Sara C

8.5

Open an hour or more before drinking to enjoy the distinctive features of this wine. I like it a lot, but it may not be a crowd pleaser or easy to pair with food. Aromas of elderberry, black tea, alfalfa. On the palate: sour cherry, sundried tomato, kalamata olives, carrot, saline. Medium weight, acid, tannin. Medium finish. Color of pomegranate seed, red delicious apple. — 7 years ago

Sara C

9.0

Lagrein, to me, is one of the most underrated/unrecognized grapes. Anytime I find it available, I snatch it up, no matter the vintage, and it has yet to disappoint. This bottle is good value. While young, the wine is well rounded in acidity, with ripe-ish tannins, while striking the balance between sweet and tart. It is fairly light in weight, off-dry, with a satin texture, and decent finish with just the right amount of bitterness. On the nose it is black cherry, red roses, anise, cardamom, and a hint of paprika. On the palate it is fruity: blood orange and cranberry. I also get rye toast with good European butter...it’s a mountain lake in autumn. Dark, smoky red in color. — 7 years ago

Sara C

7.0

Decant; a lot. Not ready to drink. Wait a few years. In the meantime, this wine is big and earthy. High alcohol. Grippy tannins. Medium-high acidity. Nose: tart, coffee, garlic, hint of chili spice, pepper, barnyard, hint of vanilla. Palate: tart, gamey, leather, bittersweet chocolate. Ironically short and chalky finish. Lots of sediment as expected. Overall, in its present state, this wine is kind of...unrepentant. It stubbornly wants to go back into the bottle for a while yet. It is reminiscent of a kid who wants to play outdoors, but, instead, is forced to learn how to play the high notes on a violin in a small windowless room. It’s color is that of the stone andalusite. — 7 years ago

Sara C

8.0

Garnet hued. Structured (definite edges). Dry. A bit tight or young, Low-to-medium acid and alcohol. Palate/taste: crabapple, slightly sour, copper, onion. Nose/aroma: roses, fennel, some herbs esp. basil, potting, soil, milk chocolate, hints of peppercorn and balsamic vinegar. Reminds me of men on the march (military parade) for some reason. — 7 years ago

Sara C

9.5

Love it! The go-to burgundy that gets compliments from everyone who sips it. Moreover, it’s a great value. It’s not coincidence that this bottle is becoming widely available. The 2015 vintage is *amazing*, and the 2016 follows closely on its heels. Nose: blackberry, basil, sunshine. Palate: blue fruit, perfectly ripe, balsamic reduction, sweet herbs. Nonetheless tart. Silky mouthfeel. Low acid, low-medium tannin. Nice persistence on finish. Garnet in color. — 7 years ago

Sara C

8.5

Nice burgundy with some surprising traits for its vintage. The nose: apple, strawberry, straw, turmeric, bay leaves, and hints of thyme and onion. Palate: alas my notes are lacking here but I recall nice red fruit. Well balanced. Medium acid, medium tannin, medium finish. Dry. It betrays its youth more than other burgundies of the 2015 vintage (perhaps decant?). The texture is salt water. Not sweet, but deliciously tart in an agreeable way. — 7 years ago