5/5/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Decanted two hours

An inky, opaque deep purple in the glass. Lotsa legs. Stewed blackberries, black cherries, maybe some smoke on the nose. Blackberries, gravel, baking spice on the palate. Bold, medium to full bodied with chalky tannins and medium acidity. Dry. Vanilla. Leather. Those tannins becoming rather grippy and reminiscent of black tea. This is 85% Petite Syrah, after all, with the balance being Petit Verdot. Rich, robust, concentrated.

I do love me some Petite Syrah.

4/21/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Served at 69ºF/20ºC. 14.5% ABV. Decanted for 1.5 hours.

Medium purple. Hefty legs. Served in the big Cabernet glasses, just because.

Blackberry, plum and black cherry, maybe some tobacco on the nose. Blackberry, unidentified herbs and leather on the palate. Maybe some clove. Chalky medium tannins. Medium acidity. A little initial bite without being tart. Dry, full bodied. Medium to long finish. Not super complex but extremely drinkable.

Additionally, the bottle is a bit of a conversation piece. Heavy and thick with textured glass and an ink-splattered label reminiscent of Jackson Pollock. If you ever hold onto a bottle because you like the look, this one’s a candidate.

This bottle was $9.99 at Trader Joe’s. Get outta town. Will be getting more of this if they still have it in stock. Definitely recommended.

4/7/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Deep ruby on the pour. Blackberry, black cherry, maybe some dill and tobacco leaf on the nose. Hefty legs. Powdery tannins which became more pronounced as time went on. Medium acidity. Tart. Earthy. Dry and bold. Medium bodied. Leather, black cherry, black pepper, vanilla on the palate. Lots of personality. One-plus hour decant.

The always dependable Marqués de Riscal strikes again. Thumbs up!

3/31/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

I originally wrote a review of this wine after thanksgiving 2022, but it’s been enough time that I thought an update was in order.

A modest cherry and vanilla on the nose. Pale purple, a hint of legs only. Light bodied, fruity, almost oily, which is surprising. A pleasantly ripe, somewhat sweet cherry, a hint of cranberry, vanilla, light baking spice on the palate. Medium acidity, low tannins. Very smooth.

Not complex at all, this Pinot relies on its easygoing personality to win you over. Consistently good without being great, probably a crowd pleaser, depending on your particular crowd. I'd prefer it be a little less sweet.

Tried with Brie. The sweet fruitiness of the Pinot complimented the cheese quite well.

3/24/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Served at 68°. Decanted for one hour-plus, served in Riedel Extreme Cabernet glasses.

Nose of blackberries, black cherries, blueberries. A luscious deep purple in the glass. Well-defined legs. Palate of black fruit, gravel, leather, baking spice. Chalky medium-plus tannins. Bold, off-dry, medium to full-bodied. Medium acidity. Medium long finish. Had the wine before and after dinner, as it would not have worked.

Not my first Douro red, for sure won’t be my last. Lots of intriguing grapes in Portugal. Might buy this again.

3/10/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Bought at the winery eleven months ago.
Served at 64°

Nose of black cherry in the decanter prior to the forty minute decant, then black cherry, dried herbs, a little crushed gravel on the nose. Some viscosity on the glass but no legs. Medium purple. Smooth, soft, off dry at best (definitely some sweetness from the fruit). Palate of blackberry bramble, raspberry, crushed gravel with medium acidity, very soft tannins.

If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and visit this lovely vineyard. They have a wonderful outdoor tasting area which overlooks the vines. Truly beautiful.

I’m not used to spending $46 for a bottle of wine, but I have to say, this bottle is worth it. Really delicious. Did not have with food.

3/3/2024 - Westcoastred wrote:

Nose of blueberries both in the decanter and later in the glass after a 40 minute decant. Also black cherry, dried herbs, dirt. Deep ruby. Well-defined legs. Palate of black cherry, blackberry, baking spice, leather, vanilla. Off dry, medium bodied, smooth. Soft tannins and medium acidity.

Had with Kale pie, with onion, garlic, eggs, lemon zest, feta cheese. The acidity in the wine ticks up a notch, which you may like though I’d prefer that it go in the opposite direction.

