2/12/2024 - Francophile1 Likes this wine:

This is what you drink the night after an incredible Super Bowl evening of drinking liquid old world nobility (tasting notes to follow). It tastes like Silver Oak AV. Doesn’t it always taste like this?

12/10/2023 - DrELW Likes this wine:

If I had tasted this blind I would have certainly thought it was from Northern Rhone - more specifically, a Cornas. There's blackberry, black pepper, clove, licorice, and meaty flavors on the palate. The body is full, the consistency is rich, and the intensity is deep and pure. The tannins are well integrated. It has a medium and dry finish. For a $35 WTSO wine this is a great dollar value. I'd buy more it they were still available.

7/17/2023 - Winevious wrote:

One of the best bang for your $20 buck out there. Mellow fruit aroma with a semi-velvety dry finish. Easy to drink. Holding another 2019 for a few more years to see how it changes

10/12/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Big and bold, powerful. Not quite Dr. Pepper anymore but I would like it too be.

1/29/2023 - BBinSC wrote:

No improvement in the last year. It's garbage.

9/22/2017 - Blatina Likes this wine:

That was a perfect Pinot. Good mouth feel, well bodied, light smoke, fresh fruit up front. Perfect for white wine drinkers transitioning to red wines. Wrath wines are the best in Monterey County.

4/23/2023 - Vino Loco wrote:

Mid to dark colour. Generic Cali Cab profile, trending more towards Josh or J’Lohr more than better Cali cabs. While it improved with time - it never lost that fake oak/vanilla profile you get from engineered wines.

Had with the Louis Martini Napa, which was significantly better.

5/29/2023 - wino121 wrote:

Stupid good

9/2/2021 - KeithAkers wrote:

Nose: After two hours in the decanter, the nose is still showing a little bit and out of balance. Thankfully with another hour+, it comes much more in balance and shows off all sorts of Syrah goodness with black cherries, raspberries, blackberries, licorice, crushed rocks, black pepper, some smokey notes, violets, and kirsch liqueur tones.

Taste: The feel is Medium/Full bodied with crisp, medium acidity and silky, medium+ tannins. There is a slight coarseness to the tannins and the feel lacks some depth with the alcohol being just a smidge out of balance. That said, this is well balanced and shows very good density on the palate with black cherries, licorice, raspberries, blackberries, crushed rocks, Smokey notes, and kirsch liqueur.

Overall: I’m certain that this could benefit from a few more years of aging to smooth out the rough edges. However, I don’t see this being a long-haul Syrah and that is more than fine! This is lovely, delicious, and at a great price while appealing to a lot of Syrah-loving palates.

11/15/2020 - wino121 wrote:

Vinturied into decant, consumed over several hours.
Nothing too obtrusive here, all and all a fairly straightforward simple example of a Napa Cab.
Med plus on all three tasting points.
Drink now thru 2022-3

5/31/2022 - epiphany Does not like this wine:

Two bottles in a row now bad. Not sure what’s going on? No score.

4/12/2018 - jbaron wrote:

Reticent nose but great length and full round mouth. Not overtly fruity fruity but very dark earthy fruity. Well rounded and big. Could still use a few (or more) years.

Last bottle in 2022 for another point or two?

4/15/2022 - rickspicks wrote:

Definitely past its prime. Probably full of earth, black cherry, and spices originally, but now the fruits are dull, and the edges seem sharp. From WTSO.

5/31/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine:

The Fifth Annual World's Largest Blind Tasting of American True Rosés: Retail $22. Light pink with a really reductive nose, but the palate is not nearly as bad as the nose. There’s fruit, acid, balance, but it is marred by that nose.

http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com

9/20/2021 - wino121 wrote:

Bought this one on a flier, mistake #1!WTSO
I couldn’t find any info or notes-
A tart astringent mess, day 2 no better, dumped it.
I can’t see this ever rounding the corner.
Not a rebuy.

12/10/2020 - Sanlucar wrote:

Four grapes (Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cab Sauv and Malbec) and mediocre in every way possible - in fact, it reminds me more of Lodi rather than Napa. Tastes of blueberries and milk chocolate; which would be acceptable if I were still an 8 year old kid. Underwhelming and overpriced; there is absolutely nothing special about this fruit bomb.

11/3/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Full and round.

1/13/2020 - FiggySmalls Likes this wine:

Bottle variation? Both recent notes are accurate based on the two bottles I've had.

