Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.1

Welcome friends to Dr Todds wine bar. Today we are tasting Artemis by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. This is the 2012 Cab. It is their cheapest cab and its still 45 dollars. Imagine that! My taste is too expensive for my wallet!
The cork has a perfect absorption line with a very very small rim in perfect lineage! no breaks . The color is opaque and dark purple / black just like I like it. The legs are long at 5 sec. The initial boquet is a bit disappointing. There is a hint of perfume. But if we let it breathe for 15 min, its gone. Then we have ripe plum. The initial palate is sour apple and sweet plum. Sweet and sour like youve never had! There is no spice. The finish is amazing. This is where it gets good! It is very dry but not to the point of not being able to move your mouth. The tongue has a dry grip on the lower half from the base to the tip. Then its gone!!!!! No aftertast at all. The one thing about this wine is it never lets you down! its always the same. A great wine for the price. — 10 years ago

Joseph LaPanna

9.4

Glass staining purple! A heady nose of clove, dried fig and blackberry. Mouthwatering dried cherries, candies flowers, Asian spices and a touch of black olive over deliver in a big way. Dark fruit and smoke echo long into the night. Another great vintage in a long line of smash hits. And a great value to boot! — 11 years ago

Richard Brierley

Head of Fine Wines Vanquish London

10

The Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2011 has a vibrant purple/black viscosity that lures one into the glass. Upon putting the glass to the nose, one is marked by the slightly understated elegance of such a youthful wine. The nose is characterised by freshness, but backed by a brooding power that will slowly uncoil over the lifetime of the wine. Further layers bring smoke and bacon fat and are lifted by an enduring sense of grace. Once in the mouth the fully ripe tannins expose themselves, enveloped by the sweetness of raisins and figs. The smoke and sweetness, the chocolate raisins and the tannins swirl in an intoxicating whirlpool. The wine is clearly built for the long-haul, but not so long that you can’t see the finish line. The finish fans out like a peacock’s tail that despite is complexity leaves one with a feeling of freshness and a serious port that is light on its feet. — 12 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.1

The cork came right out. It had a 5mm absorption line. The color is dark purple. The legs are fast - 3 seconds. The boquet is coffee beans and a slight tannic blueberry sharpness. The initial palate is chocolate, coffee, and immature blueberries. The finish is dry and affects the roof of the mouth and lips rather than the tongue. This is a good house wine!
— 10 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.2

Deep purple (All I hear is buuuuuurn!) core. Blackberry jam, grilled plum? A bit of a roasted meat character. Palate is layered, showing bright fruit, followed by a savory mid palate and finishing w a stinky smokiness. Yum. — 11 years ago

Michelle Hagen

8.9

Great blend! Cranberry and cherry on the nose. Ripe fruit with bright cherries up front and then it mellows perfectly in your mouth with slight pepper and black cherries. Thank you to the sommelier CT at Purple! He rocks! — 12 years ago

with Dee, Lynne and 1 other

Captain S

9.4

Enjoyed at the wonderful Purple Cafe in Seattle. Fruity and deep, but well balanced. Should have purchased a bottle to take home! — 10 years ago

Austin Beeman

9.3

Light color a soft pink-purple. Wonderfully delicious with strong obvious acidity, pure raspberries, and the tiniest hint of milk chocolate. A light 'truly-burgundian' take on Pinot Noir. You can almost feel the salt water spray of the Sonoma Coast.
— 10 years ago

John Kemper

9.4

A saturated reddish-purple, the '11 Bedrock Zinfandel 'Saitone Ranch Vineyard' emits characteristic brambly clove spice, sappy dark cherry and oak aromas with some violet undertones. Great depth of cherry-cola, wood smoke and white pepper flavors on the mouth with balanced acidity that keeps the sweet fruit in line. A rich finish with stunning depth and length. — 11 years ago

John Kemper

9.2

The '11 O'Fournier Malbec/Tempranillo 'Urban Uco' is another outstanding value wine. It is deep purple with lovely aromas of blueberry and smoke. Surprising length and depth for this price. Nicely done! — 13 years ago