3/18/2022 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Wonderful nose with hints of marzipan and flint. Great balance and finish.

3/25/2020 - madeiradog wrote:

This chardonnay seems disjointed, as though the acidity was an afterthought, coming through on the back end and not in sync with the fruit. But the fruit is subtle in a very enjoyable way - mellow but present with slight notes of citrus, almond and honeysuckle blossom.

Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of these earlier Rhys chards but it was clear that they were improving every year. And what they are doing has paid off - I think the chards produced in the last 7 or so years have been incredible and get better every year.

3/21/2020 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Fascinating white that really pushes the briny, salty element. Would be hard pressed to identify this as a semillon except for maybe a slight hint of caramel on the back end. Good balance, no heat and very minerally.

3/22/2020 - madeiradog wrote:

No rating for this as it is clearly starting to oxidize. Still hanging on to the fruit but definitely notes of sherry and almond. Drink up

1/30/2020 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Holy crap this is really good! That was my first thought as I took an initial sip. I have always liked the RM chards but this is at another level. Round and robust and fat like a great Batard but with more exotic fruit flavor, this fills the palate from start to lasting finish.

1/7/2020 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

A high-toned pinot that needs more time, I am immediately greeted with what I perceive as a huge cranberry note that I find (and welcome) in most RM pinots. There is a touch of orange rind and the perception of muted cinnamon bark that hits the back of the palate. Rich in fruit but balanced by a good dose of acidity, this is a welcome drink after a long workday. I would give this a few more years before trying another bottle.

4/21/2019 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Decanted for about an hour, this wine is seamless. Strong hint of black pepper on the nose, silky and ripe blackberry dominates the palate with notes of pepper and a touch of sweet allspice. Just enough acidity to keep this from being over the top. Not as complex as other SQN syrahs but still a fun, very pleasurable wine to enjoy.

6/12/2018 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Popped and poured it showed well from the beginning. Inky, teeth staining black in the glass but provides an expressive nose of violet and dark berry, this wine gobsmacked me with an intense core of black raspberry, gooseberry and damson plum. This fruit core was immediately followed with noticeable heavy but seamless tannins. Not very complex at the moment but a really fun wine to drink that has some serious structure to it - the fruit is kept in check by the acidity and tannin. Very interested to see how this develops.

6/1/2018 - madeiradog wrote:

Hits hard initially with the acidity but then develops more ultimately showing a good balance of acidity and fruit. Some darker profiled fruit but right now not much complexity.

6/1/2018 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Initially not very open but after awhile in the glass it gives a little more away. Good structure with tannins and acidity present but not overwhelming. The nose is not much but there is a swell of fruit on the back end.

5/31/2018 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Some interesting spice on the nose that includes cinnamon and other baking spices. Bright red fruit, mostly bing cherry and good dollop of acidity.

7/1/2017 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Very ripe fruit results in a very roasted/jammy/raisiny/stewy drink to my taste. I get baked berries with leather, spice and a hint of funk. Think Parker praised Aussie wine, but better balanced. I would say atypical not just of CDP but also of Mon Aieul. Clearly well made but too over the top to give it a higher score.

4/2/2017 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Deep, rich and unctuous define this wine that begins with a sweet floral nose and ends with long and lipsmacking taste of berries, dark chocolate and bark. Thick and coating but ever so balanced so as not to be cloying in any way, this syrah delivers on the flavor without being jammy or sugary.

7/31/2016 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Wonderful freshness and acidity with layers of fruit, citrus and a touch of toast.

5/31/2016 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Very primary with dark cherry, firm acidity and deep core of slumbering fruit. I would not touch another for at least 5 years.

4/11/2016 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

A wow wine for sure. Deep golden color and exotic fruit nose. Each sip brings something different - apricot, mango, citrus, candle wax, honeysuckle - and the wine evolves over the course of the evening. Coconut and caramel on the back end. Finishes with a little heat - slight detraction from the overall deliciousness of this wine.

4/9/2016 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Very slight bricking around the edges with initial funk on the nose had me worried that I had waited too long to drink. My concern was quickly alleviated as the funk blew off and the fruit began to show. Some secondary notes of pine and soy quickly give way to tart cherry and cranberry that develops slowly but fully. Good structure and balance make this complete.

3/10/2016 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

This lone bottle was sitting out as I was putting the recent R-M shipment in the cellar. Normally I like to wait a year before starting into my stash of these QPR gems but not tonight. Dark fruit with a solid core, hints of cranberry and clove with sweet, not cloying fruit and wonderful backbone of acidity. Floral nose and lasting finish. Very,very enjoyable!

12/13/2015 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

This wine opens very plummy but with air opens up and tones down. Drinking great now with lots of fruit. Some good secondary notes of soy and bramble.

9/27/2015 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

My favorite Carlisle Zin thus far. Great fruit but not cooked or stewed. Good finish with little or no trace of heat.

9/24/2015 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

A little bit of funk adds a nice touch to this deep and rich pomerol. Nose of iron, violets and hint of bandaid. Great mouthfeel, once sturdy tannins receding and giving way to the fruit - mellow, complex and pleasing.

3/14/2015 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Still on the younger side, the Summa explodes on the nose with orange peel, spices and cranberry. It behaves wonderfully on the palate, balanced with good structure and body. Finish is lingering and lipsmacking.

