Rating
Wine |
Date |
|
| 70 |
|
1/29/07 |
|
$4.99 at Smart & Final
Astoundingly bad. Honestly, we need new adjectives to describe something this horrible.
Outrageous cough syrup/grape juice flavor, coupled w/ salt and vinegar. So terrible that I can't even believe this wine is stocked.
Do yourself a favor and avoid it like the plague.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
 Read other reviews |  Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 73 |
|
12/23/06 |
|
$1.00
Ok, we got this wine for ONE DOLLAR! So take that into account w/ 73 points and you still have a good deal.
It amazes me they could even produce this for a dollar.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2001
|
|
| 74 |
|
1/22/07 |
|
$5.99 at Bargain Bank
Thin, watery mouthfeel. Dry and almost slightly sour. Not my fave.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 75 |
|
4/27/07 |
|
$1.99 at Trader Joe's
Honeysuckle/nectar, candy and very weak floral notes on a nose that reminds me of a skunky viognier.
Smooth, sweet liquid thick coating mouthfeel that really doesn't make me want to take a second sip. But I'm sucking it up for the team to really try to understand these Trader Joe's anomalies.
Finishes flat, wimpy, and just pathetic -- kicks w/ a touch of spice that leaves you w/ memories of a sauv blanc that doesn't taste like microwaved honey.
3rd in a series of Charles Shaw that we've been looking at. First white, and unfortunately, not the last (hello chardonnay). Maybe other bottles are better, but this one will haunt me.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 75 |
|
1/09/07 |
|
Um not so great. Funk-da-fied.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 76 |
|
4/02/07 |
|
$5.29 at Smart & Final
One dimesional and pretty sweet. Nose of honey ... thanks andy.
Tastes slightly thick almost like a Viognier. not my favorite and the finish is a pretty sad joke. Tingly on the tongue and pretty much a nasty wine.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 77 |
|
5/04/07 |
|
$1.99 at Trader Joe's
I tasted this immediately after opening it and I wanted to throw it out the window. It was incredibly tart, thin, and just downright degrading to Cabernets everywhere.
I then let it sit our for about 2 hours, and tried again. Well slap my purple teeth right out ma mouth -- even Charles Shaw can benefit from breathing a little.
OK it's still not great, but a huge improvement from the degrading treatment that it initially heaped on me. A light nose of licorice and berry, flat/sweet and coating on the tongue, but a generally acceptable spicy finish.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record ... it's not bad for 2 dolllars. Real rocket science.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 77 |
|
9/30/07 |
|
Astringent pesticide'ish flavors. Limited (if any) characteristics of chard. Avoid.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 77 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$8.99 at Bevmo
Cola and plums that smells cheap and old. Stale dried cherries on the palate. Tractor grease. Vile.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 77 |
|
4/22/07 |
|
$9.99 at Ralphs/Cala
Faint nose of feet and wet wood. Tart/unripe cherries on the palate, thin. Finish is the same, tart/tannic and not representative of a pinot in any way.
Not enjoyable, very one-dimensional. Enough said. But Andy liked it ... one of us is crazy, I'm not sure who.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 78 |
|
7/19/07 |
|
$4.99 at Bargain Bank
Lots of "concord grape jelly" on the nose, palate, and finish. Some beef jerky as well. I would avoid.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2000
|
|
| 78 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$4.50 at Bevmo
Citrus and apple on a stale nose. Burnt and harsh flavors on the palate, very light body. Avoid.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 79 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
This is a french wine but clearly marketed towards the US mass market; it is labeled as a Shiraz (which is even more odd than being labeled a Syrah, but I digress). Very thin, tart, and weak. Finishes quickly and tastes faintly stale.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 79 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joes
Thin, annoying, and weak. The nose is tart/acidic and just not happening.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 79 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$6.99 at Costco
Faint nose, a bit sour. Not horrible but disappointing. Really flat.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 79 |
|
2/13/07 |
|
$4.49 at Trader Joes
Thin and chalky. Not my fave but not horrible.
Bought it at Trader Joes and couldn't find a vintage on it?? Weird.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages
|
|
| 79 |
|
1/19/07 |
|
$8.99 at Costco
This is wilson creeks almond champagne. If you like extracts of almond in your champagne, then this is not a 79 point wine, it is 100 point wine.
But if you're not a big fan of champagne that tastes like a Bartles and James product, then I would avoid this.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, NV
|
|
| 79 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$7.99 at Bevmo
Light unintelligble nose. Sour cherry mouthfeel on an astringent finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 79 |
|
4/28/07 |
|
$6.99 at Cala/Ralphs
Mellow nose w/ some grapefruit, spice and honey.
Wet mouthfeel that is clean and lacking in flavor. Spicy but lacking in any kind of acidic balance or bite.
Finish is lacking. Shocker. Considering that sauv blancs are generally cheap to begin with, I think you could do much better for 7 dollars.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 80 |
|
2/08/07 |
|
$7.99 at Keils
Nice upfront fruit, and ok balance, but some pretty heavy stank in the start and the finish. Off in more ways then one, but not horrible. Try nose plugs.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 80 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$5.99 at Bargain Bank
Pale yellow color. Soft nose w/ a touch of minerals and citrus. Not balanced, too watery on your tongue. Needs some acid to wake this thing up. Almost zero finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 80 |
|
6/08/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Light nose that is faintly reminiscent of the forest floor pinot type thing.
