4/18/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Great wine, no formal tasting notes taken which is a rarity…. Decanted over 2.5 hours.

Sight: heavy purple staining with sediment appearing in the bottle now. Not a lot but it’s notable enough that it should be decanted….

Nose: Very concentrated nose but I wouldn’t it call perfumed by any means it wasn’t leaping from the glass. Dusty Cocoa with gobs of Black and Blue fruit truly a Boysenberry liquor scent with French oak spice and a touch of vanilla.

Taste: The tannins are very fine and slightly chalking, this is a big wine with good structure and the acid is medium right where it needs to be. The black fruit here is super concentrated and delicious like a black/blue fruit liquor and there are secondary notes of tobacco, vanilla, Baking
Spice, and that dusty cocoa I love, it’s absolutely here !

Overall: The 2017 vintage while warm produced some early drinking stunners with there dark fruit concentration and ultra ripe tannins. I saw people say they didn’t know about this wine and that it felt disjointed and Im happy I didn’t perceive that here I just thought it was tight at first. Definitely can open and enjoy now I would say!

4/8/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Sight: Medium ruby, no staining.

Nose: A very pretty aroma that’s well concentrated at this price point. In quality Sangiovese I always look for this Sweet Amarena cherry smell and it’s so good in this wine. I also find Pomegranate, a lovely floral violet or rose aroma that’s accented by thyme (Herbs), baking Spice, and a touch of earthiness in the back letting you know it’s Tuscan.

Taste: Delicious, warm, perfectly ripe Amarena Cherry, plum, and Baking spice/Herbs followed by the Tuscan earthiness in the back that shows itself more with air. This drinks much better on day 2 atm as it firms up and softens the high acidity. The tannins are perfectly ripe and feel very well integrated due to 18 months mainly in large Slavonian oak casks (called botti) and oak barriques (225 ltr and 500 ltr) and 6 months in bottle. On day two this wine has great balance and the finish while still on the shorter side is much improved. Elegant, ehhh debatable … delicious yes,
It’s pretty but this needed lots of air and things came together much better afterwards.

Overall: This is a good vintage and it shows in the ripeness of the fruit and the balance of the acid and tannins. It’s clear that this is one of the top wine makers in the region and they provide consumers with an excellent wine of quality for the money here. I hope it stays at $25 but I’m sure that won’t be the case in 20 years. I tried this next to one of my other favorite producers in the region “La Calonica” which has a neighboring vineyard in the Pieve of Valiano. Both wines were fantastic stylistically but different as Avignonesi seems a little less rustic and much more modern/fresh.

4/4/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Wow…

Sight: Deep Ruby color with heavy glass staining

Nose: Explosive and room filling purple flower perfume! This is insanely complex upon opening it needs to breath a long time. Intoxicating aromas of Blackberry, dark cherry coulis, Black Currant, licorice, truffle, Graphite and lots of cocoa/vanilla from a big hit of Exceptional French oak. There is a lot of green pepper at the moment from the 30% cab franc adding to the insane depth but I honestly really like it. (It’s much more perceived in the nose than on the palate)

Taste: So concentrated this is just a rockstar on the nose and that follows on the palate. This wine drinks like Princes’s performance of purple rain at the super bowl, it’s iconically good. This is so balanced and accessible that even young I find that the fruit while powerful is pure and fresh! The lovely cocoa from the heavy oak in the wine is delicious and the tannins are as fine as can be. Ripe tannins with just a long long evolving finish and palate.

Overall: The value here is off the charts… This is beautiful and has a complexity and pedigree that is hard to express… I like to say some wines just need to be tasted and this is one of them. This is an exceptional 2020, I’m so happy I snagged a few of these! I can tell this will go the distance and become even more ludicrous and I can’t wait for that day. I couldn’t stop smelling and tasting and then my glass was gone ! Haha

4/4/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This is spectacular…

Sight: Medium to deep golden color

Nose: Big nose of yellow Citrus, pineapple, baked yellow pear, Toasted Pie Nut, Macadamias, Popcorn, Carmel, almost reminds me of Honey Smacks cereal. Underneath the rather hedonistic aroma there is evidence of purity from the fruit and minerality.

Taste: Bam! Kongsgaard always delivers a mouthful of Chardonnay… that is clear here as it is viscous and full bodied, being considerably low in acid but a hair above what is needed to prevent falling flat. Lovely honeyed baking spice and concentrated flavors of yellow citrus with a healthy dollop of Popcorn / oak in the finish. The palate is refreshingly rich (if that makes sense) it’s not tiring which, I love, but the only thing I noticed is the alcohol starts sticking out more than I’d like at room temperature.

Overall: This Chard has always held a special place in my heart. This was a gift from a friend as a reminder of my first wine job.
John Kongsgaard is a very important figure in the Napa Chardonnay wine style, Making some of the richest chards in the Napa valley but with poise. It’s like a mix with a full sound that’s not too loud, a huge volume without making too much noise. Originally he popularized techniques of unfiltered and minimalist wines. he chose to adopt the more Burgundian style of patients with native yeast fermentations that could last up to a year, not worried about oxidization as the wines went through malolactic conversion.
He used lots of time, waiting, and elévage to let the wines comes back to life afterwards. This is clearly not the Burgundy wines of restraint but a wine of patients and time. In burgundy they are hands off and the let the wine be wine in the cellars…. and that’s what John did, now his son Alex, cheers to a great memory and wine!
(Sorry for the long write up)

3/31/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Sight: Medium Garnet/Ruby color with very light staining

Nose: Absolutely beautiful nose completely perfumed Dark Cherry and Roses, it’s room filling. There is also Stewed Strawberry, Currants, Plum and crushed blackberries. I find secondary notes of Eucalyptus and chocolate showing the aroma has clear development and complexity for days! I just want to keep smelling. Compelling Big ripe fruit but with a wonderful rustic sense of place with its refined earthiness.

Taste: The 2016 was always a beautiful vintage but it has softened completely and it absolutely in its drinking window. The palate is medium body but with a mouthful of Dark and red fruit flavor. This is polished, rustic, and delicious from start to finish it’s has a gorgeous complexity and great finish. The tannins are very fine (silky like wines of double the value) and perfectly in check with the ripe fruit and the acid is medium plus. Great spice and would pair wonderful with Any Italian fair this is completely balanced and the fruit is less sour and more sweet with that refined earthiness in the finish.

Overall: WHY DO PEOPLE STILL SLEEP ON VNDM!! The best producers of these wines are making Vino of remarkable quality for the money. This is under-reviewed and commonly found at ABC in Fl so if you like VNDM here is the write up JUST BUY THIS and don’t think twice before it’s double the price! Very good value here.

La Calonica Spans approximately 35 hectares in the ‘pieve’ of Valiano, nestled between the renowned municipalities of Montepulciano and Cortona, the estate occupies a prestigious position. Situated directly between the esteemed properties of Antinori ‘La Braccesca’ and Avignonesi ‘le Capezzine,’ it graces a hilly ridge at approximately 350 meters above sea level, a short distance from Lake Trasimeno. This wine is aged 36months in wood and held 6 months in bottle being 14% abv.

3/31/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

The 2019’s I’m happy to report have finally come to life! Haha

Sight: Classic CC medium ruby color with some garnet on the rim.

Nose: Great concentration at this level! It’s quite intensely floral now with sweet rose, The fruit is showing ripe Amarena Cherry and you get the rustic touch of Tuscan leather/earthiness. This is what I look for in the nose of A quality Chianti (the 2019’s really just need time.)

Taste: The tannins are rustic (not too grippy) but still remain fine and the acid is still expectedly High. The palate at this level has some depth and length now which, is hard to find in $20 Chianti… I can tell things have started to come together here as the finish also is quite long too. Lots of Ripe, Red, cherry fruit, warm Cranberry, and a nice touch of spice to add some complexity. Again, Good concentration at this level it’s definitely not watery and full of flavor.

Overall: I had this next to Volpaia, and a Avignonesi VNDM and this was drinking very well and might have been the favorite. The 2019 was very tight upon release and it’s clear it’s starting to unfold and become very quaffable. The Volpaia is more modern and lighter in style with much less concentration this absolutely out shined it in every way. **wine is Rated lower than it should be for value it deserved 90pts **

Clearly a old school Chianti style with the addition of 5% Canaiolo being more chewy Vs the 10% Merlot in the Volpaia making it considerably softer.

3/29/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

One of the few times I open this for dinner and forgot to take formal tasting notes… I guess the food and wine paring were just too good! Haha

Very tight upon opening needed 2 hours of air to show itself at all for me.

Enjoyed in my Richard Brendon / JR glass I got concentrated aromas of Mediterranean Herbs, Chocolate, Black cherry syrup, And gobs of freshly crushed blackberry. I also perceived what was like a chalking minerality in the back of the wine after time.

On the palate the wine Contiguously follows the nose with concentrated black cherry, blackberry fruit with that chocolate merlot deliciousness. Good minerality and herbs the wine is grounded having a sense of place. The tannins are luxuriously fine but still young and chalking as they grip and then just let go. With the addition of Wagu Ribeye steak cooked in cast iron with Mediterranean herbs everything just makes sense and all problems melt away!

Overall: I won’t open another Oreno (this is my 3rd bottle) in while… The 2019’s are still just knock out wines of great quality and I’m gonna let them sleep to come into their full potential. I sense things are now changing and the wine is starting to tighten but even so it’s remarkably assessable.

3/3/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Genuinely good value as it’s drinking very good atm and shows 2016 wasn’t amazing but very solid!

Sight: Deep ruby color, medium staining on the glass and my bottle had sediment on the cork as well a little in the bottle.

Nose: Pure dark cherry aroma that’s very nicely concentrated. Then you get a big hit of almost bubble gum oak and delightful Cab spice that is probably from the 22months in 100% small oak barrels (25% new). The wine is in a really good spot and the nose is unmistakably Cabernet.

Taste: I always love the balance I get with Washington Cabernet the acid is medium, tannins medium plus but fine, body is medium plus and there is a great balance on the palate. That dark cherry fruit it concentrated with blackberry, currant and shows good freshness. The wine hold the oak well with Vanilla, chocolate, and spices in the medium finish. The oak isn’t as strong on the palate as in the nose. ( I appreciate when a wine doesn’t drop off and has length)

Overall: I think if I drank this wine 5 years ago I may have rated lower but it’s honestly drinking amazing and deserves 91pts because for the price point it out values and over performs anything I’m getting from Napa.

3/3/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I still think older bottles of Catena were a-lot better I have to at least get Alta at this point to get the full experience but having tried every vintage in a row since 2014 this is not a good vintage from La Consulta. I think the CT rating is too high here… I drank this with the 2018 & 2019 having multiple guest that agree with this conclusion.

La Consulta Tech-Sheet:
8 months in barrel (35% new) French oak.
La Consulta Vineyard (1095m/3592ft). Alluvial origin. Loamy soil, with rounded rocks on the bottom (80% Sand - 10% Clay - 10% Silt).

SIGHT: A beautiful magenta Malbec color medium purple (not super dark) and medium concentration/staining on the glass.

NOSE: Monderate intensity a rather jammy wine with more red fruit like in the rough vintage of 2016. Raspberry coulis, ripe Strawberry, plum, and strawberry leaf show this is very red fruit dominate. I’m used to more blackberry, floral notes and vanilla but that characteristic is not here which shows the vintage. Secondary notes show a earthier wine with some refreshing minerality.

TASTE: The palate has a complete unbalance with the tannins from the oak… I noticed this vintage has 8 Vs. the normal 12 months aging and I know why because the wine doesn’t hold it well. The wine taste like it has more oak when it doesn’t….The acid is also very low showing unbalance and while the wine is very easy drinking it very much lacks the proper structure from previous vintages and leaves it feeling flat. On the palate there is a drying oak, lots of jammy red fruits that delights tastebuds and a stream of minerality in the finish that helps keep things clear.

OVERALL: Most people enjoyed the wine as a different option to the Cabs on the table as this was more jammy and had bold fruits flavor but with little tannin bite. I’m a huge fan of Catena and truly care But the Vintage unfortunately resulted is a lesser wine here it’s very clear (JS 93pts lol) the 2018 and 2019 are At least classic in nature so I would highly recommend those but this I would not, I’d say grab a different vintage of this lovely wine.
I’ll leave you with this… “Heat is the enemy of freshness”, I clearly see that in a quick harvest affected by covid and the warmest conditions on record with 55 days over 32c (typically 30-31c) is certainly the case here in 2020 unfortunately for La Consulta.

2/15/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Sight: Medium staining, medium ruby color

Nose: Concentrated Warm dark cherries (like the delicious syrupy kind you get in an old fashioned), chocolate covered ripe black plum, cola, and big hit of spicy goodness. Good oak management as usual with a hint of vanilla.

Palate: Soft Merlot texture with very fine chocolatey oak tannins. Ripe, plump, dark red fruits indicative of the vintage with a big hit of black pepper spices. Great mouthwatering acidity supports the ripeness. The finish firms up with time and becomes longer with a nice mineral freshness. Slighty unflattering bitterness did appear with air that I sense is from the oak possibly? (It’s slight doesn’t ruin the wine I just noticed it the next day)

Overall: 2018 honestly isn’t my favorite for the Trefethen Merlot, I’m kind of surprised because the vintage was excellent and the Cab is fantastic. The concentration and tannin quality is great here but I still think the 2019 is my favorite atm. I don’t know what they did in the 2019 vintage but the Merlot just sang… like Sauvignon Blanc in NZ if that makes sense. Also, in the 18’ the slight bitterness on day two was unpleasant but should clear up with some more age I assume.

