Important Update From the Founder Read message >

Tasting Notes for slmshdyms

(92 notes on 80 wines)

1 - 50 of 92 Sort order
Red
12/28/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
Drank from 3L on Thanksgiving. Was outstanding--no formal notes taken but enjoyed by all. Well balanced with good structure-tannins totally resolved. Would absolutely buy another 3..... if I could find one
Red
2004 Harlan Estate The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
10/31/2014 - slmshdyms Does not like this wine:
80 points
did not want to give a numerical score, but for some reason-i can't write a review without having to give a number, anyway-drank over a 36 hour window due to the off-putting nature of the wine vs its pedigree. VERY poor showing--literally almost drank like some fermented bloody mary--and obviously in a very bad way. The over-riding taste was similar to the greens of a tomato plant--extremely vegetal--essentially no fruit character at all. Tannins seemed resolved, but it was tough to tell given the "flavor profile" of the wine. This gave no indication that it was an "off" bottle or anything along those lines--and if it wasn't this "the Maiden"--i would consider this a poor representation of a low-end vintner from a very cold and underripe vintage. I have one more bottle, so I guess we'll see what happens, but honestly--I have very low expectations
Red
6/13/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
not that it "popped" and blew us away--but it has aged extremelywell--very good example of a well-made Cali cab. enjoyed!
Red
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
my first experience with this winery/bottling--was not impressed for the $$. Fruit was flat and tho still drinking young with a tannic presence--there was nothing to suggest that those tannins are masking/covering the fruit. Maybe just needs more time or it may just never have that "pop". I have medium to low hopes for my next bottle--will wait a few years on it for sure though
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
nice enough bottle/drink, but not worth the $$ if it doesn't develop significantly. I've had bottle variation issues with other vintages, so hoping this is another example of that OR it's just in a shutdown/dumb phase. 06' Branson Coach House Shiraz walked all over this and then some....but I'll remain optimistic...
White
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
Love this bottling--big typical SB flavors with a massive acidic backbone. Grapefruit, grass and even a little salinity-a very good wine. Our last bottle was drank in 2012 and it drank amazingly. the acid had faded slightly and what was left was big fruit and some delicious secondary characteristics to balance it out. Wish i had aged a few more...
White
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
91-no formal notes taken but enjoy this wine and the winery's style alot. Big grapefruit backbone with grassy hints throughout--have to enjoy "acid" to enjoy these wines (my wife does not)--but for me it's a winner.
Red
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
Still a little on the young side, but no crime to drink now. Big wine in every way--if pairing with food--go bold. Enjoyed thoroughly
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms Likes this wine:
92 points
Drank very fresh--surprising fruit/acidity for its age. A very nice balance of oak as well. Enjoyed this quite a bit
Red
5/6/2014 - slmshdyms Likes this wine:
94 points
No formal notes taken. Very hard to believe the age on this--drank like a baby. Very big wine with no lack of fruit, but was well balanced with some nice secondary characteristics--a real treat to drink. Not just a fruit bomb by any stretch. Thoroughly enjoyed by all. May try and seek out more
Red
10/26/2013 - slmshdyms wrote:
88 points
well made and tannins are totally resolved. interesting secondary notes but no real "zin-fruit" present at all. a different style (which is by the wine makers design)--but not really for my palate. When I drink zins--I like a big jammy/briary hit-this was almost like a super-aged low to mid-tier cali cab (leather, tar, earthy, etc)
Red
10/17/2013 - slmshdyms Likes this wine:
89 points
Held up well--tannins totally resolved now. Not a fruit bomb by any means but red fruit characteristics still strongly present with some interesting typical zin secondary characteristics. Went well with steak--enjoyed thoroughly. The long lay-down had very little detrimental effect on the wine
Rosé
2008 Daviana Rosé Napa Valley Rosé Blend
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
94 points
see previous note--best rose i've ever had
Rosé
2010 Daviana Rosé Napa Valley Rosé Blend
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
preferred the previous vintage more but still one of if not the most powerful rose wines out of Cali
Red
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
nice mature Cali cab--restrained style
Red
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
liked it--didnt really pop tho. will give more time to see if anything emerges. obviously well-made tho--no rough edges or off-components
White - Sparkling
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
no recollection at all of drinking this--damm
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
enjoyed--drank well
White
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
85 points
average--not meant to age. no rebuy
Red
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
no formal notes--have drank over the last 2 years. always enjoyed--one left...
White
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
87 points
nothing too fancy--but fruit forward--nice summer sipper with food. enjoyed
Red
10/12/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
drank 6 months ago--really enjoyed with food. Good fruit and smooth
Red
1/16/2012 - slmshdyms wrote:
94 points
drank on our first anniversary. no formal notes taken but we loved it. Big, lush and full wine but still well balanced and elegant. a great wine and reminder of an amazing year....
White - Sparkling
2000 Argyle Extended Tirage Brut Willamette Valley Champagne Blend (view label images)
11/7/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
94 points
previous notes apply--great domestic sparkler
Red
11/6/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
no formal notes--didn't enjoy it tho--prob wouldn't even cook with it
Red
8/18/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
93 points
consistent with previous bottle--a very enjoyable wine--highly recommend
White
6/28/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
Drank pretty much exactly as the label suggests--pronounced honeysuckle. layered and well-made. decent qpr and interesting wine--recommend
Red
6/28/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
87 points
No formal notes taken-from memory about 3 months ago--seemed hot and off-balanced. fruit not really evident. best days may be passed it or bottle variation. one left--will drink soon but not expecting the best....
Red
6/27/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
