12/25/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Give it 3.5 hours. Very good at 2 hours in the decanter but still hot and not quite showing everything in store.

We had this with a roast, but could easily have just left it for after the meal — the wine can stand on its own.

12/24/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Just great; one of my favorite BdM. A bit of sour, raspberry and tartness, but it’s just the right amount. Aromas are amazing — patience between sips is rewarded.

What are the rest of y’all drinking? This is kicking the butts of a lot of pricier bottles.

12/17/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Hit the spot. Just fine for the price.

12/1/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

This was good on PnP (maybe 90) but just outstanding the next day (93).

11/28/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

After PnP this is quite subdued and could not stand up to some spicy biryani — if you’re hoping for acidity, maybe try a different bottle or, as we found, give this extra air.

The acidity actually brightened up after about 30-60 minutes. Aroma still a little hidden but after the meal this is turning into a nice sipper — and the spouse is happy, so all is right with the universe.

9/29/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Good QPR. I’d had another Napa cab in same price range that was just OK and did not expect much here, but I came away happy.

Drinking very easily. Will look for more.

9/16/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

A bit of funk at PnP but gone after 1hr in bottle.

A nice dark, garnet color in the glass. Cherry and a bit of floral aroma. Medium body and medium finish — this was easy to enjoy and went well with food (salmon, panzanella).

For the price (~85) this was on target.

8/9/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

A nice surprise: big fruit & oak that isn’t overwhelming and gives way to some nice tannins.

I’m just sad I accidentally bought as a 375ml in a web order and must share the other half.

8/1/2023 - WineGonzo Does not like this wine:

Light and basically drinkable. Aroma was a bit off-putting.

8/1/2023 - WineGonzo wrote:

Aroma is a bit barnyard-y for me. Not as acidic as many Pinots ; good enough fruit.

7/23/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Quite good, though for the premium price it is just competitive. The syrah really is good and I’d gladly drink this again.

It has a nice acidity. Too bad I don’t have more of these to see what more age would do.

7/4/2023 - WineGonzo wrote:

No rating.

I put this in the freezer to chill it, but I may have left it for, like…4 hours.

It is not clear what effect that should have on the flavor, but if you want a passable Chardonnay with a strong pineapple flavor that can also be consumed as a Slushie, this is for you. I’m going with 88 in popsicle form.

6/17/2023 - WineGonzo wrote:

Nice enough bouquet, but the acidity and minerality of this one just isn’t sitting with me. I love Pinot with spicy food, and found myself chasing the wine with spicy eggplant to mop up the disappointment.

5/29/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Wow. This is quite outshining 13, 14 right now. The vintage chart is not lying. 3hrs in decanter before BBQ and it was worth the wait.

Dark purple and red. Time in the glass produces earthy aromas — cedar, and pine needles.

The best of the Tempier Rouge I’ve had in a while.

5/22/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

One of the better Mourvèdre varietals at this price. A bit of funk on PnP gave way to a nicely balanced, easy drinking wine. The finish is a bit understated and that worked out well.

Enjoyed with steaks and roasted vegetables.

5/20/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

PnP: dark purple; approachable but it’s being stingy with aromas and not super balanced. Gimme the darkness I say; bring it!

1hr: Still closed but it is balancing out. More black fruit, some leather and earth in there somewhere.

Inexplicably good, but that could be the wine talking. Will let the other one wait a few years.

4/22/2023 - WineGonzo wrote:

Blue/red fruit and oak right out of the gate. A bit overbearing but very smooth.

3/17/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

2nd bottle; good at 1hr and improving. Thick purple. Structured. Red blackberries give way to tar, brick.

2/17/2023 - WineGonzo wrote:

Very nice. Still pretty young, but as good as I remember.

1/7/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Solid Mourvèdre but needs a bit longer — hasn’t opened up just yet.

1/5/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Last bottle. Still drinking nicely on a short decant, maybe starting to thin out a bit. Top-ticked this like Tesla stock.

