Michael Zakriski

9.1

Not 100% opaque. Looks like the poor of a Carneros Pinot. Low ABV (12.5) and the legs confirm that. A nose of wet straw and unpaved road dust, leather, very little fruit. The nose contradicts totally what is expressed on the palette. Hot, intense, concentrated red (not dark) fruit and the spritelyness and acidity of a Beaujolais Nouveau. Unlike Beaujolais, however, this has tannins a plenty and a sturdiness that could see it paired with a chuck roast. This wines differs greatly from its more southerly Rhoné cousins in just so many ways. It is so difficult to find an affordable (is $57 affordable?) Rotie, I'm glad I didn't pass this up. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.8

Clear and surprisingly transparent off the pour and the color is tinted slightly more red than your Crayola "Burgundy." The nose is of dried purple fruit with a touch of earth. First sip revels bright and well structured tannins along with refreshing acids of strawberry and cherry. The fruit is subdued but concentrated and this makes for a surprisingly ($14) nice wine. As much France as it is California. Really nice. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.1

This is a tremendously delicate wine. The tannins are paper thin and the juice of dark fruit is so gentle it might break if you tip the glass back too quickly. Also, this is a young wine and it shows. The Oregogne is lacking greatly in depth and mysteriousness. In 10 years it might be something to write home about but at the moment it is underwhelming. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

9.5

The color is more like a Sauternes than a Chardonnay. A pure Cali Chardonnay nose of vanilla chamomile and a touch of oak. First impression is the unbelievable concentration of not too sweet sweetness. It's the wetness of peaches and less acidit summer fruit. A round feel in the mouth with the butter hints I love from an oaked, twice fermented Chard. The finish is looong and just acidic enough to add complexity. Spectacular. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

9.4

Sweet ripe berries on the nose combined with a boat load of leather. Spicy-hot fruity goodness that doesn't stop. Just stupidly concentrated flavor with alcohol that is me rly restrained. A great great wine. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.1

More grass colored than straw it has a sweet nose of Granny Smith apples. This is bright and acid life a Marlborough Sav Blanc but with more sweetness (though not much) and a shorter finish. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

9.6

Beautiful. Saddle leather and flint on the nose with an inky dark cherry colored poor. Explosive concentration with a classic old-word oak flavor with dried fruit sweetness banging its way through to your palette. This is still very young. Can't image what be in 15 years on. Well worth the $60. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.6

This is a nice little wine. What it lacks in concentration it make up for in complexity with leather, ripe cherries, strawberry, and a touch of allspice. At >14% ABV it is a nice everyday sipper. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.7

Dark red and purple and near totally opaque on the poor. A wonderful nose of ground pepper corns and allspice with a crazy little hint of Bordeaux wafting above. And the spices do not disappear when the juice reaches the tongue. This is a lively, hot, exciting Zin with dark fruit to balance and even counterpoint the aggressive savory spice. A fun bottle not to be taken lightly. 15.1%ABV. — 12 years ago

Michael Zakriski

8.7

A lite yellow grassy poor. An herbaceous and sweet nose with considerable concentration. Explosive melon fruit without being too sweet that is nicely balanced with star fruit like acids. A wonderfully happy wine that leaves me wishing I was drinking it at a park with smells of cut grass in the air on a nice warm spring day. — 12 years ago