4/13/2024 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Thankfully, this bottle tastes like it should and there is plenty left here.

4/2/2024 - mchanin4 wrote:

Not much left here—I have 5 more bottles and hope that the rest aged better than this one.

9/25/2023 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Unusual wine—Nebbiolo from Mendocino, CA. Paired very nicely with filet mignon. Not quite at the level of a highly rated Barolo but a very good wine for a casual weeknight dinner. Could improve with a bit more age.

7/3/2023 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Drinking phenomenally well now. Lingers on the palate, evoking blackberry, currant and just a hint of tannins. We enjoyed with a sushi dinner, but it will complement anything. If you have a bottle in your cellar, enjoy! Unfortunately, this was our last one.

2/3/2023 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Classic Oregon Pinot drinking very well now. Wish I had more than one bottle left.

10/29/2022 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Drinking very well. Tannins have softened and the wine has the palate feel and long finish you expect from a top Napa cab.

7/29/2022 - mchanin4 wrote:

Corked.

6/18/2022 - mchanin4 wrote:

Drinking exceptionally well right now, mouth feel is jammy with a long finish. An outstanding example of the vintage, which has aged well after being very tight when we first tasted 7-8 years ago. Regrettably, there won't be any more produced from this name so we will enjoy our remaining bottles.

2/1/2022 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Decanted 90 minutes and then returned to bottle to bring to dinner. Paired with short ribs, held up very well with hints of berries and licorice and a long finish. Unfortunately this was the last bottle in my cellar.

1/4/2022 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Opened a 2012 Divine and an Estate Cabernet. The Estate Cab is ready to drink and has a variety of fruit flavors and a long finish. The Divine needs time to open and was better on the second day.

9/20/2020 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Great mouth feel, long finish. Drinkable now and should age well. Compares favorably to more expensive Napa cabs.

9/12/2020 - mchanin4 Does not like this wine:

Aged out. Drink up if you have any bottles left.

6/6/2020 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

The last bottle. Much better than either of the two preceding ones. Decanted for 2 hours and the wine opened up nicely and expressed the subtle fruit flavors, warm mouth feel and long finish that one expects of wines from this region.

5/18/2020 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking splendidly. Lots of fruit notes and a long finish.

5/11/2020 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Superbly balanced, wonderful mouth feel with a long finish. Every bit as good on day 2.

2/26/2020 - mchanin4 Does not like this wine:

Two bottles I’ve opened in the past month have been way past peak. I have two more left and will open them soon in the hope that there is still something left.

4/4/2019 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hrs before serving at a dinner party with steak. Was still tight when we first tasted, but gradually opened up and proved to be a fine accompaniment to dinner. I would suggest decanting 3-4 hrs next time.

5/29/2018 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

This wine still drinks well. Opened last night and did a taste comparison with the 2010 vintage. The 09 has a lot more fruit and has a longer finish. Still good tonight after resealing with rubber stopper overnight. The CT drink window should be extended for this wine, but if you have more 2010 yamhill, drink up.

5/9/2018 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Drank two bottles at a dinner party with friends. The wine took some time to open up, but after decanting for 30-40mins it showed complexity and balance and a wonderfully long finish. Be patient with this wine and you will be rewarded.

3/28/2018 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Last of the case. Striking deep red color, lots of fruit, still drinking extraordinarily well. Recommend decanting for at least 45 mins. Enjoyed with family over a home cooked meal. Superb.

11/2/2017 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Barrel tasted this during Burgundy visit in Oct.2016 and ordered for delivery this year. This wine has matured nicely and drank very consistently over 2 nights. Subtle flavors, well-balanced. Drinkable now or in a few years.

9/3/2017 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Decanted for about 90 mins before pouring. An exceptional brunello at peak drinkability. Deep, ruby red color and a very full nose. A nicely balanced wine that remained consistent from the first taste to the last drop. Regrettably, this was my last bottle.

4/4/2017 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Probably at or close to peak, but still lots of fruit and chocolate flavor. Decanted for 45 mins. Opened up nicely. Perfect accompaniment to a veal chop with mushrooms and potatoes.

3/30/2017 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Much better than the last bottle opened a few months ago. Subtle fruit and charcoal flavors and a nice long finish. Went well with a fine meal at a local Italian restaurant.

2/12/2017 - mchanin4 wrote:

My last bottle from a case purchased 10 years ago. We decanted for 45 minutes before tasting and it was every bit as good as the bottle we had a year ago. A variety of rich flavors with a long finish. Even the non-grenache lovers among our group enjoyed this wine.

"Nectar of the Gods"

12/29/2016 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

This bottle was far superior to the one opened on Christmas Eve. Subtle fruit tastes and long finish. Pretty much as expected for a Brunello of this vintage and quality.

