A forward, fruity wine with a black cherry-and-plum backbone, accented by licorice, dried spices and black pepper. Smooth and supple in the mouth, this organically grown Syrah is ready to drink tonight.
— W.E.
(10/1/2001)
One of the few truly organic, i.e., sulfite-free, wineries in California, Frey’s Merlot is racy enough, with well-etched blueberry and herb flavors, although it has enough tannins to make your tongue stick to your palate. Tastes better than it smells. Smells a little vegetal. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
There’s a vegetal, canned asparagus note on the nose right next to deeper notes of blackberries. In the mouth, the wine is thick, extremely tannic and acidic, without a whole lot of fruit. In fact, the tannins are downright palate numbing. It might soften with age. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Smells rubbery and cardboardy, with a hint of blackberry. The flavors are juicy, and there’s a real richness to the wine in the mouth. Yet it can’t quite overcome its rustic nature. More like a homemade wine than a commercial release. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)
Very dark. One sniff alerts you to problems. There’s a vegetal note, somewhere between bell peppers and asparagus, that dominates. The wine is dense, tannic and acidic, and a faint core of dark berry frui. —S.H.
— S.H.
(5/1/2002)