5/23/2023 - Schwarzer Hund Does not like this wine:

too oxidized to drink. Stored at 55 degrees since purchase in 2014.

4/23/2023 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Very dark red/black color, dark berry/cherry nose, concentrated dark berry fruit (hedonistic seems appropriate word),smooth on palate, integrated tannins now with a long fruit finish. High alcohol. Not my favorite style anymore but tasted pretty good with a grilled veal rib chop.

5/18/2023 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Very dark red, initial faint dark fruit and woody nose which evolved into gorgeous cassis nose over 2 hours, dense mature fruit on palate, initial oak dissipated after 60-75 minutes of airtime in bottle, mid and late palate remained very smooth with a very long non tannin finish. Seems like this is in a good drinking range now but still has many years left in its drinking window. Will try the 2006 QC Palengat next time we cook a steak.

2/2/2023 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Light yellow, significant floral nose with underlying peach/pear fruit, creamy on palate, medium weight, smooth medium length finish. the wine was very enjoyable during the first two hours and started losing its fruitiness afterwards and became more monolithic. Better to drink these up sooner than later.

12/12/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Very dark still, needs a couple of hours of air to start opening up, plenty of dark plum and berry fruit, tannins are less noticeable than previous bottle. Great balance with a long finish. We buy this wine every vintage when released by Dehlinger. All the Dehlinger wines are high quality long lived wines and represent good value.

12/7/2022 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Decent inexpensive wine. Nothing like a10 year old Prieler Goldberg Vineyard but still quite drinkable.

8/23/2022 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Dark red color, cherry fruit nose (decanted 90 min B4 dinner, cherry and cranberry fruit, tart, lt medium body, medium length tart finish. The Cote'Est we drank a month ago was a much superior wine. It had much deeper flavors, heavier weight, long smooth finish with none of the tart acidity.

8/19/2022 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Since the 2002 we had on the 17th we opened this 2003 for dinner tonight. Had to open 2 bottles since the first one was way too musty to drink. 2nd bottle was fine. Medium red, mixed berry nose, not as much fruit as the 2002, still has a good level of acid, faint tannins, medium length pleasant finish. Don't think this vintage will improve with more age (but you never know!).

8/17/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red,opened 90 minutes before dinner, raspberry and cranberry nose, dense fruit on palate, perfect balance, integrated tannins, very smooth long finish. This bottle was substantially better than our previous bottle in Jan 2018. Served with porterhouse steak. No sign of being past its prime.

8/12/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red color, 90 minutes of airtime in bottle before dinner, dense brooding fruit (meaning plenty now but more to come with age IMO), good balance, integrated tannins, medium weight, long pleasant fruit finish. Nice to drink with lamb chops but will have years to go.

8/8/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Medium red, opened about an hour before dinner, nose of dark berries and plums, dense fruit on palate, good balance with a complex and flavorful long finish. Note that the wine really expanded into a powerful and complex wine about 2 hours after we finished dinner (Timing is everything, right). Fortunately we are slow drinkers. As I mentioned in the notes for our previous bottle decanting 2-3 hours before serving would be best we think. Otherwise this was a terrific wine.

7/31/2022 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Medium red color, mixed berry nose expanding with time, ripe mixed berry (mostly cherry) fruit, a it sweet, very smooth with a medium length sweet fruit finish. Actually a tasty wine with king salmon. We will drink our remaining bottles over the next 2-3 years.

7/29/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Our last bottle of the "88. Basically the same notes as our 3/16/18 notes. A bit lighter red color with a 3/8" clear edge. Beautiful nose still and a great long finish. A tribute to Spottswoode quality. Hate to finish this vintage but we still have 25 vintages to go.

7/24/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Light yellow color, faint citrus nose initially which expanded with time to a mixed citrus nose, dense fruit (mixed citrus plus faint pear notes) with something woody other than oak in the background. An excellent mouthfeel which was very clean and pure finishing with a long smooth mostly citrus finish. Just the right amount of acidity to make it a great match with pan roasted Alaskan halibut. Drinks well now but will likely be good for a few years (always hard to predict!). Purchased upon release from KB.

7/4/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

A very nice wine but will benefit with more age in our opinion.Light yellow, nose was mostly stones for first hour with some apple/pear arriving later. Mostly honeyed apple and minerals on palate. Plenty of refreshing acidity, medium weight, clean smooth medium length finish. Believe this is the first release from Rhys of this wine which was purchased direct upon release. Have purchased subsequent vintages but haven't tried them yet. Can't predict if they will age as well as the Loire Valley Chenin Blanc in our cellar.

