Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

5,921 notes

2013

Bevan Cellars Syrah Moaveni Vineyard

Sonoma County · Bennett Valley

PnP with notes of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, black licorice, bitter chocolate, smoke, black olive, asphalt, and granite. A little tight, but with no harsh edges whatsoever.

Reviewed 21 January 2016
2009

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

A short decant gave way to notes of rich black cherry, raspberry, RC cola, clove, cinnamon, and evergreen. A nice array of tiered flavors, with the berry/fruit notes softening over two hours with air.

Reviewed 20 January 2016
2012

Pruett Vineyards Syrah Championship Cuvee

California · Sierra Foothills

PnP with dark blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, red licorice, and granite dust. Coming off a little overly fruity this time around after the initial popping of the cork. With more time in the…

Reviewed 18 January 2016
2011

Donum Pinot Noir Reserve Russian River Valley

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

PnP with notes of black cherry, currant, ripe cranberry, raspberry, baking spices, clove, forest floor, and faint wet cedar.

Reviewed 16 January 2016
2012

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Similar to my CT notes from August and December, except that this time I decanted this wine for approximately two hours. On PnP, this was extremely tight, with alcohol racing over the palate and…

Reviewed 16 January 2016
2012

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Demigods & Demons

Sonoma County · Green Valley of Russian River Valley

PnP with bold notes of red and purple berry fruit, blueberry, ripe black cherry and raspberry, baking spices, vanilla bean, and pie crust. A rich and luscious Pinot crafted in typical Russell Bevan…

Reviewed 15 January 2016
2012

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Napa Valley · Stags Leap District

Exact same notes as 09/18/2015. PnP and it drinks well right out of the chute. A little heavy on the plum (just a touch grapey after a couple of hours). A short-term drinker for sure. A good Thursday…

Reviewed 14 January 2016
2012

Realm Cellars The Tempest

California · Napa Valley

PnP right into the glass with little time for air. Nose of chocolate, warm raspberry reduction, and alcohol. Tightly clenching on the palate with flavors of mocha, raspberry liqueur, blueberry,…

Reviewed 13 January 2016
2010

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

California · Napa Valley

Similar to my previous CT notes on this wine. A 2008 Carter Coliseum Block inched its way ahead of this when served alongside the Forman. However, my other half preferred the Forman over the Carter;…

Reviewed 9 January 2016
2008

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

California · Napa Valley

Same as my notes on this wine a few months ago. I experienced this go-around as a little more on the fruitier side of the spectrum. An easy drinker and a crowd pleaser at dinner; paired with a…

Reviewed 9 January 2016
2012

Sarocka Antra

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

Similar to my previous CT notes on this wine. The ripe red plum flavors (though tasty) really dominate and distract a bit from the other flavors. An ok wine, just not a great wine. At the end of the…

Reviewed 9 January 2016
2012

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Napa Valley · St. Helena

Pnp with a nose of ripe berry fruit, vanilla, and alcohol. On the palate, a chalky grip (not unpleasant) initially surrounded flavors of sweet blackberry, thick, reduced blueberry sauce (like the…

Reviewed 8 January 2016
2012

Keplinger Sumo

Sierra Foothills · Amador County

A vibrant magenta color, with a bit of a muted nose; some alcohol on the first whiff, with not much fruit/berry aromas detected.

Reviewed 7 January 2016
2013

Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet and Immigrant, which both blew this Zinfandel out of the water.

Reviewed 7 January 2016
2013

Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet and the Zinfandel.

Reviewed 7 January 2016
2013

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Immigrant and Zinfandel.

Reviewed 7 January 2016
2008

Château Le Thil Comte Clary

Graves · Pessac-Léognan

Simple, flat, and extremely dry. Very little depth of flavor to speak of. Some muted blackberry, black licorice, and loam; a very strong cedar element engulfed the rest of the wine and, with some…

Reviewed 6 January 2016
2013

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Rita's Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills

Central Coast · Sta. Rita Hills

I certainly empathize with those who find this Pinot to be too rich and sweet for their palates. The initial PnP was certainly the most "extracted" experience I have ever had with a Bevan Pinot in my…

Reviewed 5 January 2016
2010

Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard

Columbia Valley · Walla Walla Valley

PnP with notes of pink Himalayan salt, brine, hot brick/terra-cotta, woodsmoke, river rock, red and black cherry, sanguine, and white pepper.

Reviewed 3 January 2016
2009

Brian Benson Cellars S & M

Central Coast · Paso Robles

This has taken a total turn for the worse over the last six months. As noted on 11/02/2015 in my last CT entry on this wine, notes of stewed plum and black cherry, bologna, teriyaki sauce, saline,…

Reviewed 1 January 2016
2011

Frank Family Vineyards Brut Rosé Sparkling

California · Napa Valley

A fun wine, pairing nicely with some rich, cheesy appetizers. Notes of blood orange, cranberry-apple crisp, dried apricot, flint, and talc. The finish was exceptionally dry and a little distracting,…

Reviewed 1 January 2016