This is an inexpensive and decent Northern California Merlot. I’d like to try it with different food, and as I haven’t had Merlot in ages, I’d like to compare it to other local offerings.

2/25/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Nose of blackberries in the decanter prior to 1.5 hour decant. Medium to deep purple in the glass with a light pink rim. Modest blackberry and cherry aromas in glass. Legs.

Palate of tart cherry, graphite, black pepper, some green bell pepper, some leather. Medium plus acidity, somewhat bright. Tannins mild at first, becoming more pronounced after some time in the glass. Dry, bold, full bodied. Did not have with food. Would pair well with charcuterie and cheese.

A $5.99 wine which gets four stars from nearly ten thousand Vivino users was impossible to pass up. A Trader Joe’s purchase.

Would prefer less tartness and more of an earthy profile, but that’s just me. For the price, this wine is perfectly acceptable.

2/18/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Medium gold in the glass with a pear and citrus nose. Palate of green apple, lemon, minerals, with some salinity. Peppery, medium plus acidity, fairly dry, medium body, minerals, zesty. Flinty. Stone of some sort.

Had with salmon cooked in olive oil, Meyer lemon, garlic and butter. New potatoes cooked in water with butter, thyme, salt and pepper. Salad of mixed greens, nuts, dried cranberries, blueberries, mandarin orange slices in a balsamic vinaigrette.

The more forward personality of the wine goes nicely with the mild flavors of the salmon, as cooked here. The wine is more acidic with the potatoes, more 'mineraly' with the salad, which is probably the weakest pairing of the meal. The minerality increases as the wine warms. Can see this wine going nicely with shellfish.

I’m not a big white wine fan, but on this day, I didn’t feel that I’d cheated myself out of having a nice red. I actually enjoyed this white and can see getting it again. As with any wine, if you’re having it with food, it helps to pair it well. A little homework will pay off.

2/16/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Apple, pear, citrus. Small bubbles. Slightly sweeter than I'd prefer. Medium, creamy finish. Fine at this price point.

2/16/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Pear, apple and cream on the palate. Nose similar. Medium sized bubbles. Fairly bright but smooth. Medium finish. At this price, I'll buy it again.

2/11/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Deep purple in the glass. Aromas of blackberries, black cherries, wet gravel. A little smoke later on. Palate of blackberry, raspberry, green bell pepper, baking spice, minerality, leather, some oak with medium acid. Prominent tannins, though I imagine they’re softer due to the decant. Very dry, bright, full-bodied, bold.

Did not have with food.

2/4/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Medium to deep purple. Healthy legs. Cherry notes with the merest suggestion of baking spice on the nose. Maybe a little blackberry after a few minutes. Palate follows nose, slightly tart cherry with medium acidity and soft powdery tannins. More baking spice on the medium finish. Gets a bit more herbaceous and acidic as time goes on. Medium body, boldish. Off-dry. It’s a pleasant, unassuming red. I could see it going with bold meaty flavors. Regulated by the Denominazione di origine controllata for quality and region of production. I think $15-16 is about right.

1/28/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Stewed dark berries, mineral aromas in the decanter, decanted for one-plus hour. Nose of cherry, blackberry and floral notes post-decant in the glass. Deep purple. Prominent legs (14.5%). Palate of blackberries, graphite, some leather and balsamic. Dry with spicy medium acidity. Bright. Medium chalky tannins. Medium body, bold, lots of personality. More spice on the medium finish. Delicious. Will buy again.

1/21/2024 - Westcoastred wrote:

Decanted 2.5 hours

Nose of blackberries in the decanter. Once poured, black cherry, flint, a little smoke on the nose. Maybe green peppercorn. Deep ruby, pink rim. On the palate, black fruit, soft powdery tannins, some baking spice on the back end. Graphite. Dry. Bright. Medium-plus body. Bold. The baking spice and tannins dominate the other aspects of this wine more than I’d prefer.

Had with dark chocolate. Tart acidity came to the fore, which was not what I was hoping for. Cleansed the palate and tried again. Peppery acidity followed by black fruit. Had next with spaghetti. You gotta go with what you’ve got. Fake meat, garlic, oregano, parsley, onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, tomatoes, Parmesan. Much better. A bit more fruity, with the bright acidity sticking around for the encore.