First bottle was so delicious I inquired into purchasing another case. Cab franc came through aver well, great fruit, great acid, oaking and alcohol were evident but integrated enough that the wine didn't feel clunky or hot.

Second bottle tasted heat damaged. The beautiful fruit in the first bottle were instead heavily stewed with the alcohol, oak, and tannin. Down the drain.

10/28/2021 - Zitan wrote:

I was worried about this $17 Garagiste deal based on the mixed comments on CT and WE (93) and just had a bottle for myself.

It definitely needs air - it’s still opening after 90 minutes.

First impression before breathing was musty and oxidized so I understand the criticism. But after 45 minutes the mustiness blew off to reveal a pleasant but not soaring earthy, spicy nose.

Restrained fruit on the dusty palate with dried berry overtones. Nice length. Elegant, almost in a Burgundian way, which is an insane comment at this price point.

Not profound but interesting and enjoyable and incredible QPR. When’s the last time you wanted to think about and discuss a $17 wine?

But drink up.

3/3/2022

Just had the 2nd bottle. After a 2-hour decant (which we knew to do this time), the most stupidly great QPR ever. Ridiculously good for $17. I wish I had a case. Thanks, Garagiste!

10/5/2021 - Neecies wrote:

Surprised by all the positive reviews. Last night's bottle had the light body and acidity of unsweetened cranberry juice but not the fruit. It was herbal, savory and sour. I do love acidity but a counterbalance is required, and this didn't have it. It was hard to drink and I resorted to blending it with a fruitier, low-acid wine to create a complete whole.

10/21/2021 - srh Likes this wine:

Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉

Private Preserve used after Day 1.

N: Peaches, apples, undertones of minerals, with HINTS of honey?

P: RNDISH entry; ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) quickly offset by acidity as it fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, TANGY/swt finish with spates of bitterness seemingly exacerbated by its pairing with Stouffer's Tuna Noodle Casserole, the bitterness being somewhat less noticeable w/o food.

// Day 2: Has held BETTER than I'd expected, though showing Day 1's same issues with food.

// Day 3: Held adequately, still weaker with food than solo.

∑: 88 pts irrespective of price, though I could poss see 90 *if* its $7.95 cost is considered. While the acidity should get it into EARLY '23, I certainly WISH it was showing > frt! 🤔 13.0% ABV

5/13/2020 - wino121 wrote:

Solid effort here, beautiful fruit, nice acidity..
And a bargain!
If you want to taste WW on the dime, buy this juice.
Drink now - 2023

10/16/2021 - snipes Does not like this wine:

After the recent TNs I decided to open one and I gave one to a friend to try before I'd opened one as well. I went back and forth between brett or stewed/cooked. Drinkable, but with a definite horse funk to it that was more old S. Rhone than Cali PN. Followed over the course of two hours and the funk lightened up some, but it was certainly off.
I asked my friend yesterday what she thought of the wine without tipping my hand at my thoughts. Hers was inline and she enjoys her Cali Pinot. Night one the claim was like grape jelly / cheap grocery store wine. Night two, better but still tasted like a cheap bottle from the grocery. CERTAINLY not the bold claim of high dollar Sonoma Pinot that had to be private labelled. I will be contacing LB as soon as I finish typing this. Dissapointing.

10/13/2021 - wino121 wrote:

Opened decanted,
Funky to start with and became a weird disjointed tart mess,
The nose was even more off kilter, not cork taint either.
I’d call it flawed for all intentded purposes.

10/9/2021 - indiscriminate palate wrote:

Quite the disappointing bottle following the last one—comes across as overly developed and on its way down. Flawed? Though not showing any signs of it.

10/7/2021 - Neecies Likes this wine:

This essentially has none of the characteristics I associate with northwest syrah, but what it does have is a bright, deft medium-bodied delicacy not unlike tempranillo. A very good tempranillo in fact, highly likable if one changes one's expectations. Red cherry and berry fruit with a bit of orange rind and a minty nose supported by tame tannins and acidity. Equally good as either sipper or food wine. Bottom line: not what I think of when I reach for syrah, but I need and want wines like this in my cellar.

10/24/2020 - sichuanpeppercorn wrote:

Nose of malt vinegar, baked bread and dark berries. Palate cheap vanilla ice cream melted on dark berry cobbler ate w a spoon made of jerky. Maybe more time will help?

