3/21/2013 - Moorese Likes this wine:

Young, yes of course, but an exceptional showing nonetheless. Very crisp and bright with marked saline qualities, yet still penetrating and long. A measure of stone fruit but plenty of citrus as well - frankly, it's a bit much to discern. But it is most certainly a brilliant and fine chardonnay irrespective of origin.

3/11/2013 - Moorese wrote:

What began as a slightly thin, rigid glass of crunchy tart fruit, opened over the course of 2+ hours into a delicate and pretty expression of chalk and cranberry. While enjoyable, and moreso by the end, this is really not ready. I plan to stay away from this wine for at least a few years.

3/8/2013 - Moorese wrote:

It's been almost 3 years since my last bottle of this wine, and it's evolved from a medium-bodied drink featuring bold primary notes of crushed red raspberries to a more savory and sauvage mouthful of still unmistakenly ripe, juicy California fruit. Sitting in a comfortable middle between Arcadian/Arnot-Roberts/Cabot and Alban/Saxum/SQN, this really is a pretty wine that has aged gracefully and offers real pleasure for the tariff.

1/28/2013 - Moorese Likes this wine:

After a splash decant and a few hours of air, this bottle really settled in nicely. While not as large-scaled and ponderous as, for example, an Alban, this is still a generous, distinctly Californian syrah. The aromas are more whispers than the shouts you expect from a Northern Rhone offering - typical meaty and peppery notes are complimented by a fine floral character - but there is abundant sweet clean fruit. For its peer group of ripe New World syrahs, this wine is elegant and exceptionally well-balanced, with enough acid to show surprisingly well at the dinner table alongside a few whites and a meal it was not meant to accompany. But most of the bottle was enjoyed after the meal concluded. I suspect that this wine is just entering its prime where it will remain for several years. Nonetheless, it doesn't appear to have the structure to require or necessarily benefit from the protracted cellaring that many N. Rhones see. I'll drink my remaining bottles over the next 3-7 years. Even with the price and expectation, this bottle delivered as a cocktail syrah with considerable finesse.

7/8/2012 - Moorese wrote:

Brilliant drink.

3/21/2012 - Moorese wrote:

Intense, juicy red fruits coupled with a heady alcohol level and an unmistakable sense of overripeness. There are some telltale CdP characteristics in the sense of herbal notes and a whiff of garrigue, but they are comparably faint and unable to reach a balance with the candied fruit (seems grenache-heavy, but I don't know). This tastes good in the way that a rich dessert tastes good at the end of a meal - but it isn't satisfying on its own. For those who wonder about the QPR, this was $16.99 for PC. Worth it? Probably not in the face of $15-20 CdR from 2009-2010 that won't require cellar space or time... I'm not a hater of the 03 vintage as I've found several admirable wines therein, but it really is a variable vintage (producer-driven). This wine is an example of what detractors dislike about the vintage. I don't much like it tonight, but I'll also note that this still drinks like a young, albeit huge wine. I won't discover whether this wine will blossom as this is my last (and worst) of 6. I'll rely upon Clos des Papes, Pegau, etc. to provide the ultimate information about the 2003 vintage, but I certainly have no reason to be optimistic after tonight.

1/21/2012 - Moorese wrote:

Here's an early peek at this tempting pinot. The color's a bit light for the typical RRV pinot (other notes describe this as darker, but the color in my glass looks as bright as the 2009 Ceritas Escarpa), but the nose is surprisingly expressive and fetching. There are the typical red fruit notes and some herbal, woodland hints, but what is most remarkable are the savory, meaty notes. Not bloody and savage as if this contained syrah, but nonetheless wild, brambly, and slightly gamey. I suspect that the Hermsmeyer Vineyard from which this comes has a few rogue vines here and there that are not pinot. 14.0% abv on the label - FWIW. It needs a bit more cut and acid to really make the mark, but this is a fine, engaging drink now. It's pretty, soft, round, medium-bodied, and tonight - delicious. Thus, the score. (90) For those holding this wine, I don't think this warrants a long sleep in the cellar - a short one of 2-3 years seems ideal.

