4/25/2024 - petermpls wrote:

Seems like it needs a year or two to fully resolve.

4/19/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

I'm more inclined to drink this now rather than wait. The richness of the fruit (I think plum/dark berry) seems to be its calling card. I gave it a brief decant. It's a solid weekday wine.

4/7/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Last bottle. Drinking beautifully.

3/3/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This takes a lot of time to open. Decant at 3-4 hours prior to drinking. Surprised by how closed down this is given the high % of Merlot.

2/29/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Delicious and fresh!

2/13/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This was ready to go in early 2024. Suggest an hour long decant to give it time to breath.

1/21/2024 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Just needs some decanting time - then lovely to drink.

12/27/2023 - petermpls wrote:

Second bottle was on the hot side compared to the first. A bit disappointed.

11/20/2023 - petermpls wrote:

Gave it a decant. Still fairly reticent. Not a big fan especially at 14.5% alcohol.

10/29/2023 - petermpls wrote:

Very port-like. Not my favorite.

10/23/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

A refreshing red. Berry, spice, light-to-medium body. Wish I had more. Ready now.

9/29/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Pulled the cork and Icardi is the producer. Not my favorite. Give it a little time to breathe and it's better. Don't see myself sitting on it for the long haul - not enough there.

9/26/2023 - petermpls Does not like this wine:

One of those Garagiste and I aren't on the same page.

9/17/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Agree with the winery tasting note calling out gravitas in contrast to the vin gri.

9/9/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

No need to wait - a fun, funky wine for now.

7/29/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This wine was inspired by what must have been a very light Northern Italian red. Absolutely delicious and ready for early drinking. Will buy more.

7/16/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

The last couple of vintages were a bit off for my palate - trendy too much towards overly fruity and short natural wine. This was much more to my liking.

7/1/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

My first season with the Quinta Cruz club. The red and white grape combo is so good with many spicier but light summer foods. Transcends cuisines well so it can cover North African, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian food.

6/27/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Drinks like a solid, somewhat modern styled $10 Spanish wine. Not all that complex. A bit hot on the palate.

6/16/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Reminds me of a good house wine that you'd get in Tuscany. Easy to drink - not too complicated.

5/7/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Reminds me of a Grignolino with the mix of intense color, grippy tannin, and dark fruit. Seems ready now to my palate.

4/24/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Served beside Busiate with pesto trapanese. Wow! Amazing after 3+ years in the bottle.

4/9/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable after a brief decant. In its early drinking window so best with food. It's a big Chianti - can stand up to richer dishes.

4/8/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Has entered its prime drinking window.

4/4/2023 - petermpls wrote:

This last bottle was thinner and more astringent. Seems like bottle variation as I compare it to other bottles.

3/14/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

WMCCONE54's review from 2020 is spot on but now the tannins and structure have resolved themselves. 30 minutes in the decanter let this open up. Exceptional!!!

3/1/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Last bottle - Stelvin cap version. Bottle was a bit more tired than I remember. Drink up.

3/1/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

I am in agreement with those that find this wine a great foil for food. Served it tonight with a northern Italian soup of cannellini beans, chard, and barley. Perfect pairing. Yes, the back end tannins are a bit rough around the edges but I'm inclined towards earlier drinking to enough the freshness of the fruit.

2/14/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Still needs plenty of decanting time but delicious once it opens up.

1/31/2023 - petermpls Does not like this wine:

I just don't know what to make of this wine. Very floral nose but quite tannic. I want to like it but can't find a way to do so. One of those "I should know better" when Jon sends the email extolling how wonderful it is.

1/28/2023 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Opened my last bottle tonight. Still retained the plum character. As long as you accept the atypicity, this last bottle is a wonderful spot.

1/3/2023 - petermpls wrote:

Agree with the mediocre scores. Will use for cooking.

12/20/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Lovely now at this point in its maturity. A bit on the modern side - not fully aligned with what I was expecting from an older rioja.

12/17/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Solidly in its drinking window. Has that "Ampelos intensity" without being overbearing.

10/16/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

I was struck by the richness and intensity of dark plum. Great with fattier meats.

10/8/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Back in 2016, I paired this with duck ragu and fresh pasta. Six years later, I did the same pairing. This wine was singing. Incredibly fresh and vibrant for 26 years in bottle. One bottle was vibrant upon opening; the other needed 60 minutes in the decanter. Impressive staying power for a CCR.

10/2/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Did the Stelvin vs Cork test tonight. Both were delicious. Now that they are 5 years in, we decided that the cork version was "rounder" and had a bit more body. These could go beyond 2023 but why wait.

9/4/2022 - petermpls wrote:

Purchased from Last Bottle. I have purchased a few Tuscan, sangiovese-based wines from them. Most, but not all, have been more modern in style and too big and alcoholic for my palate. I'll be more careful in my selections going forward as the last two wines fell into this categorization.

8/15/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Exceptional. The winery description is spot on: From the winery: “Colour: straw yellow with greenish highlights; Nose: fruity, flower-like, white flowers, delicate; Flavour: dry, fresh, naturally persistent with a profile of distinction and elegance.”

Should have bought more than 3 bottles.

7/24/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Not a traditional Zin by any means. Love how light on its feet it was. I needed something that would approximate a Sicilian red and this absolutely hit the mark.

5/16/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Light and delicate. The best way for me to think of it is a cross between Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. Very enjoyable with food particular as we move into the spring season.

3/8/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This is trendy towards being predominantly grapefruit which has me concerned.

2/19/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This wine is in a good spot. Ruby color with no bricking. Shows cassis and blackberry on the nose. Lengthy finish. Good acid level with a touch of tannin left. Much better than the 2006 tried a few weeks ago. Extending my drinking window for the other bottle I have.

2/12/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Delicious for the first hour or so and then faded. Drink up.

1/22/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

I agree with the recent tasting notes with one exception. I am skeptical that this will gain much from further aging. It's a gut feeling driven by the plum, stewed fruit flavor profile.

1/9/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Delicious and ready to drink now with a brief decant.

1/8/2022 - petermpls Likes this wine:

This has evolved significantly since my early 2020 tasting. Ready after a brief decant and has several great years ahead.

12/31/2021 - petermpls wrote:

Corked

12/18/2021 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Not much to add to the 2021 reviews - my experience was aligned with the notes of others. It is a little reticent at first so a one hour+ decant is recommended.

12/7/2021 - petermpls Likes this wine:

Lighter than I expected but delicious and food friendly. Other tasting notes calling out cherry are spot on. I'm inclined to drink now and enjoy the freshness rather than see where it lands in a few years.