7/7/2019 - Singerdouglas Likes this wine:

A rare pinot grigio that actually takes some age very well. Purchased in 2016 and just finished the last bottle. So sad.

7/7/2019 - Singerdouglas Likes this wine:

Drinking at it's peak right now. Soft, silk tannins with blue fruits and oak on the nose, very fragrant. Opened 2 hours before serving and it drank beautifully.

7/7/2019 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Still dark but just starting to show some opacity at the edges. Fragrant of blue fruits and cedar. Beautifully integrated with silky tannins. In it's drinking peak right now.

6/30/2019 - Singerdouglas Likes this wine:

Still on the young side but the elegance is starting to show. Decanted 2 hours before drinking.

4/14/2019 - Singerdouglas wrote:

This wine aged beautifully. Well integrated and balanced. I wish I had more.

7/16/2018 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Disappointing. Did not hold up well at all and it was properly cellared. Evolved to an oxidized mess, not drinkable. A shame for such a highly touted vintage.

5/19/2018 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Tasted last night with a friend while we were making pizza. It's new world in style with lots of upfront fruit and body (14% abv) but with a good dose of acid and tannin to make it a really pleasant, well balanced glass of wine. It did not last long enough to say how it would develop over time. It did not have a characteristic Tuscan nose to it but it did live up to a being a big igt from the region. I would and will buy this wine again. It was a good value at $18.

2/11/2018 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Visuals: fill even normal/mid neck, cork clean no evidence of leaks.

Color: was deep garnet and clear.
Aroma: started out with a very slight funk/skunk nose, which dissipated over glass aeration.
Flavor: fairly full bodied and robust and it seemed to deepen over time. It was pleasant but turned awkward and dumb after about 30 minutes. It might be in a phase to wait out.
Texture: mid to full bodied turning even more full after 45 minutes in the glass. Dumb phase?

1/20/2018 - Singerdouglas wrote:

beautiful nose; apricot and honey in a balanced mix. low acidity yet the win was not too sweet or cloying. drank very well and enjoyed with the dinner.

1/10/2016 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Dark and inky color. Aroma was deep with dark fruit and a smoke. Flavor exhibited too much in the way of vanilla notes which threw off the balance. Texture was smooth, silky with moderate tannins. Curious how this wine will evolve.

4/21/2015 - Singerdouglas wrote:

big bear wine dinner

4/21/2015 - Singerdouglas wrote:

big bear wine dinner

2/14/2015 - Singerdouglas Does not like this wine:

Not too impressive. Did not show good balance, showing a slight oxidized quality already. Tannins were light as were acids with fruit already fading. Do not age further. Drink while it still has some life to it, even though i think it's prime has already been seen.

1/11/2015 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Sort of a middle of the road cab suav. a bit on the fruity side without much depth or c.s. characteristics to distinguish it. Mid ruby colored, mild tannins, fruity nose with a short finish.

12/13/2014 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Merchant piqued my interest by saying when can you buy a boreal for under $30. They are a high quality store but when tasted, there is a reason why it's that price. No borolo character whatsoever. Drank more like a medium bodied dolcettto. Wouldn't buy again.

4/7/2013 - Singerdouglas wrote:

I may be slightly generous with my score. Sometimes tasting with a memory of what a wine once was can taint a current opinion. Having cut my teeth on their late 70's, 80's and early 90's cabs, makes the 2003 stand up to stiff competition. Sorry '03, you didn't live up. Missing was the richness and cali land that used to lace your vintages. '03 was quite good; notes of cedar, bitter chocolate, a touch of rich cassis towards the finish, with a nice balance of toasted oak. All in all, a god drink. I think it is just entering it's prime. I do not think this is a long term hold.

2/18/2013 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Tried this wine in Dec 2012. I have always been a fan of Chalk Hill and began drinking them in the late 80's - 90's. When their prices shot up I merely watched from the sidelines. I was curious to see what a $59 blend from them would be like. It's new world all the way big it's big, fruity, chewy and jammy all rolled into one. Drinks now and will be curious how it evolves over the next 5 years. A lot f fun to drink.

2/29/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

OMG. Even though this a cabernet it felt like I was drinking an beautiful aged rioja (even though this is from the penedes). I bought the last 3 bottles the store had and wish they had more.