12/13/2011 - Moorese wrote:

My first bottle of this was paired alongside a rabbit stew (and a bottle of the 2009 Reynvaan Stonessence that I have not entered into CT). The nose shows notes of spent charcoal, purple fruits, and some briary, herbal elements. There's a mineral aspect and expected meaty tones, with adequate acidity and still a bit of coarse tannin (this drinks like the younger wine compared to the Reynnvaan, which is somewhat sultry and low in acid by comparison). Balanced, but large-scaled, this is a solid performer tonight. I'd like to see a bit more focus and a bit less flab, but this is still a fine drink. For those who care, the Reynvaan was a more feminine, perfumed bottle with a rounder, more elegant mouthfeel, but an off-putting creamed corn aroma.

12/9/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Unlike tonight's companion wine (the 06 Rhys Swan Terrace), this bottle is a sexy beast from the onset. The nose shows copious notes of sweet red and purple fruits, even if they are a bit undifferentiated, with a sweeter, spicier nose than the Swan Terrace. The mouthfeel is more significant, the finish longer, and the wine more delicious today. Nonetheless, it misses a bit of the acid and tannic spine that I suspect will make the Swan Terrace the longer-lived wine. This is rocking right now - a spicy melange with some real in-your-face fruit.

12/9/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Tonight with seared Muscovy duck breast, I finally check in on some of the 06 Rhys pinots. I've had some stunning successes with prior Rhys wines - pinots, sure, but especially the chards, and a bit of a hit-or-miss history with the Alesia wines (pinot and syrah). Taut red fruits with a sensuous, but shy perfume of floral notes, pine and spice (cardamom and cinnamon), this is drinking still rather young (it's seen a 2 hour decant). It's full on the mid-palate, but then falls off a bit on the back end. There's plenty of rich, plush fruit nicely offset with cleansing acid, but this wine (to me) is still positively Californian (in the very best way). Impeccable balance, if a bit young. I'll check back in a few years down the road. I've never been shy about being critical of these wines, but I like this bottle - a lot - and I think it really needs some time.

12/3/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Still showing beautifully, if perhaps missing just a bit of lift compared to a year or two ago. A consistently great wine if you like the style.

12/3/2011 - Moorese wrote:

I have serious doubts that the Mordoree CdP's are aging this well, but this Lirac drinks like a slightly more subdued version of its 07 edition. Not overblown in the slightest, but still large-scaled with dark berries, fennel, garrigue aplenty, some cracked pepper, and a slightly drying finish. Surprisingly well-balanced given the vintage, but it still shows a tinge of fuel towards the finish. Complex, rich, mouth-filling, and young.

12/3/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Popped alongside the 05 Maybach and served with grass-fed prime filets, this seemed unusually young by comparison. Still brawny and tannic relative to the 05, with loads of primary fruit, more noticeable though not intrusive oak, , and less of a caressing texture. Shows just a hint (hint) of heat on the back end, but an otherwise delicious drink that will benefit from additional time in the cellar.

12/3/2011 - Moorese wrote:

No serious notes taken on a night when this was opened alongside the 2006 Maybach. Nonetheless, both wines showed beautifully. The 05 seemed considerably more evolved than the 06 considering they are consecutive vintages. Sensuous texture with notes of cherry and bitter chocolate. Balanced and pretty, but still quite robust and "New World."

12/1/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Once upon a time, I might have described this as a medium- to light-bodied pinot, but it's showing its rich side tonight (and this is after an 06 August West Graham). Nonetheless, it's still well-balanced, if lacking just a bit of acid as seems typical for the vintage. The nose shows wet underbrush, pine, orange pekoe, floral notes, and crushed berries. Sweet berries and licorice flavors miss some complimentary high-toned flavors, but this is still a well-made wine with a sneaky finish. Atypical for a Peay, this drinks just a bit boozy at 14.2%, but only a bit. Overall, this is a complex, and very youthful wine that drinks well now because of fruit aplenty. I do think this wine has real upside. I'd give this a few years minimum (and I won't do the same for most 06's).

