1/8/2014 - blindretriever wrote:

Flawed. I hope the next one is better.

1/8/2014 - blindretriever wrote:

This is exactly what I wanted. After an attempt at Chateauneuf, I just wanted Syrah and this was it. Not overly complex, but shows the grace of age and had the dark fruit and round mouthfeel I was looking for. I can't wait for the rest of these. Tonight, this was vastly superior to the 2007 Siffrein.

1/8/2014 - blindretriever wrote:

Disjointed and much different than the last few of these we had. Just didn't show well, and was lacking in the floral component that I love so much about this wine. Not flawed, but not great. Thus, no score.

12/24/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

I had the decouverte last week and learned quickly that there is a night and day difference between "too cold" and drinking temp for these wines. This one in particular was far too single dimensional when cold, but the acid and citrus fruits opened to the warmth. Solid wine, am curious to see how it ages.

12/21/2013 - blindretriever Likes this wine:

Popped and poured and then drank over the next 3 nights (with the help of vacu-vin). Structure consistent over three days, with the fruit fully integrated on day 2-3 to the point where, when I finished the final sips, I was ready to open more. Knowing I can't wait much before enjoying the next one, I will get my decanter ready. I wanted to get Ursa but couldn't find in Texas. So I "settled" for this. This is still a relatively feminine style, but more more like a female Olympic decathlete competitor. It is big time.

12/22/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

This is a wonderful alternative to mainstream champagne. Brisk minerality and plenty of citrus which melt into a round custard as the effervescence persists. Clean and long finish. I had the first bottle out of a styrofoam cup and (shocker) it didn't show as well as the second bottle. Still a bit young and will likely wait 2-3 years to see where the rest go, though it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I drank through them now.

12/25/2013 - blindretriever Likes this wine:

Pop and pour. Loads of sweet red fruit that showed well over three days (with vacu-vin). High alcohol not apparent. Easy to drink and enjoy.

12/30/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

Dried flowers and sweet red fruits. Had the barbaresco recently and was much more impressed with it. Had an asphalt pavement element to it that I didn't prefer, but paired well with food.

12/18/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

Carmenere. You like it or you don't. This is a typical carmenere and great for an up the fairway blind. That said, it isn't my favorite grape no matter what Ron Denner says. Stewed tomatoes, dark fruit, and then green leaves. Cab/merlot on the nose, a little less in the glass.

12/18/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

Tough to get a better example of Riesling. This could last forever, but was great tonight (actually last night). Great blinder for anyone studying. Tasted by wineretriever on 12/18/2013 & rated 92 points: Delicious, fragrant nose of sweet apricot and peach, with petrol and white stone present, too. Petrol nose and rich ripe apricot on both nose and pleasantly coated palate.

12/16/2013 - blindretriever wrote:

Crushed violets, dark soil, currant. Confirmed on the palate with round black fruit and some controlled tannins with good length on the finish. This is a great example of '07 and not quite as warm or aggressive as some other vintages.