Still not what I really look for in a Cab, though this wine may be more to your liking. The price is certainly good.

1/14/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Lemon zest and cantaloupe on the nose, pale copper color in the glass. Palate somewhat follows nose, some graphite on the finish. Light body, a little zesty acidity but less than I expected.

Had with fish pie (shrimp, cod, salmon, green beans, leaks, clam juice, chicken broth, tarragon, parsley), bread and salad of arugula, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, toasted pecans and cranberries in a balsamic vinaigrette.

Acidity in the wine comes forward a bit with the food. Pear notes get added to the palate. The wine goes better with the salad than the fish pie. It would go better with the fish if it were more crisp. As it is, this wine is a tad too sweet. Though I’ll say that the sweetness isn’t particularly up front on its own.

Score reflects my status as ‘not a white wine drinker’ though I appreciate how drinkable this Pinot Grigio was. It does have good potential with foods which exhibit a necessary sweetness.

1/7/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Aroma of stewed / unripe blueberries in the bottle, ripe blueberries after a thirty minute decant. Maybe a little smoke, hint of vanilla. The aroma faded quickly for me. Medium to deep purple, lots of legs. Lots of personality on the palate. Dry, chalky tannins, spicy acidity. Blackberries, graphite. Bold, medium bodied. Wowzers. Some sweet dark fruit. Graphite on the medium to long finish.

What a winner. Delicious. Run, don’t walk. I’ll buy it again.

12/17/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Ripe blueberry aroma in the bottle, followed by a three hour decant. Deep, opaque purple. Well-defined legs (14.9%). Nose of black cherry, dark chocolate, blackberry and a little smoke. Palate of luscious (yet perhaps a bit unripe) blackberries, black tea (those tannins!) and crushed rocks. Dry, low to medium acidity. Full-bodied and bold. Tannins which came on slow but which, by the fourth sip, were putting their emphatic stamp on this tasting. Medium to long finish.

Had a second glass with a baguette and aged Gouda cheese, which has more personality than your average Gouda. The wine took on a lighter, less tannic personality, taking a bit of a backseat while still exuding an enjoyable character. While one was not on hand, a nice steak with some fat in it would go really well with this wine.

For $15, this is a pleasant drinker, though I’ve had other Petite Sirahs which were more impressive, albeit at a higher price point.

12/10/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Aroma of blueberries in the decanter (prior to the one hour decant). Dark yet translucent on the pour, deep purple in the glass. Fairly leggy (14.1%). Nose of dark fruit, tobacco, dirt. Rich mouthfeel, velvety smooth tannins, medium but understated acidity with a slight peppery character, blackberries, vanilla, medium finish. Medium body, off dry, bold. The acidity came forward a bit as time went on. Did not have with food.

Recommended by a couple who were renting the cottage next to ours in Paso Robles last April. Thank you, temporary favorite neighbors.

I’ll be buying more of this. A lovely wine.

12/3/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

One hour twenty-five minute decant

Translucent cherry on the pour, medium to deep purple in the glass with significant legs. Nose of stewed blackberries, smoke, perhaps cigar box. Medium bodied, dry, spicy acidity, delicious dark fruit, black pepper. Soft, powdery tannins. A little graphite on the back end, medium finish.

Had with charcuterie featuring mushroom Brie, Blue, Gouda and white cheddar cheeses, uncured Varzi salami, Asian pear, golden raisins, dried cranberries, black olives and smoked salmon. The wine goes well with the salami and cheeses, not so much with the salmon (no surprise there) or the pear. Anything salty is good.

I think the 2020 we had 4+ months ago was more complex and better, but this is a $13.99 bottle so it’s hard to find fault with it. I’d definitely buy it again, though I’d search for the 2020 first.

Served in the big Cabernet glasses, cuz I loves them so.

11/23/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

An initial, fascinating nose of strawberry yoghurt and cherry candy. Translucent cherry on the pour, a 30 minute decant. Palate of blackberries giving over later to cranberries and cherries. Medium plus spicy acidity, light to medium body, dry, fairly smooth. Herbaceous. Leggy (13% ABV). Acidity comes to the fore with the thanksgiving meal. Actually prefer the wine on its own for that reason. Too much acid, otherwise (and I didn’t even have it with the cranberry sauce).