11/22/2011 - Moorese wrote:

My second go with this wine. A more stunning showing to be sure. Plum, kirsch, figs, black tea, intense garrigue... Perfectly gamey and meaty, but clean, juicy and surprisingly full-flavored. Medium-bodied compared to most CdP's, but rich and spicy compared to the Rayas. Shows zero signs of age out of this 750mL (so I'll definitely sit on the mag for a bit). Marvelous texture, silky, but without any oily sensation. Long, round, and yet focused. Love the 01's. Love this wine.

11/19/2011 - Moorese wrote:

My 4th taste of this wine. This is missing the kinky, wet fur notes that I get alongside the gamey, meaty notes in a Northern Rhone; but otherwise, this reminds me of a ripe Old World Syrah (emphasis on "ripe"). There's a dried jerky nose with black pepper and oregano. It's a full-bodied mouthful of wine, but with lift and precision (I prefer it to a recent 06 Alban Reva). Dark berry flavors and chewy tannins are present along with noticeable wood and a pleasant finish. The oak notes are at the edge of acceptable, but not over it for my tastes (but I would definitely rate this wine higher with neutral oak). This bottling is a notch beyond Arcadian and Copain, but in the range of the Carlisles, Bedrocks, etc. in terms of ripeness, but I think the oak treatment is slightly more aggressive.

11/18/2011 - Moorese wrote:

It's been 3+ years since my last go with this wine. I've laid off as I thought I needed to. Loads of herbal and stemmy notes, now with some candy corn. It's still a bit musty and muddled, and the fruit has definitely shed some primary sweetness, but it's still a round and fleshy glass. It's aging, yes, but improving? Not to my taste. My palate has moved more towards the lighter-bodied pinot spectrum since 2008 (my last bottle of this wine); and surprisingly, this bottle seems rather rich to me - complex, multi-faceted, and with adequate acid, but also rich. And as to these facets, not all are positive. The sautéed pepper and kimchi notes are not positives. Tonight, this is a wine of "California" ripeness with (stereotypical) old world flaws of cleanliness. I suspect that this bottle is corked to a slight degree, but it's definitely not overt. I've a bottle left, and it will see quick consumption.

7/21/2011 - Moorese wrote:

This first foray into my 09 Carlisle stash showed a troubling nose of sulfur that thankfully blew off after about 20 minutes. While unmistakably syrah, this is also unmistakably Californian. That's not meant to be pejorative or complimentary, just an observation. This doesn't have the kink, fur, and funk of a Northern Rhone - the meaty elements are more subdued - but there's still a pleasing nose of salted meat, accompanied by crushed blackberries and olive tapenade, offset by the lingering hint of roasted corn. Contrary to some other tasters, I don't find this remotely green or hot, or especially tannic and young. It will certainly improve and fill out, but it's already round and delicious, with plenty of sweet fruit. I plan to sit on my remaining bottles for 2-3 years before I check in again, but I expect that will be a sweet spot. I do think this wine is a bit over-scored. With that being said, this IS a delicious QPR now, with obvious upside and better days.

3/31/2011 - Moorese wrote:

I'd agree with recent characterizations of this bottle being a little disjointed. There's loads of pomegranate and sour cherry with some citrus, ample RRV spice, and tangy, lip-smacking acidity. Unfortunately, there's an unavoidable warmth that I haven't noticed in the 3 previous bottles I've tried. It's not obtrusive, but I don't find these problems with Dehlinger typically.

3/25/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Another marvelous wine from Kelley. The nose is undifferentiated as to to the red fruits, but shows brown sugar and complex plant/floral notes. The profile is floral, sweet and ripe, yet not overly so. The body is light and delicate, but with lingering nuance in terms of mid-palate intensity and finish. There's a beguiling stem quality, but a detracting tomato note, albeit a slight one. My natural reaction to this wine is to think it needs time, but it is finished in screwcap so I'll leave it to you as to whether it should be cellared for any length. I do believe there's upside here that's not reflected in the score, but time will tell irrespective of the closure.