Thin and tart - doesn't really do it for me. Some nice acidity, but not balanced out with tannins or that "luxurious mouthfeel". The finish is quick and gives a blip of spice, then fades quickly, or rather, instantaneously.
This wine is made Daniel and Linda Fetzer (whose blonde visage is featured on the front of the bottle) and they must be part of the Fetzer wine family?? In any case, even for 5.99 I'd give it a miss
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 80 |
|
1/24/07 |
|
$7.99 at Chinese Grocery Store
Certainly not great but palatable. "Coastal" is usually the kiss of death but for a super cheap pinot it is passable.
Some finish, but too watery in general. Some cherries/grass. Dry.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 80 |
|
1/27/07 |
|
$7.99 at Smart & Final
Tannic and more dry than i thought it would be. Astringent. Stems and seeds. Tart, hardly any berry action which is surprsing considering mass market. 80, and that is prbly generous.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 80 |
|
1/25/07 |
|
$6.99 at Smart & Final
In a word, manipulated.
So much vanilla u would think mom was making cookies. Oaked. Super smooth and overripe, and all that in an 06!?
Cinnamon, choclate, spice, plums. Supple mouthfeel, coating. Dead finish. Overripe. Lots of vanilla, some oak.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 80 |
|
4/26/07 |
|
$1.99 at Trader Joe's
Light nose of overripe cherries w/ hints of sour green apple. Extremely soft/pliable on the palate w/ faint notes of welchs grape juice and a touch of spice. Lightning quick finish.
I've been waiting to do a serious review of these "two buck chucks" for sometime and I have to say that for $1.99 (at least in California, 2.99 elsewhere) this really isn't so bad. I certainly wouldn't want to make this my house wine... even for the price it's just too boring. But for an occasional I'm-broke-and-don't-give-a-damn wine, this is well worth it.
I'm also a big believer that many of the extremely cheap wines at TJ's and other huge retailers vary bottle to bottle. So while this might have been OK, others could be a real doozy. So watch out for that first step.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 81 |
|
2/02/07 |
|
$4.99 at Bargain Bank
Cherry, tobacco, and some je ne sais quoi.... funk, old shoes kinda thing going on. Some oak, showing some age. For a cheap cab 2001 vintage, this is already getting too old. Thin mouthfeel, ok finish. A bit tart/acidic, some spice. For 4.99, acceptable. If it was 7.99, i think too much. Newer vintages better??
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2001
|
|
| 81 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Blue Danube
Pretty uninspiring. Had this by-the-glass at a cafe in Richmond district for $5 a glass.
No nose, too tart. Thin, and some finish but nothing to talk about.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 81 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$18.99 at Costco
Walnut and honey on the nose. A soft wine. Ok finish, but nothing special.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 81 |
|
12/29/06 |
|
$6.99 at Dump-Tastic Liquor Store
Give this baby a few years because it needs it, and prbly more. Have it with a steak paired w/ a lamb chop paired with some cotton to put in your mouth aftewards.
Strong, but nonetheless, if that's your thing then hit it. Fairly well balacned and nice color. Worth it if u find for cheap.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 81 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
Not my fave, despite being a cab and from an appellation w/ a good price/quality ratio, the central coast.
Anyhoo, tart, green, unripe flavors in general -- some notes of cherry.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 1999
|
|
| 81 |
|
1/12/08 |
|
Lime lime lime. Not just the acid and citrus flavors, but i swear the skin too. Pair it with a burrito and a margarita, and you could be a happy camper.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 82 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Honey/floral nose nose, smells like a Viognier. Tangy on the finish and a bit thin.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages
|
|
| 82 |
|
4/27/07 |
|
$1.99 at Trader Joe's
Grape jelly, strawberries, jolly rancher and beef jerky on the nose. More powerful nose than the Charles Shaw Merlot, and more enjoyable as well. This is not to say it's a particularly enjoyable nose, it's still light and pungent in the wrong ways.
A bit thin on the palate, spicy upfront and quickly moves on to the Welchs grape juice one dimensional cha-cha.
Better than the two buck chuck merlot, good deal for 2 dollars.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 82 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
$3.99 at Trader Joe's
Bitter figs and honey , this wine explicitly states "unwooded" (which is why I bought it) but apparently, chardonnay doesn't become an amazing wine simply w/ the removal of oak.
All in all, acceptable, but not much more. For 3.99, I think it's a good deal. But I certainly wouldn't bring this to a dinner party (without removing the price tag ;)
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 82 |
|
6/28/07 |
|
$5.99 at Bargain Bank
Tart cherries grass clippings on a nose that isn't so bad for the price. Thin and slightly tart, but still enjoyable. More bright acidity and cherry on the palate, finishes a bit astringent w/ some slightly off flavors.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 82 |
|
2/02/07 |
|
$9.89 at Smart & Final
On the nose, oak, vanilla, sweet. Some cherries, spice. Some charcoal/smoke something going on. But not too bad. Ok finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 82 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Firestone
Chewy/Jammy -- but tasted a bit old, possibly bottle had been out for too long.
Some caramel something on the finish, and a bit thin. Could have been the bottle.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 82 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$6.49 at Trader Joe's
Lemongrass and bitter grapefruit on the nose. Smooth watery astringent and some butter on the palate. Finishes like a glass of water.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
3/31/07 |
|
$4.99 at Trader Joes
Sweet, supple, oaky, vanilla. Typical one dimensional cheap merlot. On the + side, nothing horribly wrong w/ this wine, and it's cheap. Ok spicy finish, but nothing really stands out in this wine.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
Light nose, some pomegranate and cherry. Falls flat on tongue, plummy, overripe, sweet. Flash of spice on the finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
1/23/07 |
|
$5.99 at Smart & Final
Did this blind vs the Yellow tail.
