Ruby red. Nose of oak and red fruit that produces an almost candy like flavor. Very Californian in my mind. Same follow through on the palate. Not much complexity, lower than perfect acidity, but still pleasant with some persistence into a short to medium finish. Overall very enjoyable and as someone said below, lacking in spice. Imho - very typical well made Cali Merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner W/ Dave, John, & Stacy in Kingston with BBQ burgers, mushrooms, onions, great beef, all the condiments. Nice-- the wine fit nicely in with all of these after a one our decant to take the edge off. Solid 88-89'er. Pretty consistent all the way through, though I did notice a lot of earthy feel to it-- not in a real negative way; just unusual. Plenty of fruit for taste, low on spices; but a thoroughly pleasant taste from beginning to end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(With reference to two previous posts - re: Decanting inexpensive wine and the Misleading by Critics on value wines, as well as the relative cost threshold for the same.): The current issue of WS has this wine rated a 91. As such, I dropped into Costco to grab a bottle and discovered that they still had bottles of the '07 left so, got one of each for comparison...(ignoring the "07 'cuz it was even weaker than this '08). Initially intriguing aromatics but flavors that were neither crowd-pleasing (i.e., forward & friendly) nor varietally-typical. Rather, seriously disjointed and quirky. In fact, it was so unpleasing that if I was drinking alone, I'd have dumped the bottle (or more accurately relegated it to cooking wine). Instead I alternated 2oz sips between the two and THINK that I might have sensed a hint of something redeeming in my final sip - ~75mins in??? As such (and with a discount price sub-$15), I might just give this another chance; giving it some decanter treatment. ...for now, my score is generous.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full, rich nose of red berries and oak. PLenty of red berry and cherry fruit on the palate, along with lots of oak on the midpalate. Lots of tannin on the finish that wasn't a problem for me, but might be a bit much for some people. I think that the wine will pick up a point or two once the tannins settle down.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped, decanted, consumed over 3 hrs. Great QPR! Deep dark, inky with an aroma of dark fruit filling the room during the decant. Once poured, the inviting appearance, nose and glass staining body compel you to gulp rather than sip. Powerful plumb and berry fruits with hints of toast, mocha and (light) oak charge foward immediately ... then the tannins and acidity kick in to provide support and interest to the experience and help carry flavor into a long, tapered fnish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/20/2014 - Cayman1 Likes this wine: 84 Points
Meh. Nothing special merlot. Middle of the road fruit, a bit over-produced. Overly acidic finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2013 - TPowe Likes this wine: 89 Points
This was much better than expected. Enjoyable wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2012 - gmbdds wrote: 89 Points
Notes of currant and plum with spices. Soft and very drinkable. Drank with meatloaf which matched well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2012 - Texas Pete wrote: 86 Points
Much better the day after opening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - Tiderunner22 wrote: 89 Points
Same as my previous notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - DTWOB wrote: 91 Points
Very nice p sim. notes to my 2-5-12 entry
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2012 - Shipleys wrote: 83 Points
Ok bottle. Nose and follow a little decent body. Overall, an average bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2012 - Chiantihound wrote: 90 Points
Ruby red. Nose of oak and red fruit that produces an almost candy like flavor. Very Californian in my mind. Same follow through on the palate. Not much complexity, lower than perfect acidity, but still pleasant with some persistence into a short to medium finish. Overall very enjoyable and as someone said below, lacking in spice. Imho - very typical well made Cali Merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2012 - Chiantihound wrote: 89 Points
Medium dark and opaque. Nose of smoke and oak, although not overdone. Blackberry and plum in mouth. Medium finish. Nice change.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2012 - saxual wrote: 89 Points
Dinner W/ Dave, John, & Stacy in Kingston with BBQ burgers, mushrooms, onions, great beef, all the condiments. Nice-- the wine fit nicely in with all of these after a one our decant to take the edge off. Solid 88-89'er. Pretty consistent all the way through, though I did notice a lot of earthy feel to it-- not in a real negative way; just unusual. Plenty of fruit for taste, low on spices; but a thoroughly pleasant taste from beginning to end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2012 - golfwine wrote: 78 Points
(With reference to two previous posts - re: Decanting inexpensive wine and the Misleading by Critics on value wines, as well as the relative cost threshold for the same.):
The current issue of WS has this wine rated a 91. As such, I dropped into Costco to grab a bottle and discovered that they still had bottles of the '07 left so, got one of each for comparison...(ignoring the "07 'cuz it was even weaker than this '08).
Initially intriguing aromatics but flavors that were neither crowd-pleasing (i.e., forward & friendly) nor varietally-typical. Rather, seriously disjointed and quirky. In fact, it was so unpleasing that if I was drinking alone, I'd have dumped the bottle (or more accurately relegated it to cooking wine). Instead I alternated 2oz sips between the two and THINK that I might have sensed a hint of something redeeming in my final sip - ~75mins in??? As such (and with a discount price sub-$15), I might just give this another chance; giving it some decanter treatment.
...for now, my score is generous.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2012 - jeffuken wrote: 91 Points
Somewhat fruity, not too much spice, medium bodied, and an in-the-middle reddish hue. Smooth and supple.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2012 - Tiderunner22 wrote: 89 Points
Rich nose of dark red fruit. Flavor is full bodied with lots of fruit and oak that carries thru the long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2012 - mreinitz wrote: 89 Points
Full, rich nose of red berries and oak. PLenty of red berry and cherry fruit on the palate, along with lots of oak on the midpalate. Lots of tannin on the finish that wasn't a problem for me, but might be a bit much for some people. I think that the wine will pick up a point or two once the tannins settle down.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2012 - DTWOB wrote: 89 Points
Popped, decanted and poured. Yooung and tight - nice nose, lots of fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2012 - DTWOB wrote: 91 Points
Popped, decanted, consumed over 3 hrs. Great QPR! Deep dark, inky with an aroma of dark fruit filling the room during the decant. Once poured, the inviting appearance, nose and glass staining body compel you to gulp rather than sip. Powerful plumb and berry fruits with hints of toast, mocha and (light) oak charge foward immediately ... then the tannins and acidity kick in to provide support and interest to the experience and help carry flavor into a long, tapered fnish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment