Severn Goodwin

9.2

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc & 5% Petit Verdot

Color is deep plum, like totally opaque, but a beautiful semi-translucent blackberry color at the edge of the glass.

Nose is liquor of cassis, some noticable heat from the alcohol (14.5%), plum juice, light oak.

Palate is very smooth, dusty plum, blackberry, blueberry skin, mocha, coffee bean; tannins are still grippy, finish is about 45s. Decanted about 2hrs.

Generally a very nice bottle, we bought this in March '18, just getting to it tonight finally. Very impressed by this effort, light years ahead of the entry level Balbo wines. We only ever came across this once, $35 was a solid buy, and hands down my favorite Balbo wine to date. I think this has years to go, my guess is this is peaking around 2022-2025.

24hr Update: Alcohol on the nose has dissipated, palate is a little muted today, but still can identify the same traits as yesterday. — 4 days ago

Riddley Walker

9.0

4031
Черешня, малина, розовый лукум, сосновая смола, сухая мята, эвкалипт, можжевельник, травяной биттер, земля, тонкая анималистика. Бледный, полупрозрачный цвет, средне-легкое тело с мягкой, но упругой кислотностью и незаметными танинами. Натурально, легко и непринуждённо. Не особо комплексно, но при этом довольно гармонично, стройно и свежо. Пьётся как сок. — 10 days ago

Chris England

9.6

At £80+ this is by far my favourite Rioja & vintage at present 😍 My 9th try & still changing every time with rich balsamic showing through now 👍

📍 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2001

🏵 96 points

🍇 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano & 2% Mazuelo

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smoked oak through mashed earthy cherries covered in vanilla coconut cream, balsamic jam & double caramel choc mocha w/ red liquorice, truffle, prune & light spiced herbs

👄 Med body of rich smooth silky creamy dark cherry bathed in balsamic goo w/ mocha & earthy liquorice

🎯 Long balsamic cherry mocha berry blast w/ a balsamic linger & touch of woody oak — 5 days ago

Sharon B

9.3

I asked for a full bodied wine with lots of flavor and this is what I got. Wow what a delicious wine! It’s bursting with flavor. Might have to buy more wine from Portugal! - The Wine Cellar Boynton Beach, FL — 11 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Producer Note (Because I thought it was interesting):
"Le Petit Caporal is an homage to the spirit of adventures and leaders; people of strength and integrity who are born to change the world. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from the stellar Argetsinger and Glen Eldridge vineyards bordering Tug Hollow Creek, which carves its way through a deep ravine to the East side of Seneca Lake.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), Cabernet Franc (28%), and Merlot (4%) from the Argetsinger and Glen Eldridge Vineyard, located on the South-East side of Seneca Lake."

Ok this wine caught me off guard, was looking for something in the cellar that we hadn't had yet, and it needed to pair with beef tomahawks on the grill tonight, so I dug out this bottle...And wow, as @Mike R says I don't like it, I ❤ it!!

I'm normally not a new release drinker, usually believing that many (not all) wines do need rest to come together. This is young and showing a little heat (13% ABV) but not distracting at all. FLX region wines never seem to disappoint, this is $35 retail, I believe our Club price was $28, we'll be getting more.

The nose has mocha dusted blueberry and chocolate covered cherry.

Palate has cherry, blackberry, fresh ground coffe and very minimal oak influence.

We'll hold some of this until tomorrow (I think 😉) and I'll update my notes... It's soo tasty!

24hr Update: Holding strong, nose lightly muted and palate is consistent. Noticed a touch of a green note showing late in the evening on Day 1, not present on Day 2. — 10 days ago

Stephen Pierron

9.4

This has got to be my favorite Syrah from Washington! I want more!! Juicy and dark fruit jam with herbs and fresh cracked pepper. Paired PERFECTLY with Chinois Grilled Lamb Chops with a Cilantro Mint Vinaigrette! — 10 days ago

Sharon B

8.9

I have really been getting into Italian wines lately and this was recommended at the wine store. I also spent more than I normally would on a wine which is disappointing. 70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara. It’s a medium bodied wine with a ruby red color. It’s very tannic, a little peppery but with a little bit of chocolate, not much fruit. When I sniff it, it smells very high in alcohol. (15%) it has a very long finish on the tongue. Not so sure about this one. Maybe the 2nd night will be better ☹️ — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Another Wednesday Wine Committee lunch, this time hosted by my buddy @Will Adams ! As always, all wines are tasted blind.

Heard about this wine but my first time having it. This was the last glass in a flight of 4 reds and it deserved to be enjoyed last. Extracted, concentrated and big. My guess here was a cab/zin Blend from Cali. A lot of lush and ripe fruit to go along with cedar and fig type notes. Stylistically, I’d enjoy these younger rather than aging them. Incredibly easy to drink. — 17 hours ago

with Will and Benjamin

David Shaw

9.1

Columbia Valley designation, not Red Mountain. Website says eight varieties, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot; already sold out at winery. Reddish orange, excellent clarity. White floral note in nose. Cherry flavor with length, orange flavor, dry, rounded mouthfeel, good acidity, lemon flavor with mild fine-grained skin astringency in finish. If you prefer a fruity but dry rose, this is your ticket. Good value. — 2 days ago

Eric LaMasters

9.7

The just-bottled 2016 Space and Time from Aaron Pott is really amazing! The Chateauneuf du Pott site grows phenomenal Cabernet Franc. Amazing purity of fruit, and really elegant. I can’t wait until this is released! — 5 days ago

with Aaron