Served in the large Cab glasses.

11/19/2023 - Westcoastred wrote:

Medium body. Deep straw to medium yellow. 13.5% ABV. Served at 54°.

I haven’t spent any time training my nose to sniff out the aromas you’d commonly find in white wine, so the first sniff or two brought nothing more than ‘smells like a white wine to me’. A little patience brought notes of melon, maybe pear, lemon and minerals. Palate with very spicy acidity, minerals, lime, a little flint and saline.

Had with Orzo with garbanzo beans, spinach, mild feta, garlic and onions. I felt the wine kind of overpowered the dish, possibly because the feta was so mild. Also, the high acidity irritates my tongue, which I’m never a fan of. Have this wine with the right dish though, and it might be a winner.

Rating partly reflects my lack of experience with and general distaste for white wine, so take it with a bit of saline. I mean salt.

11/12/2023 - Westcoastred wrote:

Blackberry aromas in the decanter, followed by a 45 minute decant. Deep purple in the glass. Medium legs (14.1% ABV). Mild nose of blackberries, maybe a little raspberry and baking spice. Palate of spicy acidity, powdery tannins, a little syrupy. Blackberry and graphite. Dry. Some undefined pronounced flavor appears after a few minutes which for me is not all that pleasant. Maybe it’s the red pepper flake which apparently is common in Uco Valley Malbecs. I dunno. Possibly a little cocoa in there as well. Medium to full bodied, fresh, medium finish. Bold. It’s hard to ignore that one negative flavor, which might not be negative for you. I’d be willing to try this wine with food, which didn’t happen today.

11/5/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

I’ve been looking forward to comparing the silver label Monastrell with last week’s Honoro Vera, also from Juan Gil. So, let’s get into it.

Nose of blackberries pouring into the decanter, followed by a one hour decant. Translucent cherry on the pour into the glass. Mild cherry on the nose, similar to the Honoro Vera with the addition of some tobacco smoke.

It’s fairly leggy but those legs take longer to develop than usual. Higher viscosity, maybe? This is 15% ABV. Deep purple in color.

Dark fruit is front and center on the palate. Blackberries, black cherries perhaps. Leather, black pepper, gravel. Bright and spicy acidity, medium-plus chalky tannins. Dry. Bold, medium to full bodied. An interesting assortment of flavors lend this one a lively personality. I can definitely see this wine going well with smoked meats, though I did not have it with food.

I would put this wine ahead of the Honoro Vera but behind the Cline Mourvèdre in it’s flavor profile, understanding the terroir of the two is not the same.

10/29/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Translucent cherry on the pour, deep ruby in the glass with medium legs. Mild cherry aromas. Cherry and unripe blackberry on the palate, medium acidity with spice, powdery tannins, a little oily. Black pepper, smoke. Bold, medium body. Slightly tart, somewhat of a gravelly sensation on the tongue. Off dry, medium finish.

Good QPR with this one. Very serviceable, easy drinking. Not marvelous by any stretch but for ten dollars I’m not complaining. Would buy again for those reasons. Bought at the same time as a bottle of Juan Gil silver label Monastrell, which cost 50% more. Hope to compare the two soon.

Had second glass with penne pasta featuring mushrooms, spinach, onion, cherry tomatoes and ricotta salata cheese. Blackberry becomes more prominent somehow, with enhanced baking spice. The wine is up to the task without dominating the food.

If you were the sort to buy a record, etc. solely based on its beautiful and compelling artwork (guilty as charged), you might find yourself drawn to this wine. The label is indeed beautiful.

10/22/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Aroma of blueberries going from the bottle into the decanter, changing afterwards to cherry in the glass, where the wine is a deep purple. Initial notes of leather, baking spice and blackberries on the palate with grippy tannins. Herbaceous. Gravel, maybe a little sweet tobacco, pepper. Off dry, fairly bold, smooth. Leggy. Medium to full body. Lots of structure to this wine, which I appreciate. A little tartness and bite on the medium finish.

I overpaid for this bottle, but I’m really enjoying the wine. That tends to smooth out the regret. I’d gladly spend the $20 it seems to sell for elsewhere for another bottle. Recommended.