1/4/2023 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Last bottle must have been outlier. This bottle much more like 2018 — earth and dark fruits, nice balance. At $20, compares favorably to 4 gallons of gasoline.

12/23/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

I was a bit worried after 90m in the decanter that this would not stand up to reputation. Patience is rewarded. After 3-3.5hrs in the decanter it is singing — I can almost hear the drunken sailors.

Edit: at 4.5hrs, holy ^#!?[%}#

12/21/2022 - WineGonzo Does not like this wine:

Disappointing compared to the 2018. Smokey and acidic, missing the depth and body of the previous vintage.

8/14/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Inhaled a nose full of pine needles and duff. Almost balanced after 45m decant but a little extra acidity. I’m always intrigued by the bit of menthol. This is a D10 Cat in a redwood forest.

7/19/2022 - WineGonzo wrote:

A bit funky on PnP but reasonable after 30m. Deep purple. OK body and a finish that grew on me with a few sips. Probably not a favorite from the rando red shelf but fine for pasta.

7/17/2022 - WineGonzo wrote:

Not as thin as the last bottle; seemed to benefit from an extra 30m or so of air in decanter. The gnats in our yard agreed as they drown themselves repeatedly. I ate at least a couple, and they paired well.

6/30/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

After a flight of so-so tastes, this was a nice surprise. Simple but full bodied. Looking forward to grabbing a few more of these to hold.

6/29/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Nicely balanced, if young. The added Syrah compared to the Chateauneuf du Pape from same vintner is evident. With just a short time in glass, this had a nice balance and pleased our Rhône lovers.

May get a bit better with time, but drinking pretty well already.

6/27/2022 - WineGonzo Does not like this wine:

We were disappointed. This wine was talked up: An allegedly undrinkable, unworthy dumpster fire of a wine. Sweet and acidic; an Apple vinegar roller coaster suitable only for fraternity dares and questionable cooking. For $3, you may have expected just 50% improvement vs Chuck.

And it was not to be. This wine is potentially drinkable under dire circumstances. Lacking tannins of any kind, it makes Ménage seem full bodied. Yet we did not fall over. Sadly, this wine is neither good nor entertainingly bad.

6/25/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Thinner than expected. If you’re not looking for a punch in the face, more like a caress from the Marlboro Man, then this could be for you.

6/18/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Balanced and pleasant right out of the bottle. The Maresh Vineyards is *much* better than the regular Dundee Hills — so glad we discovered this one. Consistently good with spicy food, though alcohol is a little high.

5/9/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Good QPR. A nice gear shift from Sangiovese. The first 1/2 glass was not great but grew on us over the meal. Second day was just as good or even a little better.

4/30/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

New to the Oregon Pinots and this was a good starter. Found the acidity higher than I’m accustomed to enjoying but liked it nevertheless. MoAr please.

3/25/2022 - WineGonzo Likes this wine:

Obviously on the downslope, but still one of my favorites. 1hr decant; a tad hot at first but that dark fruit, long finish has me hooked.

If only rating it highly could will more of it into existence.

2/20/2022 - WineGonzo wrote:

Significantly better than previous bottle. Mineral/acidic at first. After ~2hrs it balanced out well.

1/29/2022 - WineGonzo wrote:

Tasting quite acidic. Needed at least 1hr decant and never really came around.

11/27/2021 - WineGonzo wrote:

Strong licorice flavor — they weren’t kidding about the anise. Jammy enough we should have had it with toast.

11/27/2021 - WineGonzo wrote:

Aroma of stinky feet. Decent body, and reasonably balanced but quite hard to approach at first. Better on second day as stinky feet decayed to old sock.

11/14/2021 - WineGonzo wrote:

Second bottle at least as good as the first. Ruby red like blood draw and plenty of fruit. Love the nice tannic finish — feels unfair at <$15; if only we could fuel cars with it.