Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 Founder’s Reserve pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, dark fruit: black currants, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, some grilled poblano pepper, baking chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with mediumt+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This wine has developed nicely over the last several years and from my perspective, squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2030. — 10 days ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Just a very enjoyable wine. Dangerous in that it’s so easy and compelling to drink. Decanted 2+ hours, quite ready to go at that point. Probably would have guessed a nice Beaujolais from the nose. Palate is so wonderfully seamless with excellent fruit and completeness and acid, with some serious density. Delicious with the standard Sunday night roast chicken with mushrooms. — 3 years ago

Nicole Tyler

9.6

Very smooth notes, not heavy. Pairs well with anything. Nice red! — 4 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium garnet ,medium terracotta rim . Quite spiced , dried fruits, tobacco , touch of caramel , warm earth . Smoky . On the palate quite sweet mix of red and dark fruits, red plum , dark cherry , spiced tobacco, hickory . Quite sweet on the finish , menthol hint, with a touch of caramel on the finish, slightly grippy tannin. This improved quite a lot in the glass , with more fruit noticeable , fills out quite well , better balance. Drink now and over the next couple of years. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Nutty, coffee and sweet toffee fruit. So deep and complex and delicious. A great vivid streak of acidity Just wow! — a year ago

with Tony and David

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of saturated purple, nice legs. Nose of chocolate, cocoa, plum, spicy alcohol, strawberry syrup, and more alcohol. Taste mirrors the nose with addition of dense sweetness, black peppery, sweet grapes, touch of mint and oak, tannins, and some zest. Aftertaste shows some more coke cola, caramel sweetness. Very comforting and sweet. — 4 years ago

Chris Buffum

9.1

Great Pinot — a month ago

with Maya and Tommy

Ichiro Kawachi

9.1

Cherries, soft tannins — 4 months ago

Mike Craig

8.9

Just the right wine for fried oysters, Italian salad, and a three mushroom pizza. — 4 years ago

with Michele

Nurse Mike

9.0

Well first off the was the 2012 vintage Syrah not merlot. Its a decent wine, good body. Dry finish. The original price I believe is 38 dollars and for that price there are other alternative wines that provide more of an experience. However, if there you can find this wine for the mid 20 dollar range it would be very good price and well worth the money. — 4 years ago