Earth, cherry. Nice mouthfeel. More restrained than the yellow tail on the nose. Ok finish, at least there was some kick afterwards. Typical cheap manipulated shiraz though, wayyyy too much vanilla/oak flavors. But again smooth. More acidic/bite than the Yellow Tail which was welcome.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
4/20/07 |
|
$4.99 at Cala
Very faint nose of shortbread and tar.
On the palate, some bland fruit and relatively thin mouthfeel. But still, there's something there which isn't too bad really.
Quick finish, but some spice does linger. All in all, for a 4.99 pinot, not horrible. Wouldn't necessarily bring this to a dinner party, but for a quick swill on a Thursday evening watching LOST, it's a winner.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 83 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$10.99 at Trader Joes
Not a huge fan of the nose, a but a nice crisp mouthfeel. A bit thin.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 83 |
|
12/30/06 |
|
$8.99 at Bevmo
Nice smooth supple tannins. Some berry action but mainly dry and earthy. This is one of the most dependable wines -- concha y toro and especially the "Casillero del Diablo" line. So step.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 83 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joes
Sweet. Weak candy apple nose w/ a finish that I wish was over.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 83 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$4.99 at Trader Joe's
Light color for a syrah it would seem. Nose of vanilla cake icing + bluberries (that's the positive) ... coupled w/ some off notes of vegetables and minerals.
Soft on the tongue, relatively smooth and pleasant. A bit tannic and bitter on the finish, but all in all, i was actually impressed w/ the finish for a 5 dollar bottle; good length and surprisingly spicy.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
8/17/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Tart apple and kiwi on the nose w/ some richness in it, reminiscent of a chard. Honey. Smooth on the tongue, heavy, lanolin. Enjoyable but the finish is a little burnt.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joes
Lighter and more citrusy than the Nobilo NZ sauv blanc. Lemony, a sipper. But a bit astringent on the finish. Also, a bit effervescent on your tongue, possibly a flaw.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
4/06/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joe's
Berries and bubble gum on a relatively tame nose. This is a heavy wine. Your teeth will be deeeep red after this one.
Chewy and dense. Not the best finish, overly dry/tannic.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 83 |
|
2/19/07 |
|
$3.99 at Trader Joes
A little "grapey", i.e., tastes a bit like welches. So i guess it goes wo/ saying that it lacks harmonious balance and any structure.
That being said for 4 dollars, its drinkable. Some spice on the finish and definately better than most of the $4 swill at Traders.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 83 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$8.99 at Bevmo
Anis, cloves, and strawberry on the so-so nose. Chalky smooth mouthfeel w/ a nice spicy finish. Only downside is it's flat. (non-reserve version)
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
$10.99 at Keils
Nice spice on the nose, tart, light mouthfeel. Oak, vanilla, a little overoaked but not too bad.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 83 |
|
4/06/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joes
A weak nose and a very light mouthfeel. Nonetheless, i think they accomplished what they set out to do: make a cheap drinkable wine.
Warning! This wine tastes a bit like two buck chuck. I.e., raisin/plum on the nose, and thin yet still somewhat coating mouthfeel.
Nonetheless, an OK bang for your buck. Enjoy w/ caution.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 83 |
|
10/17/07 |
|
$7.99 at Costco
I'm not a huge fan of zins, and this wine is one of the reasons. While nothing is wrong w/ this wine, it strikes me as a bit flat, and is overbearing w/ notes of plum, ripe fruit, and general "port" style qualities. I wouldn't want to try and pair this w/ a food -- except maybe something like a rich duck dish.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$6.89 at Costco
Very light cherry, smoke, and tobacco on the nose. Nice mouthfeel, balanced. Ok dry finish -- tastes salty to me.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 84 |
|
4/19/07 |
|
$10.99 at Costco
A pretty tame nose of chocolate, berries and a whiff of chlorine. Light body, light mouthfeel, but not too bad. Ok spice on a pretty short finish. Another one dimensional wine that is OK in every way but not exciting by any stretch.
Seemed to be opening up a bit at the end. Prbly a good idea to decant for an hour if you have the patience :)
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 84 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Grapefruit and tangy .... some toasted nuts and honey overtones as well. But not so well balanced and a little astringent. Too light. Needs work.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Firestone
A bit sweet/honeysuckle on the nose, initial sip. Some butter but not over the top, almost no finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 84 |
|
4/20/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joe's
Very floral nose w/ toast, marshmallows, figs, and some lime. Lovely nose, very strong and upfront. Initial mouthfeel is thin, but thickens up a *bit* for a more smooth/silky taste. Bitter grapefruit on the finish.
Arghh... the nose on this wine was so enticing, but unfortunately, that is where the fun ended. What could've been!!