2/8/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Phenomenal Yakima valley wine from Owen Roe. I think people need more time with this wine as this needed 5 hours in the decanter to really come together.

Sight: Very light staining on the glass with a medium ruby color.

Nose: Within the first two hours I absolutely agreed with the disjointed fruit/earth/cigar smell stated by “THEEBIGJUAN” it was honestly bizarre almost like if you listened to music out of phase. I’ve never experienced this before. The fruit was a little muted the oak was very strong. Then it blossomed like a desert flower with Pure Dark cherry, Black Currant, and some warm raspberry jam. The nose was wonderfully concentrated and the oak found itself well balanced with cigar smoke, spices, and earthy chocolate.

Taste: The palate was the same story as the nose… it took awhile to firm up and come together but when it did this ran across the palate like a thoroughbred horse. Again perfectly concentrated Dark red fruits, tobacco, vanilla and lifting acidity for freshness with the ripeness. The tannins where right where they need to be and after firming up gifted me a long finish. The wine had much more length and some wonderful Cabernet spiciness.

Overall: I think if I ever drink these wines again I will be sure to decant them a very long time…. I feel I would of rated this 90pts if I didn’t wait…. They clearly have very high cooperage standards as I could taste the freshness of the new oak. (Reminded me of Trefethen in Napa) and that needs time with the fruit for it to all come together. Overall really great Cab balancing Cali ripeness with the focus of Bordeaux was very happy paying $50 for this.

2/3/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

There isn’t much more to say that all the great reviews here haven’t already so I’ll just share my experience with the 06’ in 2024.

Sight: Light/medium ruby almost Pinot noir like and at 18’ it really doesn’t show too much garnet. No sediment in the bottle after all this time which was great for my decanting!

Nose: such an alluring bouquet that is old school and classic in nature. Lots of red fruits such as dried cherries and ripe plums that are followed by the classic balsamic notes I expect! There is clearly secondary development here with tobacco, barrel dust, minerals and some floral overtones. Really couldn’t ask for something more classic it’s amazing what RLH Reserva gives you with time.

Taste: This is a wine of class without the lust for materialism. It’s just classic old school Rioja in all it glory with everything in incredible balance the tannins, acid ect… nothing is sticking out all the red fruit is there it’s fresh, the palate has length, the finish has minerals and dusty oak with a wonderful complexity. The wine almost has a Pinot Noir like sophistication being lighter on its feet with finesse and the ability to pair so well with a myriad of foods.

Overall: Decanted and tasted over 2 hours with lovely charcuteries and eventually chimichurri Steak with mushroom and black truffle risotto. This was the wine of the night and I just can’t believe the value of this wine being $45 when purchased…. with every RLH, if you wait the wine just overwhelming out performs the price point. This is fantastic to drink atm cheers!

2/1/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I very much agree with “Somm David T” notes below…. I’m glad I have older Bottles as the family sold out and I worry about the quality in newer vintages. (I feel like we lost a part of history)

Sight: No sediment in the bottle, beautiful medium ruby color, light staining on the glass.

Nose: I love this style and right away the bouquet in the glass tells you what to expect! I saw someone say Barolo like and I can’t say I disagree with that because the dried cherry note is so pure just lush darker cherries and it’s heavenly. It’s floral I find some leather notes and peppercorns black and green. You can smell where this was grown and this has complex aromas of darker/red fruits and secondary notes that keep me coming back for another sniff!

Palate: I drank with people who had never had Heitz before and they where like… this is Cab!? The palate is not this big and extracted wine like what you would normally expect from Napa; I told them it’s pure, with length and depth. This wine makes up for all the boldness with finesse it’s remarkably smooth (@14.5%) just almost Merlot like how it rolls across the palate but still has a great body just no excessive grape/barrel tannin pulling on the sides of your mouth. The dark cherries, plums, spices, and secondary notes are concentrated and make for a wonderful wine in its development. Some wines can smell or taste old and this wine is so fresh and so alive.

Overall: I’m gonna miss these older Heitz, feeling like I’m drinking history now…. Sometimes you don’t want the bold extracted Cab and you just want something that shows you what Cabernet really is without the make-up. That is what Heitz has always been to me and is gonna give you unapologetic natural Cabernet and it’s refreshing in a sea of fruit/oak bombs every time I open a bottle. Cheers!

1/30/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

If you want one word “IMPRESSIVE”

Sight: Dark almost black cork stain, in the glass heavy purple staining and deep color. The bottle was coated with sediment…. I’ve honestly very rarely seen bottles like this especially this young I drank a 06’ with less! (Andy Erickson “SevenApart” is the only other wine I saw throw sediment in the bottle like this and that’s at a significantly higher price point)

Nose: The nose commands your attention with Pure blackberry and dark plums having purple flower overtones. This has power with Cabernet Spices punching through with secondary notes of chocolate oak, vanilla, and a almost meaty/leather character I really enjoyed! I expected a big nose from a well aged Trefethen and this delivered.

Taste: The definition of a finely tuned Napa Valley Cabernet… This is drinking phenomenally atm I agree with other reviewers. The nose delivers what it teased you onto the palate and it’s quite a show with concentrated blackberry fruit and all the secondary notes in supporting roles. The tannins have a expected grip at the entry level wine but the oak/tannin management is clearly perfect here. The wine does come in a little hot (14.8%) I would say is my only complaint but with everything else going for it that was truly more of a after thought.

Overall: I tasted this next to a 2012 Heitz Cellars and a 2013 Trefethen Reserve which was quite cool! I was elated to show the stylistic differences of the two wines with everyone but the biggest surprise is how much better the regular 2013 Trefethen Cab drank over the reserve…. This wine was a clear demonstration of why you wait and when a wine is ready to drink; superlative example. On the other hand the 2013 Trefethen Reserve was very shut down and not open at all and everyone noticed and got to experience that so if you have any of the reserve I’d wait 5 more years without a doubt and drink these because they are killer right now! (But clearly show they can hold longer if you want to wait)

1/29/2024 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This wine is in an excellent drinking window… 2013 was particularly good in the Northern Rhône making quality wines. It doesn’t have the guts of the 10’s or 15’s but I don’t think anyone was complaining as it was a great Cornas Syrah.

Sight: Deep Purple, not overly dark or staining the glass from heavy extraction. Balanced color and not a lot but notable sediment in the bottle after decant.

Nose: This is why you wait with Syrah to drink and it’s only just started with this wine! The nose is seductive and pulls you in with Meaty, sanguine almost lamb like aromas followed by scorched earth. The fruit is pure and blackberry forward with lovely spices. It’s great to smell the secondary notes coming into the wine.

