December 26, 2022 - Drank fairly well, still bright, strawberry, light cherry, lighter, faded a little over time
December 24, 2017 - Consumed over several days. Th wine got better on the 2nd day, and retained beautiful structure, finely grained tannins, and nicely balanced acidity. Very nice red berry fruit, alongside a streak of anise, and some light peppery spice. Definitely California, but very well done. Drink now through 2019 or so...I'd drink now.
April 9, 2016 - A pleasant medium bodied wine with spice and plum and pepper all coming into focus against a soft tannin. Even a hint of herb and floral in there. Pretty interesting for a single varietal rhone. Probably close to its peak right now.
October 3, 2015 - An elegant Grenache that brings together the best of New and Old World styles. Deep ruby purple with clinging legs and a perfumed nose of black cherries, lavender and forest during rainfall. A farmer's fruit stand of cherries, raspberries, peaches, watermelon rind, and dark pitted fruits, which carry over into the 30-second-plus finish, where it picks up green moss and cedar notes. Very elegant, and likely in its prime right now -- unless you're wanting to see if any more of the secondary notes come to the fore. Delicious!
April 19, 2015 - w big spare ribs from grill. Upon opening this was lightish red and had a cherry juice nose. After half hour in decanter it started smelling like wine. This was not very interesting, maybe disjointed? The alcohol was prevalent. Drink now or if you have just one bottle and you dont care, put it away another 5 yrs? Too bad, first mediocre wine i ever had from these guys.
November 21, 2014 - Though there's spiced fruits and earth that kept me going back for more, this was out of balance and the fruit seemed overripe / cooked in a way that brought out baked to burnt flavors and created a heavy style that is too much for Grenache. It had a dark brown sugar to molasses element that I dislike.
Aside: An "85" seems quite low, but it's at the top of the "Good" range and that's what I mean. I just couldn't go to "Very Good" here. Fair to poor QPR.
August 16, 2014 - Drinking really well right now. Soft and rich but still showing good balance. Loved it.
July 31, 2014 - I like the leanness of the bright red fruits on this wine, but it can't cover up the 15+% ABV. I remember this seeming more balanced in its early days, so maybe held too long or going through an awkward phase. Never ca me together, even after a lengthy decant.
June 9, 2014 - Tasting fantastic now... a great example of grenache from California.
May 1, 2014 - It smells like plum and prune and tastes like plum. Silky texture. The wine finishes long. High alcohol and am little tannin.