4/8/2023 - wfdeacon wrote:

Got this on auction in 2010. My taste profile was wider then. Opened tonight, cork perfect. This was so mellow for a Aussi Shiraz, perfect in its presentation. No bricking in the glass. Fresh sweet cherries on the nose. Nicely balanced, not heavy, incredibly fresh on the palate. Astonished.

12/6/2022 - wfdeacon wrote:

Had this in a restaurant tonight. Second glass. Working my way up the list. Had to look to find the Legacy sku. Great medium to full body Cab. Nose has deep black fruit, a note of tar. Sweet with some bramble notes on entry. Really nice tannin to clean the finish. Play above it price point.

10/30/2020 - wfdeacon wrote:

Cork was perfect. Color for this 19 year old bottle was medium dark garnet. Nose has a slight earthy note, creosote, showing mildly sour cherry.
Sweet and sour cherry on the palate, still showing lively acidity, tannins mostly resolved at this age. Really nice bottle. Bought this at its auction prime and had it for years. Even though it’s $100 bucks cheaper now at auction, I’m not disappointed.

1/11/2020 - wfdeacon wrote:

PAP. Cherry cola nose that turns dried cherry. Old telephone pole. Soft ripe cherry and blackberry on the palate. Enough acidity and tannins to hold up the finish. Still nice after all these years.

6/19/2017 - wfdeacon wrote:

This is nice. Cork was perfect. Picked up some cherry coke and a whisper of creosote on the nose. I was expecting a heavy Shiraz, but was surprised at how elagant this held itself. Most if not all of the tannins gone but very surprising at how delicate it was. Loved it.

4/1/2016 - wfdeacon wrote:

On the value scale, way off the charts for Bordeaux. Nice from the opening. Nose showing red and black berries, a little stone and licorice (or maybe creosote). Good fruit, mild sweetness, good acidic lift on the finish.

10/20/2015 - wfdeacon wrote:

Interesting paring, same vintage. This and a '03 Ramey Diamond Mountain bordeaux blend. Color is similar, Ramey darker ruby, both with an orange tint showing on the edge. Deeper, richer nose on the Ramey, loved the medcuricrome note on the Montviel. These two wine are close (because the Montviel is a more modern style). Both well made, but no mistaking where they originated. I just love a good California blend.Would love to have more of each in the cellar. In the end, the the edge to the Ramey by a couple of points.

10/20/2015 - wfdeacon wrote:

Just a hint of orange at the edge of a dark ruby core. Nose showing black cherry, toasted vanilla bean, saddle soap. Full, sweet, still has a nice acidic lift on the finish. if you still have Dave Ramey's '03 Diamond Mountains that have been properly stored they are a treat.

6/4/2015 - wfdeacon wrote:

Once you get past the cork issue ( maybe the twin blade style would work), it's a lovely wine. Ruby color, mature nose of red and black fruit.
Nice blending of new and old world style. Very soft through out. Given the question regarding providence due to the cork, and the maturity it shows, I would not press the drinking window

12/18/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Great QPR. You win some and lose some at this price point, this is a winner.
Deep ruby. Sweet black fruit, leather and creosote on the nose. Large and jucy to begin, acidicy picks up mid palette, finishes with the Syrah showing some spice.

10/1/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep ruby color. A mix of ripe black fruit and candied cherry with notes of dried spice. Full sweet fruit on entry, then very agile with a nice balance of acity and tannins. Blackberry, black cherry, zest lift at finish. Better than first bottle in 2013.

7/1/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Dark ruby. Black fruit, a note of candie cherry, touch of old world funk, light vanilla and spice notes. Got that old world location on entry, turns to sweet black fruit mid palette, finishes sweet with a nice acidity giving lift to mild tanninis providing dryness. Solid QPR. A plesant drinking experience, especially at this price, as this wine works some magic on it's way from entry to finish.

6/2/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Color is a medium intensity red moving to garnet. Earthy nose giving off red currant, a floral note, tobacco, damp split wood. Medium body, some sweet fruit showing through, lively acity, resolved tannins, spicy medium length finish. This was a nice bottle (apparently some bottle variation), and I have a lot of Bordeaux's much more expensive that provide less enjoyment.

5/28/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Nice medium depth ruby, what I expect a Claret to be. No sign of age in the color. Actually this is the eighteen bottle from two cases purchased early in 2011 and the best (to my memory) yet.
Expressive nose of red and black fruits, cassis, vanilla with a smokey depth. Seems to have gained fullness with time, sweet while still supported with some lingering acidity and modest tannins.

