September 16, 2018 - Wifs of barnyard and plum on the nose. Faint notes of faded fruit on the palate. A day in the fridge didn’t make a difference. Past peak. Don’t decant and pair with cheese.
April 7, 2014 - Great cool climate syrah. Nose of blackberries, olive brine, and tea leaf. On the palate it is dark berries intertwined with ocean soaked driftwood, and some black tea leaf.
December 5, 2013 - This wine was super tight and extremly dark to the rim on opening and took until day 2 too show some life. A bit one dimensional in fruit right now a certain astringent finish that I think with some time will mellow out and round out well. Not a lot of tannin which worries me that it will all come together. I would either decant several hours or wait 2-4 years to find the perfect spot. I think it can get a few extra points in due time
February 18, 2013 - Garagiste Festival- Southern Exposure; 2/16/2013-2/18/2013 (Solvang, CA- 2/16/2013): Dark berry, earth and spice notes on the nose. The palate shows beautifully bright blueberry, earth and hints of cocoa. Polished fine tannin throughout. Very nice.
January 26, 2013 - Nice wine but something on the finish. A metallic taste which blew off a bit but not quite completely. Blackberry and charred earth.
September 30, 2012 - Popped and poured. A bit tight at first. Left it in the bottle while out to dinner. Revisited after three hours. The nose really improved and leapt from the glass! Bacon fat, crushed lavender and violets, and black raspberries. On the palate it is much more open. Floral, with crushed stones and asphalt after rain. Bright minerality and the acidity, which was a bit much when first opened, has really balanced beautifully. Red fruit and fresh picked berries are all wrapped up in a pastis and vanilla. One of, if not the best, QPR I've come across!
April 11, 2012 - See prior notes
December 28, 2011 - Opaque purple. This one still hits all the right notes. Hugely concentrated but not syrupy in texture. Nose of blackberries that have been soaked in gran marnier. with some smoke tar and wet earth on the palate. Soft and supple with no harsh edges in sight. Probably one of, if not the best QPR I've come across.
November 12, 2011 - Really love the structure and texture of this wine. It has great purple/black fruits with anise, subtle spices, violets and loamy earth. I just can't believe its a $16 bottle... I would have expected $25+ judging by its solid depth, structure and fine grained texture.
Negatives - It's a bit over the top for me with what seems like a bit too much RS. The acidity also seems a little out of whack for me as well (maybe too much acidification).
Overall I think you will be hard pressed to find a Syrah with more depth at $16. I just wish Sashi had a touch more restraint in his wine-making. Very impressive though!
October 7, 2011 - Outstanding!