Owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others, located in Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark Ruby, purple edges with floral fruit aromas and floral spice. On the palate blueberry and sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great mouthfeel, 24 months aging on French and American oak, the 70% Monastrell and 30% Cab Sauv has fine soft tannins, well integrated with oak, long finish ending with mineral tones, Will age well! — 8 months ago
Summer in a glass — 8 months ago
The darkest and meatiest southern Rhone blend I’ve tasted with tremendous complexity. Explosive nose of black lack, blueberry jam, cured meat, grilled herbs, black pepper, dark chocolate, sweet soy source, and hint of violet. There is just the sense of Unami. Rich palate but structured like a skater that’s smooth, precise, and effortless.
I had the fortune to taste the 14’ True Believer 2 years ago, and I don’t really know what constitutes a reserve bottling, but this has more Syrah (53%).
Chris Hammell is the long time Bien Nacido vineyard manager, and cultivated the True Believer vineyard on the western edge of Bien Nacido. — 3 years ago
Went great with thanksgiving dinner — 5 months ago
2021 vintage. First tasted this wine with the 1991 vintage when it was resto cost $240 a 12-pack case (which was pretty pricey for CA chard at the time). FF three decades where I'm pouring this btg and paying less than the 1991 pricing. Has always held a soft spot in my heart. Unique flavor profile that consistently upends a blind white Burgundy tasting as a ringer-regardless of the price range involved...and it do get pricey these daze. Still bringing the serious mineral hammer along with bracing acidity but a bit of lanolin and variety of citrus when things warm up a tad. Last tasted 5.5.23 (9.1). 10.27.24. — 6 months ago
Fantastic minerality — 9 months ago
Nougatine is out Cheryl and Chris and Melissa — 4 months ago
Carry On - fresh, snappy Texas high plains blend — 3 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
A special project wine for the US and China marketplace. This is a 100% Shiraz with a medium-bodied style, ripe and very generous with plenty full flavors of mulberry, ripe blackberry, mocha and hints of blackforrest chocolate cake. It has a noticeable freshness on the palate which and a smooth cocoa powder finish, quite appealing to those who are looking for ready to go Shiraz from Australia. — a month ago