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$10.99 at Trader Joes
A little tired and plummy. But still nice integrated spice. Very easy, a quick finish. Tastes like a cheap cab, but still drinkable.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 84 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$7.99 at Bevmo
Honey yellow aged color. Floral and spicy, nice lanolin smooth mouthfeel. Finishes smooth and proper with nice length.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
8/04/07 |
|
Soft and simple, a summer sipper but could use some more depth/complexity. Overly acidic but still an enjoyable rose.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Firestone
Spice, grapefruit. Little thin, watery
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
10/26/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joe's
Pleasant spice on the tongue and a lingering finish -- but an overall flatness that could use more acidity. I have a weird nose but I swear that I get faint notes of chlorine along with some very fleeting cantaloupe.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 84 |
|
2/08/07 |
|
$15.49 at Keils
Toast, minor fruit but not a big nose. Smooooth mouthfeel, crazy smooth, supple. Nice cherry chiptole finish. Not bad but, not great
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 84 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$13.99 at Trader Joe's
Relatively subtle smokey nose. Not bad, but too much one dimesional grape jelly flavor. Thin. Olives. Not bad but hope it's cheap
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 84 |
|
5/04/07 |
|
$5.99 at Trader Joe's
Smoke, pomegranate, dried cherry and flint/steel on the nose. Watery mouthfeel yet dry and tannic enough to still give that chalky mouthfeel which is enjoyable. Very CDR (cote du rhone - is that legit?) French on the taste .... no berry, just nice dry mineral/smoke.
Very quick finish with a glimpse of spice/mustard. Very enjoyable for the price. But ... and this is a big but - i don't want to get carried away here. Considering the massive power of the Rhone varietals, this wine is definitively not showing that power. Too weak of a nose, and waaaay too weak on the palate. But all things said ... for the price, winner.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 84 |
|
5/09/07 |
|
$8.99 at Cala/Ralphs
Light nose w/ a bit of pepper and cherry - some tinge of asparagus/vegetal notes.
Sweet and vanilla on the palate. Maybe too much oak. Nice, but light and not delivering on the body or the finish.
My guess is very enjoyable for wine rookies. It's nice and straightforward and has characteristics that are simple but OK.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 85 |
|
3/12/07 |
|
$6.99 at Bargain Bank
I think this wine is the reason that the "Sideways" guy couldn't stand merlot.
It's not bad, but its a monster oaky vanilla, mouthcoating take down.
Huge plummy jammed out strawberry take down. Let it solidify and spread it on your toast.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
12/29/06 |
|
Not too bad. Better than their horrid berry-tastic zinfandel which should be labeled a dessert wine. This was a full bodied, strong, tannic and reasonably well rounded shiraz which was better than a yellowtail but worse than (most) penfolds.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
6/05/07 |
|
$11.99 at Trader Joe's
Cherry cola and vanilla nose along w/ a so-so plummy thang - some spice. Nice mouthfeel, rich and viscous. Reasonable yet short finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
2/08/07 |
|
$16.99 at Keils
Deeeeeep ruby, inky, chewy jammy. Spicy, but needs a steak w/ it or will rot your teeth off. Tannic and bold as hell.
Nice finish, **DECANT for 2 hours**, bold.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$7.99 at Bargain Bank
A very light/faint nose. Mildly spicy and nice smooth clean mouthfeel. Nice even finish. An OK pinot for 8 dollars~
Full name is "Castle Rock California Cuvee Pinot Noir" -- they also make higher end Pinots which are probably better.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joe's
Interesting nose, spicy w/ cloves/anis/curry. Jam and berries on the palate. Not that great on the finish, a bit thin/sour. Everything great except for finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$11.99 at Bevmo
Mint, eucalyptus, bubble gum, and RIPE berries on the nose. Tastes a bit like welches grape juice but OK spice on the finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$7.99 at Costco
Olives and brine on the nose. Overly sweet and one-dimensional. A drink-able wine, but nothing special
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
8/26/07 |
|
$4.99 at Trader Joe's
Stanky cherry, fish, and leather on the nose. Definitely on the funk side. Smooth, supple, and chalky on the tongue, well balanced for the price tag. Bright cherries on the mid-palate.
Finishes quickly, w/ a hint of smoke. Not worthy of a steak, but could pair nicely w/ bbq or pasta. Enjoyable for the money.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 85 |
|
11/14/07 |
|
$4.99 at Trader Joe's
Faint notes of light cherry and wood. Clean mouthfeel, light, but consistent. Lightning quick finish. Pleasant, but needs more tannins.
1/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages
|
|
| 85 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joes
Nice cab, some raisin and strawberry. On the pallete, smooth and spicy. Tastes a big stale on the negative side.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$10.99 at Trader Joe's
On the powerful nose cinammon and brown sugar w/ spicy plums. Teensy medicinal or vegetal notes on nose.
Sweet on the tongue, and big and bold as well. Pretty chewy/jammy stuff, some candy apple thing going on as well -- reminiscent of a zinfandel. Ok finish, but some tannins and bitter/astringent flavors as well.
This is a big wine, but still not the best.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 85 |
|
4/21/07 |
|
$9.99 at Trader Joe's
Burnt cedar with apples and citrus - notes of lime. Nice nose. Fizzy/tangy on the tounge, tart yet still demonstrating characterstic viognier smoothness.
Finish is long and bitter. Enjoyable wine.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 85 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joes
tart, but not ridiculous. Pugnent and Strong. Grassy. This is a huge sauv blanc, but its not really my style - 85+
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/03/07 |
|
$5.30 at Costco
Light oak/cedar nose w/ some cherry and vanilla. Tart and alive, some pleasant spice. Some cola and almost tropical flavors as well, a teensy sweet for my taste but not bad. Easy drinking inexpensive wine. Not a long finish.
