Predominately red fruited, with some citrus peel and rock notes. A easy-going Pinot at this stage. Not as much of a loosey-goosey experience as last year's sample, but definitely lacks some of the…
This poor little gawky ogre is still in a bit of a tug-of-war mode with its vanilla-glycol-alcohol versus grilled pineapple-lemon flavors all competing for center stage in Thunderdome. More of a…
Almost a year since my last note, with the Eastside coming along quite nicely. More fruit and unctuous flavor expansion this go-around. However, some if the typical Aubert glycol peeking through and…
Refer to previous notes. Continue to hold, though this is offering gorgeous and pure yellow citrus fruit flavors, with an exquisite balance and a near-flawless glide. Worth keeping in the cellar for…
Same as before. I know others think time in bottle will help this wine, and I hope they are correct. For me, I'm not confident time in bottle will help. It stands to smooth out a bit and shake off…
Light and a little tart on first PnP. With air, it completely woke up. Alluring notes of grass, yellow citrus, honeydew, quince, hints of pumice, and slightest tinge of alkaline, but then a beautiful…
A noteworthy "restaurant" Chardonnay at La Bicyclette in Carmel. Carries an agreeable smoothness that houses the ripe fruit in a smooth but firm scaffolding. A balanced non-astringent acid frame…
Currently angular and slightly abrasive, this iteration of UV-SL offers yellow citrus and alcohol, with some imitation vanilla extract and popcorn notes. Missing texture and seamlessness. A tad empty…
Similar to all of my other notes. Needed an hour or so to start delivering a less manipulated and confectioned advancement of flavors. Lemon meringue and curd, vanilla, and mojito dominated the…
A definite contrast from the Magnum I had of this a year ago. This bottle was (as others have noted) somewhat muted in the fruit department. In fact, the fruit seemed somewhat progressed and…
Same as my previous notes on this wine, except that this was a tad boozy on the initial pull. Luckily, with some air in the glass, the alcohol dissipated quickly, revealing its fun and fascinating…
Similar to before, except that this was exceptionally cloudy in hue and delivered a much cooler attack than I remembered from a few months ago. It was interesting and unique, but it certainly made…
Black and red cherry, muddled overripe strawberry, pomegranate juice, peat smoke, tobacco leaf, sea foam, and hints of citrus rind. Nicely focused, with a cut that is deliberate but somewhat subtle…
This bottle seemed to have an angular delivery and showed a more progressed profile in terms of a bronzed/oxidized finish that was omnipresent. It was drinkable, but the lamp oil aftertaste and added…
Same as last month. Great body and mid-palate weight/depth, notable complexity, and gorgeous lime and grass flavors to compliment the yellow citrus core. Even better with air.
Ultra-ripe blackberry, boysenberry, huckleberry, black cherry, cinnamon stick, wet mulch, and huge blasts of alcohol. Even after 3+ hours of decanting and trying to cool this way down…
Eeeeeesh.... This was unfortunately a little tough for me to get on board with in its current state; not the most inviting or expressive... or complex example of the varietal or the site. I'm not…
Tight and linear on initial PnP, but quickly opens up to reveal dark kirsch, cassis, purple plum, pulverized granite, and a touch of garrigue and camphor. This stayed pretty locked and loaded…
Fresh squeezed lemon juice, yellow pear skin, vanilla, and some glycol-alcohol on the finish. More powerful and a bit more abrasive than the Frei Chardonnay at this stage. Good flavors, but rattles…
About an hour of direct air allowed this wine to shake off some of the heavier coconut pie crust and vanilla flavors from its coat, allowing the lemon curd and pear notes to take center stage. Some…
Boy did this perform like a champ! A similar and familiar flavor profile to when I had this last summer, but with even more fascinating flavors prairie-doggin' all over the place on the palate. Black…
Red berry, cherry, cranberry, and some earthy spice lurking on the periphery. More red-fruited, with a depth and richness dropping on the mid-palate with notable intensity, but still light on its…