Taste: This is Rhône Syrah no doubt having a beautiful varietal texture and fine tannins. The palate has depth, lots of focused darker fruit, and those secondary notes or here and the added complexity of the game, spices, and smoke make the wine come alive. Great length of flavor and finish. Hand harvested grapes with a Mix of new and old oak usually around 22 months aging with 40-100 year old vines. All from the Chaillot lieu-dit (states RP)

Overall: The wine is ready to drink and was the show stealer of the night among some other great wines! It will no doubt hold longer but it’s giving you everything you’d look for right now to enjoy of a Cornas. I see why Les Ruchet is the estate wine for Jean-Luc-Colombo his wine making,controversy, and weird bottle shapes should not distract from the amazing juice in the bottle !

1/26/2024 - WyattTheSomm wrote:

I’m Huge fan of Trefethen and have been waiting to open this 2013 reserve for awhile!
**( I’m editing my review since having this wine again next to the regular 2013 see overall)**

Sight: Decanted in Janice Robinson and Richard Brendon decanter…. My god the cork with wine crystals on it should tell you enough but the sediment in the bottle and the staining in the glass is no joke. (Clearly a wine of emended quality)

Nose: If I could sum the diction in one word it would be gorgeous…. Concentrated blackberry, candied Lilac, cocoa powder, and Cabernet spice let’s you know this should be what you want peroid.

Palate: honestly this is where I was surprised having many Halo’s and trefethen Entry level Cabernet I was a little disappointed with the 2013 reserve. The sight and smell clearly commends a wine of integrity but the palate is gracious until the finish where it to my surprise drops off…. I do get structure of high regard an clear flavor profile of quality as detected in the nose but it drops off… and this is after being decanted properly for hours.

Overall: I drank this next to a 2006 RLH Reserva and 2013 Jean Luc Colombo Syrah Cornas and this was definitely the lowest performing wine and I have to be honest here, I was not expecting that. I truly thought the Trefethen was gonna be directly under the 2006 in a group during dinner. It’s a gracious Cabernet deserving of its quality but definitely didn’t blow me away.

** edit after tasting again next to regular 2013 **

Wow… this wine is very closed off and not ready I believe it is shut down and suggest anyone who wanted to open this waits 5 more years atLeast 3…. Out of curiosity, I opened the regular 2013 and it blew this out the water in a group because it was so alive and fresh in comparison. This was a great example of aging and how it effects wines differently at their respective levels and when they are ready how they taste and when they are not ready how they taste.

(I have removed my rating of 91 due to this as I believe this should be minimum 92 unfortunately my wine was shut down)

12/22/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This wine deserves its flowers and anyone who bought this in this fantastic vintage is being rewarded by waiting!

Sight: Deep ruby with touch or purple and nice staining and didn’t show much age. I had some sediment in the bottle and on the side of the glass and the cork was immaculate. Whoever I see wine diamonds on a cork I know I’m in for a treat as the wine is very healthy!

Nose: Everything I’m looking for in a quality Bordeaux is here… I get black currant, dark cherry, blackberry fruit and that is highlighted by Violet floral aromatics. The fruit is followed by the cinnamon/chocolate notes from the healthy oak aging this wine had and and you get those pencil lead notes starting come out showing where the wine is from.

Taste: A joy to drink now that the oak after 10 years has integrated in the wine. This on the palate has that Bordeaux structure but it is fine tannins and found myself being able to drink without food! Very balanced, good acid, and quaffable. The fruit is all there not super secondary but can really start to get that pencil lead minerality I love in Pauillac and a touch a Cigarette tobacco as well. The finish is medium.

Overall: This wine is impressively concentrated and well crafted for the price and not being from an actual village ( although, I remember from talking to the rep back in the day it’s like 80/100miles off the borderline of Paulliac) this wine is clearly or high quality and well made in a great vintage! The age did wonders to bring it together as the oak was wayyyy to strong 5 years ago but this is only gonna keep getting better but for $35 I wish I bought more of these as this was my last bottle.

10/29/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I’m gonna be honest I don’t understand what happened in 2018 with this wine. I see wine styles changing in Washington but I went from this being my favorite Syrah ever to being disappointed. I’m gonna say this having had a few bottles of the 2017 (I encourage you to read my review on it)

Sight: deep ruby with purple color good staining no doubt but Immediately on sight noticed a difference from the 2017 and I was worried…

Nose: The aroma is very pretty but with moxie as it should be! The fruit is that pure Red/black licorice, black Cherry, Blackberry ripe walla walla fruit you want in the nose. Then you get those yummy meaty overtones with some earthy qualities but clearly just lacking the power in the past…

Taste: I’m happy to see that again for being higher alcohol (15%) this wine absolutely glides on the palate like nothing…. I don’t understand how Todd Alexander has such a good fermentation with these higher alcohol levels, he is clearly a master! Back to the taste, it is appreciatively similar to the Nose but is surprisingly light on it feet and rather sexy and suave on the palate with lovely ripe red and dark fruits complimenting the subtle meaty minerality in the back bone of this premium Syrah.

Overall: I bought quite a few bottles of this as 2018 was a higher rated vintage and I loved the 2017’s…. Also, Scores seemed to also be higher for this wine even Jeb Dunnuck rated 98pts and when it’s comes to Syrah I usually am very much in agreement with his rating. I can’t over state how much I disagreed here for the first time like wow…. He said this was better than the 2017 and he is dead wrong…. In my last review after having a few bottles, the 2017 was absolutely powerful and a absolutely defining Syrah for the region! I thought immediately I was blown away and now in 2018 this is like a different wine…. Idk what they did but they put a monster in a dress lol I’m sorry but it’s true. I miss the power and the sheer iodine concentrated beast that was the 2017 Syrah because everything in this wine seemed turned down and I’m honestly disappointed… I previously rated 96pts (my highest ever) in 2017 and while it seems I’m bashing this wine it’s still fantastic just wasn’t what I expected. I see Washingtons winemaking going this earlier easier drinking route and tbh they should not have done this here don’t fix what isn’t broken.

Still Paired fantastically with my Double cut Lamb Chops Adobo with pepper, Chimichurri,Confit of fingerling potatoes, and Thumbelina Carrots.

10/29/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This is a wine that truly shows you the typicity of Napa’s wine quality and what people love about it!

Sight: medium ruby color & medium staining as expected

Nose: Another French maiden in America disguise with floral tones lovely fruit purity and a real sense of place while having bodacious ripe red and dark fruits. There is a healthy but not over powered oak influence (the wine is young) but this wine is still about showing it’s serenity.

Taste: The palate is everything you could want in Napa Cabernet at this price point in every blind tasting I imagine the crowd is gonna pick this out idk why but the FAY vineyard just has that “thing” to it and 2018 is a great vintage! The structure is stern but understanding just carrying the lovely red berry fruit as well as some darker tones. Again, I appreciate when the nose translates to the palate and that is found here with clearly some terroir or a sense of place but remaining polished Napa cab. A joy to drink the acid really brings this wine alive as well making it seem light but rich at the same time just like the French Tiramisu we had later that night.

