AJ Gubser

9.1

Cranberry, violet, under ripe strawberry, sour cherry, earth, black pepper, and bell pepper. Lots of crunchy, juicy acidity and well integrated tannin. Not as ripe and black cherried as I remember the last vintage I had, but still delicious and a great value. This is a wine I will continue to look out for to have on hand. — 2 days ago

AJ Gubser

8.4

Peach, melon, maybe some strawberry. Pretty sweet and ripe on the palate. A bit too sweet for me. Would like more acidity. Nice fruit though. — 12 days ago

AJ Gubser

9.1

Nose of violets, green bell pepper, black pepper, red onion. Palate of red flowers, tomato, spice, black tea. Acidity and tannin are medium. Tannin is fine and very well integrated especially given its youth. Very supple and silky texture. — 14 days ago

AJ Gubser

8.6

Nice nose. Vanilla bean, candied cherry, toast, cinnamon.

Palate is a lot of the same: vanilla, toffee, toast, cinnamon. Pretty good length. Alcohol is a bit rough and spikey.

Classic bourbon with good length. A bit rough around the edges. Would probably be best on ice or with cola. — 17 days ago

AJ Gubser

9.1

Nose of wood smoke, green olive, prickly pear cactus.

Palate of smoke, pear, black pepper, and a briney/olive component.

When I first opened it, it had a distinct burning plastic/rubber component. As it got some O2, the aroma and flavor settled into more of the campfire range with some spicy, briney notes. A lot of flavor for a non wood aged liquor. — 5 days ago

AJ Gubser

8.9

Nose of black cherry, licorice, prune, chocolate, vanilla, sweet oak (reminiscent of Cracker Jacks).

Ripe plums, ripe black cherry, licorice, kirsch, oak. Acidity is med-, tannin med+. Sweet oak notes linger.

Interesting wine texturaly. Tannins are there, bit they're ripe and sweet and don't lend too much astringency. Pretty silky. Straddling that line between ripe and jammy. Good stuff, especially if you're craving a dark fruited steak wine that is fleshy but not over the top. — 13 days ago

AJ Gubser

9.0

Dried violet, candied cherry, potpurri, and a touch of black pepper. Really pretty nose.

Slightly stewed red fruit (strawberry, cherry) with some black pepper, basil, and black tea. Medium acidity keeps it fresh with soft fine tannins. Very smooth and silky mouthfeel.

A little riper than I remember last year's vintage, but still delicious with nice acidity and good length. Dangerously drinkable and great to have a high quality red like this out of a can. — 17 days ago

AJ Gubser

8.8

Nose of cherry, currant, iron, and some distant oak and black pepper.

Bright and red fruited on the palate: sour cherry, currant, with a touch of creamy oak and spice. Medium to med+ acidity and med to med-, soft tannin.

Nice, elegant, more old school Rioja. On the simple side, but good balance and excellent value. — 8 days ago

AJ Gubser

8.6

Once the stinky, reduced notes wore off it was pretty pleasant: fresh violets, grape candy, and ripe plum.

Much of the same notes of the nose transition to the palate. Medium tannin with a finish that is slightly candied.

Not a bad wine if you're in the mood for something a bit more on the ripe/candied side that isn't too complex. Needed plenty of O2 though. Was best on day 3. — 10 days ago

AJ Gubser

9.1

Minerals/flint, beeswax, lime. Racy and high acid on the palate with some white flower notes, limey acidity and mineral driven finish. Delicious stuff. — 14 days ago