June 24, 2015 - Unpleasant nose -alcohol smell no fruit. Taste very average, not fruit forward. Barely drinkable even after decanting.
January 9, 2014 - Nose--smokey, old furniture, taste--tart, unpleasant, generally yucky
September 11, 2013 - Did not care for this wine... Perhaps if decanted all day, might be more drinkable. Will not purchase again.
December 22, 2012 - tasted after a few hours open. Modern and lush fruits and mouthfeel but unmistakably Bordeaux, soft tannins, nice acid some cedar and earth. Great QPR for Bordeaux. Drink now+
December 22, 2012 - Blackberry fruits, oaky/cedar woodsy notes, not a tobacco note for me at all. Needed 30 minutes to open up, after 3 hours it has a menthol finish that was unpleasant but still retained a surprising amount of fruit. Finish also has a little heat for 13% ABV. I was pouring it for work. I would recommend drinking within 2 hrs of opening. Whole Foods has it for $13.99.
September 21, 2012 - Agreed on the old cigar smell and I drinkable. A sip or two and poured it out.
August 26, 2012 - On my first taste, I thought it "not bad" - but rather uninteresting. However, it went well with my dinner - pork loin with a cranberry/raspberry glaze. Very drinkable with a meal.
August 26, 2012 - Tart but quiet finish. Boysenberry, plum, cassis. No nose. Forgettable.
June 14, 2012 - Initial taste upon opening was that of a soggy old cigar butt. After decanting and airing an hour not much better. Next day it was tolerable but still redolent of tobacco.
April 15, 2012 - Nose - Nothing special when opened, but a little bloom after about 30 minutes in the glass. Taste - initially watery with a hint of berry, but ended up reasonably rounded, fruit-forward. Not bad for cheap. My rating reflects its value...