February 1, 2013 - A nice surprise. The nose centers on good dark fruit with a bit of spice. A little alcohol peaks through, dinging my rating a couple points. The palate, primary and dominated by sweet plum-like fruit, is matched by the opaque purple color, which lacks variation even at the rim. A decently long finish features some earth and drying tannins. NB: have never seen a cork like this bottle's. It was if it were bonded to the glass and could not be budged.
March 30, 2012 - mejor que pensaba que iba a ser. aromatico, sabor anis, sedoso, balanceado. me gusto.
tapon estaba rebasado de la botella, y el tapon estaba terco y dejo rasgos por adentro del cuello.
comimos entrecot, ensalada de nopales, rabano, aguacate, tomate, romaine, cilantro y vinaigrete.
January 22, 2011 - RUSSK WSW at Mike' Cellar Clearance Party. My WOTN, but a close call with the other top 3. Earthy aromatics, full bodied, still plenty of structure. Good value at $20.
December 18, 2010 - Popped + poured and thought "wow, this is even better than the last bottle!" Nice earthy and leathery secondary flavors, with a very Bdx-y funk that made me savor the first glass far longer than I normally would. Solid tannins and acid, I was upset at opening something with so much apparent life left in it! But that's where the love story ended. Over the next two hours, as the rest of the bottle aired it lost all intensity and started to just taste kind of flat :( Drink soon, and quickly!
May 30, 2010 - Very balanced; tasted blind I would definitely think this was a nice Bordeaux.
April 11, 2010 - (13.5%) 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 30% Mencia – On the nose it shows gorgeous dark fruit and herbs. The palate shows dry cherries and black olives (with a hint of rhubarb) that frame themselves with a dry, cedar backbone. The finish shows this wines age with perfectly integrated tannins and spices that last and last. For those sensitive this wine may be overly dry but I still find it to be smooth, silky, and elegant.
January 16, 2010 - Excellent nose with vanilla, spice, and currants. Big fruit on the palate, but quite balanced. Long finish.
January 15, 2010 - Plenty of life left in this. High acid, tannins remain as well. Not crazy about flavor profile, though. Dried herbs, bell pepper and mint on nose. A little leather. Herbaceousness is strong on the palate, though cherry fruit is suggested. Seems like a typical moderately green, extracted Bdx blend. Though it seems primed to live quite a while, fruit is missing now, and tertiary characteristics haven't developed (yet?).
January 10, 2010 - A definite Bordeaux resemblance as promised. On opening and through the first hour I tasted various things including cherry, earth, evergreen, mineral, sandalwood, herbs akin to tarragon or mint and at times savory and gamy. This wine evolves, showing different qualities and comes back to where it started from. Its predominant qualities would be cherry, earth/pine and aged resin-like sweetness. The tannin seems moderate and is pleasantly astringent, the acidity is easy going but certainly a factor. In regards to the Bordeaux comparison, I cannot imagine a 1999 Bordeaux that sells for $19.99 that would be this smooth and flawless. Works very well with food.
January 10, 2010 - A lot of the fruit blew off after 3 hours in the decanter. Overall an enjoyable drink for the price.