3/31/2021 - Clark W Griswold Likes this wine:

Pale pink. Tart cherry and watermelon. Lively, crowd pleasing style. Killer buy at Costco for $6!

2/1/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whites, 8 Reds, & 8 *shared* bottles] from 1/31/20 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): From a vyd with Huichica series loam soils & a clay substrate

N: Slightly closed; RIPE frt (plums), poss red rasps?

P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much resolves as it leads into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS 12-18 mos, then drinking through '24? Attractively done in a relatively "big" style. My EXC-; [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

5/17/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Has a western exposure so lots of long afternoon sun. Lots of color and extraction here. And lots of structure there. Its got back bone for sure.

10/30/2020 - Portland Seth wrote:

Still some sulfur out of the bottle, but not as much as before. No rhubarb, making this a better balance between sweet and bitter. Creme de Casis, pomegranate, matchstick and burnt sugar. Flavors still lack clarity but at least this bottle goes down easy. Definitely New World in style.

11/11/2020 - wino121 wrote:

One of the best ounce for ounce Syrahs you will ever drink...could easily rate this higher but don’t want to look like an idiot here!
No sign of age just keeps getting better.
Drink now thru 2024.

10/21/2020 - Portland Seth wrote:

Out of the bottle lots of sulphur which mostly blew off after 45 minutes. Cassis, rhubarb and burnt matchstick, but the flavors are not clear, they come across as mostly just sweet, sour and bitter. For the same price I could be drinking St. Cosme (also 100% Syrah) which is much more interesting and several points better. Drinkable, certainly, but a pass.

7/7/2020 - mdefreitas wrote:

Cranberry and pomegranate notes. Crisp but perhaps without the energy and snap of previous years. This had just arrived... perhaps it needs time to settle down.

10/14/2020 - wino121 wrote:

Vinturied 3x, into decant.
Solid cab from WW, a great expression of that AVA in general.
This was well rounded with lively fruit/tannins all working, this will evolve in the next few years.
I see an easy 91-2 with patience.
Drrink now with decant thru 2024.
And this was a steal @ $18.

8/8/2020 - Zafer Likes this wine:

Delicious right out of the bottle. Medium body, boldly fragrant, dark cherries with an earthy hint, lasting finish, so well-balanced I can’t stop drinking. I haven’t had this much fun with a Pinot Noir in a long while, especially at this price. Really glad I have more bottles of it.

7/28/2020 - wino121 wrote:

Eh,

6/7/2020 - klezman wrote:

Amazingly delicious. Strawberries, coffee, earthy notes here and there, excellent acidity and structure.

10/26/2018 - FelineAvenger wrote:

Agreeing with previous poster that this needs to be put away in the cellar for a few years, or given a real long decant. Not very approachable upon opening the bottle. After an hour and a half of air it was enjoyable enough but not earth shattering. Hoping for a more impressive showing in 2020.

8/31/2019 - srh Likes this wine:

BBQ Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): A blend of 95% Zin & 5% P.S. "from select vyds in top growing regions: El Dorado (60%), Sierra Foothills (23%), Lake (14%), & Napa (3%) counties, harvested 9/1-10/19/17 @ 27.5° ave Brix; The fruit was hand picked @ dawn & sorted in the vyds, then carefully destemmed & optically sorted. Cold soaked before primary fermentation began in tank; The wine was gently basket-pressed, then racked to oak barrels to finish primary fermentation, malolactic, & aging (16 mos in AM (10% new) & FR oak."

N: SMOKE atop RIPE berries with undertones of pyrazines? Intensity lurking?

P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by the barest HINT of astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, poss very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a distinct swtness to the unoffensively firming, dusty tannins. For now with, yes, BBQ should this be your preferred Zin style, but with the acidity so as to DESERVE another yr or so, then poss drinking through '22? 15.9% ABV; My VG+/EXC- in the flirting with R.S. style. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

Note: Today I noted somewhat more acidity than I had on just 8/3 & 8/17/19.

12/2/2019 - vinus_operandi Does not like this wine:

an over extracted oak juice alcohol bomb (15.9 to 16.9%?). way way too much new oak. the very worst of what California wine making can be. Rombauer should be ashamed of themselves putting this wine out to the public. no further descriptors necessary. if you like this wine, why not just buy a good bottle of port instead?