This comes in a 2-pack at Costco for 10.59, so the $5.30 is just me dividing out the price for 1 bottle.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
3/04/07 |
|
$3.99 at Bargain Bank
Pretty enjoyable .... the 01 doesn't taste 6 years old. Nice jammy strawberry plum nose, decent balance and structure, maybe a bit
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2001
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$8.99 at Bevmo
Chalk, mint & cherries on the nose w/ spice and bluberries on the palate. Nice balance and finish. Still a one-dimensional wine but enjoyable.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$6.99 at Bargain Bank
Extremely pale straw color. Weak nose -- light and airy, angel food cake + honeydew w/ some grapefruit.
Tangy on the tongue, more grapefruit coming thru. Pretty quick finish, but all in all, not bad for a quickie. 86+
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
2/08/07 |
|
$2.99 at Bargain Bank
Dark fruits, spice, cloves in the nose, earth. Nice nose.
Nice balance/structure in the mouth. A tad sour on the finish.
Not too shabby for the money. We got this at a liquidator but i would pay 8 for it no prob.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 86 |
|
2/21/07 |
|
$6.99 at Cal-Mart
A pleasant unassuming wine that is perfect for a table wine. When you're in the mood for something that is pretty tame.
Not a lot going on but good for the money.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
7/29/07 |
|
$9.99 at Trader Joes
I decanted this 2.5 hours before drinking. Light nose, but bigger on the palate. Tart cherry, mineral, pepper, brine -- even some heat. Herbaceous.
I don't like bordeaux usually, i know, thats probably blasphemous. Nonetheless, this wine, if you enjoy the bordeaux style, is pretty solid for the 9.99 price tag. I don't know if this wine is sold elsewhere in the states, or anywhere, besides Trader Joe's.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$6.59 at Costco
On the nose, slightly rainsiny plums and pepper. Not a bold nose. Ok mouthfeel, but a bit lite. Could've been great had they not used 15% water and 85% real juice :)
In general, well balanced and tastes almost like a few years old (doing this blind) but prbly isn't. Spice and ripe cherries on a quick finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 86 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$19.99 at Trader Joes
Subdued nose, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate -- but just fleeting glimpses. Very weak. After a few more pours seemed to be opening up a bit, needs time/decanting? Some olives on the nose and tip of tounge.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joe's
Citrusy, apple nose. Mellow mouthfeel, nice and clean quick finish. Winner.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
5/01/07 |
|
$9.99 at Cala/Ralphs
Dried cherries, mild spice, minerals -- light nose.
Wet/light mouthfeel w/ notes of cedar that delivers a solid spicy finish. Nonetheless, don't expect a knockout with this wine.
A nice Pinot for under $12 I would say. Needs a stronger nose and some tannins to kick this up ... and then more body and structure ... and then. Yeah.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
4/21/07 |
|
$10.99 at Costco
Soft but somewhat typical Pinot Noir nose, mushrooms and wet forest, some cinnamon, strawberries and cherries. But in general, the nose is very light. Not all up in my business like I would really appreciate.
Thin yet still slightly elegant mouthfeel. Very delicate. Not necessarily a food wine ... unless your having wonder bread w/ air. Faint strawberries and jam on the palate.
Fleeting finish. If you could multiply this pinot x2, you would have a winner. But all in all, very drinkable.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Firestone
A very straightforward wine. A bit thin, water, some cherry on the nose. Not bad for a sipper, no food neccesary -- which is kinda rare for Syrahs these days.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 86 |
|
9/08/07 |
|
$14.49 at Costco
Damp moss and light cherries w/ a hint of either cork or general funk. This wine is almost 10 years and shows very smooth tannins and a delicate finish. Leaves a bit to be desired but all in all, not bad.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 1998
|
|
| 86 |
|
10/18/07 |
|
$11.99 at Costco
Chewy and rich, with big time fruit and notes of cinnamon. Viscous mouthfeel, a solid zin. But as with (all?) zins in general, i get such overwhelming ripe, sweet, and cooked overtones that I feel like i'm having a dessert wine. The finish does come through, swallow and wait - and inside of a few seconds, you do get a pretty big blast of the aforementioned spice and fruit notes.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 86 |
|
1/12/08 |
|
Cherry tobacco and some unidentified funk on the nose. Very potent for a pinot, bold and spicy. Reminiscent of a merlot or heavier wine on the finish -- there's even some palatable tannins in this.
Only prob is that it isn't very characterstic of a pinot -- but still nice wine.
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 86 |
|
6/08/08 |
|
$29.99 at Iowa Meat Farm
Rich jammy nose of blackberry and cinnamon. Cherry on the palate and a bit thin/acidic. Nice, but needs some spice or more structure.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2000
|
|
| 87 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
$8.99 at Bevmo
Pretty strawberries and smoke on the nose - faintly sweet. A bit in the CA style vs Chilean, notes of vanilla and oak. Nice finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Hall
Smooth and upfront wine w/ smoke and oak on the nose, some kick/tannins in the finish. Not hugely structured.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Hall
High acidity, almost too much. Grapefruit/spice on finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
$6.99 at Trader Joes
Straight out. A darn good deal. This is an impressive wine for 6.99.
Smooth, yet flavorful. Dense, but airy. I like it. Smoke, earth, chocolate, and dry.
