Ruby/purple in color. The nose has black cherries, spice, black raspberries, violets and bacon. On the palate, this is mature and complex. Layered, it unwinds in the glass. Black cherry fruit, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice. Nice texture. Wispy tannins. Good balance. Long finish. No hurry, but I don't think it improves from here.
Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black raspberries and slight bacon fat. On the palate, cranberries and black cherries. Slightly sour notes. Light tannins. This is a great wine to fool people in a blind tasting. After all, who is going to guess German Syrah? At around $30, this is not crazy priced either. Nothing amazing here but it is a solid, cooler profile Syrah.
Deep golden in color. The nose has a diesel note but also a honeyed quality to it. On the palate, this is sweet enough for dessert. Minerals and also some apricots. Ok aicidity. Drinking well now but with time left.
Salmon orange in color. A nice mousse with small to medium bubbles. The nose is very nice with strawberries and light lemon notes. There is a nice depth to this wine although it turns a bit flabby on the palate. Given that this sells for under $20, that isn't the worst thing in the world. It is tasty and makes a nice inexpensive but festive sparkler.
Light yellow in color. The nose is gorgeous with lemon cream notes. Slightly oily texture. Young but already showing a deep complexity. Lemon cream notes with an interesting slight mint note on the finish. There is some oak here, but it is integrated beautifully. This should age well for a decade, probably two. There is some upside potential.
My first time trying this house. Golden in color, somewhat deep. Nice mousse with lots of small bubbles. The nose has toast and lemons. Nice. On the palate, there is a crisp acidity. Lemon fruit. Not much in the way of complexity though. Just kind of there. I was told this is around $50.
Nice value here. This drinks cooler climate in style. Purple in color. The nose has nice cherries and dark cherries with baking spices and sandalwood. On the palate, this has decent acidity. The cherry flavors carry thru along with some cola notes. At under $20 per bottle, this is easy to gift or drink at a party and yet, interesting. I would like to taste this in a warmer vintage to see how it compares.
The 2015 is awesome but it is shutting down as I write this in 2018. Time to let even the basic wines sleep or give them some air. This is light golden in color. The nose has wet rocks and a slight pineapple note. It gives the perception that it will be sweet but it is dry. Great minerality. Long finish. This is under $20 and a great value. Screw capped as well.
This is a classic big Australian export wine. Its a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet and really goes well on a cold winter's day. Inky purple in color. The nose has some black cherry cough syrup, black raspberries and black pepper. On the palate, this is ripe with black cherry and black raspberry fruit. It is warming but not hot. Nice texture. Tons of fruit. Its about pleasure not contemplation. Long finish. Certainly not for every one, but I like it at the right time.
Torrin has quickly become one of my favorite Rhone blends anywhere. I urge people to get on their mailing list before it fills up (if it hasn't already). 2011 was a difficult vintage for many in paso, but Torrin handled it quite well. This one is a unique Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat blend. Gorgeous wine that was delicious if still young. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, graphite, some black cherries and an underlying char. Full bodied. These are big wines. The black raspberry carries thru to the palate as does the underlying char. A great minerality as well.