5/24/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

very dark red, opened 90 min before dinner(steak), nice nose of black berries, cedar, leather, dense black currant, black berry fruit, tobacco, cedar, leather all mixed in perfect balance with a long smooth finish. Overall in peak condition now with no real signs of being old. Purchased direct from winery upon release and has been resting comfortably at 55 deg.

5/12/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red, rich dark berry and spice nose after 30 minutes of airtime. Dense fruit with integrated tannins, some spice and leather providing a velvety smooth mouthfeel, long fruit laden finish. Nice Bordeaux blend from a great Cali vineyard. Should be very good for years ahead.

5/19/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

medium red color, dark berry nose upon opening, dense dark berry fruit, touch of acidity, medium long finish. a good value Oregon pinot.

5/10/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red, black cherry and blackberry nose and on palate. tannins have integrated fully and wine is very smooth having aged perfectly. finish was quite long with plenty of fruit. we plan to enjoy the remaining 6 bottles over the several years since it seems in perfect condition.

5/6/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Very dark red with 1/8" clear rim, fresh grape and plum roared out of the bottle immediately upon pulling cork. Gave it 2.5 hours of airtime at 55 degrees, nose faded a bit but turned into darker berry fruit, plenty of cassis, black plum and blackberry fruit, medium weight but felt quite light on palate, medium long fruit finish. lovely wine, in cellar since release.

4/28/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red, nice dark berry nose upon opening, plenty of rich dark berry fruit, touch of acidity, medium weight, fairly long fruity finish. Alcohol still noticeable. Compared to the 2011 Occidental Vineyards version (same Steve Kistler) which we tried last week this 2007 was not nearly as smoothly balanced and sophisticated but still tasty with grilled pork rib chops.

4/24/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark almost black red color, mostly mixed black berries nose which evolves with time, rich dense full bodied dark berry fruit with prominent cranberry type acidity, a bit of spice and minerals with a long smooth finish. These wines have many years to go.

4/20/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

The first bottle of this wine we had was in Feb 2017. The nose was an unpleasant funky barnyard which took 2-3 hours of airtime to dissipate turning into a very enjoyable wine. This bottle, 5+ years later. was very reserved upon opening with no foul odors, after an hour it blossomed into a earthy, dark berry scent and intense savory mixed berry fruit, nice balance, resolved tannins finishing smoothly. Wine has certainly improved with age and really showed no signs of being over the hill. Served with grilled lamb chops.

4/15/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

medium yellow, pungent herbal nose initially which needed a couple of hours of air to smooth out (decant next time!). smoke, herbs, lime and orange peel on palate which is mouth coating with significant weight. Finishes long and smooth. Very good now but probably needs more time to reach a peak and will last many years. Sudsteiermark, Austria produces excellent sauvignon blanc wines and is a wonderful place to visit.

4/5/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red color, tobacco and dark berry nose which evolves over time (3 hours),smokey black berry fruit under prominent tobacco on palate, tannins are moderate now finish was pleasant and medium length. Wine has matured nicely and last tasted in 2011. Purchased as a "futures" case way back when.

3/28/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Medium yellow, lime, melon nose, lime, melon and kiwi on palate. Very smooth and mouth coating with just enough acidity. Fruit-laden long finish.Wine has aged very well and did not show any flaws. Served with grilled cod.

3/25/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red color, dark berry nose, plenty of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, a bit of spice and a touch of acid, very smooth with a medium long fruit finish. Tannins wee integrated now. Prieler make very good wines and worth a try if you can find them.

3/21/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

slightly darker yellow than previous bottle, similar profile to previous bottle with the exception that the refreshing acidity was not as prominent. Hope this is just bottle to bottle variation and not a sign of decline.

3/15/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Medium yellow color, citrus, apple/pear & mineral nose, citrus and apple/pear fruit with a strong mineral background on palate, good acidity. Long fruit and mineral finish that is very smooth. Served with pan roasted Alaskan lingcod. Wine is at an excellent drinking point. Hope it holds for another 3 or 4 years.

3/17/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Pale watermelon pink, saline, cherry, melon nose , amazing intense fruit and minerals, fresh acid, medium length finish. delightful wine.
Confession: we buy this and its "Pauline version" every year when they are released because they suit our tastes perfectly with lovely fruit and deceptively light touch. Always fun to watch a dinner guest's response when they take a sip.

