December 1, 2023 - PnP. Really enjoyable, though a bit atypical, CdP. More fruit than I expected -- berries, cherry, and soft, well-integrated tannins, less earth and herbs than typical CdP. Well balanced, long finish. Drinking well right now, no weird/metallic tastes as other notes have observed.
July 29, 2023 - First of three. This has been laying horizontally in my cellar for almost five years. Tasting notes over the years weren’t really all that good, but I will say this is enjoyable. The nose with blueberry, blackberry, tobacco and some cinnamon spice. The palate reveals plum, cherry, pomegranat and blueberry. Medium plus acidity, very soft tannins. Alcohol integrated. No need to wait here. 91-92
March 23, 2023 - Color and nose reminds me of an Oregon Pinot Noir. Forest floor and potpourri with a hint of dark berry. Heavy, syrupy mouth feel that starts out soft and juicy on front of palate and leads to a very dry medium finish. Very pleasant with food. I did not get the metallic notes that others had mentioned. Note sure I agree with the 96 given by Parker but probably somewhere in the low 90s would be more appropriate for me.
March 5, 2023 - Continues to disappoint. A bit of funk on the nose, which I found encouraging. Unfortunately, the palate showed an unpleasant metallic aftertaste for the first 30 minutes. That blew off but this wine just misses the mark. Muted, confused, and uninteresting. Perhaps it needs time but I don't foresee it ever being worth the price.
January 3, 2022 - This is a somewhat special kind of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: it is only medium-bodied and not lavishly fruity. Its aroma and flavor palette is a slightly surprising combination of pine needles, herbs, tar, cough medicine, red fruits, flowers and perfume. At the same time the wine is very well-made, personal and interesting: it is structured, and its vivacious aciditity contributes to balance. The wine is still somewhat muted and unintegrated at the moment, so it will be even more enjoyable after a couple of years of cellaring.
December 4, 2020 - Thin and light in the glass. Did a typical pour and could literally read text through it. The nose was reticent, and all I got was old lady perfume and alcohol. It actually has a little flavor of earth and it tried to give me some fruit but failed. I'm going to assume it's closed for business but I have little hope it will ever be worth the price.
October 29, 2020 - Might need a lot of time in the cellar or is this as good as it will be?
Not worth the price tag...
September 8, 2020 - Thick, concentrated. A tad jammy. Blueberry jam. Leather and stable in the nose. Peppery and spicey. Did I take it early? Late? Or in the tunnel?
This is good. But not as good as many other SD wines and not great QPR. Today. 88.
August 2, 2020 - Drinking well but not particularly memorable.
October 24, 2019 - Plum Market Luxury Tasting (Bad Hunter - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Ripeness dominates but with enough structure and weight for balance. Nothing shy here.