11/30/2019 - srh Likes this wine:

CA Cabernets & Blends [5-Napa & 1-Paso] (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “79% C.S., blended with Merlot, C.F., & P.V. from our estate vyds in Coombsville & Rutherford, and mtn sourcing in Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder, & Howell Mtn. Aged in 100% FR oak (30% new).”

N: Choc slightly atop RIPE berries with notes of pyrazines; Intensity lurking?

P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which QUITE works itself out by the LONG finish with an elegant TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the few, firming, innocuous, dusty tannins. A *somewhat* leaner (than the AVA's stereotype), food friendly, drink now style to be enjoyed through '22, poss '23. 14.9% ABV; My EXC-, & I'd certainly LISTEN to pleas for higher based upon QPR™ for *this* AVA. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

™While a bit < unctuous/"rich" than the ubiquitous '17 Caymus C.S, this comes in @ a tad > than 1/2 the price, & I would THINK *should* "work" for Caymus aficionados.

3/24/2020 - hondius wrote:

Completely flat, no acidity. Grape juice. I am sorry to be that harsh, but I kick myself how I was enticed by glowing reviews (97 points?) by My wine store to order several bottles of this.

6/16/2019 - Clark W Griswold Likes this wine:

Double decant. A year later this wine remains very masculine and closed up. Some nice savory notes but almost no fruit flavors. I like it and it’s a good value that may come out of its shell one day.. This is my last bottle.

4/16/2019 - Sauvyfan wrote:

This was quite a disappointment. The oak was overwhelming, and it had that distinct American oak chips cheapness to it. The finish was astringent , and out of balance. The overripe power, that was signature to the "original" Prisoner is evident, but this wine doesn't come together well. Perhaps my palate has changed in 8 years.

12/28/2019 - wino121 wrote:

Vinturied 4xs into decant,
Waaaaay to young at this point, lively tannins along with racey acidity dominates any chance of the fruit to
show thru, after a few hours the Grenache popped, too gripping and out of balance.
I personally would even think about opening another until 2024-5.
Honestly a disappointment.

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

This is my second and last bottle of the 2013 Papillon - thank God! Can someone explain to me why this wine is having such great reviews?

In my opinion it is too jammy fruit forward, too alcoholic, is linear and one dimensional. There is no age ability of this wine. It will not get better with time.

I've said it before - this wine appeals to the masses because while it is very fruit forward, jammy, big, and has tons of alcohol. Not my style. Would not buy again.

5/4/2019 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 6 *shared* bottles] from 05/03/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Jeff, I *do* SO appreciate you sharing this SENSATIONAL wine! :)

From 60 planted acres "located on an E-facing slope on the S edge of the Pyrenees Hills in western Central Victoria; The grapes are destemmed & fermented in cement tanks. The maceration lasts 3-4 wks. 100% of the wine is aged for 10-12 mos in FR oak barrels. 1,500 cs (6 pk?) bottled unfined & unfiltered on 4/1/14, released 6/1/16."

In a small tasting glass for ≈ 3 hrs? Throws BIG time sediment!

N: LOVELY flowers with ripe berries, rest tough to parse; Intensity lurking?

P: Med body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a delightful tangy swtness (& POSS a *hint* of incipient quasi-bitter flatness?) to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS another yr or so, then making its 10th... easily. 14.0% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. 95 pts Dunnuck, 92 Suckling, 91 & "Cellar Selection" WE @ $40, and 90 Wine & Spirits.

3/3/2019 - Clark W Griswold Likes this wine:

Double decant and consumed over several hours. Core of sweet red fruit, toffee, smoked meats, olive brine, gravel. Unique creamy texture. Hard to put down. Sexy wine for sure! First Delmas for us. I obtained this bottle from full pull. Opened it in honor of being upgraded from the wait list at Delmas to the allocation list.

12/9/2017 - srh Likes this wine:

Winebar [4 Whts, 8 Reds, & 4 Shared Bottles] from 12/8/17 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Floral (honeysuckle?) with minerality

P: Med body; RNDISH entry with almost an oiliness [lanolin?]. NICE frt met by AMPLE acidity which SLOWLY, fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, somewhat tangy finish with glimpses of honey. VERY nicely made for drinking now & through the end of the decade, POSS longer. 95 pts WA & 92 pts WE. THANK you *so* MUCH, Dr. Tom, for sharing this hard to find wine which the WA feels is the best made in the U.S.!