On the negative side, could be a bit more structured and/or extra acidity. When it hits your mouth, there's not a bang. But nonetheless, good deal.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
4/05/07 |
|
$10.99 at Trader Joes
On the nose, asparagus, charcoal, loads of vanilla and oak. Perfectly balanced structure and mouthfeel, nice and finish and well integrated spices. On the bad side, over-oaked and too much vanilla.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Fess Parker
Some kick on the finish, and nice floral nose. Bit harsh on the finish
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joes
Herbal and Pungent. Tangy and strong, did this blind and thought it might be an NZ. Notes of green tea.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 87 |
|
4/05/07 |
|
$17.99 at Trader Joe's
I'm reluctantly re-reviewing this wine. I've now had the pleasure of tasting 3 different bottles.
I strongly believe that the first bottle i had truly was an excellent (90+) point pinot. Upon tasting the 2nd bottle, I re-read my tasting notes and have convinced myself (tho not necessarily others) that the first bottle was clearly superior.
I was so confused about this I bought a 3rd bottle later and tasted it as well ... it ranked with the 2nd bottle. So my new update on this bottle is that it's a strong lovely pinot, but not as earth shattering as i felt before.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
8/25/07 |
|
Cotton candy and pear on a lovely nose. Comfortable on the palate, finishes quick -- soft, but nice.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 87 |
|
8/10/08 |
|
Apricot, mint, and vanilla oak. Rich and has some spice -- kicks nicely. Not a typical pinot grigio, seems much more flavorful/potent. Some walnut skin.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Hall
Not that inspiring for the money, but still a solid cab. Tobacco and black fruits upfront, ok finish.
If you have the cash aim for Hall's reserve cabs, much much better.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 87 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$7.99 at Trader Joes
Smooth tannins, nice integrated fruit. Smoky. Good finish, not long but short and sweet.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 87 |
|
10/19/07 |
|
$12.99 at Costo
Nice citrus, apples and some fig on the nose. For me, perfect blend of creamy oak and still not overbearing. Very smooth mouthfeel, but the finish is burnt and a fairly harsh.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$6.99 at Trader Joes
Real nice solid easy drinking cab. Some oak and vanilla, but not overdone.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Fess Parker
Honey and floral aromas, a bit sweet on the tongue but finished light. Real nice sipper -- but no finish.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 87 |
|
11/24/08 |
|
$15.99
Bright and loud. Tangy like a man's sauv blanc!
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
8/09/07 |
|
$14.99 at Jug Shop
carmel, vanilla, eucalptyus, graphite and green pepper on a spicy and restrained nose. Chalky and well balanced on the tongue, feels like it could hold up nicely w/ rich foods. Finishes w/ some vegetal notes.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 88 |
|
1/15/08 |
|
$12.99 at Smart And Final
Sweet oak and ripe cherries and blueberries on the nose. Some cinnamon as well. Rich on the palate, but balanced w/ some nice chalky tannins -- very chocolatey. A solid wine, finishes nicely w/ some tartness and spice.
I don't know why people rant on merlot so badly, this was a beautiful wine at the right price.
Not sure if this was the reserve or not, the label was black which for Rancho Sisquoc usually means reserve i think ... ??? But it didn't say reserve on the bottle.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$4.99 at Trader Joes
Smooth and buttery, a bit chardonnay like. A nice easy going summer day sipper. Don't need any food paired with this one. Water, grassy, bamboo ... but in general more my style of a sauv blanc.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
11/19/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joe's
Rich, curranty, and relatively full bodied. Some sweet anis and pepper on the nose. Nice finish, a little tart. I like it.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
9/08/07 |
|
$13.89 at Costco
Green tea mint and notes of grapefruit and honey melon on the nose. Bold and spicy on the tongue, acidic, and a bit astringent -- but definitely has a good zing to it. Finishes green w/ some roundness/fatness on the mid-palate.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
4/16/07 |
|
On the nose, damp socks and moss w/ strawberries and molasses. Very light mouthfeel, but nonethless, voluptious - reminiscent of a buttery chardonnay.
Needs more spice and acidity on the palate, i.e., *extremely* light bodied. But then finishes strong, w/ solid spice and some brine on the final notes.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Honig Winery
Green and easy. Nice tart/acidic brightness, but lacking real nice finish. A sipper w/ a kick??
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2006
|
|
| 88 |
|
4/30/07 |
|
$6.99 at Trader Joe's
2nd review on this wine. I still love it.
Great vanilla, oak, blueberries, and smoke aromas on tight nose that invites you to take a sip.
Chalky and smooth on the palate. Nice balance and great structure. Reminds me of why I love the Chilean brands, and especially Concha y Toro.
Shell and Bull delivers again, this line is great. Ice cream and smoke, a winner all over -- especially for the price. Nice clean finish that lasts but isn't overblown. It doesn't peak at any point, just nice, solid, and clean all the way through till the lovely end.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
4/12/07 |
|
$13.99 at Costco
Deep rich curranty cinammon on the nose. Nice smokey/chalky mouthfeel. Very pleasant.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 88 |
|
6/22/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joe's
Sugary baked cherries on the nose w/ hints of cinnamon and christmas. Yes, christmas. Supple, yet acidic and w/ bite. This is another inky petite sirah that is a bit over-the-top, but if it suits your style then you will be very happy.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 88 |
|
6/02/07 |
|
$6.99 at Trader Joe's
Notes of citrus and nutmeg on a pleasant nose. Very soft and supple on the tongue, nice balanced acidity. Could use more spice. Still, a very nice pinot grigio. Finishes cleanly, with some tart apple. Highly recommended.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 88 |
|
1/31/08 |
|
$49.99 at Costco
Dusty nose of red brick, faint licorice, tart blackberries, and fresh grass clippings. Typical french acidity and a whole helluva lot of funk on the palate. Leather and sweat -- stank old Reeboks are definitaly "up in here". Nice, but hardly worth the price tag. Another example of overpriced Bordeaux. Open a bottle of CA swill, add water + vinegar + used gym shorts, and you'll be getting close to this bad boy.
