Mark Johnson

8.9

Definitely drink now. Lots of sediment in the bottle.

Not as spectacular as I was hoping for but still a solid showing. Might be due to mediocre storage since purchase.

On the nose: artificial pine, leather, and roasted (grilled? I've never had them...) Cherries. Very dark on the palate though velvety tongue. A needy mouthfeel. Ever so eager to drain you and leave you wanting. — 7 years ago

Mark Johnson

9.7

Incredible wine, sadly drunk probably years before it's peak. But the young Cabernet shows evidence of phenomenal aging. On the nose, strong perfumed scents of cherry, sundried tomatoes, and almond. The taste is fantastic, a warm velvety caramel with dark, dark fruit - every sip yields a different experience. — 8 years ago

Mark Johnson

9.1

Surprisingly good for Trader Joe's at this price point. Intense raspberry gives way to a powerfully spicy finish. Gets better after having been opened for >30 minutes. — 10 years ago

Mark Johnson

9.4

Just a fabulously complex Pinot with strong fruit softened by layer upon later. Nose suggests strawberries, almonds and a hint of California eucalyptus in the wind. Strong dark fruit with a long lingering finish. Just grab a glass and listen some classic rock and see what you taste. I wish every pinot were this complex. — 7 years ago

Mark Johnson

8.4

A Rhône blend of Grenache and Syrah. Super easy drinking, fairly good value considering the price. I imagine this as a house red served in a carafe in southern France and might even be the base of their fabulous coq au vin. Nose is funkier than the wine itself, which has a bit of (sour) dark fruit but sadly a lack of structure. — 8 years ago

Mark Johnson

9.2

Shows incredible restraint on fruitiness. Despite a nose of blueberry pie, stewed peaches and a hint of honey, the wine is bold and masculine when it hits your palate. The flavor is almost smoky. My first thought was "monochrome" but not in a unidimensional way, more like a perfectly composed black and white photo. No one does a Zin quite like Wilson. I <3 them. — 10 years ago

Mark Johnson

8.7

Nose a bomb of blackberry subdued by pine forest floor on a wet Fall day. With some acrid overtones. In the mouth, I get a significant amount of old... perhaps grandma’s trunk. When first opened tasted much stronger; after 20 Minutes, lost its fruity luster. Still yummy though. — 8 years ago

Mark Johnson

9.3

Beautifully acrid nose with lots of metal. A bit of ripe fruit. The minerals shine though in the wine, strong acidity that supports the flavor. A bigger, dryer Pinot. — 8 years ago

Mark Johnson

7.7

$19.95 seems a bit expensive for this. When first opened was so tight it was a bit offensive (my friend asked "what is that horrible flavor). I decanted it and it lost whatever that was, but now just drinks kinda boringly. Château-funk on the nose overpowers anything else. I get a bit of raspberry tart and leather, but there is that funk again. I can see structure attempting to emerge, but #fail — 9 years ago

Mark Johnson

6.8

Should be called Bleck Mountain Cab. Scarcely drinkable. Impotent nose. Sour flavor with notes of wet cardboard and an indescribably flabby finish. Will have trouble consuming this bottle. — 10 years ago