10/15/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Nose of cherry, raspberry and a little raisin. Herbaceous. Medium purple in the glass, slightly leggy. Black fruit, some red, spicy acidity on the palate. Powdery tannins. Dry and bold, medium to full bodied. Slightly tart, a little oily. Black cherry, blackberry, baking spices, oak. An easy drinker with an enjoyable flavor profile. Definitely makes me interested in trying other Mouchãos. Did not have with food.

10/14/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

The nose has notes of honeydew and apple. Crisp acidity, off dry, uniformly fine bubbles. Medium finish. Would prefer it be a tad more dry, but for less than fourteen bucks, I’m not going to quibble. Not necessarily a substitute for good champagne, but I’d buy this again.

10/8/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Translucent cherry / raspberry on the pour. Nose of blackberries prior to the one-hour decant, changing to black cherry in the glass afterwards, with hints of red pepper flakes in this estate-grown Malbec. Deep purple with a light pink rim. On the palate, smooth, black cherry, a little blackberry, tannins almost imperceptible. Ever so slightly tart. Off-dry. An interesting undertone of something… graphite perhaps. A little baking spice as well, plus a hint of raspberry with light acidity on the back end. Medium finish, where the graphite becomes more pronounced. Pretty interesting blend of flavors overall, though I’d say it’s atypical for the varietal. Medium body. I’d prefer a fuller body and more structure, but this is an enjoyable, easy drinking wine to be sure. I just wouldn’t want to spend $40+ for it again. Did not have with food. Drinking window 2022-26.

10/1/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Made using the appassimento method, where grapes are taken off the vine and allowed to dry for several months prior to vinification, which tends to concentrate flavors and sweetness. 14.5% ABV.

It is of the Indicazione Geografica Tipica classification, so the rules governing it are not as stringent as those for DOC or DOCG, but IGT can still result in wines of great quality with a potentially lower price tag.

Nose of blackberries in the decanter, where it sat for 45+ minutes. Very decent legs. Medium purple in the glass, with a light pink rim. More blackberry and baking spice aromas. Powdery, almost chalky tannins, some spicy acidity on the back end, but not overbearing. Bright, bold and smooth, with black cherry, baking spice and graphite on the palate. Hint of raspberry. Some sweetness from the drying process, but overall more dry than sweet. Medium to full bodied with a medium finish. A pleasant easy drinker with great QPR. Did not have with food. Will buy again.

9/24/2023 - Westcoastred wrote:

Decanted 45 minutes. Nose of blackberries in the decanter, same in the glass plus a little alcohol. A little blueberry. Wife said unripe blueberries or strawberries. Pale, translucent raspberry during the pour. In not the best light, the wine looked deep purple in the glass. On the palate, smooth, dark berries, silky and soft tannins, medium spice. Off dry. A little oak and cherry. Medium legs. A little syrupy. Off bold. Full-bodied with medium length. Did not have with food. Served at 70°, probably would have improved at 65. In my opinion, this wine is missing some defining element to push it over the top. More prominent tannins or acidity, perhaps. That said, it’s a decent and very affordable introduction to the world of Lodi Zinfandel. Bought at the neighborhood corner market.

9/17/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

15% ABV, Three hour decant
62% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon

Pleasantly subtle notes of blackberry bramble with a trace of vanilla on the nose. Medium legs, deep purple. On the palate, very dry and earthy. Unripe blueberries and black cherries. Leather, cedar. Chalky tannins. Medium acid with light baking spice on the backend. Bold. Long finish.

A quite dry and earthy budget Bordeaux with medium complexity that’s well worth the $15 I paid for it. Would buy again. Did not have with food.

9/10/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Notes of plum in the decanter. After the two-hour decant, stewed blackberries are more prominent. Deep ruby in the glass with a dark pink rim, semi-opaque. Medium legs. Dark cherry, smoke, pencil lead added to the nose. Dark cherry on the palate with blackberry, chalky tannins, medium body and spicy acidity. Some tartness. Medium body, medium finish. Bold. Off-dry.

Second glass served with frittatas containing potato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, egg and cheese. The wine surfs above those savory flavors (which perhaps are not a perfect pairing) with more alcohol on the nose and it’s brighter elements of acidity and baking spices shining through.

