10/3/2022 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Hard to believe it's 14.8% alcohol. Smooth, zinny, great for sipping or with food. Opened for my wife's 74th.
We're up there in age and don't buy much pricey wine any more, so this is a real treat.

5/23/2022 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Served this to my wife's school chums from over half a century ago. Had with smash burgers and fries one time, and then another time with steak and frites. They loved it. My wife loved it. Her sister loved it. Me, I feel it lacks acidity and minerality. It does have pleasant red fruits and a nice mouthfeel. No tannins at all that my weak palate could detect. It's not bad, but not great. Perhaps that's why it's a girly wine. I think this could be a good wine for braising short ribs or a chuck roast. I will save a bottle for some autumn weather braising. As for those who tossed it, that I don't get. I'm not a high roller and as a daily drink I'd be okay with a bottle of Kirkland Malbec. This is better than that, although twice the price.

5/21/2022 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Solid wine. Three of us enjoyed with steak, frites, and snow peas.

2/2/2022 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Looks like a Pinot Noir in the glass. We were surprised by the taste: black cherries, blackberries and other dark fruits. Lovely mouthfeel. Unlike any Garnacha in our memories. I didn't detect any tannin. Poured thru an aerator. All four of us found it unusual and lovely.

1/2/2022 - syrahz wrote:

Weakest bottle of Bella's in my memory.

1/14/2022 - syrahz Likes this wine:

A home run. Nearly gin clear in the glass, but oh my, on the palate there are notes of tropical fruits, lime, ruby red grapefruit, spice...more than I'm capable of describing. We love the 2020. This is even better.

12/19/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

This tasting was interesting because the wine was served with appetizers to close friends who moved here from France in 2002. As a side note, they work for Michelin. Yves stated he's not a fan of white Bordeaux, and couldn't recall haven't tasted anything that he cared for...with the exception of Sauternes, of course. This wine changed his mind. Four of us, and the wine was gone before dinner.

12/9/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

The Cab is dominant.

12/8/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Solid Prosecco. Thoroughly enjoyable.

12/10/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Sigh...wish we had more.

12/7/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Easy drinker. Pleasant and enjoyable. Need restraint to keep from drinking the entire bottle.
This last bottle was better than the previous ones.

10/12/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

red fruits, light tannin, balanced acidity

10/8/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

This is a Cab? It's tasty, but doesn't drink like a Cab at all. I rated as a mystery wine based on overall quality. But nonetheless, it doesn't taste like a Cab to me, or the missus.

10/1/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Awesome SB.

9/21/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Wish I'd waited on the other bottles. At its peak now. Drink up!

8/21/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Very good Prosecco. Enjoyed by all in a group of 6.

7/6/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Have a glass of Kim Crawford S.B., and then a glass of this. You will never want Kim Crawford ever again.

5/19/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

90 the second day, even though it was decanted. Not great, not bad, overpriced for what it is.

4/17/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

This is still pretty tight. Decant before tasting. The comments on the tannins make me wonder if we're drinking the same wine. Tannins are there, but smooth and refined, and provide good structure. Dark fruit. Nice finish. I believe this needs more time. Your opinion may differ. There's half a bottle left for day two, so there's still something to learn here.

4/6/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Excellent Malbec. Dark fruits, a hint of chocolate, full and ripe, just enough tannin to provide structure, satisfying finish. Better than the last bottle, as I remember.

4/2/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Rating this as a Rose.
Unctuous mouthfeel, dry, balanced acidity, tasty mid palate. Quite pleasant. We enjoy a chilled Rose on a summer evening, and this is one of the best we've tried in years. We'll stock up. Cannot touch it at this price.

3/24/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

We were gifted this a couple of years ago.
Well balanced blend. Dark fruits, soft tannin, no bite considering the alcohol, a bit of glycerin feel on the palate. Nice finish.
I would be pleased to have a few more. This one surprised me.

3/24/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed these.

3/19/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

I liked it, but bit thin for me. My wife liked it more.

3/4/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

What a fine bottle of wine to be savored with or without food.

2/16/2021 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Easy drinking...we blew through nearly the entire bottle with dinner. Two old people. Flowery, berries, a hint of spice, and the 15% alcohol wasn't even noticed. Fantastic QPR

7/24/2020 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Forgot I had these. Having steak tonight, so time to open a Cab.
Good fruit, firm tannins, but not too grippy. Nice mouthfeel. Some reviewers said vegetal, but I'm not getting that. Purple meniscus, so seems to be holding. My 76 year old palate isn't much anymore, so I'm happy with this Cab, especially for the price. This is nice before or with a meat dinner.