2/29/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

a bit underwhelming. expected more depth and body but got "meh".

2/29/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

2nd bottle of the 2 i bouhgt. 1st felt thin and uninspiring but the 2nd had depth, roundness and a nice bramliness I have associated with old school. zins. I would definitely recommend this wine. Need to get some more if they still have it in stock.

2/19/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

A bit on the oxidized side. Should have drunk this 2 years ago but it had memeories of what it was, full, rich and lustful.

1/17/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Color was deep garnet. Nose was sweet an very fruity; blueberry, red fruits and light wood. Tasted very young (which it is) and lots of up front fruit. I wouldn't pair this this with a steak but worked well with pasta amatriciana. Texture was a bit thin.

1/16/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Color is very pale straw. Nose of tropical fruit; peach/nectarine then becoming sort of pineapple-y. Didn't realize this is an off dry style. Weighty on the palette with a coating quality. Flavor carried thru from front. mid palette with a medium long lingering finish. All in all a good wine but will have to talk to the merchant and ask why he didn't mention the off dry quality.

1/4/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

opened but i have not tasted. hope to taste today.

1/4/2012 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Initial scent gave off notes of brett, sort of funky. You could still taste what this wine had to offer but it was hard getting around the funk. I will have to purchase another bottle to see whether this one was bad or not.

12/4/2011 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Oh jeez did I like this one? Big time. The color showed as a ripe, oxidized beauty. The nose had slight floral character with notes of orange, caramel

12/4/2011 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Color was a beautiful honey gold. Rich and opulent nose of honey, melon. Drank wonderfully. Rich and in balance with just the right amount of acid remaining. Drank this with Thanksgiving. I am sorry to see this one go but glad to have had the chance to drink it.

12/4/2011 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Color was nicely oxidized to a rich golden hue. Nose was honey and minerally. Considering the aromatics I expected more body and depth in it's flavor. Balanced and tasty with light lemon, doughy and honeyed flavor. Very nice drink but not nearly as good as the 2003. We drank all three bottles last night at dinner club. Served it with jerusalem artichoke soup garnished with home made bacon, and veg sauteed in the bacon fat (parsnip, potato and carrot).

8/7/2011 - Singerdouglas wrote:

crisp, clean and delicious. Slight briny quality made me think of the sea and how perfectly this wine would pair with oysters and clams and squid.

8/7/2011 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Drank 2 weeks ago. Bottle was old and tired. Sort of a cola taste. Oh well. Drink it earlier next time.

6/26/2010 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Absolutely beautiful. Memorable and fully at it's peak. Alas, it's sad to note that I can no longer buy Anderson;s Conn Valley now that their alcohol levels top 15% on all their reds. Bummer. They were amongst my all time favorites.

2/22/2010 - Singerdouglas wrote:

What an enjoyable drink. Color was dark garnet. Nose was beautiful and we could have enjoyed the aromas for hours had we not drunk the bottle. Aromas;wood, dark sweet fruit.

2/13/2010 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Overall, not enjoyable. The nose began fruity and fresh which gave one hope. However, it took but one sip to to get past the fruitiness to find a sharp, unflavorful wine of litle character. I would suggest using for cooking instead.

1/17/2010 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Had a good classic cali cab nose going in but did not think it had the expected umph one would expect. The nose was betterthan the taste. Body was nice and weighty and the wine exibited a good viscosity. Fruit seemed pretty faded and the dominant taste was of mild dark fruit with cedar. I would suggest drinking whatever is in your cellar.

1/11/2010 - Singerdouglas wrote:

Deep garnet color with just a trace of lighter edges. Notes of cassis, lead pencil and slight fresh herbs (thyme). Brooding and smooth all the way through with ample acidity and smooth tannins made this a well timed drink. After about an hour in the glass is became of very pretty wine. Scents of dark fruit (blackberry, bing cherry) gave way to a smooth dark fruit finish. It showed plenty of structure and flavor on the front and mid palette with a medium length finish. I think it still has some time to age in the bottle but nothing crazy. I would not wait beyond 2011-2012. All in all, it was a real enjoyable drink. I recommend it.