Overall: Stags leaps Fay vineyard has never disappointed me and I don’t think it ever will… a wine shows it’s true colors in hard vintages and and in good ones it shines bright. This wine is shining and I wish I had opened later but the occasion just couldn’t wait. The pairing with the Sofrito rubbed Filet Mignon with potatoes torta, Béarnaise sauce with Tomatoes Brûlée was absolute heaven!

10/18/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Sight: inky purple and heavy glass staining

Nose: slightly warmer and more brooding than the 2017 I find the fruit even darker with that classic black pepper spice and concentration I look for in their Malbec year to year. Some noticable but tasteful French oak on the pop of the cork as well.

Palate: One thing I really appreciate about Trefethen’s wines is that their noses almost always translate to the palate perfectly. I just Find the ripe warmer fruit of sticky blackberries, blueberries, and more blackberries ! The wine again still has identity medium (-) but refined tannins with a hint of French oak and medium acidity keeping it alive despite its heftieness.

Overall: I haven’t had a Malbec from them I haven’t liked over the vintages this is very consistent and always delivers a quaffable experience. So, Once again a fantastic Malbec and in such a tumultuous year with the horrible fires. I’m very fortunate they were unaffected by the glass fire and the earlier harvest from the warm weather definitely was in their favor regarding smoke taint.

6/20/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

“I rate this 91pts” (read full review to understand)

Sight: Like a light ruby gem with some signs of age, having a little rusty brick color in the center and salmon pink around the rim.

Nose: This wine will make you smile with its alluring nose letting you know your about to be seduced by its generous fruit and purity. This is what I look for with Pinot Noir Very cherry, cherry pie, raspberry jam, and blood orange. This is complimented by secondary more tertiary accents of earthy brown soil, Tea, and cinnamon or some spice I reckon. No doubt a Stellar aroma!

Taste: The palate is pure satin and silk this wine hugs and kisses the palate on its way down and despite being 14.5% abv it doesn’t make that too apparent. The fruit is warm, ripe, and pure the tannins are medium - with the acid being right where it needs to be down the middle. Balanced and an absolute pleasure to drink with a solid medium finish. Concentration is not as great as the nose but very good still nonetheless.

Overall: I believe this wine now should easily average 91pts (so I rate 94 to push over the edge) while this Pinot isn't going to have immaculate depth and structure for years of aging it’s made well and unapologetically Cali without being over the top. This Pinot Noir is about being sexy smooth on the palate with delicious fruits back by some tertiary notes for complexity. This is the definition of Pinot Noir nailed it in a blind tasting.

5/9/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I see why Zialena is so happy with the 2020’s!

The wine invites you with warm fruits at the peak of ripeness, raspberry/ blackberry jam, with just a hint of blueberry for me.

On the palate the wine is well structured and has enough acid to lift the 14.7% and ripe but not overly jammy fruit. I appreciate that this Zin has a finish and the tannins and acid really make a balanced wine.

While young, I appreciate these wines for their character and purity. The 2020’s have wonderful fruit and it shows in the delicious nose and the structured palate. This is a easy drinking Zin that has personality and you get that mineral backbone from the concrete fermentation just adding more depth to the experience. Good wine making and a good vintage produced a very good wine. I enjoyed this more than the 2019 but nothing has yet rivaled the 2016!

4/23/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This is why I love Andrew Murray…

Sight: Deep Purple color (By no means super concentrated suprisingly tame for Syrah)

Nose: Beautiful nose more Earthy and sanguine in nature than the roasted slope although both have a bloody character. I prefer this nose it’s big energetic with bold black cherry and ripe strawberry / raspberry pie. I also get notable cinnamon from the French oak and distinct Rhône like funky in the back!

Taste: Palate is great surprisingly red for Syrah and love how pure and not over extracted this wine is what a wonderful and different expression putting me in Rhône a little! Mid-palate attack is superb great acid for 14.7abv and medium finish that doesn’t drop. The French oak is 25% new just giving it that cinnamon bark and silk tannin texture without jumping in front of the fruit to steal the show (great oak management).

Overall: Their vision for this wine is clear and it’s expression is pure and beautifully Rhône and of Syrah’s purity would recommend for anyone to try!

4/8/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Fantastic earthy character, amazing aromatics the wine is still plenty alive showing a bounty of fruits and spice just a pleasure to drink.

The alcohol is still in check with the acidity as well leading me to believe it will go a few more years but should be drinking them up now !

4/8/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This wine deserves to go up a point but I’ve never had a wine that needed more of a 2 hour min decant than this….

Honestly I’ve never had a wine that threw as much sediment as this did being only 4 years old as well….

The anthociens are off the charts this wine exudes quality throwing sediment as if it were 20 years old….

Had with a brilliantly cooked NY strip steak and brussle Sprouts having this a second time my first review couldn’t have put this better this wine will go the distance I believe now.

4/6/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

2014 was a difficult vintage with lots of fungal disease from abundant rainfall leading to later ripening and more delicate higher-acid wines. Barbersco faired much much better than Barolo not having suffered from the trifecta of hail storms that included an even higher rain fall…

Sight: A beautiful color to expect with Barbareaco light ruby with garnet hues starting to appear.

Nose: The wine absolutely sings here where the Perfume of Asili is evident and unique filling the air! I immediately detected its sweet fruited nose (Cough syrup) But it’s just black cherry Twizzler (my favorite) and ripe Strawberries with a touch of blood orange almost. I also perceived bAlanced earthiness with lots of spice followed by one of my favorite aromas, a floral lavender.

Palate: This wine needs time to firm up the Mid-Palate and let the fruit get sweet and come out of its shell. Upon opening it still drank nicely but the wine was clearly tart and tight but after 3 hours beautiful spices and sweet fruits started to appear along with the expected structure making for some fine Nebbiolo juice.

Overall: Asili described by Aldo Vacca as Complex and refined their “Grand Cru” but with elegance, it’s not a big wine just a delicious one ! I think 2014 did affect this wines concentration but you can tell the expert wine making DNA of Produttori exist here as well as the prime vineyards of Asili. I wish the palate could have translated the nose better as in the previous vintage but nonetheless a great Barbaresco!

2/8/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This is an oustanding 18’ Capelan and was a pleasure to have with a beautifully cooked rack of lamb! (2 hour decant needed)

Sight: Showing it’s Grenache side a beautiful medium ruby color.

Nose: This is the definition of CDP a superlative ripe nose of Red Licorice, Sweet Black Cherries, Peppery Garrigue, with that clay scorched earth back ground.

Palate: The wine drinks like a dream for what your paying with those
sexy Grenache gripping tannins holding all that juicy ripe fruit with balanced acid making
That 14.5% forgettable. Traditional Long vatting time (6-8 weeks) and gentle press including 18 months aging time in “30% barrel” and 70% concrete vats = Great wine making.

Overall: This was actually the First CDP I ever drank years ago… so maybe I’m biased but certainly I’m lucky to have had the opportunity so early. This is Absolutely one of my favorites and the whole table of Napa wine drinkers raved how good it was! The table liked it over the La mission Haut brion 1996 to my Humiliation.

