ESF

9.1

What’s not to like about this BDX blend from WA! Not overdone or overextracted (oak definitely there but integrated) but very generous aromatics & flavors on palate. Red & black fruit, warm spice, distinct cassis, minerality & earthiness like loam & soil goodness. Sturdy tannins, bit hi ABV - sometimes lumbering, but a really impressive & persistent finish. Bump for QPR — 18 hours ago

ESF

9.3

Opened up a few ho-hum bottles and really wanted something that popped and would complement my smoked ribs: this did the trick, see previous note. So dense so generous so polished - just textbook Zin — 9 days ago

ESF

9.2

Solid - inky, incredible depth of flavor, all black fruit: cherry, blackberry, plums, vanilla, cocoa, baking spices, velvety on palate, paired beautifully w/prime rib - many more years left — a month ago

ESF

9.0

Last had the 2018 vintage, this was typical of Right Bank Merlot: classic black fruit w/pleasant herbal undertones, some licorice. Precisely balanced & generous, enough tannins to pair w/ribeye. There is some good value in Friuli reds — 3 days ago

ESF

8.8

See my note on precious vintage: drinks better as aperitif than trying to pair as Kabinett style. Drink cellar temp — 9 days ago

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9.2

See note from 2016 - kick ass Zin — 23 days ago

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8.6

Well intended gift, but Paso fruit is just different - step above Lodi but can’t hang w/No Cal — a month ago

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9.0

Last had the 2020, this was a notch lower but still represents great QPR. Might just need some time in bottle to resolve — 4 days ago

ESF

9.2

See note from 2015 - this had more pronounced citrus & white flowers on the nose, still oily & viscous, some herbal on palate, citrus pith, tropical fruit, vaguely Condrieu-esque, fascinating wine, lovely expression of Chenin. Has stuffing for another 5 yrs. Sec Tendre — 7 days ago

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9.3

I’m not quite as effusive as @Lyle Fass but this was indeed gorgeous - step above their straight Spatburgunder w/tons of personality. I was really taken w/perfumed nose and earth driven elements. Yeah there’s gobs of decadent cherry, raspberry & strawberry, but the brambly herbal spice elements are downright sexy. It’s all about complexity & generosity not to mention balance & elegance. — 24 days ago