12/23/2019 - bowempe Likes this wine:

From magnum. Had with lamb shanks during a pre Christmas dinner and it was rich and complex.

4/6/2020 - bowempe Likes this wine:

Classic California Bordeaux blend with dark fruits and a nice green pepper note. Heavy mouthfeel this is a big wine that carries nice acidity to balance things out. Had with Lamb chops and it was a nice pairing.

2/4/2017 - bowempe Likes this wine:

The Oracle is drinking well. Maintains the rich Aussie fruit profile and a has really balanced out since I had this wine back in 2010. I don't see any signs of fading.

2/4/2017 - bowempe Likes this wine:

Nice well balanced blanc de blancs. Disgorged May 2016.

10/1/2012 - bowempe wrote:

- Crimsom color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry, raspberry and licorice anise. It's balanced and has flavours of raspberry, blackberry, black pepper and oak with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish.

9/2/2012 - bowempe wrote:

Very enjoyable. Big rich and long lasting.

8/12/2012 - bowempe wrote:

From .375 Robust wine with smooth tannins and bursting dark fruits. A hedonistic treat at the moment that I think will merit and reward long term aging. Good amount of oak and a tad hit of heat hit the back of the throat keep this from a monumental score, but no doubt one of the finest wines I have purchased and consumed.

8/12/2012 - bowempe wrote:

The fruit on this was still alive and rounded out by secondary flavors. Not too big and in your face. This is more restrained and elegant. A joy to drink.

6/9/2012 - bowempe wrote:

Very dark, spicy and opulent wine. I like the blend of zin, petite sirah and carigane. Wine like this is why zin will be fashionable again it's just good.

3/31/2012 - bowempe wrote:

Much in line with previous notes. Delicious wine that pairs so well with simple grilled foods.

1/3/2012 - bowempe wrote:

From 375ml. Classic left bank showing it's age well. Cedar box and savory spiced wrapped black currant fruit. I let the wine open up throughout the night and it kept getting smoother. The wine was on the more classic than modern but the flavors are bright and the acid fresh. I think it is in a great place right now especially in the smaller format.
Thank you!

12/24/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Had this wine Christmas Eve with a standing rib roast shared amongst family. This was a unique experience of Merlot for me. I would like to see the oak more integrated but the extraction and weight of the wine was impressive. The best descriptors are big and lush.

11/26/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Very nice cab for the price. It has all the classic California cab aroma and flavor.

12/4/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Underwhelming wine on this night. Show some nice bright fruit but the tannins and acid felt out of balance.

11/9/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Impressive juice! Right after opening the nose gave a little funky barnyard smell that almost immediately blew off. Still has firm tannins and the acid gave it a clean feeling in the mouth. The fruit was still fresh and it had a nice secondary floral component. I got some cut tobacco that I didn't expect. I'm bullish on this wine 92-94 points and for a sub $30 Burgundy a real steal.

9/16/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Drank out of mag at a dinner party and it was solid napa juice. Good fruit, good weight with some nice saddle leather and tobacco leaf notes.

10/20/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Keeps getting better. Bottle lasted three days and never showed signs of fading. Delicious from start to finish. Can't wait to finish off the last bottle in a year or two.

10/8/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Started on Friday and finished today. Held up very well starting to brick around the edges. Began with some smoked meat character on the nose. Opened up with some nice red fruit and slightly sweet tannin. A little more smooth on the first night but a pleasure to have on both nights.

8/26/2011 - bowempe wrote:

First pour offered up earthy aromas of leather, dirt and mushroom. Red fruit rounded and a hint of bacon fat on the background. Later that night the fruit came to the fore front, lots of cherry and red raspberry flavor. Day two the fruit was even more alive and hard to tell that it was a Pinot almost a decade old. Well done!

8/21/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Solid syrah nice red fruit on entry leading to a slighty smoky mid palate finishes nicely. Solid QPR.

7/17/2011 - bowempe wrote:

As good as ever. Integrating nicely still has tannin to go 10 years.

7/17/2011 - bowempe wrote:

No notes taken

6/25/2011 - bowempe wrote:

No formal notes taken. First all PV wine I've had. I was suprised by the liveliness of the fruit and the secondary flavors add complexity. Smooth drinking medium body wine.