9/18/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Wow - this is still an intense wine. Packed with lemon zest, hazelnut, honey with a hint of smoke, it has great mouthfeel and finish. Some vanilla/oak adds to the mix. Good acidity provides the necessary balance to the long, sweet finish that has a touch of minerality as well.

8/31/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Not quite the raging blueberry monster that some would paint this wine as, but nothing like the QCs of old. Very fruit forward with quite a mix of berry flavors protruding over the smooth tannins and secondary tastes. I do think this has the ability to age more and improve.

8/31/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Still very young and in a bit of a slumber, great fruit potential and no heat. I see this as being in a transition phase. Dark berries with hints of cedar, tobacco and leather. Remains more simple than complex at the moment.

8/31/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Superb concentration, slightly smokey, with almond, lemon zest and some flowery notes. Great mouth feel and powerful grip but no heat.

7/25/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Yeasty, toasty deliciousness, with bubbles. Good precision, salinity and acidity. Not as round as other bottles consumed.

6/15/2014 - madeiradog Does not like this wine:

Starts off with a nice rich nose of the garrigue so prominent in the region. The initial palate is also rich and delicious but then immediately takes on a stewed fruits taste and very pruney finish. I am not a fan of this vintage.

6/15/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

This was a massive inky monster in its youth but has managed to soften and change a little of its character as it ages. Not sure what to expect with aged aglianco but it has started to take on a few of the characteristics of older bordeaux - some saddle leather and hint of cedar. I hope it will continue to improve as I have a few left.

6/15/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

Starts off with a nice rich nose of the garrigue so prominent in the region. The initial palate is also rich and delicious but then immediately takes on a stewed fruits taste and very pruney finish. I am not a fan of this vintage.

6/8/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

After a disappointing tasting of Mark Herold's new wines - the rhone rangers as well as the cab - I wanted to check in on an old favorite. Yes, this has oak, yes this has a lot of fruit, but it has just enough balance to avoid being flabby or a caramel milkshake or whatever your favorite negative connotation with Cali cabs may be. It comes right up to the edge but without going over, gracious tannins, long finish and just a sheer fun wine to drink.

Not sure how long these will last, but its in a great place right now.

Greg

6/5/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

Great nose with notes of berry and cocoa. Good structure, finish

4/19/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Great qpr wine but the 2011 does not seem as good as previous vintages. Good core of fruit but acidity seems pronounced and out of balance with the nose and body.

4/18/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

I am not going to rate this bottle as it was definitely off, compared to the bottle we drank earlier. A little fizzy and funky, it did not have the depth, nose or taste of the earlier bottle

4/12/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Drinking very well now, this cab was dominated by mocha on the nose and in the mouth. Not overly sweet, think dark chocolate mocha, but lush and perhaps losing a bit of structure. I would drink now rather than hold any longer.

4/14/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

First off, no brett or fizzyness with this bottle. Instead, this sourced fruit was a fun drink not typical of what Rhys is producing from their vineyards - less complexity with more fruit forward through the finish. A core of dark fruit balanced with good acidity, slight rasberry but more cherry.

4/7/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

a subtle sweety with good acidity to brace. Waxy with honey and lemon curd and apple blossom

4/7/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

drinking well now, the wine has a nice nose fruit and rose water. The fruit held through the finish with touches of tart cherry, cranberry, baking spice and dulled cinnamon bark

3/20/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

Argh! Corked...

3/20/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

Very sweet and rich. Very complex as well with layers of apricot, marmalade, honeysuckle and tangelo. Would have liked more acidity to balance out the sweetness but overall a very delicious wine.

2/1/2014 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

I have heard this wine can be hit or miss so felt luck with a very good bottle. Great nose of herbs and smoky meat which follows through on the palate along with kirsch and bacon. Solid throughout the initial taste, midpalate and finish.

1/28/2014 - madeiradog wrote:

Still very young but expressive. Needs additional time to smooth out the edges. A very complex zin with a nose of tobacco and a melange of berries and maybe a slight floral hint in the background. On the palate it is very big but restrained. Has a touch of heat but not overwhelming.

11/16/2013 - madeiradog wrote:

Wonderful notes of kirsch and forest complete a ready to drink CNP

11/16/2013 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

good depth of fruit, balance and acidity. More feminine than other Kistler bottlings.

11/9/2013 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

A little too ripe for my preferences but very pleasurable. Very sweet fruit with little else.

11/11/2013 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Good mouthfeel and fruit. Decent acidity. Not very complex but very easy to drink. Some cherry, sasparilla bark, violet and plum. Not overripe but definitely rich.

12/22/2012 - madeiradog Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour but started evolving after 2, so I would give this at least a 3 hour decant. Initially very tight but opens up with good balance and restrained style. Very good balance to this wine. Fruit shows black berry notes and some tobacco as well. A very different style of wine than Harlan.

12/21/2012 - madeiradog wrote:

Still presenting young, this eloquent pinot needs a few more years to blossom. My perception is that a tiny bit of rustic tannin is the back end to an earthy but fruity pinot. I get sour cherry and cranberry with orange peel and some earthy elements. Good structure and balance make this a delight to drink.

11/24/2012 - madeiradog wrote:

Still on the very young side, dense fruit with lots of berry flavors. Some violet and earthiness on the nose with a hint of rasberry. Good structure and balance with no trace of heat.

11/17/2012 - madeiradog wrote:

Floral nose of violet and raspberry. Core of cranberry fruit gives way to other dark berry fruits followed with some hints of forest and pine. Good balance but note just a touch of heat.