1/21/2023 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

THE DEFINITION OF BAROSSA SHIRAZ

Had with a steak dinner for a birthday celebration and it only just began to open up after an hour decant but still drank and paired wonderfully with the meal!

Just amazing purity of the fruit along with its quality here mostly Dark like blackberry, cherry with exotic spices and a touch of chocolate from 32 months of French oak. The texture is ultra fine and the tannins show absolute poise regardless of its state.

I found it to be clear the wine had a exceptional life ahead of it with length, depth of fruit and near perfect concentration (Not over extracted) showing the echelon this wine belongs in… 2017 produced a wonderful wine however it is quite overshadowed by the 16,15,and 18 but don’t pass them up if you see them!

11/29/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I’m rating this higher than it should because people are rating this wine like it was $50 and it’s $15…..I would honestly give this 90pts and it’s deserved.

Sight: Beautiful Brick red color with nice heavy staining.

Nose: Absolutely fantastic aromatics at this price point of Cherry, Black Currant, Raspberry and Plums. I find lots of Meat/smoke, Mocha and spice complementing the ripe fruit. It’s not deep but it’s wide in spectrum an engaging a impressive entry level Cab.

Taste: The palate is….yes, less full spectrum and I agree with the comments the aromatic complexity does not translate to the palate unfortunately. However, in no way is the palate bad it’s down the board medium (tannin,ABV,Acid,Body) and approachable with good secondary flavors the fruit is mostly red it’s good!

Overall: I think for $15 this is a great value sure if you compare to a $30 or $50 the palate falls a little short it lacks some depth but grab a bottle the 2019 vintage is stellar and it shows in this wine. I think people are being maybe a little harsh and I wanted to provide that perspective. (Def old world wine made in a newer style)

11/27/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Being partly Armenian in my heritage I have to bump this up a point but I also feel it’s deserving of a good score the wine is clearly well made and drinking great now !

Nose: The Aromatics fill the room when you open this bottle it’s a beautiful bouquet of Dark Amerena Cherries in syrup, Cranberry Sauce, black Plums and maybe a touch of rhubarb. The somewhat Bubblgummy fruit is gorgeous (Redolent of Carbonic Macernation) but the secondary notes of Cinnamon, Clove, Anise and the refreshing minerality really pull it all together.

Palate: The taste is Ripe and jammy with warm red and black fruit but the tannins are like a silky Pinot structure… It’s well balanced and the acid is right where it needs to be. The translation to the palate is good, the wine is enjoyably light and has a medium finish with those spices and minerality taking it all home.

Overall: A very nice wine where you feel Paul HOBBS here modernizing the winemaking so you get old school wine made in a new world style and it works well! A very quaffable bottle and something great to try I find it hard to not enjoy this easy drinking balanced Areni!

11/15/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I truly think this is better than the rating and I’m slightly confused why the rating is low…. Maybe becuase this is actually traditional and more accurate VS the plentiful obtuse & overripe examples coming out of the area for the same price this blends the barrier quite well.

Sight: Perfect color Deep straw with a touch of green

Nose: Aromatic and deep nose of Ripe concentrated yellow apples, Juciy starfruit, White lemon flesh and salt just spot on for the variety. I feel I might perceive sone neutral oak or sone very good lees aging as well !
Average vine age 35 years, Grapes are hand-harvested into twenty-kilo baskets and then hand-sorted in the cellar.
(The grapes were cold-macerated for eight hours at 10ºC before cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine spent five to six months on its lees before cold stabilisation, filtration and bottling.)

Palate: Redolent of the richness perceived on the nose it have a nice medium+ body and the acid is medium plus Showing well balanced example here. The fruit is refreshing and crisp despite the richness again great balance with the Lemon flesh, apple and stone fruit flavors lots of deliocus starfruit on the palate very yellow fruit! In the finish the minerality and salinity really wraps things up telling you your in Spain drinkibg Albarño…

Overall: I blinded this…I think that says a lot to the credit of the wine and it’s example. This is a very solid Albariño for the money and should be amazing with food but is still great on its own. I’m sick of the overripe Americanized versions this actually tasted like Albariño to each their own. Also idk but seems like a buttery note or neutral oak but could be the lees aging.

11/8/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Yummy wine !

Sight: Lots of heavy staining looking like a Australian Shiraz Haha deep purple color !

Nose: Ripe Blackberry Coulis with blueberry and black cherry syrup the fruit is dark and aromatic! Secondarily the oak shows mouthwatering Milk chocolate, vanilla toast, and a touch of mint. This is all wrapped up with a distinct note of Gravel Minerality and Some lovely cab spice bringing it all together.

Palate: The Petit Verdot influences are clear it’s a big round bomb of delicious fruit and weight in the front of the palate! The structure added by the Cabernet is very nice very drying tannins a little unbalanced but the wine is delicious and follows the nose very well. The finish is slightly thinning which I expect from PV but the minerality/acid/Cab all help it stay lifted and it’s atleast complete.

Overall: A very nice wine deserving of a try excellent quality Petit Verdot one of the best I’ve tried honestly but it’s just never been my favorite grape but the blend is well made and Peju’s wine making an fruit truly shows quality!

** after 2 hours this really firmed up and came together very nice wine standing with a solid 91pts

10/29/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Great Merlot !!

Sight: Medium ruby color with very little staining

Nose: Absolutely ambrosial nose of Ripe Red Cherry jelly beans, Raspberry Coulis, and black plums. Impressive that right out the bottle the aromatics are 8/10 and the wine also shows a considerable amount of oak but the Merlot takes it well with vanilla toast and chocolate undertones.
(Interesting to note the 19’ Cab nose was very closed didn’t show the oak even having the same regime and needed 3 hours of coaxing maybe leaving one thinking more depth certainly but not as good as the merlots still)

Taste: Follows the nose well but it’s not trying to show off here, just doing the basics at the best of their ability! Superlative Merlot character on the mouthfeel/texture with forgiving ripe tannins wrapping up all the juicy red fruits and subtle baking spices this wine has to offer.

Overall: blinded next to the Cab decanted 2 hours but tried when first poured as well. 2019 made the merlot sing from the fruit in the Vineyard to the yeast fermentation things just went well and it shows! I never thought I would pick a merlot over their Cab but in 2019 I would and did ! The Cab has more tannins and depth yes but the merlot is singing and is not here to show off it’s just really great at being what it is…

& I Love that so cheers !

10/11/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Blind tasted with a friend

Sight: Light ruby with the slightist hint of some purple

Nose: Wonderous aromatics of earthy ground Ecuadorian Coffee, Damp Soil, white pepper, and cinnamon. These secondary notes were supported by lovely red and black fruits like Ripe Black cherry, Plum, black raspberries, and cranberry.