5/29/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Had this wine with a steak dinner last weekend and found it to be outstanding.

5/29/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Agree with the port-like note from previous taster. Hit the spot at the end of a big steak dinner.

5/14/2011 - bowempe wrote:

I was expecting a more Jammy wine than what this was. It was a solid effort. The fruit teetered on rasiny with some nice plum and blueberry action. A nice zin spice note and smooth mouthfeel. The alcohol is restrained.

4/23/2011 - bowempe wrote:

4 hour decant really rounds out the fruit and sweetens the tannin. The wine is dry and satisfying. Sneaked a drink before decanting and really enjoyed the concentration in the first glass. Black cherry fruit a little green pepper and anise. Paired nicely with short ribs.

4/16/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Really enjoyed this polished central coast wine. Refined and polished. Smooth dark fruits nice round tannin.

4/16/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Having this with lunch. Nice pineapple cream profile. Acid is there but not laser like. Enjoyable.

3/12/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Another KU big 12 conference championship and I get to share this special bottle with my wife. Glorious night and fine aged Napa cab paired nicely with lamb chops and roasted roots. First time having a Martha's and did not disappoint. Don't let the 98 vintage fool you. This is good and can go a couple more years.

2/13/2011 - bowempe wrote:

This wine paired real nicely with a strip steak and pink peppercorn pan sauce. Tremendous concentration, dark fruits intermingled with vanilla. Medium weight and silky smooth. I could see this wine getting better in the next ten years, but for a hedonistic effort pop now and enjoy over two days.

1/26/2011 - bowempe wrote:

Very petrol and sour. Not pleasant.

12/25/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Good bottle. The wine is picking up some secondary, earthy characteristics to go along nicely with the tart red fruit. The structure of the wine was remarkable. Some wine remained on the third day showing no significant drop off.

9/17/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Decanted a couple of hours and the wine opened up nicely revealing good fruit and some pepper meatiness

10/30/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Enjoyed this wine a great deal. The fruit is humming with cassis dominate. Still tannin structure to age a decade or more. Wish I could taste the progress and pick up more secondary notes with more bottle age. I will search out more 02 Napa Valley wines because it seems to be a solid vintage.

9/1/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Brett was kind of heavy for me. Enjoyable in small doses. Good fruit might benefit from a couple more years in bottle.

8/22/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Always a solid wine and sad I drank my last bottle but it was good. Fruit is very upfront with a little sweetness and texture was silky smooth.

7/2/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Very solid wine. Cherry and blackberry fruit. The nose was interesting adding in some nice earthy components. The wine was more elegant than I thought it would be and that was pleasing.

6/29/2010 - bowempe wrote:

I was underimpressed. A little hot and the oak was a little overbearing. This wine is a beast. So I respect it. Just not wow for me.

6/15/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Great value on this wine. Nice weeknight dinner wine. Nice balance of red fruit with dusty tannins.

5/23/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Really liked the wine. Great fruit and the tannins were smooth giving it a silky mouthfeel.

5/23/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Very interesting wine. Light in color like a pinot but tasted almost port like. This was much better the second day and makes me wonder what could happen with some bottle age. It is pretty hot and disjointed now with some sharp edges. I would like to see what it's bringing down the road.

5/23/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Had this wine a while back and just now catching up on the rating but it delivered well. Drinking great right now and could probably go another couple of years. Very well balanced.

5/23/2010 - bowempe wrote:

High acid, not my favorite for a red. The wine did benefit from some decanting.

5/23/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Good QPR for a weeknight drinker.

5/8/2010 - bowempe wrote:

My mom needed a second glass. She is not the biggest wine drinker but this stuff is that good. It will make a believer out of all.

4/25/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Earthy nose with a little barnyard funk on the nose. About an hour later that had blown off and the wine showed nice fruit charcter. Reminded me a bit of cherry vanilla cola.

4/9/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Should have had a year earlier.

4/7/2010 - bowempe wrote:

Used for cooking.

2/28/2010 - bowempe wrote:

I would say past its prime or hibernating.