Mark Farrell

9.5

Deep ruby in color with slight brick color on the rim. Nose is quite pleasing with berry compote, lavender, and dark chocolate. Also a bit of earthiness. Wow. A great mouthfeel on this wine. Well balanced with tannins still a bit heavy. That said, I like my wines with a bit more tannic backbone. These notes are from pop and pour taste. Will let it open up a bit and will update if it changes significantly. — 4 months ago

Mark Farrell

9.1

Brick colored with a nose of blackberry, anise, a bit of raspberry, and slight flower bouquet maybe even potpourri. Good structure still in this wine. Tannins are still present. Definitely a more earthy, old world wine. Would pair nicely with Coq au vin. — 6 months ago

Mark Farrell

8.9

Brilliant, medium yellow with a nose of lemon zest and white peach with hints of cantaloupe, bees wax, and raw almonds. Very tart flavors with crisp acidity. Nice wine. — 2 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.3

Medium ruby with a nose of red fruits and vanilla. Maybe some dusty notes as well. Medium body with adequate fruit, acidity, and tannin structure for its frame. Reasonable finish as well. Picked this up for $50 and I’d say it it delivers an $85+ experience. — 2 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.3

Deep ruby color with nose of cassis, blackberries, violets, cedar, and vanilla. Very acidic and tart on first sip, but as it opens up the depth comes. This is a big wine with solid fruit and firm tannins. Give it a few years and I imagine those tannins will soften a bit. Enjoyed with some friends while we prayed for our kids. — 4 months ago

Mark Farrell

9.1

After my rating of the wine two nights ago with the thought that it would pair well with Coq Au Vin, I couldn’t help myself and decided to cook some up. Pairing works very nicely together. — 6 months ago

Mark Farrell

9.4

Medium garnet in color with a nose of plum sauce, dark and red cherries, potpourri, brown sugar, and maybe a hint of gun smoke. Nose is delightful and develops the longer it is in the glass. The age has smoothed this wine out nicely. No sharpness at all. No tannin to speak of. Lingering flavors of a cherry jolly rancher on the finish. I remember tasting this in either ‘16 or ‘17 and thinking it had body closer to a cab. I think that has helped this wine to age gracefully. Drink now. First experience with an aged Pinot. I have another bottle of this. Would seem like it would go well with Chicken Parmesan. I’ll make that for my other bottle. — 2 years ago

Mark Farrell

10

Deep purple, with a captivating nose of chalky blackberries, plum sauce, and Asian five spice. It just keeps drawing you in. Plenty of good fruit on the palate, not overly dry. Amazing structure with velvety tannins. The amazing finish on this wine lingers for at least a minute. To my taste, this is Cabernet at its finest and probably the best wine I’ve had. I would like to compare it to the Maybach Amoneous as it previously held my favorite all time wine position. I’m saddened that with Realm purchasing Houyi, Modus Operandi will probably not be able to make this fantastic expression of Houyi vineyard. I need to stock up!!! — 6 months ago

Mark Farrell

9.7

This is a stunning Sav. Blanc. Probably the best I have ever had. I don’t normally think of creaminess with a Sav. Blanc, but it’s there on the nose. Still has nice pineapple and lemon curd on the nose. Palate has great, mouthwatering acidity and a lengthy finish for a Sav. Blanc. Compared blind with Modus Operandi Sav. Blanc, which is my go to, and this one beats it out. @Ron R If you can find this, I think you would dig it. Bought at a visit to the winery. This one is distinct. Not the regular Sav. Blanc, but the Farrow Ranch. Supposedly, the winemaker said it was the best white wine he’s ever made. — 6 months ago

Mark Farrell

9.9

Second time having this wine. Dark ruby with a nose of blackberries, cassis, violets, and lavender. Also picking up notes of anise and vanilla this time. Perfectly balanced, everyone is playing well together on this wine. The acidity, tannin, and fruit are in perfect harmony across the long, powerful finish. Had to pair this with a nice steak. Did a steak tasting along with this wine. Cast iron seared Snake River Farms(SRF) ribeye medallion, SRF sirloin, and a local grocery store NY strip. I would have expected the ribeye to be the winner, but the sirloin was the favorite for all of us. All that being said the wine paired perfectly. Also had a glass of this wine with my wife’s pot roast the day before and it was divine. Hearty beef is a perfect pairing for this powerful wine. — 2 years ago