Shay A

9.3

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

I won't ramble on here as I've reviewed a few vintages of this wine (spoiler alert, I love it), but I'll reinforce how nice it is to drink rose that is made with intention and not afterthought.

This vintage is around 50% syrah, with the balance a split between grenache and mourvedre (the dominant grape can change across vintages). I chose this vintage as the following three reds were all different expressions of syrah, so I figured a rose of syrah would be a good lead up.

Nearing pinot color with how intense the ruby red is in the glass, big aromatics of herbs (light stem/whole cluster), cranberry, blackberry, rose water, even some dark potpurri. On the palate it is a textural experience with mid-weight but full-on flavor (spiced blackberries, peppered rhubarb, mixed berry compote). Spice and heat linger toward the finish with fresh acidity and tannin. Not a rose for the faint of heart, but a total flavor-bomb for those who love the style. — 4 months ago

David Kline

9.6

Lovely Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, hitting its peak with dried cherry nose, raspberry, roast beef, grilled pork, rose petal, roobios, graphite, dried blueberries. Rich mouthfeel showing cola nut, espresso, fruit and barrel tannic underpinnings, aforementioned roobios, lavender and roses, raisins, figs, dates, clove, peppercorn and cinnamon perfectly portioned in an intense wash of raspberry, smoky, bitter savory, nettle and an anise afterthought. Incredible wine from a serious house that always delivers their intense manifestations with grace and finesse. Rich in every sense.


#keller #kellerestate #kellerestateprecioso #precioso #preciosopinotnoir #pinotnoir #pinot #pn #2013 #sonoma #sonomacoast #petaluma #kellerfamily — 3 years ago

with Courtney

Fish Tony Fisher

9.0

Bought this as an afterthought and quite pleased that I did. It's complex and rich, with blackcurrant/plum fruit, cedary oak and soft tannins all on the same page. Great value. — 5 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.0

Was lean and lithe at first and it wanted to give it up but held out on bursting out its butter notes until about 2/3 into the bottle then it was all I could possibly want from it. Got this for like $9 at auction as an afterthought. Absolutely delicious afterthought. — 6 years ago

Paul St Clair

9.2

Velvety smooth mouth feel loaded with red berries balanced with the right touch of dryness. The oak is passive in the overall balance almost like an afterthought. The 2013 is outstanding — 6 years ago

Paul K

9.3

Wow, what a great surprise. I remember getting a, one bottle, of this to fill a mixed case as an afterthought because it was inexpensive. I wish I’d have got a whole case. — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Blackest coffee color, no dome, no lacing. Slight gunflint, dark roast coffee, peppercorn, poppyseed, smoky papaya seed covered in sweet pulp, with baked plum aromas. Dark toast with steely-graphite, rosemary-coffee, espresso, coffee rye, camomile, dark toffee and pecan afterthought. The brilliant thing about this beer is its reluctance to lean on sweet elements, and its insistence on pulling complexity from simple elements. — 7 years ago

with Courtney

D W

9.0

It arrived with composure—dark cherry, yes, but not too dark cherry. Tobacco. Saddle leather. Red raspberry threaded beneath, not above, the primary fruit. Madagascar black pepper on the mid-palate, precise rather than diffuse. And finally, earth. Not garnish. Not an afterthought. Earth as architecture — 5 months ago

David Kline

9.4

Founders Brewing Ultimate Oktoberfest

Auburn colored amber sports a negative constellation lid in puffy cream. Toxic avenger lacing mid-melt leaves leaping fish to swooping birds. Honeyed brown bread nose has hints of coffee, peanut, baked brown sugar and yeasty dough. Strong vanilla lingers as whiskey shines in caramel, cedar and cinnamon firstly, toffee, allspice, orange, baked pear as afterthought. Tertiary flavors persist indefinitely spurred in by successive sipping. Grand.

#founders #foundersbrewing #FoundersUltimateOktoberfest #UltimateOktoberfest #märzen #imperialmärzen #imperial #barrelagedseries #barrelaged #bourbonbarrelaged #foundersbarrelagedseries #beer #Oktoberfest #bier — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Followed over two days. I’m not much of a SauvBlanc enthusiast anymore, but I still appreciate well-made offerings, and this certainly checks off the boxes.

For me, this lands in-between Bordeaux Blanc style and your typical, run-of-the-mill Cali SB. 90/10 SB/Semillon, this is a balanced and chiseled new-world SauvBlanc that plays to its strengths. It doesn’t try to be an aromatic and texturally seductive Bordeaux Blanc style, nor is it a watered-down afterthought. Gooseberry, lemon meringue, limestone and distinct grapefruit aromatics. Fleshed out a tiny bit on day two, but I don’t see the palate evolving much with more age aside from less acidity. Not quite tropical on the palate, yet it does have orchard fruits and a nervy mineral-laced acid-grip at the finish. Enjoy now and over the next few years. — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Well they let me do a light box shot for the 7 terroirs but this one, despite it being the same grey background, is a no go for my light box shots. Sucks.

