Ratings Explained
84 & Below – Not Posted ‘cause we won’t drink it
85 + A good wine. Buy if the price is right
90 + A very good wine, in our humble opinion
95 + An awe inspiring wine – Possibly life altering
All wine reviews are based solely on the personal tastes of the authors.
Disclosure: Samples are designated by an “S” beside the wine reviewed.
We’re still objective. Robert Parker doesn’t buy his wines either
A beautiful example of a single varietal/single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep wine that holds your attention. Well-integrated tannins add depth and structure. About an hour in the decanter and this Cabernet opens to show off flavors of dark cherry, blackberry tobacco, dark berry, dark spice with hints of toasty oak vanilla.
A red wine blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this is a big wine that needs a little time in the decanter to offer its full potential. The nose is filled with spicy red berries. On the palate, flavors of red cherry, blueberry, dark berry, plum, coffee, tobacco, and black pepper spice abound. Rich yet well-integrated tannins add to the full-bodied experience.
Known more for their Pinot Noir, this Zinfandel from Roadhouse Winery rocks it. A bit of extra zip comes from the Petite Sirah and Carignane in the blend. Rich and jammy flavors of black cherry, blackberry, ripe plum, currant, bramble and dark spice. Supple tannins add a bit of backbone.
James MacPhail is a master of big, rich Pinot Noir and this beauty from MacPhail Family Wines is no exception. Ripe and round flavors of cherry, raspberry, red berries are complimented with hints of oak, spice and minerality with just a touch of fruit sweetness. I shared this wine with a friend who said “I just don’t get Pinots”…he does now!
Rich flavors of dark cherry, red berries, raspberries, with hints of spice, minerality and plum. Rustic notes from the 777 Pinot Noir clone used in the blend make for a complex yet approachable Pinot.