Taste: Structured, direct with balance and depth really showing showing all the color of its feathers. Love the grip of this Pinot combined with the oak and fruit flavors it really has it all without being too far any direction just pure, honest, and unabated PN. Good medium finish as well with some tasty spice and gravely/soil notes.

Overall: This is like if you made a burgundy wine in a New world climate/Area it has the structure and balance medium down the board but with Warm ripe fruits and new oak without being jammy/oaky like Cali PN can be quite a pleasure to drink the 2019 FR Calvert in a flight against Merry Edwards RR reserve / Arterberry & Maresh Dundee Hills made it hard to pick a favorite !

10/11/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Absolutely outstanding representation of Dundee Hills PN!!

Sight: Super light ruby Salmon Color

Nose: The clarity here in the nose is amazing just freshly picked perfectly ripe strawberries, lots of very cherry, red plums, and blood orange black tea tea. I do sense some new oak and strawberry leaf as welll and a lifting minerality.

Taste: Absolutely Classic and superlative to Oregon and A&M it’s pure red fruit with high acid and exactly what you should expect. Great texture as well very light and quaffable.

Overall: The purity of the red fruit here is oustanding and I can’t see how anyone wouldn’t love this if you enjoy Pinot noir this is classic and I love the cherry/strawberry the harmony here in the wine making and fruit is clear ! (This wine opens up quite graciously after 2-3 hours highly recommend a decant atm ! )

10/6/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I enjoyed this quaffable wine !

Nose: notable minerality with Green Pear, kiwi, pure fruit and unripe tropical fruit despite being quite green… I also got white grapefruit! I perceived some floral white blossom and the green leaves as well like the whole Gardena plant.

Taste: Lots of white fleshed fruit such as lemon flesh, white grapfruit flesh (adding some phenolic bitterness), and sweet green pears flesh. The body is texturally very full with lots of minerality and acid to help finish the wine.

Overall: it’s young and taste young but is quaffable and delicious idk about being Hard and chewy though…..

9/20/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I love Clos Windsbuhl I’m a sucker for all their wines….

Sight: Deep straw with medium gold color in there

Nose: Lovley and as always distinctly Alsace…. First thing that hits me is the petrol and strong mineral character then the white flowers and quince Jelly with lemons and honey crisp apple flesh let’s you know your drinking good Riesling. Nose is sweet and makes your mouth water.

Taste: A wonderful structure as expected and the wine is surprisingly full almost fat but then you swallow and the acid lifts and the finish and mineral last for quite awhile. Pure lemon character and ripe apple character quite warm feeling in nature a delicious Riesling.

Overall: I do see this lacks a little concentration and is slightly fat there are some balance issues here but I’m being picayune drinks great now and would easily pop another and not feel bad haha

9/18/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

My bottle drank fantastic I think this wine definitely needed 20-30min worth of air to come into itself.

Sight: Ruby w/ Solid color hints of garnet but really not showing 16 years….

Nose: Notable Mourvèdre tar and game hints and with some time I get more classic black raspberry and cherry licorice. Also showing lovely spices including some organic potting soil earthyness.

Palate: Tannins are present and well resolved went great with our Truffle mushroom risotto and steak. Blackberry, Dark plums, red Licroice and wonderful spices and earthy characters.

Overall: This wine aged great and I can actually see this surviving longer but the key word is surviving because it’s drinking well now drink it and enjoy it while the wine is still alive and performing well. ( I didn’t perceive any VA or TCA )

8/30/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

A great wine certainly representative of good Chenin !

Color: Medium straw

Nose: very closed at the moment… took some coaxing to reveal much (can tell this needs time) but I sense some cool/ fresh green pear, apple, and white citrus. I also pick up that mineral wool funk I look for in good chenin from this region and it’s definitely there as well.

Palate: The wine I agree comes off lean but cool and fresh showcasing high mouthwatering acid and pallet coating minerality. Very particular structure and quite drying coming off as phenolic this would be killer with some cold seafood.

Overall: Very good quality grapes here and a lovely representative chenin best enjoyed with some food right now being very young it needs time to show itself and open up. This is a white wine that demands a good decant!

8/23/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Was worried about this wine after shipping having possible heat damage so I had to open and check…. Happy to report its Alive and well! Haha

Sight: Deep Ruby/purple with heavy staining

Nose: A great nose of massive warm fruits and vanilla/Chocolatley oak! Dark Cherries galore, crushed Blackberry, and macerated ripe black plums. I also pick up some lovley cab and Syrah spices that are complimented by the cedar and earthy graphite tones.

Palate: This is big but not overly concentrated and is full of rich dark cherry fruit I love it ! The finish is 85% Dark Chocolate with graphite it’s quite lovley. The palate is lush with super Ripe tannins that just melt like A5 Wagu on the palate. The acid is in check for 15.2% and it drinks so well for being that high octane.

Overall: If you like hedonistic Napa & Prichard hill wines you will enjoy this a lot it’s tannins are just lovley and lush reminding me of a 2005 Gran Puy Lacoste I recently drank but had the fruit and Drinkability of a Bevan / Seven Apart. Great quality wine for the price hands down.

8/23/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

First thing I said was this is a baby haha and everyone I see here shares the same thoughts.

Unfortunately, my cork was horrible and the wine was not stored well but amazingly was still in good condition…

Medium yellow color and the nose is what you expect for JJ Prüm showcasing white lemon flesh/peaches, Honey Crisp apples, light petrol, honey, and wax.

Taste is light, focused, and linear a solid straightforward offering with lemony crisp acidity the balance here is beautiful!

Another 10 years and this is gonna be perfect

8/19/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

TASTED AT WINE SPECTATOR GRAND TOUR IN MIAMI:

Honestly loved this Barolo it was my favorite along with Vietti! At the booth Ellen was delightful, intelligent and a joy to speak with and felt she represented the brand amazingly well!

Nose: This really opened up from the beginning to the end of the event after 3 hours the nose was big perfumed and had that amazing purity of cherry, rose, and tar I look for in great Barolo.

Taste: This is a pretty wine but with richness and power I loved the balanced. Located in Monforte d’Alba The cru vineyards of Bussia yield the biggest and richest Barolo. They also take the longest to fully mature. This is dry red fruit and leather it was O so good and surprisingly approachable after some time.

Overall: I learned Aldo separated from his fathers footsteps at Giacomo Conterno in 1961 to find this winery for his own vision in 1969 to create a traditionalist Barolo in a modern style. The son of a legend crafting exceptional Barolo and it’s showed here In the 2016… amazing value! I’m glad I met Ellen and discovered this wine through the event because it will be one with a great memory and I feel connected to the wine. I’ll be getting my hands on the rest of the line up now! Haha

8/19/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I agree with Chanote44…

Lovely and pure Dark cherries, ripe blackberries and a touch of earthy chocolates not being shy on the black spice note. (Yeah this is real Cab)

Even in 2017’s heat the wine is balanced darker than 16’ and 18’ but still great balance and the tannins are slightly chalking but still very fine.

A great wine proper old school napa in the 2017 vintage and Trefethen again NEVER leaves me disappointed!

8/18/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Such a beautiful Pinot…

Beautiful light Ruby color with light staining and the wine opened up within 2 hours after a DD back in Btl. The aromas in the 16’ are quite more tertiary than the 18’ with gravelly rocks, Soil, and Deciduous nature with the fruit taking some time to unravel out of its tight Frame. Now when it does it offers up Ripe Red cherries (almost candy licorice like) cranberry, and plum and even a touch of blood orange tang. On the palate the wine translates to the nose quite well and the texture paired with the fine tannins are superlative to the style making for quite the elegant, silky and seductive offering.

Overall, the 16’ does have a touch of bitterness I think will go away with time but it’s fruit is not like the ripe and explosive 18’ both powerful yet poised and both great wines 18’ is just a touch better. Happy To drink either one cheers !

8/13/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

I’m rating this a 91 because the 2016 is 92pts no doubt and the 2019 was 90pts and I truly feel the 2018 is right in the middle of them.

Sight: Ruby color with hints of purple and light pink magenta rim variation.

Nose: The nose shows how pure the fruit is yes, jammy Zin but, if you compare next to a Turley which, I did it’s very tame and shows how pure of an expression this is because it does not come off as Jammy or warm. I got much darker fruit than the 2019 with more Cherry, cranberry, black plum and Blackberry notes.

Taste: Here I get more concentration than the 2019 and is a little less dark in comparison to the 16’. Lots of pure cherry and cranberry with the plum and blackberry a pure and structured expression of fruit. Medium down the board but with great structure and lovely mineral finish with hints of oak.

Overall: This is not your big, jammy spice bomb of a Zin this is classic and made like a Cab with its balance and structure. Zialena made a great Zin in 2018 not quite the 16’ but man was it good !

8/13/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

Blinded next to Zialena Mazzoni clone Zin

Sight: Brick red color no rim variation

Nose: Bright, Red, and jammy the aromatics are big on this comparatively to Zialena but much more jammy, touch of Tobacco leaf, Strawberry rhubarb, and plums followed by baking spices.

Palate: translation here is seemless to the palate for how big this wine is, it’s not big….. (in a good way) having ample acid to lift all that juicy, bright, red fruit!

Overall: Very jammy and primarily all red we all preferred the Zialena being a more pure expression, less ripe and serious but the Turley made its mark. The Turley Showed how alive it was and how bold so was easily blinded as Zin and if you like big jammy Zin but need a little balance this is your ticket!

7/20/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This wine used to have more body and grit to it I have a suspicious they are squeezing more juice from these grapes…. In such a good vintage I cannot imagine why this is so light and lacking concentration.

Sight: Some Light ruby but the 16’ Sangiovese is showing its age here being Garnet in color.

Nose: Nice nose less intense still compared to the past examples but Representative no doubt. I found lovely Sour cherries, dried prune, Cranberry skin, almost some strawberry rhubarb red fruit; it’s shown the quality of the vintage at least. I also got that typical Leather as well as Mediterranean herbs followed by blood orange.

Taste: On the palate the wine follows the nose well it just dramatically lacks concentration and you can smell and see it’s gonna be like this… which is unfortunate because it’s clear this is good quality fruit with good structure acid and tannins. Funny enough would still take over most market Chianti for this price which are often worse being modern and manipulated or just pure VA and undrinkable.

Overall: I like this wine I still think the 2016 is good fruit and performs like a good wine it’s just lacking concentration (not watery) very interesting to see a lot of these ABC wines losing some concentration where 5 years ago they were steals they now feel like…. The exact value they are at least in the Italian section. Id still recommend though.

7/20/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This 2018 is a weak vintage for some Argentina Malbecs. I will always remember how good the 2015’s were haha but nonetheless still a consistently well made wine for $18 bones. (Can’t wait for the 19’s !!)

Sight: The definition of Malbec deep glass staining black extracted purple color

Nose: the 18 has lost some intensity on the aromatics less perfume less chocolate but still some very nice blackberry and blueberry fruit with those touches of oak as well and some earthy undertones.

Taste: This drinks like a Cab big fat attack and mid palate but then does what Malbec does in the finish with lower acid. A touch out of balance but a pleasure to drink no doubt it’s big black and blue fruit with chocolatey chalking but soft tannins. Just less concentrated than the 2015.

Overall: This is still a hell of a value look who is making the wine…. (2nd Growth Léoville Poyferré) and you sense it’s unique Bordeaux styling it’s very different but such a interesting expression and a modern extracted one but with that French kiss. Should please most palates if your a fan of Malbec!

7/20/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This 2018 is a weak vintage for some Argentina Malbecs. I will always remember how good the 2015’s were haha but nonetheless still a consistently well made wine for $18 bones. (Can’t wait for the 19’s !!)

Sight: The definition of Malbec deep glass staining black extracted purple color

Nose: the 18 has lost some intensity on the aromatics less perfume less chocolate but still some very nice blackberry and blueberry fruit with those touches of oak as well and some earthy undertones.

Taste: This drinks like a Cab big fat attack and mid palate but then does what Malbec does in the finish with lower acid. A touch out of balance but a pleasure to drink no doubt it’s big black and blue fruit with chocolatey chalking but soft tannins. Just less concentrated than the 2015.

Overall: This is still a hell of a value look who is making the wine…. (2nd Growth Léoville Poyferré) and you sense it’s unique Bordeaux styling it’s very different but such a interesting expression and a modern extracted one but with that French kiss. Should please most palates if your a fan of Malbec!

7/17/2022 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine:

This is very different for a Zin and the 19 is nothing like the past vintages.

Sight: Pinot noir ruby light color & magenta rim

Nose: I get some Rhone like red cherry, strawberry rhubarb, Raspberry Hichew, Red plum and Black Cherry skin. I find a hint of leather but more so spices and perfumed florals secondarily.

Taste: This is very light for a Zinfandel but also not it’s so interesting and I’m not sure how I feel about it yet because the wines texture is plush almost fleshly like merlot and pure silky drinking bliss. The fruit as like the nose is all red here leaning much more towards cherry and baking spices. The heat is not noticeable this is the lowest ABV in the last several vintages…. I do find a lack of concentration mid-palate and ripe tannins take us to the medium finish.

Overall: They made a great wine in 2019 it’s like a posh, sexy, and sleeker style of Zin with red fruit not being as ripe with notably higher acid and balance. It’s a whole different Zin and that is definitely due to the vintage…I’m finding lighter, less concentrated more round or pretty wines in 2019 so they’re a joy to drink. That being said, not what I was expecting coming off all the Fat dark fruit in 16’ 17’ and 18’ (14.9/14.7/14.8%) but I think the crowd will enjoy this 14.3% refresher for sure it’s Old vine Turley like just less concentrated with that bramble and balanced character being immediately accessible aka delicious !