Daniel Ciolek

8.0

Nothing exciting on opening or four hours later. Other than a slight tartness at the finish it was bland and one dimensional. — 8 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.3

Elegant & mature. Slight bricking. Trace tannins on opening but blew off within a few hours and only mild on day 2. Nose is ripe plum and balsamic. Palate is soft and elegant with mouthwatering layers and layers of dark fruit, cherry, leather, undergrowth, red clay. Long soft satisfying finish. To be savored. — 21 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Very solid Brunello. A bit tight with tannins on opening. Day 2 and day 4 were smooth with medium body. Dark berries and spice on the nose. Earthy & fruit on the palate with dark berries, balsamic, baking spice. Moderate finish. Nice complexity but missing the excitement of an outstanding brunello. Good value. — 3 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.0

Good value. Nose on opening with prominent rose petals cherry and old leather furniture. Tannins prominent on opening. After 2+ hours of slow ox much more approachable. Palate with candied cherries, anise, holiday spice, leather and almonds. Lingering very dry leather and tobacco finish. One drawback is notable alcohol presence the first couple hours. More time in cellar needed before opening next bottle? — 4 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Restaurant paring with blackened steak. Pleasant fruit nose. Balanced medium bodied with strawberries raspberries a touch of rhubarb. Short but pleasant clean finish. Easy drinking for most people but more@complex than most value wines. — 17 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

The nose bursts and fills the room with strawberry and spiced dark cherry aroma. The palace pops with a dense fruit forward and mild spiciness. I would have thought it was primarily a Zinfandel but the label says no - it only has Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The finish is moderately long and well balanced. I lean towards more earthy old world earthy profiles and this is a much more new world fruit forward wine than I prefer. — 3 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.3

This is a Zinfandel I can love. Blackberries and balsamic on the nose. Smooth and well balanced mouthwatering acidity and mouth tingling tannins. Rich full bodied dark fruit, currant and a hint of rhubarb and cinnamon spice on the palate with a long lasting and totally enjoyable finish. — 4 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.8

Nice everyday Rioja I picked up at the Madrid airport for a reasonable price. Dark fruit/spice on the nose and palate. With undergrowth and light mineral on the palate as well. Soft tannins. Medium bodied. — 17 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.2

The best Barolo I’ve been able to get at Costco. Higher price than their usual but based on the quality it’s a great value. Traditional style - young with lots of years to go. Nose with dark rose and earth. Right with tan is on opening h but opened some within a couple hours. Palate is earth forward with tobacco undergrowth mineral balanced with blackbery dark cherry. Long mouth tingling finish. — 2 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.0

Very good - not great. Nose on opening was lovely with muted earthy dark fruits. A bit tannic on opening so not describing first glass. Next day the tannins and acidity were balanced and the flavors were again earth forward with dark berries, fig, balsamic with clove, tobacco/leather. Moderately long finish. All the components of a good Brunello are there - except for the “wow” factor of a pop of the flavors and layers of the experience. — 3 months ago