Winery - Ryan Patrick
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A full-flavored, spicy bottle showing off tart pineapple and citrus fruit, lightly dusted with cinnamon. The addition of 11% Sémillon punches up the core, and the barrel fermentation (15% new oak) adds lovely, spicy highlights.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is excellent; barrel fermented and richly textured without being overbearing. Soft fruit, sweet nutty oak and a buttery, sweet cream finish all meld together in a seamless, satisfying whole. Best Buy.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tasty, though rough, it comes on with chocolatey fruit, green coffee bean tannins, sweet toast, and ultimately, a very pleasing set of flavors. The cherry fruit, nuanced with tobacco leaf and herb, prevails over the somewhat rustic structure.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Consistent with the stylish ’02, this young, spicy wine hits the palate with bright, snappy flavors of pineapple, lime and green berries. Some buttery toast nicely fills in the back end.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This “summer wine” blend is mostly sauvignon blanc, with about 16% semillon adding lemongrass and lanolin. Soft, lightly nutty, almost Italian in style, it is smooth and rich across the palate, with a pleasing nuttiness to the lingering finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This Redblend of 61% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cab Franc is always a fine value. This year’s version is noticeably softer and more textured, sleek and well-made with highlights of light spice and herb. Through a smooth and lingering finish it adds notes of anise, graphite and slate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The reserve comes from many of the same vineyard sources as the budget Rock Island Red, and quite honestly, doesn’t taste all that different. It got a bit more barrel time in a bit more new oak, but from a fruit standpoint it’s not any bigger or more interesting. Elegant and pleasant, it’s well made but not really up to its reserve moniker.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Named not for a railroad line, but the winery’s home town, this blend remains essentially the same as 2001 — 56% merlot, 39% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cab franc. Shows a rougher profile, with big flavors of raw meat, plum, grape and earth. The core of pure, sweet cherry fruit ramps up the quality, which is excellent for the price.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A very stylish effort with crisp, zippy fruit showing pineapple, lime and star fruit. Great mouthfeel and a very refreshing finish. The wine puts the fruit out in front; if there is any new oak, it is restrained, and not missed.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnay (eg ‘naked’) is becoming commonplace, but few offer as much snap and juicy fruitiness as this one. It’s a great, round mouthful of grape juice, crisp green apple and suggestions of pineapple and citrus. A little fresh herb rounds out the finish.
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