5/12/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

The IWC review is spot on. While plesant it does not merit the price.

5/5/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Bright ruby. Nose is port like, ripe raisins and cough syrup. Stays true to the nose on the palate. I can only hope the Cabernet on this purchase turn out better.

4/16/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Dark ruby. Nose is ripe blackberry wine (like Grandmother made), espresso and woodsy spice. Sweet, full mouth coating black and blue fruit. Finish is still showing some youthful peppery dryness.

4/7/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

One of my favorite Ramey"s. It has aged quite gracefully. Nose is darker than my posting two plus years ago. Ripe red and black fruit, menthol, polish, toasty oak and more. Mouth coating sweet fruit, spicy, acidic lifted finish. Really nice bottle.

3/9/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Medium intensity ruby. Red cherry, a hint of earth, and this bottle showing orange zest on the nose. Cherry (a little sour), menthol, medium body, finishing with a touch of acidity. How many Cabernet Franc 's do we store in the cellar, can't go wrong with AW.

2/27/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Medium dark garnet. Nose has ripe black fruit but is dominated by a toasted herb aroma. Looks viscous in the glass, heavy legs. Begins a little sweet and heavy but tannins and acidity gives it some lift on the finish. I have tried their Cab, Cab Reserve, and this blend, have found them to be nice values for that middle of the week bottle.

2/8/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Thirty a bottle for this? Seriously, way better. Deep ruby. Expressive nose, BBQ beef, tobacco, saddle soap and black fruit with vanilla cream. The blackberry and black cherry along with the vanilla/oak come through on the palette, lingering acity provides a nice spicy lift to the finish. Let'em offer this again.

1/15/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Love Chappellet, have not had this designation/blend before. Near the end of it's published drinking window, but holding up nicely. Dark ruby, nose mostly ripe dark fruit, a little tar. Fleshy mouthfeel, typical for Chappellet. Ripe candied fruit, holding some acidity giving lift to the finish. If there were tannins they are mostly resolved. Nice.

1/9/2014 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep burgundy. Sweet black fruit, brown sugar and note of polish/wax. Sweet entry, full mid palate with raspberry jam and spice. Nice amount of tannins and acidity promoting a lingering finish.

12/5/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Bright ruby, translucent at the edges to a medium intensity center. Rustic nose of red cherry, herbal spice and shoe polish. Tart cherry on entry, medium body, acidity, and a green veg note. Tight finish. Mostly Cabernet (85/15) with a little merlot. Has some complexity and could improve with some cellar time, but expensive at this price point.

11/26/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

When is a Merlot like a fine aged California Cabernet? When Robert Foley does it. Deep garnet with just the slightest hint of bricking. Rich, ripe nose of black cherry, other black fruit, cassis and vanilla. Full body, sweet ripe fruit and cream. Could not be in a better place as it ages out of it drinking window. Only drawback is the tannins are fully resolved which shortens the otherwise spicy finish.

11/21/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Dark ruby with some bricking at the edges. Candied fruit cake, hint of menthol on a rustic liqueu like nose. Sweet, ripe , spicy, still holding some mid-palate acidity. Some lingering tannins on a cola and spice finish.

11/5/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep reflective ruby. Nose throws off blackberry preserves, licorice and fresh split oak. Sweet, broad red and black fruit flavors finishing spicy and not overly hot. Bought this at auction for $20 more than the current posted auction price. If you can get this for $ 30 to $35 it a steal. I don't regret the community average I paid.

10/17/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Intense ruby color. Nose has dark fruit, damp earth, rubber, licorice and a vegetable note. Sweet and spicy in the mouth, black cherry, menthol, finishing with nicely drying tannins. Nice counterpoint as a new world, but still rustic styled cabernet compared to the more polished California version.

10/16/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Medium ruby showing a hint of bricking. Eighteen months since the last bottle, a nicely matured Shiraz. Nose has plum, sweet black and blue fruit and mulling spices. Full body, black fruit, cassis, heat is gone, tannins integrated.

10/8/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Showing a little bricking, but still a lovely claret color. Nice nose with bright red fruit, red hard candy and a hint of creosote. Medium to full in the mouth, sweet red fruit, a note of licorice, nice acidity and lingering tannins to focus the finish.

10/7/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Bright black cherry color. Benefits from some air time. Nose gives off hints of cherry, soaped leather, vanilla and a touch of menthol. Large but focused in the mouth, sweet moving to tart, hint of oak, spice, finishing with a clean acidity.