11/28/2019 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Wow...this bottle surprised me. It's definitely reached a higher level than the earlier bottles. Happy Thanksgiving!

10/26/2019 - syrahz Likes this wine:

My wife and I shared a bottle of this in 2011. This bottle surpassed that. Sadly, it's the last bottle.
Served with beef stew and my wife's homemade sourdough bread. What a killer wine to go with delicious food shared with good friends. The wine was the star, loved by everyone.

3/16/2019 - syrahz Likes this wine:

This has aged nicely. Much improved over the first bottle tasted.

10/23/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Solid Shiraz. Red fruits plus blueberries and a hint of plum. Soft tannins, just the right acidity, a hint of pepper, and a reasonably lengthy finish. This is easy drinking and a terrific value. Purchased a full case after this tasting. My wife and I went thru this bottle without realizing we'd finished it. Deadly!

10/13/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

The numerous low scores puzzle me. No, it isn't tremendously complex. No, it doesn't have a long finish. Perhaps it has a bit too much fruit for some. Nonetheless, it drinks nicely with or without food. There seems to be no serious flaws. No question it's a bit overpriced for what it is, but that happens with Cabernet. And it is Cabernet Sauvignon, you'd recognize that immediately. We enjoyed our first bottle with steak and pasta.

7/16/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Solid Syrah. Four of us enjoyed with homemade pizza fired in an outdoor oven. Definitely time to drink up.

3/20/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Still drinking well. Saving the last bottle for next year.

3/17/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Delicious juice, especially so for ten bucks.

2/27/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Give it time to open up. Great QPR for the ten bucks we paid. Will cellar well for a few years.

2/25/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Consumed over a two week (about) period. Divine.

1/7/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Haven't had a Shiraz for a while. Inky dark, red fruits, no oak, tasty. We polished off two bottles over three evenings. Good stuff. Wish I'd gotten a full case.

11/23/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

quite the bargain

12/21/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Wedding anniversary bottle. Did not disappoint.

1/1/2018 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Enjoyed with friends and a beef stew dinner on New Year's day. Plenty of life left yet in this wine.

12/28/2017 - syrahz wrote:

Dark, full bodied, oaky, black and red fruits, tannins seemed a bit rough. It seemed heavy handed to me. But it went well with a meaty pizza. Still some left, so perhaps a follow-up.

12/26/2017 - syrahz wrote:

planned to serve at family gathering - cork very loose - wine was spoiled and undrinkable, really bad - disappointing considering we enjoyed previous bottles

12/15/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Good fruit, smooth tannin, nice acidity. Overall a very nice Merlot, especially considering I'm not a Merlot lover. But this one I like. I think it could stand a little more time, so I'll hold onto the last two until next year.

12/10/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Solid Cab. Still holding up well. Enjoyed with ribeye, new potatoes, and green beans.
Still great on day 2.

12/3/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

This is what GSM is all about. Brambly, dusty, dark fruit, plums, fine tannins, juicy, and satisfying. Opened to go with a salmon and pasta dinner and poof...it's gone.
So sorry I didn't order a full case. I've had $25 GSMs that weren't this satisfying. It's not about the money...unless you have a lot of it, I guess.

12/1/2017 - syrahz wrote:

My wife liked it more than I did. It was a gift, so no regrets on the cost. I really like Shiraz, but this one didn't leave me impressed. Simple flavors, kinda blah. An $8 drinker after everyone's already half wasted.

12/1/2017 - syrahz wrote:

Everyone loves this stuff. This is a bulk bottle removal entry. There aren't many left.
Solid Rose wine to go with seafood or light pasta, or on its own.

11/29/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Popped and poured through an aerator (as always).
Wonderful dark fruits, good complexity. Tannins seemed a bit harsh at first, but half an hour in the glass and that disappeared completely. Maybe it was me. Drinking very well right now. Just as good on day 2 with steak and green beans.
This is a fantastic Malbec for less than $12. It'd be a good Malbec at $20. We're happy we have 11 more.

10/15/2017 - syrahz Likes this wine:

Inky purple. Fabulous blend, solid structure, dark fruits with a hint of cherry, cedar overtones, a teensy bit of herb on the finish. We're so glad we got a case of this stuff.