Ach, still though, respectable. Nice depth and body. Drink now.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2000
|
|
| 88 |
|
3/14/07 |
|
$10.99 at Bargain Bank
Amazing smooth mouthfeel. Really nice well balacned spicy wine w/ nice body and length.
I really like it.
The zin adds that freak show berry action in at the end and it adds a lot to the experience. Not a big nose but still, highly rec'd.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 88 |
|
3/16/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joes
Bold and spicy as hell. This says merlot, but it tastes like 75% zin + 25% syrah. On the negative side, a bit sweet, just like some zins.
This was rec'd by our local Trader Joes guy ... he is a champion ... unlike most Trader Joes wine guys, this one knows something.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 89 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$11.99 at Trader Joes
Nice cherry and smoky mint upfront ... some spicy chipotle thing going on w/ the finish. Raisin and Plum. Very enjoyable.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 89 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Honig Winery
In my humble opinion, over-oaked. Tasted like 100% new barrels but we asked, and it is only 50% new barrels.
Vanilla, good balance, limited structure. Nice plum and deep black fruits on the finish.
Sounds horrible, but it reminded me of Yellow Tail shiraz in many ways.
This wine is very much a personal preference, it could score anywhere from 86-92 depending on what you like.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 89 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Fess Parker
Deeeep ruby color ink blotting kinda stuff. Vanilla, smoke, spice on the noise. Dense.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 89 |
|
3/30/07 |
|
$8.99 at Trader Joes
Cherry, tobacco. Lush and fantastic ... nice spicy finish, not too small, not too big, just right
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 89 |
|
8/09/07 |
|
$28.99 at William Cross
Smoke and pepper on a strong nose. Wet, juicy, and smooth on the tongue -- green peppers and spice on the finish. Solid and well structured.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 89 |
|
7/26/07 |
|
$19.99 at Bevmo
Pungent nose, damp moss, coupled w/ dried extracted cherry and brick. Powerful on the palate, this would pair nicely w/ heavy food. Finishes long and proper, give this wine some time in the decanter if you have the patience.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 89 |
|
6/08/08 |
|
$23.99 at Iowa Meat Farm
Medium body with notes of minerals and earth. Not much finish -- "front loaded". Some licorice as well.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 89 |
|
8/16/07 |
|
Lovely strawberry and pepper tingle the tongue. Tasted this at a $15/bottle or less tasting party, and it struck me as a great deal if you get it for anything under 20.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 89 |
|
4/05/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joe's
Oaky, vanilla, plummy nose. A bit raisiny, but nice spice. Tastes old but probably isn't. Nice and supple but not overly smooth, good length. A definitive CA cab.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2004
|
|
| 89 |
|
12/23/06 |
|
$22.00 at Kendal Jackson Winery
Good balance, full, and for the price, a great Sonoma Pinot.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2001
|
|
| 90 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Sawyer Cellars
Big finish, strong solid effort. For an 02, pretty soft. But nice solid finish.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 90 |
|
5/23/08 |
|
Pepper and olives w/ notes of cedar. Viscous vanilla on the palate w/ a powerful spicy finish. Well balanced, earthy and mineral, not a fruit bomb. Dense and concentrated out of the bottle -- would probably go well with food, or could use some decanting time. Heavy stuff, but tasty.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 90 |
|
9/18/07 |
|
Light nose of soft strawberries and minerales. Dry, and not much fruit, a hint of smoke. Great mouthfeel, and def still has some tannins a kickin. Have w/ a hearty food, very drying. Peppery!
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2000
|
|
| 90 |
|
2/11/07 |
|
Fess Parker
Mushrooms and damp earth on nose. Great spicy finish and lengthy. Great example of the Pinot varietal. Thoroughly enjoyed.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 90 |
|
6/15/07 |
|
$14.99 at Trader Joe's
A lovely wine that I have no experience with, but I'm going to change that, and soon.
This wine rocks. Rose petals and raisin on the nose, but the power of this wine doesn't come thru until you unleash it on your tongue. Bam, huge spice and roundness on the palate that tosses and turns..... then melts away.
There's some background on this wine that I won't bother you with, google "Amarone" if you're interested. Enough to say that the harvest/fermentation process of this wine is not typical and obviously creates remarkable wine.
This wine was decanted for 2 hours before drinking.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 90 |
|
3/23/07 |
|
$19.99 at Trader Joes
Love it. Overall fave of the 3/22/07 tasting. Nice nose, perfect sipper.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 90 |
|
2/10/07 |
|
$17.99 at Trader Joes
Bold, spicy, and an in-your-face style Pinot. Lovely aromas of strawberry, pepper, cloves...
Structured, acidic and balanced tannic mouthfeel, although a bit tart. Some cherries and blueberries on the mid-palate.
Quite a finish, don't wait for it to end because it won't.
Would pair well w/ heavy meats, aka this is not your grandma's pinot. This was the 05 so could prbly benefit from an hour in the decanter.
