Tom Ellis

8.5

Closed strawberry and lemon upon opening, kinda like an adult sour patch without the sugar. Good medium acidity, off-dry. Glycerin legs are small and fall quickly. Pleasant porch-sipping/book clubbing wine for those that would like to move up from some of the ghastly rose' that seem to be flooding this fad-driven market. Decant or let breath and warm to 60f. Footnote: $1.99 @ GO 9/10/11. Couldn't resist picking up 3 bottles of a previously $20+ wine. Could always cook with it, ya? — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

7.0

Starts with lemony-citrus, then bread crust. Past it's prime, if it had one — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

8.0

Lychee fruit, citrus sugar-bomb. Young, and certain to be a hit for hot-tubbing and summer porch-lounging. Sugar lingers in the throat- not unlike drinking a highly-sugared Mt. Dew. Entry-level: should be fun for those that are newly exploring the wine world. If you like this, be sure to try other Muscats from other producers. It's not a well-known variety of grape in the states. Well-crafted versions are still a bargain- even super-concentrated late harvests are a bargain. A good intro into the late harvest wines. Suggested vertical shift: Late harvest rieslings from Washington, Idaho, Germany or the Finger Lakes region. Sauternes are amazing as well, and can be cellared for your grandkids to enjoy. With so many great Moscatos available- I rate this an 8. I hear it's super cheap at GO, like $3. With the amount of sugar in this wine, and the cost- you might be able to lay down a couple bottles, if only to see if it may oxidize and develop a little complexity. 😆 Just joking; drink up — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

8.0

2 nights testing w/1 bottle. Thought it might open up. Blackberry, plum and a hint of blueberries. The "lively" acid that was advertised seems to be a little tired for a 2014 vintage; even a little disjointed. Probably good with pasta, or in the sauce itself with some average balsamic vinegar as a de-glazer for your pan. Not a classic Eastern Wa. wine in the state of condition I received- entry level at best. Not a lot of backbone, but the price was good. Again, decent for entry-level red wine drinkers that wish for a "baseline" by which to judge other wines by. I do appreciate the effort by the winemakers- it's difficult to create a following in today's market: do I create a wine meant to be laid down for years, or do I create a product the masses of less-discerning consumers can drink immediately upon release? This is a classic case of a 4-year old wine that is past its prime. Hopefully, this winery can create both, if they possess the resources. The wine: average. The winery potential: very good. — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

8.2

Had this a month ago. Very tropical citrus, intense. Well-made for what it is. A real porch and spa specialty- a lot of folks will get a real kick out of this. Not altogether sure what grape varieties used, but I'd guess Riesling (maybe) Muscat, Pinot Gris and possibly Chenin Blanc. Stainless or concrete fermentation, ended early to create a lower alcohol/higher residual sugar content. All guessing of course. (Please correct me!) Would love to see this outfit attempt a bubbly. — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

9.7

1998 visit to Blackwood Canyon.
Met Michael Moore, became good friends. Absolutely blew my socks off with every offering he had- decanted wines and tank samples till 2 am! Talked regularly for the next few years: came close to partnering with him on several ventures(which included almost buying a neighboring vineyard, and an exotic/gourmet food company)
Michael's winemaking vision made him many friends (consumers),and enemies (other local winemakers). His philosophy: to make the wines of Pre-WW2 France with the grapes of Red Mountain. If you are fortunate enough to find any- they were meant to be laid down for the next 40-60 years. All of them. My only regret: not buying more when he was still with us. RIP Michael- we miss you — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

8.9

Last 2 forgotten bottles of a case acquired in '92. Quite powerful initially, fades fast. — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

7.0

Almost-ripe strawberry notes, ethylene and slightly oxidized bacon fat tinged with sour forest floor and out-dated diet gummy worms. Not going to say I disliked it altogether, although I couldn't recommend it either. Drink immediately, or use for cooking and unwanted guests. Definitely past it's opportunity to impress, if it ever did — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

9.7

No tasting notes necessary. Almost unreal flavor, textures capable of restructuring your brain cells. This wine almost ruined me by raising the bar impossibly high for everything else that followed. Now regretting I sold my double magnum of '70 in 1997. "Dark chocolate-covered berries, fresh moss, leathery clay bound in a sensory rush that lingers all evening". This is what separates the classics from so many wines; One thinks of it and can taste it for the rest of your life. — 6 years ago

Tom Ellis

8.5

Very nice later-harvest Riesling from the Mosel region. Tropical fruits, lemon zest with minerals and slight honeyed residual sweetness. Youthful product- drink till 2025 — 6 years ago