This wine only gets an 87 on Vivino and an 86 on CellarTracker but I will definitely buy it again. It’s a fairly easy-drinking cab that’s inexpensive at $16. It’s not a big Napa cab mind you, and perhaps not as complex as you might prefer, but it’s tasty and has good QPR. Very serviceable for those days when you want your expensive cabs to kick their feet up and stay in the cellar for a bit longer.

Served in Riedel Extreme Cabernet glasses.

9/3/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Decanted two hours

Nose of stewed blueberries in the decanter. More of the same after the decant, plus blackberries, plum, alcohol, slight vanilla. A whole chorus line of legs on stage for this show. A dense, medium purple. Syrupy and spicy with the aforementioned berries and oak on the palate. Leather. Bold, full-bodied, smooth and off-dry with soft, silky tannins and medium, spicy acidity on the medium finish. Those tannins become more chewy after another hour. Did not have with food.

Sunday is Wine Day here, and it’s this sort of wine which makes me look forward to Sundays every week.

Served in Riedel Extreme Cabernet glasses, just cuz.

8/27/2023 - Westcoastred wrote:

Translucent raspberry on the pour. Cherry, perhaps a little smoke and raspberry on the nose. More cherry on the palate. Smooth and dry. A little spicy acidity on the back end, but it’s lightweight. Light to medium bodied. Medium to long finish. An unassuming, uncomplicated pleasant drinker that I feel is better now than when I last had it a year-plus ago.

8/20/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Stewed blackberry and a little smoke on the nose, opaque deep purple in the glass with a light pink rim. A whole gymnastics team here, legs all over the place. Dry with some baking spice, black pepper and unripe blackberries on the palate, with grippy, chewy tannins. Herbaceous. Cocoa powder, black tea. Bold, full-bodied. Long finish, bitter and smoky. Did not have with food. Would buy again.

7/30/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Decanted one hour.

Light aromas of cherry, sun-dried tomato and balsamic. Deep ruby, slightly translucent in the glass. Leggy from the viscosity. Spicy medium acidity, chalky medium tannins, sour cherries on the palate. Dry. A little clove on the nose now. Medium body and finish. An easy-drinking if tart Sangiovese blend (the Bacci site indicates Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon). Did not have with food.

7/23/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Stewed blackberries, black pepper on the nose. Deep purple in the glass. Leggy. Smooth, spicy on the palate with blackberries, black cherries and plum. Wife says dried fruit and unsweetened cocoa. A little oak. Spice, graphite on the medium finish. The very soft tannins and medium acidity take somewhat of a back seat to the dark fruit and spice notes. Some warmth from the alcohol. Off-dry. Medium body. Bold yet somehow reserved. I’m wishing that it had additional fruit, say raspberry or strawberry on the palate. Something to brighten it up a bit. It’s definitely tasty but could benefit from that addition. Did not have with food.

Bought in Paso during our trip there in April.

7/16/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

A particular combination in the nose that I haven’t experienced before. Stewed dark berries, baking spices, cocoa, smoke, graphite. Deep ruby, translucent on the pour. Initial pepper notes, then smoke, blackberry on the palate, followed by pepper and cocoa, finishing with graphite. Powdery tannins, rounded dark fruit. Oak. Medium dry. Light to medium acidity. Medium-long finish. Earthy, robust and elegant. Certainly bold. Decanted for an hour and a quarter.

This would be terrific at twice the price. An absolute steal at $12.

7/9/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Very soft, muted nose of dark cherry. Medium purple in the glass. Powdery tannins. Dry with mild acidity. Dark cherry with leather, black pepper on the palate. Earthy, smokey. Bold. Not particularly complex, but tasty. Medium body, medium finish. An hour later, the wine has grown more tannic, somewhat more acidic.

Had the second glass with homemade pizza. Slightly bitter, cheese-filled crust, a layer of pesto and one of tomato sauce. Mushrooms. The wine’s acidity comes front-and-center, cutting through the savory, umami ingredients in the pizza. Pepper in a supporting role. The wine holds its own.

Given that this is a twelve dollar wine, I think it’s a winner.