Anyway this wine doesn’t suck. What a nose. Confectionary minerality and spun sugar. Cotton candy through a Nahe lens. Stunning slatey minerals. Vulcanized rubber. Peach. Airiness, minerals galore, hint of flint and so expansive. A stunning nose. Keeps getting more nuanced. Wow what a palate. Huge minerals. Concentrated minerals. I love wines where fruit is an afterthought. It’s here but it’s an afterthought. Really long, really precise and really fine. So mineral. Like sucking on a wet rock. Really complex and just wonderful texture. Lots of pitter patter like a fine dust is left on your palate. Terrific vineyard peach now develops on the nose. This is a major major value. All fruit is from Niederhausen. This is the most Lyle wine ever. Man I love this. Just a bruiser of a mineral bomb. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

An unusual wine for Argentina, this Malbec from Luján de Cuyo spent eight-and-a-half years in old oak before it was bottled in May 2019. Dominated by the aging, it presents a nose of peat, camphor, black olive and dry flowers; fruit is very much an afterthought. Well-developed, conveying a gentle feel, a silky texture and active tannins that lightly brush the gums to augur a long life span. A sunny Burgundy made in the old style to last for a very long time. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, October 2020) — 6 years ago

Mira Rodgers

9.5

Beautiful notes of honey, pear, golden apple with musky, mushroom notes. Very light style with notes of oxidation and an afterthought of carbonation. — 7 years ago

with Kamee

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

La Sirène de Giscours – Margaux 2015
Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Second label of the prestigious 3rd Growth Château Giscours, this cuvée shows how even secondary bottlings from classified estates can age with grace. The 2015 blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, delivering structure, elegance, and finesse in perfect harmony.

Aromas & Flavors
Vivid layers of ripe blackcurrant, raspberry, and plum glide alongside subtle cedar, tobacco, and floral spice. Delicate hints of earth and minerality frame the fruit beautifully.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished tannins, silky texture, and a seamless balance between freshness and maturity. The finish is long, refined, and quietly powerful.

Food Pairing
Versatile with roast lamb, duck breast, or aged Comté. It also complements charcuterie or hard cheeses in a more casual setting.

Verdict
An elegant Margaux that proves second labels are no afterthought. Still very much alive, refined, and balanced—an absolute pleasure to drink.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine reinforces my belief that second labels can often surprise and delight. The finesse and silkiness here rival many first labels—proof that patience rewards and that Margaux elegance never fails. — a year ago

Joseph Lewinski

9.0

This blend from Craft shows that US/Oregon blends can be interesting and not just a byproduct/afterthought. Relatively complex on the nose with mulled wine dry spice notes but the taste is more lush with notes of strawberry thyme and steak. — 4 years ago

with Ginny

Aaron Rankin

8.9

Roussanne-focused white Rhône blend (but with Chardonnay). What a tease. You expect Paso Booker richness and interest, but it lacks definition. As a Roussanne fan, this is disappointing. Clearly an afterthought for BKR. — 5 years ago

John Roselli

9.4

75% Syrah, 25% Goldmuskateller
2016, North Fork
Utterly lovely, unclichéd sparkling rosé - this isn’t a tossed-off afterthought, it’s refreshing and intriguing. — 5 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Honeyfresh pseudo(not)sweet and savory, my goodness it goes the distance. Overripe apples, pears, and tangerines sprinkled with underripe honeysuckle and a pinch of salt start us off.
Himalayan pink sea salt this is Portland people. The bitter end is an afterthought to balance any perceived non-not-trying-coolness. Crocheted beanie cool but like only because ya know it’s homemade vibes leveled up (that honeysuckle tho!) and dialed down (the bitter end). I’m not sure if this wine would have coffee with me but I cold brew so hope I’m chill enough for it. — 6 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

One of the wines you buy every year - no questions. 2018 is different from what I remember though - influenced from the variety (Sangiovese) more so than the method - carbonic maceration. It’s earthier and less jovial but still equally awesome - light crimson cranberry red with a big whiff of mushrooms, soil, and just an afterthought of anything grapey or bubble gummy. All grown up. — 7 years ago

Jeff Venema

9.2

Tried this at a tasting as an afterthought and it was one of the best. Looking forward to opening the bottle to go with a nice meal — 7 years ago