Our local Trader Joe's salesmen rec'd this, and for a $19 pinot, this was pretty damn good.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 90 |
|
11/28/07 |
|
K&L Wine
Rich, grapey nose with notes of candy, tobacco, menthol, and chocolate. Huge spice and young tannins on the palate -- beautiful, but very restrained. Don't drink this wine yet, it needs 5 more years minimum.
I'm a California boy, and have a hard time nailing down the finer notes of french bordeaux. Beef jerky, tobacco, and smoke hit you on a thin mouthfeel. The finish is long, with hints of spice and olives. I like this wine, but, like all french wine, it needs density. Nonetheless, it has a lengthy, peppery finish and is very enjoyable.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2000
|
|
| 90 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Sawyer Cellars
Restrained, vanilla and well balanced. Could use a bit more punch/structure but a nice sauv blanc.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 90 |
|
7/26/07 |
|
$19.99 at Trader Joe's
Cloves, anise, strawberry/cherry, a lovely nose. Soft/supple mouthfeel but finishes extremely astringent w/ charcoal flavors. This is a quality pinot but i'm not a huge fan of the finish.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2001
|
|
| 91 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Hall
A real winner. This was my overall tasting fave of the trip. Hall has two reserve cabs, this is their "tamer" of the two, the 2nd is a monster cab that needs a bit more time.
But this, Kathryn Hall Cab, is ready now and is fantastic. Solid, integrated tannins, smooth yet very well structured. Stand up performance, give it a swirl.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 91 |
|
9/18/07 |
|
Needs more time. But still, very nice (say it like Borat). Very smooth on the palate, lovely silk and chalk combo. Big flavors, but really still tight, decant or age.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 91 |
|
2/26/07 |
|
Sawyer Cellars
Chocolate, smooth tannins. Supple mouthfeel, again, could stand for little extra spice/kick/punch on your tongue, but a very drinkable cab now.
0/0 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
| 91 |
|
11/10/08 |
|
$18.99 at Timeless Wines
Lightweight but enough density that you could still pair it w/ red meats, heavier sauces, etc. Very nice. Finishes strong, w/ spicy notes of currants and cinnamon.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 92 |
|
9/18/07 |
|
$19.99 at Trader Joes
Lovely aromas of lavender and berry. Great smoky silky structured feel on the tongue that goes great -- just by itself. Strong and tannic, but tamed. Open now. Very enjoyable -
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 92 |
|
4/23/07 |
|
$12.99 at Trader Joe's
These tasting notes are for the *Reserve Stagecoach* Stonehedge Cab which was available at Traders for 12.99 in San Francisco as of this writing.
Amazingly rich nose of jam and figs, cinnamon and chocolate, nutmeg and cloves and just general yumminess.
A wonderful, soft and smooth mouthfeel that hits every part of your palate but doesn't try and rock your world the way some reserve cabs tend to. Elegant and clean, this wine finishes relatively quickly but still leaves you satisfied.
We decanted this for an hour b4 serving, and I bet it would've gotten even nicer after another hour.
I'm not gonna beat around the bush here .... this wine is a fricking insane deal. How trader joes managed to sell this for 12.99 is beyond me, but if you're not looking for your keys and hauling to TJ's right now, you very well could be out of your mind.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2003
|
|
| 93 |
|
10/19/07 |
|
$14.99 at Costco
As tired as this sounds .... on the nose, grapefruit and cut grass -- the only thing i can think of original is some aromas of wet bark. The nose is typical sauv blanc, not overwhelming, but extremely characterstic.
Wow, on the palate, perfect balance. Personally, I grow weary of New Zealand sauv blancs which can be extremely astringent on the tongue, as in, too much acid -- but this CA version hits the exact balance of smooth finesse with biting tones of acid that mesh very nicely.
A wonderful sauv blanc, one that could pair well with food or stand on its own. Finish is long and again, seamless with other noted flavors. A cab sauv that displayed such perfect varietal pedigree would often cost well over $40; it's lovely that at least for the white varietals you can find high quality at this price range.
1/1 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 93 |
|
3/30/08 |
|
Big meaty flavors and nose -- bacon cheeseburger as our friend Thea pointed out. Great balance and length -- not a fruit bomb -- solid all the way through. Highly enjoyable
2/2 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 94 |
|
9/30/07 |
|
Had this wine on a lazy late summer evening with a special friend, the last day of a long trip. Enjoyed with crab legs, mushroom risotto, and a caesar salad. Drawn garlic butter accompanied the crab. This chardonnay paired perfectly w/ the rich crab and really made a lasting impression. I'm now a lifelong fan of Rombauer.
Huge notes of butter and honey with wonderfully balanced floral notes -- you feel like a bee diligently working a crop of spring flowers. The mouthfeel is viscous lanolin and mineral dry notes. A wine I am unlikely to forget.
3/3 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2005
|
|
| 94 |
|
5/03/08 |
|
Excellent. Started off herbaceous w/ notes of eucalyptus and menthol. After being open for an hour, showed more fruit/sugar notes which balanced it out. Throughout its tenure displayed licorice and tar flavors over a dense and structured body. Color reminiscent of a huge cabernet. Great length on the finish -- a highly enjoyable wine.
A friends mother who resides in Santa Barbara shared this with us. It's really difficult to procur this wine as Foxen now has quite a following. I only found 3 wines available on my last Vinquire search for this wine. Sea Smoke em if you got em ;)
3/3 users found this review helpful.
Read other reviews | Find where to buy: All Vintages, 2002
|
|