Drank Mother's Day weekend--6 hour decant-no formal notes. Not sure if the wine is in a "dumb-phase" or if there's some bottle variation--but was not quite as blown away with this bottle as the last one. All-in-all a good syrah, but not the blockbuster it was upon release. My hopes are still high for remaining bottles--especially considering my first experience with this wine/vintage--will let sit for at least another year prior to trying again--may even wait 2-3 years.
White
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
Agree with Stoneb on everything but the numerical score. a very interesting wine that een got the attention of a few non-white drinkers at the table. good match with spicy sushi (yet again!)
Rosé
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
drank very fresh--full of strawberry and raspberry--more depth and power then alot of roses. great match with spicy sushi
Red
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
95 points
we loved it--amazing how young this wine is drinking despite its age--fresh and vibrant fruit--great depth of flavor and weight in the mouth. What really impressed us was that despite the huge fruit and extraction--it never went over the top in terms of sweetness and wasn't at all candified like alot of Aussies can be (all this intensity and power--and the wine was only 14.5% too--very impressive). Tannins were fairly well-resolved despite it's freshness. All-in-all--a very good wine that IMO stands up very well to the Alban '07 Reva--at a fraction of the cost. Will seek out more
White
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
perfect match for spicy bbq chicken. an aromatic quality came thru this time--peach blossom--reminded us of viognier. great citrus flavors with a nice acidic backbone--very well made with good mouthfell
Red
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
94 points
great bottle--rich and full fruit flavors--def not for the faint of heart or palate. drinking wonderfully
White - Sparkling
2000 Argyle Extended Tirage Brut Willamette Valley Champagne Blend (view label images)
5/5/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
love the mouthfeel--a great domestic sparkler. most of previous notes apply--not as smooth on aftertaste this time
Red
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
GREAT qpr. Rich-the oak is in really good balance with the fruit. For the price--a really good wine--my kinda pinot!
Red
2006 Jonata Winery Todos Santa Ynez Valley Syrah Blend, Syrah (view label images)
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
No formal notes taken--but a lively rich wine. really started singing after being open a few hours--good bottle and a good qpr
Red
2004 Harlan Estate The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
drank 2 years ago at 11 madison nyc. Drank fairly well--was definately a bit on the young side at the stage we drank it. no formal notes taken BUT we liked it but didn't love it. Given its price--didn't seem like a good qpr at the time we had it. Have 2 more--given the positive reviews on here--look forward to trying again (but can't help wonder if the numbers aren't inflated as it's a "Harlan") we will see....
Red
2005 Bacio Divino Pazzo Napa Valley SuperTuscan Blend (view label images)
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
88 points
drank over a year ago--no formal notes taken but it's a perfect pizza night wine
Red
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
drank about a year ago--BIG wine. Has a late harvest taste to it with a plum or raisin really coming thru. Tannins well-resolved. Thick and smooth--very enjoyable--does need either a steak or something rich to pair with it
White - Sparkling
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
88 points
a bit sharper/rougher than the last bottle but still drank fairly well
Red
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
90 points
a good briary zin--full flavored but not over the top. needs a little more time to integrate better--solid effort but not spectacular. I like the winemaker's style at Bedrock--interesting wines--good qprs
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2008 Linne Calodo Problem Child Paso Robles Willow Creek District Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel (view label images)
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
93 points
I freaking love these wines and this style. Just a rich and dense wine with layered flavors. It's young for sure but the tannins are allready silky. It can definately use another year or so in the bottle to calm down the alchohol--which took a little time to blow off. Great wine at a well-matched price-point--delicious!
Red
3/12/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
91 points
still a baby--nice big fruit with a beam of vanilla running thru the post palate. tannns are fairly well integrated--especially considering the age of this bottle. Agree with the reviewer on here that mentioned the "restraint" of the wine--(iron-fist in a velvet glove)-i do think its needs a year or so more in bottle to totally come toghether. Overall a good qpr--look forward to following it's evolution over the next few years
Rosé
2008 Daviana Rosé Napa Valley Rosé Blend
2/13/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
94 points
The best rose i've ever had--pure flavors including strawberry with good acidity. What sets this apart is the actual depth of flavors that it has--most roses come across as weak or almost watered down--Daviana rose does not give that impression at all. Not thick but genuine depth of the flavor profiles--GREAT food wine
Red - Fortified
2/13/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
93 points
thanksgiving dinner 2010--no formal notes taken--enjoyed by all--nice and smooth-still very big with loads of fruit--drinking young
Red
2/13/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
93 points
Had at Gordon Ramsay in NYC--absolute fruit bomb!! Loaded with dark fruit and chocolate. a little hot but still totally delicious. tannins were well integrated--great wine with an amazing dinner
White - Sparkling
2/1/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
92 points
Have to 100% agree with"Gnosis" on the QPR versus the rest of the NV pack--this is clearly a step better than most of those. Crisp and lively--good fresh fruit to start with enough complexity on the backend--a real pleasure to drink. We really enjoyed this thoroughly--a step above the regular Veuves, Perrier J, etc bottlings
Red
1/29/2011 - slmshdyms wrote:
Will not give this a score.....yet. We did no justice to this bottle by opening so young--but was good to see where this wine is at in its' evolution. Double decanted and used the vinturi 3 times before fruit finally started coming forward. Prior to that point it was all earth, asphalt and tar--and honestly not in a very good way. Now for the good--the potential is there--its just young and a bit disjointed at this point. Once it started opening--we got a burnt sugar aroma/taste with plum as well. The wine is dense and very powerful and well-made. It's all there and i can honestly say that i'm looking EXTREMELY forward to trying it again in a few years
1 - 50 of 92
More results
  • Tasting Notes: 92 notes on 80 wines
© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC.

Report a Problem

Close