12/24/2016 - mchanin4 Does not like this wine:

Opened for an hour before drinking, but never opened up. May be past it's peak or need to be decanted/left out longer. Disappointing.

10/25/2016 - mchanin4 wrote:

A great Burgundy from a distinguished house. We visited the domaine earlier this month and brought this bottle back with us. We opened it to accompany a delicious dinner in NJ with friends who share our taste in wine. Subtle and refined with a nose that pulls you in and a long finish that keeps you coming back for more.

2/7/2016 - mchanin4 wrote:

Opened at a SB 50 party. A little tight to start, but opened up nicely after 30-40 mins. Lots of subtle flavors and a long finish. Thankfully, still in prime drinking state, unlike the last bottle of same vintage which was corked.

2/7/2016 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

A wonderful accompaniment
to a SB 50 party. Decanted about an hour before serving. Lots of fruit notes and a nice, long finish. Everyone who sampled wanted more and the magnum disappeared quickly.

12/30/2015 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Liquid gold.

12/24/2015 - mchanin4 wrote:

Magnificent wine. Hints of blackberry and cinammon and a very long finish. Got better after it was opened for 30-40 mins. Restaurant didn't have a decanter--next time I'll make sure to decant as there was plenty of sediment present.

11/12/2015 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Smooth and balanced. A perfect complement to a nice Italian meal with friends.

11/4/2015 - mchanin4 wrote:

Corked. Had nothing. Very disappointing.

5/29/2015 - mchanin4 wrote:

This wine was every bit as good as the bottle I opened a year ago. An excellent choice for a fine Italian meal with friends.

11/29/2014 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

An excellent wine. Decanted two hours and then served with a tenderloin. Still young and a bit tannic, but very approachable with lots of subtle flavors including currant and pepper.

7/26/2014 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Opened with friends at local Italian rest. Took awhile to open up, but within 45 minutes the rich fruit and long finish asserted itself. Next time I'll decant it for at least an hour.

6/13/2014 - mchanin4 wrote:

Enjoyed with friends at a fine Italian restaurant in NJ. Mature, but in no way past peak. Lots of fruit and a long finish on the palate. Perfect with my veal marsala.

4/7/2014 - mchanin4 wrote:

Served this magnum to a dinner party at which the main course was beef tenderloin. Decanted for 2 hrs prior to serving. The syrah opened up nicely and was a splendid accompaniment to the meal. Everyone enjoyed, right to the last drop.

1/12/2014 - mchanin4 wrote:

This wine is excellent. It may be at the early stage of its drinking window, but the fruity flavors came through consistently throughout our delicious meal at a fine Italian restaurant. The wine worked well with veal, fish and pasta. Only mildly tannic upon opening and smoothed out quickly. Good to the last drop and compared very favorably with a 12 year old Bordeaux that we also drank with this meal.

10/23/2013 - mchanin4 wrote:

- Garnet color with a medium finish - A Bordeaux-like blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Syrah. Opened 45 mins before serving, but still needed more time to open up. We enjoyed with barbecued chicken dinner and it complemented the food nicely. Ideally should be stored a few more years.

9/19/2013 - mchanin4 wrote:

- Ruby color and aromas of cherry and has flavours of cherry with a medium/full body with a long finish - Brought to a special dinner with friends at an excellent Italian BYO in NJ. This wine was a perfect accompaniment. Big, but not overwhelming with lots of fruit. Long lasting on the palate.

8/14/2013 - mchanin4 Does not like this wine:

Past peak. tasted flat and without body. If you own some, drink up now!

8/28/2013 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

An excellent accompaniment to a fine Italian meal. Rich and flavorful with a pleasant aftertaste. Stayed big throughout a 2 hr. meal.

3/11/2013 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

This wine was a superb accompaniment to dinner with friends at a Tuscan-style restaurant in Boca Raton. It just kept getter better through the meal and we wish we had a second bottle.

2/6/2013 - mchanin4 Likes this wine:

Every bit as good as a year ago; if anything flavors are subtler and more delicate.

6/15/2012 - mchanin4 wrote:

Of the two remaining bottles, one was completely gone and the other was drinkable, but not great. These wines should have held up better than this after 17-18 yrs.

5/20/2012 - mchanin4 wrote:

A disappointment. Past its prime. Tasted OK, but a little flat, even after sitting in the glass for 30--40 mins. I have two left of an original half-case and its time to open those and see if they are any better. 5 years ago this wine was still full of tannins and didn't open up at all. Too long between bottles.

3/22/2012 - mchanin4 wrote:

This was the 4th and final red opened during a multi-course Italian meal. It was a more than adequate "clean-up" hitter with lots of acidity and fruit. Got better after sitting in the glass for 15 mins.

2/21/2012 - mchanin4 wrote:

A perfect accompaniment to a fine Italian dinner. Excellent with veal chop.