Wow. South African value that swings for the fences. Big time concentration, density, mouthwatering purple fruits and sharp tannins. I got the last bottle of this at the store. If you see it, grab a few. — 9 years ago
If my mouth is a playground....
(carry on with inappropriate puns here) then the 2012 Rogue's Blend is a classroom of Second Graders being released to Lunch Recess. The first impressions are earth; dusty gravelly soil. Next come pencil shavings. Then perfectly preserved in the background is a forrest of wild berries bursting with flavor and juicy acidity. There are swings, slides, and yes...teeter-totters. It's a complete package wrapped in the understated brown craft paper style of Jeff Tanner and tied with cotton butcher twine that begs you to pull the string. — 9 years ago
2008. Serious vintage, serious wine. One of the last Russ Raney wines. This estate vineyard and the material here is unfadeable. The pendulum swings from Oregon elegance in 2008 to tannic, brooding PN that makes any Pommard demure. Seriously though- get a bottle or two of this. — 10 years ago
Welcome home! This ain't shy. Swings the big brass balls with a feather light touch — 10 years ago
Rye toast, cranberry laden gravy, and morel nose with cinnamon and peppercorns in prune smoke. There is dark chocolate in this miasma, too. Blood-thick, with enough residual oak to build your own "Cruz" ship. A virtual reliquary, this dark chunky beast swings like a bat across your front teeth, and doesn't forget the back! Big Spanish monster with hard clay, bonfire, plum reduction, and a brassy finish that hovers around in the shadows for a minute finishing with cassis and a little bakers chocolate for good measure. A steal at 13$! — 10 years ago
Plum strawberries with strawberry liqueur and underripe blueberries nose. Oaky-tasting, smoky, black plum palate with cedar and hickory. This thing swings wood like Babe Ruth, yet remains nude and almost oak less as an actual babe. — 10 years ago
Very light, easy to drink — 11 years ago
Love this wine! This wine swings big for a Canadian Okanagan red. Full, dry, excellent finish with great balance. Leaves you wanting more. — 9 years ago
Steve Peck- If Paso Robles had a sister city among European wine regions, it could very well be Jumilla, Spain. Both are known for 50 degree diurnal temperature swings and calcareous soils. The wines are incredibly ripe and juicy if this example from Gil Family is typical. 70% Monastrell (aka, Mourvèdre), 30% Cabernet. This wine walks the line between the unctuous Rhone genre and the tightness of Bordeaux. Huge fruit volume with a rounded palate. Label declares 16%, but you would never guess it. I'm impressed. — 9 years ago
Surdyks Spring 2015 Sale - $5.99 (compare at $8.99)
Staff Selection (Drew Fuller): South American wines are extremely popular, and this wine from Santa Rita is a great example of why the are in such high demand. Chile is blessed with unique geographic conditions with ocean along its entire western coast and the Andes mountain range on the east separating Chile from its neighbor, Argentina. The 2013 “Hero’s Salute” is composed of 65% Cabernet Franc, 25% Carmenere, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. These grapes come from the Central Valley, which has a Mediterranean climate with high temperature swings from day to night to ensure plentiful acidity, and warm sun to promote fully ripened grapes. The aromas show blueberry, cassis and blackberry fruit, with hints of vanilla, spice and tobacco. The palate displays a lush, sweet quality that is balanced out nicely by just enough acidity to keep the wine lively and focused. All of this in a wine whose everyday price is $8.00 — 10 years ago
Deep garnet. Spicy fruit aromas. Balanced mouth filling flavour. This 2011 started fruity and as the evening went on pepper tones moved to the forefront. Swings above its price tag. — 10 years ago
Lovely, buttery wine we had camping at Easter — 11 years ago
Even with air, matchsticks, oak, and vanilla pervade. A big smack of vanilla. Still clean and thirst quenching though. My love/hate with the big, oaky chards swings like a pendulum, but when in the mood, I think this one really is the ticket. Some lemon in there, and I think it would go very nice with a crusty baguette and good butter. — 9 years ago
Nice easy wine, air it. ~$25? — 9 years ago
One of my favorite Monterey Pinots, great buy for the price too. Dark raspberry, smooth texture, swings into a light tannin finish. Not exactly bright, but it is lightly spiced with French oak and a little tart in the dark flavors. It's pretty unique to the area. — 9 years ago
Truly represent the Terrior of Russian River Valley.
Thanks for the sunshine, fog,, Ocean and temperature swings
And Salute to Marry Edward and Ken Coppersmith for making this wine — 10 years ago
Party wine 2. Swings well above its $12 price. Nice mineral structure. — 10 years ago
Excellent daily drinker — 10 years ago
When it's good it's great, but not a consistent wine. When it's good it's full bodied and bursting with fruit and mocha and drinks like a 50 dollar bottle. When it's off it drinks like mediocre grape juice. Not sure how it can have such big swings, but latest vintage is back on track so my rating is back up. — 10 years ago
75% Tempranillo, 25% Cab. GREAT balance - drinks very well right now, — 11 years ago
Alok Sharma
They said "unexpected" - they were right! Smooth but a nice malty touch! Aussie-German hops like the Aussie cricketer Mike Kasprowicz - for those who love the English Commonwealth game, cricket! This beer swings like Kasprowicz's inswingers, sorta like fast knuckleball!!!! — 8 years ago