3/11/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

medium red color, red fruit and spice nose, plenty of mostly red fruit on palate, spice, good dose of acidity keeping it bright, smooth medium length finish. Probably not at peak with years to go. Excellent with grilled lamb chops.

2/21/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

ruby red, immediate nose of spice and mixed berries. Ripe mixed berry fruit, spice, minerals and low acid. Medium weight, very smooth on palate, long finish. Our last bottle :-(

2/15/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Medium yellow color, immediate nose of lemon and minerals improving over the next hour, intense lemon, stone fruit and refreshing acidity on palate, very clean and focused, long finish. The wine has aged nicely in our cellar since purchase from Rhys upon release. Served with broiled Alaskan lingcod.

1/29/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Very dark red color, beautiful blackberry nose (after 60 minutes of airtime in bottle), intense blackberry fruit on palate, perfect acidity giving a light touch on palate, smooth tannins, long smooth finish. This 2003 has matured to a beautiful stage at this point and will surely hold for many years. Served with grilled veal rib chops and pan roasted trumpet mushrooms.

1/26/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

very dark red, dark berry/cherry nose, earthy but floral berry fruit, lots of cola, medium weight, lengthy finish. This wine has aged well. Very good match with grilled lamb chops.

1/18/2022 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

black fruit nose, blackberry & black cherry fruit on palate, trace of tannin and good acidity. Not too complex but tasty with grilled NY strips

12/25/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red, 2 hr open air in bottle needed to bring out the dark berry, cigar box nose, lovely black raspberry & Black cherry fruit, tobacco, leather, integrated tannins, very smooth long lasting finish. Beautiful aged Bordeaux wine. #11 of a en premier case. Will hate to drink the #12.

12/15/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

dark red, 90 minutes of airtime in bottle produced subtle earthy berry nose, dense mixed berry fruit, toasted brioche, with a surprisingly good dose of rose petal, finishes long with spicy fruit. Great wine for the price.

12/2/2021 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Garnet red, nose now showed more red fruit, plenty of mixed berry fruit but cranberry/tart cherry more prominent with this bottle, acidity also prominent, medium length finish. Tasty wine overall but our last bottle. Served with leftover prime rib. Last of that too.

11/25/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red color, needed at least 2 hrs to develop a deep earty dark berry nose, dense luscious dark berry fruit, meaty and quite savory, long finish. Long long finish. Tried to save some to try the next day but that didn't work! Delicious wine with a prime rib roast.

11/22/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Very dark red color, opened 90 minutes before dinner, initial faint nose of floral &dark berry fruit expanded substantially with time, rich black cherry and blackberry fruit with a perfect acid background. prominent tobacco note and a little anise, long smooth finish that was light on palate. Great wine with grilled lamb chops and the end of a 12 bottle case.

11/4/2021 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Light floral cherry nose, medium level red fruit, low acid, no tannins apparent, medium length pleasant finish. Overall lighter weight than we expected.

11/10/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Golden yellow, immediate tropical fruit nose, luscious mix of citrus, melon, lychee fruit with some herbal and mineral notes, slightly off dry now, mouth coating body, long tropical finish. The complexity of the fruit flavors is something everyone should experience.

11/8/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Light yellow, floral citrus nose, plenty of lemony citrus and apricot fruit, modest acidity, medium weight with a lengthy smooth finish. Good match with grilled calamari.

11/1/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Dark red (almost black), 90 minutes airtime in bottle, earthy black currant/blackberry nose, dense black fruit on palate, hint of chocolate, touch of oak, very smooth long finish. Our last bottle sad to say.

10/31/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

Lemon, stones with the barest hint of orange zest, creamy on palate, nice balance, lemon is dominant, long smooth finish. Very fresh, tasty with pan fried Alaskan lingcod.

10/23/2021 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Dark red, minimal aroma initially, medium weight but fairly flat tasting initially after 3 hours of air time in bottle. after dinner and 6 hours of air time the wine had picked up weight and the fruit blossomed making for a tasty wine but made us think it was still too young to be drinking well. Wish we had another bottle to try in a few years.

10/8/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

dark garnet color, savory herbal nose, meaty blackberry/black raspberry fruit, light tannin background, long finish.

10/4/2021 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

medium red color, green pepper dominates nose and on palate, mixed berry fruit underneath, good level of acidity, long finish. Pretty tasty at 33 years old.

10/9/2021 - Schwarzer Hund wrote:

Light pink color, lime, white peach and strawberry nose, peach and strawberry, lime citrus on palate, good level of acidity on finish.