June 15, 2023 - I bought a case in 10/13 and consumed 8 without ever reviewing them, so they must have not made an impression. They have been in my cellar for 10 years and I came upon them today and decided to try one. Poured thru a Vinturi, nice deep purple, dark fruits & faint baking spices on the nose. Absolutely velvet on the palate. Glad I appear to have 3 more! $12.75 delivered from wine access.com in 2013.
August 22, 2020 - Still holding on to 4 more bottles that were lost in my cellar for years. Opened two bottles recently and found them in really great shape: no bricking, smooth and silky, well balanced and with spice and depth and tannins That help the wine linger for 30 seconds. Clearly Better than years ago (but it was an exc QPR even then) and shows that time in in a bottle can reall make a wine cone to life. There are still a few years left on this one! The alcohol burn seems to have dissipated and leaves the wine quote enjoyable. Had with seared marinated lamb chops.
December 5, 2018 - Et voila. My fellow humans who have been holding bottles of this modest wine for so long can rejoyce: it did finally resolve into a happy ending. With an hour or so open a full spectrum of southern flavor erupted, or maybe that's too strong of a word for this wine... let's say, came forward, respectfully gave their regards (oh hey mr. cassis, ms. elderberry, mx. juniper), and moved on. A quite respectable showing, really, and as an aside, plenty enjoyable and well balanced. I personally don't get much of the heat reported below; rather a slight and pleasant warmth along with the still ample tannin.
April 6, 2018 - Cedar wood, dark chocolate, licorice, cherries, violet and blackberries. Unfortunately marred by the alcohol sticking out in a warm finish.
January 12, 2017 - Tannins pretty fully resolved at this point. Has not stopped being a little disjointed and probably never will, but good nevertheless.
July 8, 2015 - Still too young IMHO.
February 21, 2015 - Simple, easy drinking quaffer, good QPR. Fruity, muted tannins, smooth. Good for a quick dinner at home.
October 8, 2014 - This wine really shines with spicy food. Had it tonight with a Puttanesca sauce tossed with grilled shrimp, colored peppers and a favorite pasta.
Full, rich with red fruits.
August 20, 2014 - Dark black fruit and firm tannins with Southern Rhone spices, but lacking on the mid-palate. Overall a good QPR wine.
June 11, 2014 - Second bottle much less interesting than the first. Wondering if some bottle variation. Have another 2 to work through, we'll see.