September 28, 2013 - My last of 6 bottles. Far and away the best of the 6. The pronounced oak when it was younger is integrated... still some oak but very subdued. A wonderful Burgundian palate. More mineral than most Cali. Wish I had more.
June 27, 2010 - pale straw in color with light peach green apple flavors balanced will with acid and light use of oak. much lighter in color and oak than the 2000.
February 22, 2010 - Very annoying cork that had crumbled and took 20 minutes to get half of it out and the rest had to be pushed in. At least the wine was better quality than the cork. Surprised how much life this still had in it. The fruit certainly had faded somewhat, but still going relatively strong. Nice touch of oak, but not too much. Alcohol wasn't out of whack and the nice pear and apple notes were enjoyable.
November 26, 2009 - a very flat chard, something was off
August 9, 2009 - Dinner with Megan and friends. (Palo Alto, CA): Best wine I've had in a while, and I don't even like this style! An expansive, voluptuous nose full of peach yogurt ("it's peach-flavored Yoplait!" was echoed around the table) with a pleasantly subdued undertone of wood. In the mouth it was full and fat, but carried itself well, like a silky pudding. The 14.4% alcohol was well contained with acidity, and the result was exquisitely smooth to drink.
It held its own even with several high-cream cheeses - bries and less-sharp blues. ~$40.
January 22, 2009 - Very Burgundian Nose of roasted almonds,fig,green apples and stone.
One of the more burgudian Cali Chards that I've ever tasted.
Has a nice balance of nuts,citrus,apples,and minerality. The front end is
nice but the back end disappeared pretty quickly for me. That being said
a tremendous QPR.
January 20, 2009 - Inauguration Night Blind Pinots (Chicago IL, Mike's house): nose: very distinct nose of hot oils, roasted nuts, pears, apples, and bits of smoke tones. Very well balanced and very well put together though slightly different from the last go around with it
taste: very full and fat, but well balanced with rich tones of pears, apples, hot oils, and bits of cashews. Excellent feel and depth of flavors with good medium acidity
overall: A really good wine. This was a pop n pour and was consumed by a lot more people than the last time, so there wasn't as much of a chance for development in the glass or bottle. What it gave though was great with excellent balance and purity of flavors
November 8, 2008 - Budget wines done Blind (Keith's house): Hints of oak rise through light, fleshy white fruits on the nose. The oak hints are in the slight cracker to light toast suggestions. Front end brings a fleshy puree of white pear, melon, and hints peach. This leads to a mid with slight creaminess but is balanced by good acid. Finishes with all those white fruits, hints of toastiness and a touch of lemon zest. Very rich and balanced with multiple facets interacting interestingly throughout.
November 8, 2008 - QPR Smackdown (my place): nose: wonderful and succulent nose filled with lemon custard, brioche, vanilla extract, and oily roasted nut tones in great balance
taste: beautiful medium/full feel of lemon custard, brioche, apricots, creamy vanilla mousse tones, along with baking oils and some roasted nut tones
overall: this grew in the glass and got richer in color as it got more air. In a wonderful place right now with a lot of complexity and the acidity is still in a very nice place to keep this ever evolving. Great smooth and creamy lemon custard attack that flows into a polished and long baking oil+roasted nut finish
January 26, 2008 - Drinking beautifully now, still vibrant w good acidity. My last bottle, but has time left, although seems optimal now.