7/2/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

45-minute decant. Deep purple in the glass with pinkish rim. Black currant, dark fruit compote on the nose. Medium body. Spice, fruit-forward black fruit, some cherry, perhaps a little raspberry on the palate. Some sweetness with this 13.5% ABV wine (not overdone, from the fruit) mixed with oak and light acidity at the end. A little syrupy. Low tannins, medium finish.

An easy drinking, crowd-pleasing wine that would be an inexpensive hit at your next party or wedding.

Had the second glass with caprese salad, grilled mushrooms and zucchini with grated mozzarella and baguette. The wine held its own surprisingly well and didn’t clash with the tomatoes, as they were sweet and not tangy.

Will buy again.

6/25/2023 - Westcoastred wrote:

Dry-farmed, Old Oak Vineyard in the Willow Creek district just west of Paso Robles, California. Bought on site at the tasting room.

A couple twists of the screw cap yielded a cherry nose, followed by a 45-minute decant. Translucent on the pour, medium purple with light pink rim. Didn’t expect any legs with this 13% ABV wine, and didn’t get any. A suggestion of cherry on the nose (so, less pronounced after the decant), with wet stone. Dry. Light-bodied. Tart cherry and some white pepper on the palate. A little cranberry. Bright, tangy acidity. Very low tannins. Medium finish.

Had second glass with a spicy shrimp scampi 1 1/2 hours later. I felt that the acidity in the wine, when combined with the spicy red pepper flakes in the scampi was just too much. They competed instead of complimenting each other.

This is a light-bodied acidic wine that I’d probably not reach for as either a daily drinker or to have on its own, though paired with the right food it can be a winner.

Score is more reflective of my own preferences than it is how representative the wine is of its varietal.

6/4/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

I believe this is a Cabernet blend, though I can’t find any specific information on the Bota Box site or elsewhere. If I had to guess, I’d say this is Cab, Malbec, Mourvèdre and Merlot.

30-minute decant in-glass (Riedel Extreme Cabernet).

The aroma of blackberry pie on the nose is intense. Wow. Black cherries, maybe black currant. Decent legs in the glass, where it presents as an opaque medium purple. On the palate, some initial spice, smooth, oily. More dark berries. Crushed gravel. Baking spices. Cocoa powder. Very soft tannins. Mild-to-medium acidity. Fairly bold. Somewhat on the dry side, but balanced with rounded fruit flavors.

[edit: I had another glass two days later. The experience was quite different. The wine was much more fruit-forward and sweet. My wife’s experience was identical. After some experimentation, I’ll say that letting this one breathe in-glass is crucial. It’s not nearly as good without it.

Had with crackers and two cheeses, a Brie and a Gruyère. The latter competed a bit too much with the wine. The milder, slightly salty Brie went well.

This is a three-liter box wine which cost $16.99. That’s four bottles worth. It’s not going to win a blind taste test with a $50 Cab, but it doesn’t have to. This is an easy crowd pleaser, and great to have on hand if you’d like a glass but don’t want to open a bottle. Thumbs up, but be sure to let it breathe for thirty!

5/28/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Nose of blueberries in the decanter, with dark cherries and a trace of vanilla added after the decant / pour. Medium purple with a lighter, pinkish rim in the glass. Residual sugar makes for some dangerously long legs, though this is not a sweet wine. Powdery tannins, plum, dark cherries and other dark fruits on the palate. Dryness from the Tannat, bold. Medium acidity / tartness. Medium finish.

Some other aroma coming in late, after another hour (I’ve been grilling, still on the first glass). Boysenberry? I don’t know my secondary berries very well. A brightness and some baking spices have also appeared. So maybe a three-hour decant would have been better.

Second glass with tri tip steak, potatoes, bell peppers, onions, spicy Mexican corn salad. The fatty, umami flavors of the steak and potatoes went well with the wine, as the acidity cut through. They coexisted well.

I think I enjoyed this wine more at the Castoro tasting room, but it’s still a worthwhile buy.

5/21/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

A nose of unripe blueberries in the decanter, followed by a one-hour-plus decant for this Tempranillo made from dry-farmed 100-year old vines. Think sandy soils with river rock. Hand-harvested. Aged for one year, so I would think it could use the Crianza designation. Medium ruby in the glass. Leggy (15% ABV). Black cherries, graphite, possibly cigar box on the nose.

