it at the winery years ago. Tons of oak. If that's your style you'll love it. Not for me.

9/29/2014 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

I don't get it. The good news is that it appears that many are getting a great deal of pleasure from this wine, which is great. The bad news is after a couple of bottles I still haven't. Distinct acid, faint lemon/citrus, heavy saline element. Just not pleasurable for me, but to each his own.

9/13/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

The last of 48 375ml bottles. Exceptional QPR, especially given that I got almost all of it at $5 per bottle at winebid. Still tasty!

9/3/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

Delicious. My goodness this was an absurd QPR at the winery's close out $15 price. I wish I'd purchased 3 cases.

7/21/2014 - 97edwardc wrote:

A year and a half ago this was a disappointment. Now it is a delicious revelation. Enjoy!

6/4/2014 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

This is in a very good place. Characteristic Kick Ranch coffee/mocha on the palate with a long, long finish. Rich and velvety. Notable acid, modest tannin. Delish!

3/28/2014 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

If anyone needs confirmation that 2011 was a tough vintage, this is it. For me, Larkmead is about as good as it gets, and this is not very good. I'm glad that given the other (high) scores others are getting pleasure from this. But I'm glad that of the 80 or so bottles of Larkmead I have in stock that this was a solo.

3/5/2014 - 97edwardc Does not like this wine:

This is not good. Tin-like, mettallic. Sour. Unpleasant.

2/10/2014 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

Screaming Primitivo value. Excellent with weeknight take out pizza. Nicely balanced, pleasant drink

11/19/2013 - 97edwardc wrote:

Drink em if you got em. Not sure these are meant to last.

11/2/2013 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

Very nice. Was lucky to score a handful from K&L recently. Fruit is very well developed. Almost sweet. But delicious. Very ready. Drink what you've got. I'll look to finish my 4 remaining before the end of 2014.

9/25/2013 - 97edwardc Likes this wine:

This is a very delicious, meaty, rich syrah. I didn't look at community ratings before opening the bottle and I was shocked that they were so low. I'm getting a nice balance of dark fruit, earth, and savory characteristics that I have really enjoyed. This wine is in an excellent place right now, I regret that this is my last bottle.

1/26/2013 - 97edwardc wrote:

Stunning value.

1/14/2013 - 97edwardc wrote:

I must say, as much as I love both Carlisle AND Bennett Valley Syrah, this wasn't working for me tonight. Didn't go so far as KIDSMURF2000 and pour it down the drain, but well below my expectations. I'm hoping it's just too young, so I will wait for at least a year before cracking another.

10/19/2012 - 97edwardc wrote:

I basically don't buy Aussie shiraz anymore, but have a few bottles of Mitolo GAM in the cellar. This may be the only Aussie shiraz I would still consider buying

6/22/2012 - 97edwardc wrote:

This is not a pop and pour. Opened the first night and it was tight, not super pleasant. Sealed and kept for second night and at that point it was singing. Either decant or open several hours before consuming.

6/20/2012 - 97edwardc wrote:

This is really unpleasant. I started getting into wine seriously about 6 years ago, and back then I would buy based on reviews and to try to have a diversity of varietals and regions represented in my cellar. It is wine like this that is the primary reason I almost never buy Australian Shiraz anymore. Way too alcoholic (better not light a match in the same room), raisiny/extracted/port like. Why anyone would knowingly buy this I have no idea. I sure won't do it again. Yuck.

5/7/2012 - 97edwardc wrote:

Definitely perceive the citrus rind that so many others speak of. Balanced, tasty, nice value at $25.