10/1/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

This has just gotten better with cellar time. Bright ruby. Nose shows black fruit, menthol and cassis. Throwing out all sorts of associated tastes in the mouth. Sweet black and blue fruit, licorice, vanilla ice cream and watermelon seeds on a peppery finish. May be one of the best WTSO values in the last several years.

9/27/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Dark ruby. Ripe nose of black and blue fruit, tobacco and moist earth. Sweet earthy mouthfeel, hint of menthol, with mostly resolved tannins.

9/12/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Seems to have improved with some additional cellar time. Bright ruby. Expressive, somewhat riper nose of red and black fruit. Tart black cherry, a touch sweeter than the last bottle. Still dry but better balanced.

8/26/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Pale champagne like color. More citrus, tangy acidity and less oak, still a touch of cream on the finish. A more agile style than the typical Ramey Chardonnay experience. Still nice, however one of three bottles served tonight with guests was corked.

8/14/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

You could score this higher just for its uniqueness. It's needle is defiantly cranked towards an old world style. If its trying to be French it almost got there. Still a little riper than even hot Bordeaux years, but you can see from a lot of prior notes the similarities are there, which I second. Sorry for the editorial rather than a tasting note.

8/9/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep purple tinged ruby. Ripe dark fruit nose, hint of cedar, and menthol. Full body,sweet black cherry, vanilla and licorice, a touch of spice in the finish. Most of the tannins are resolved. I think the drinking windows for this wine is too narrow. I have several more (because I think Chappellet Cab's are a great QPR) but while its not going to get better you won't have to pour them out in 2014.

7/24/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

While I have had only two vintages of this wine ('06 & '09), the '06 I found superior, this has improved over my tasting from a year ago. Dark ruby. Sweet dark fruits, medium to full body, spicy tannins on a slighty longer finish. It seems to have benifited from cellar time.

7/11/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Twist cap. Dark ruby. Ripe blackberry and vanilla nose. But not overly extracted on the palate. Still an Australian Shiraz but holding a nice balance of ripe fruit, acidity and tannins, very focused on the finish. I have not opened a bottle of this since 2011, but this is noticably better than I remember.

7/2/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep ruby. Nose of bright red fruit, creosote, a hint of licorice. Traditional sour cherry, vanilla spice, still tightly wound. At $30, if you like the old world style, hard to go wrong with this.

6/14/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Purple midnight. Rich blackberry pie nose. Sweet ripe black fruit, tannins working hard to hold this wine up. Large, rich wine.

5/2/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

From a 375ml. Tasted on opening, very tight, restrained nose, missing any sweetness on the entry. 24 hours later, kept at cellar temp, this really opens up. Nose picks up some sweet, ripe, red and black fruit, cola and licorice. Much better balance over all, still dry as you would expect. It will meet expectations after prolonged air.

5/2/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Ruby red. Red fruit and oak on the nose. Sweet black cherry, oak, some slight acidity, tannins not overly pronounced. 2011 is a little young to releases a Reserve. Not quite as good IMO as the 2010 Estate Bottled offered a year ago.

4/13/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Ruby red. Ripe red and black fruit, cassis and a touch of tar. Sweet entry, realty mouth coating, black cherry. Dusty tannins on the finish. Nice bottle.

4/9/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Beware a dried cork. Two for two. Very dark/midnight ruby. Ripe dark fruit, creole, and a touch earthy on the nose. Very youthful in the palate, not so acidic, but still very dry. Nice blend, not exactly a Malbec.

4/8/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Blue black color. Blackberry, ripe plum on an earthy nose. Sweet entry, brought to a point by a nice combination of acidity and tannis on a medium finish. This may benefit from some cellar time.

3/28/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Deep bright ruby. Nose of black cherry, spice and wet tobacco. Rich, sweet and coating on entry, finishing with nice acidity and pallett drying tannins. Per the previous tasters this is a well done merlot.

2/28/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Shinny red ruby. Black and red fruits, cassis, on a earthy nose. Full body, sweet on the entry, to spicy tannins on the finish. Hard to beat a Mondavi Oakville for the price.

2/27/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Medium intensity ruby in color. Oaky nose, with dark fruit. Ripe semi-sweet fruit, bright acidity and spices tannins on the finish. Not a bad trade off to some of the better entry priced Australian Shiraz.

2/23/2013 - wfdeacon wrote:

Nicely done '06 California Cab. Deep ruby. Appealing nose of dark fruit, cassis, cedar. Full mouthfeel, solid balance, sweet tannins on the finish. Bought on auction but might check out their list.