Powdery tannins, wow. More black cherry, graphite, baking spices, oak on the palate. Medium acidity with cocoa powder on the back end. Rounded dark fruits. Medium-to-full bodied. Dry. Overall, a complex and very tasty selection.

Had a second glass with salami, mild white cheddar, Swiss and crackers. Can see this wine going exceptionally well with a juicy hamburger with melted Monterey Jack.

I overpaid for this bottle; you should be able to snag it for $8 less. But, I supported a woman-owned small business (a wine store) in Paso Robles and feel very good about doing so. Thumbs up.

5/20/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

A consistently good, inexpensive Riesling. Really, the only one we buy anymore. Always have a bottle of it in the fridge.

5/14/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Tight aromas of thick, stewed unripe blackberries in the decanter, followed by a two-hour decant. Somewhat livelier blackberry, black cherry and blueberry thereafter, some alcohol after swirling (this is 14.5%, after all). Served in Riedel Extreme Cab glasses, legs for days. Deep ruby with a very pale translucent rim.

Lovely unripe blackberry and plum, unripe strawberry on the palate with soft powdery tannins and baking spices. Cedar, oak. Medium dry. Medium acidity. Smooth, round. Moderately bold, slightly sweet, long finish. Medium-to-full bodied. A possible contender for house red (yes, I like it that much). Discovered on Vivino, bought at the local market.

Had second glass with a thick, 15-bean soup with turkey sausage, potato, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, spinach and a can of tomatoes. The wine’s sweetness and acidity became more pronounced, and didn’t let it get lost behind the savory stew.

5/7/2023 - Westcoastred Does not like this wine:

Notes of cherries and alcohol in the decanter, followed by a 40 minute decant. The alcohol cleared away to leave the cherry to bloom. Perhaps a little raspberry and balsamic. Seems medium purple with a light pink edge, though the light here is not great. Palate: powdery tannins. Maybe a little plum or blackberry, but nothing particularly fruity here. Medium acidity, bright. Dry. Medium body. Semi-tart. Lotsa legs. Not particularly complex.

Had second glass with homemade pizza with Italian sausage, onions, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Monterrey Jack infused in the crust. The wine maintains its tartness and acidity, definitely doesn’t get lost behind all those bold flavors. Wife tastes tartness and tannins and enjoys this wine more than I do. Just not my thing.

4/30/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Luscious blackberry aromas in the decanter, followed by a 2-plus hour decant. Well-defined legs. Medium purple in the glass. Blackberry, alcohol aromas. Palate: fruit-forward, definitely on the dark side. Blackberry, plum, spice, smoke, pepper. Medium acidity, smooth. Tannins more muted than I expected, given its reputation. Medium rather than high. No doubt the decant helped. Bold, full-bodied. Medium dry. A hint of sweetness.

Had second glass with food (Penne pasta with fresh greens, butter, cheese, olive oil, mushrooms, bacon, onion and garlic). I felt that the wine overpowered the dish a bit, as it didn’t have any particularly bold flavors. Barbecued meats or cassoulet were recommended; they might have worked better IMO.

The description on the back of the bottle went with blackberry pie with a buttery crust and vanilla ice cream. That might have been optimistic, but this wine is quite tasty nevertheless. Will buy again.

4/23/2023 - Westcoastred Likes this wine:

Stewed blackberry aroma in the just-filled decanter. Decanted 2+ hours and served at 69°, after which graphite and baking spices added to the nose. Cooled it in the fridge to 66°, then detected some minerals. The deepest purple in the glass. On the palate, spice, more blackberry, oak, mid-palate chalky tannins with medium acidity on the back end. Bold, dry. It began to open up a bit more closer to the three-hour mark. More pronounced baking spices, black tea, smokey. Hoo boy, those tannins! $24 direct from de Négoce, supposedly sourced from Venge Oso at $55-60 per bottle.

Had second glass with stew of white beans, porcini, shiitake and other mushrooms, thyme and rosemary and French sandwich rolls. The wine became a bit more fruit-forward. Acidity stood out, tannins took a step back. There’s a good balance of flavors between the wine and the food. This is a win. 👍

Have a second bottle in the cellar, will hold onto it for another year or two. Would buy again.