3/25/2011 - Moorese wrote:

I'm not entirely sure how Jamie's signature has managed to develop and demonstrate some measure of consistency through multiple vintages, stylistic changes, and different fruit, but this wine shows much of what I fondly recall from prior Kutch bottlings that are stylistically different (by design and circumstance). There's orange peel, forest floor, and sweet, but still piercing and grippy red fruits like cranberry and pomegranate with some pine resin on the back end. There’s a dusty sort of minerality that feels more like creaminess as the wine opens (not clotted, mind you).

I enjoyed the earliest Kutch wines, in part, because they always seemed rich to me without being overdone (although Jamie was making wines at the time that he probably characterizes as too “big” now). As the vintages progressed, and Jamie picked earlier and at lower brix, I still found the wines to be rich and packed with flavor, but I've been wondering if and when Jamie would finally reach a point where his wines lacked phenolic ripeness and showed shrill, green characteristics for my tastes.

Rest assured that this 2009 does not. In fact, I'd describe this wine as rich as well. It’s almost an embarrassment of riches as it’s fully ripe to my (full flavor) tastes and 13.9% abv. Given all the recent debate about alcohol in Pinot Noir, I firmly believe that this wine’s lushness and opulence would fool many people into thinking it must be riper/more alcoholic than it is. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t get any sense of heat in this wine, but I also think it’s positively stacked and easily one of the most impressive Pinots I’ve had this year. I can’t help but compare it to the 2008 Scott Paul Audrey which I adored a few months ago (understanding that both these wines are mere babes). That wine was a silky, textural, aromatic masterpiece that went down like a slow drizzle of EVOO down the throat. The only thing that held the Audrey back was that the flavors were somewhat reticent – the sensory experience was superb in every sense, but (frankly) taste. This bottle, clearly not Jamie’s most prized from 2009, reminds me very much of the 08 Audrey, but with much more assertive flavors. It shows the same effortless, silky texture and refined aromatics, but with complete balance between sweet, ripe fruit and tangy, cleansing acid. In short, this is a delight to drink. As I make my way through the bottle, some of the evergreen notes dissipate in favor of more floral ones. For my tastes, this is delicious and seductively open right now. There’s stuffing for a longer sleep; but if that is your wish, I’d avoid popping one early as the remainder will be hard to resist. Bravo. (92+)

3/6/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Lemon peel, lychee, tropical fruits - certainly Californian in profile, but nicely balanced with zest, lift, and structure. The oak is judicious, but present, and the plucky, juicy fruit gets sweeter as the wine warms. I'm not getting the minerality spoken of by others and see little to remind me of Chablis, but this is very much reminiscent of some delightful Morlet Chards. Certainly concentrated, but in a focused, intense way. This is what a CA Chard is like when it's done right. I really like this wine (my wife loved it), and I'm not surprised by the price given the quality. With that being said, I'll likely stick to Varner, Peay, Rivers Marie, Auteur, etc. for these genre-busting Chards as they give (almost) equal pleasure at a more friendly price point. At $50ish, I'm an evangelist, but at $78, well, I just can't justify it.

2/23/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Down goes my first bottle. Many thanks to Berserkers for the impulse! I'm every bit as optimistic as prior tasters on the quality of this bottling, but I do not think it's as ready as others suggest. Approachable, yes. Ready to drink? No. It drinks to me more like a barrel sample than a finished wine. But I completely agree with the descriptors of citrus fruits, orange peel, and cranberries with baking spices that I expect will become more pronounced with time. I'm the first person to attack the UPS truck with a corkscrew, but I really think this wine needs 6-12. Very enjoyable, but there's undeniable upside just waiting for you.

