February 9, 2024 - -- decanted 1 hr. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 3 hrs. on Day 1; Ash revisited it on Day 2 --
NOSE: maturing, red-fruited aromatics; light earthy/woodsy spice; smells like it's going to be thin and austere on the palate; medium+ expressiveness.
BODY: medium-light bodied; no sediment present.
TASTE: juicy; red fruits (medium-light concentration) with some spice; straightforward and not complex; "just fine"; a glugger; 13% alc. not noticeable; Drink Now. gut impression score: mid 80's. When Ashley revisited on Day 2, with first whiff, she asked, "Did we talk yesterday about this being corked?" I immediately knew what she was talking about, as I did have that debate internally on Day 1 --- I eventually decided against TCA, but there is *something* there that makes one wonder: *if* it's TCA, it's incredibly light; but, again, I ultimately decided against it in favor of the idea that it's just drying out, and it has a meaningful austerity to it.
August 6, 2023 - Quite good, but a bit odd on PnP. I have two bottles of this wine, which were accepted as a swap for a fail-to-deliver on another wine I'd purchased from a retailer. It's good and has a kind of honest class about it, but on PnP showed reduction. A bit awkward. It got some air - 30 minutes or so - and came together OK. The fruit is bright, more red fruits, but damp earth in there, too. Easy tannins. The surprise was how great it was with our meal. It went from "good, OK" to "this is perfect!".
The meal? Beans with toast and a side salad of fresh greens. The bean dish was made from dried heirloom cannellini beans slow (pressure) cooked with leek ends, rosemary, thyme, and Parmesan rind. Once cooked, this was combined with sauteed leek and garlic chives. At the last minute, a pesto of parsley, lemon zest, olive oil, and salt is gently stirred in.
I can't really score the wine. It was good and something about it had just such an upright real-deal appeal.
Edit: I try to avoid reading others' TNs until after I write my TN. And honestly when I wrote that this wine has "honest class" I was not copying the prior TN's "honest wine". Honestly. Unless I'd seen it and subconsciously repeated it. Truly :)
September 30, 2021 - -- decanted 45 min. before first taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 to 3 hours --
NOSE: savory; red-fruited (cool cherry; red currant); hints of oak, cumin, and flowers; not funky.
BODY: clear; garnet color of medium depth; medium-light bodied.
TASTE: medium to medium+ acidity; medium-light to medium concentration of cool red fruits; wide open; hint of oak on the finish; screams "Burg."; fruit filled-in somewhat a couple hours after opening; best showing yet; not a blockbuster, but simply very "right," humble, and unassuming --- an "honest wine," if you will. Drink Now and over the next few years.
50, 5, 13, 15, 7 = 90
August 26, 2021 - I really like this. Nose of Vosne spice. Transparent Ruby. This is a fairly light and tart Vosne, but I dig this. Lip smacking red fruits, minerally. Long finish. Incredible wine for $30.
March 26, 2021 - -- decanted 15 min. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 to 3 hours --
NOSE: tight; red-fruited; high-toned; seems to be moderately ripe; hint of bubble gum.
BODY: medium-light bodied.
TASTE: high acidity; savory and red-fruited; a touch leafy/green; medium-light garrigue; touch of coffee emerged when paired with pork tenderloin and mushrooms. Straightforward and easy --- call it "fine" --- not bad, but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of complexity or intellectual intrigue here; not sure one can reasonably expect anything more out of a $30 Pinot from Burgundy. Drink or Hold, even though I don't believe this will magically become excellent with additional cellar time. Gut impression score: 86 - 87,
July 18, 2020 - Very pretty wine that needs more cellar time, both to open further and for the oak to integrate.
March 18, 2020 - -- cork pulled 1.5 hrs before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over a few hours --
NOSE: expressive; clean; raspberry aromas set against a cool-climate type of savory backdrop.
BODY: garnet-violet color of medium-shallow to medium depth; clear; light to medium-light bodied.
TASTE: medium-light concentration of clean red-fruited flavor; medium+ to high acidity; savory; not funky, tannic, or hot (13% alc.); accessible; not much structure; Drink Now – 2025. gut impression score: high 80s.
January 11, 2020 - -- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over approx. 30 min. --
High-toned red fruits; some ruby-red grapefruit; not tannic; medium+ acidity; alc. not noticeable; open/accessible; not particularly structured or serious, but a killer QPR at $30.
July 19, 2019 - A wine that you think “yes this is unquestionably worth what I paid”. Not explosive but everything correct and lovely, refined fruit, beautiful aroma, and big body. Delicious
January 17, 2016 - Medium ruby. Balanced. A hint of Indian spices. Savory. A touch of white pepper & roasted meat. A smidge of funk. Lovely over four nights.