1/5/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Grabbed an Alesia in expectation for mailer season's full onslaught (including Rhys). I find I need to remind myself why I buy what I buy every so often, and especially in this situation since I'm making a concerted effort to keep my hands off the Rhys bottlings. It's a perplexing situation because no Alesia bottling has wowed me the way that a few Rhys wines have. Still, this is a fine effort. Tart red fruits and some chalkiness against a subdued background of woodsy, stemmy notes, and some spice. Very nervy, high-toned, and sharp in a positive way, but also seems the slightest bit underripe (there's very little sweetness to the fruit). There's a fine, lingering and plucky finish. A great pairing with a simple greens and tofu stir-fry; that in truth, got better with each glass. This wine makes me think that even the Alesias need more time than I give them.

1/5/2011 - Moorese wrote:

I found this wine superb (and in the blind company of New World Syrahs like Alban and Cayuse). A nose of both smoke and white flowers. Lovely cured meats, plums, with medium body and great structure. Finishes a bit dry with lip-smacking tannin. Puh-lenty of life left, and not to my taste, typical of the often blousy 03 vintage. Eye-opening drink.

1/5/2011 - Moorese wrote:

Dark and densely colored. Brooding. High-toned in spite of the obvious extraction. A bit of candy corn on the nose which I do not care for - otherwise, there is much to like in this wine.

11/4/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Not as aromatic, soft, round and feminine as a recent Willow Creek, but more open and accessible than the tight and brooding Summa (I resisted any peak at the Summa OV). Zesty cranberry and pomegranate with pine needles, sous bois, and orange peel. Still quite big-boned and tightly wound, but not at all over-the-top. Great length. These are really superb 06 Pinots.

11/1/2010 - Moorese wrote:

In contrast with the impressive Willow Creek a few days earlier, this wine is simply not ready to drink. I poured it through a Decantus into a decanter, but it showed little signs of opening up until the bitter end of a slow night about 3 hours later. There's ample raw material in terms of fruit which peeked through in the final glass, but the nose remained elusive throughout. The previous reviewer used terms like "hidden," "stacked," and "firm," and I agree completely. A modestly pleasurable experience tonight, but with higher expectations for the future.

10/29/2010 - Moorese wrote:

This wine shows a delicate ruby robe and sports an impressive, almost room-filling nose. I can only wonder what it will be like with additional time. Orange peel, mulling spices, sassafras, macerated berries - really a wonderful melange. I tend to be surprised when RM Pinots are described as "big." I certainly don't find them shy in the slightest, but I can think of many more extracted examples. For my palate, they are generally at the upper end of medium-bodied (California) Pinots, as in, "sorta big." This wine is sorta big as well. Lengthy, deep, rich, but with a bright spine. There's ample acid here for those who want a palate-cleansing drink to pair with food. It really begins to strut it's stuff with a few hours of air. Nice. Very nice. (92)

9/23/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Decanted an hour in advance, and then poured through a Decantus into the glass. Nonetheless, this drinks in many ways like a barrel sample as it seems so young. Bright, high-toned fruit with strawberry, pomegranate, some herbal notes along the lines of rosemary or tarragon, orange peel, and telltale RRV spice. While I don't find the fruit particularly weighty on the attack, there's structure and a resonating finish that bode well. I'm optimistic about positive development.

8/28/2010 - Moorese wrote:

First, I read with relish Richard Jenning's notes and find them very astute, so I'm surprised that we so disagree. But then, there are no great wines, only great bottles... My experience tonight with this wine is very favorable, especially for the vintage. Luscious fruit, but with spine. Aromatics of clove and baking spices. Clean and delicious. Lacks a bit of freshness and acid, but a very pleasant and reasonably balanced drink. One of the better 08's from the RRV that I've sampled, and that's a large number.

8/10/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Dare I say it, this has improved. Still large-scaled, but not gloppy or syrupy. Rich blackberry compote with some notes of camphor, smoke, and lilac. A bit of booze peaking through hurts the final impression (but considering the alcohol content, I suppose I should expect to be more put out). Resolved tannins and softening fruit reveal a more elegant wine than previous bottles. Still a behemoth, but this is a much more drinkable and enjoyable bottle than last August.

5/24/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Enjoyed over the course of two days, this medium-bodied syrah shows bright red fruits in addition to deeper, darker notes. Iodine, fennel, and crushed red raspberries are showcased with fine acid and structure. Very fine, almost delicate, but with sneaky length. Much improved on the second day even though only 1/4 of the bottle was preserved. A very pleasing drink.

4/17/2010 - Moorese wrote:

A first look at Jamie's 08. A big, almost brambly nose with crushed raspberries and savory notes. There is a slight gaminess to the wine. Otherwise, the wine showcases clean, medium-bodied fruit that I expect will put on some weight with time. A bit clipped on the back end.

4/17/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Drinking very nicely. A spicy nose of sassafras, orange pekoe, and some earthy notes that I haven't picked up before in this wine. Beautiful high-toned fruit and lemon zest. A consistent pleasure.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Precise, focused fruit with great lift. California richness in a low alcohol, chiseled package.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Another very impressive 05 Lillian. Crushed blackberries and floral notes on the otherwise reticent nose. Ripe, mouthfilling fruit in a soft, elegant package. Drinking very nicely right now.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Pretty flawless for such a young wine and a clear WOTN for me (easily besting the 07 Quilceda). Black cherry, bitter chocolate, and some saddle leather. Harmonious with rich but not overbearing fruit, a silky but not cloying texture, and beautiful lift and finish.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Double-decanted for 10 hours along with the 07 Maybach. Showing a bit more awkwardly than the Maybach tonight, but an obvious superb bottle. Big, brooding, and very seriously structured with the telltale QC notes of blueberry and lilac. My favorite early peek since the 01 vintage.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Not in the Pegau's class tonight in terms of stuffing and structure, but a fine bottle nonetheless. Loads of dusty garrigue and mid weight fruit. A pretty wine.

4/11/2010 - Moorese wrote:

A marvelous showing. Finally mature, but still loaded with fruit (especially as compared to the 2000 Clos des Papes). This wine has just entered its prime where I expect it to stay for several years.

3/25/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Strawberry rhubarb pie on the nose with citrus and spice. Tart red berries and sassafras. Light on its feet with ample acid. Finishes with great lift and sneaky concentration. A wonderful effort that promises years of improvement.

2/7/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Beautiful. High-toned, expressive, long.

1/29/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Overly ripe, flabby, disjointed, troubled by a bit of VA, and an all around underwhelming bottle.

1/20/2010 - Moorese wrote:

Splash decanted an hour in advance, this is a ripe, rich drink. Dark berries, sneaky pepper and meaty notes, fennel, vanilla, a suave texture, and a slight medicinal note. Just when you think it's overdone, it finishes in lifting, yet not bracing fashion. Very pleasing to be sure, but just a bit heady this evening.

1/16/2010 - Moorese wrote:

One of the finest New World dessert wines I've had. Sensuous tropical fruits in a firm, peppery package. A real delight with improvement on day 2.

1/8/2010 - Moorese wrote:

This magnum is really a superb drink. Notes of tar, spent firebox, honeysuckle, and white pepper give way to a grippy, chewy mouthful of lip-smacking berries and kippered beef. Nicely balanced with backbone, just a hint of sweet oak, and a pleasant, lingering finish. A very well made wine, even if it is a bit early in this format.

11/20/2009 - Moorese wrote:

A rather huge nose of slightly stewed and macerated fruit with hints of chocolate, ripe berries, and herbs (marjoram). Plentiful fruit does not excuse the over-ripe quality. Boozy, lush, and hedonistic with little nuance. Tonight, after picking up and drinking Novy and Cayuse Syrahs at retail, popping this at the end of the evening definitely suggests it's bedtime. Excessively sweet and very cocktail-like. Incidentally, I loved this wine at release. (81)

11/12/2009 - Moorese wrote:

Sweet red berries, freshly cut cedar, and green leaf and basil with some burnt wood and a late, but prominent candied note. Medium-bodied, ripe, sweet, and slightly jammy with soft tannins, and a brief iodine note on a tangy, slightly drying finish.