2/4/2024 - bambam Likes this wine:

Light gold color. Slight petrol on the nose. Great energy that keeps the RS from being cloying. Apricot and apple in the mouth. Last bottle. Hold or Drink.

1/23/2024 - bambam Likes this wine:

Dark amber beer color. Sweet botrytis nose. Strong butterscotch flavor. Saw my tasting note from 10 years ago. Enjoyed it more in its youth. Don’t see this improving.

1/13/2024 - bambam Likes this wine:

Dark as black in the glass. Over the top at this point, needed air time to open up. Firm tannins, good acidity and strong currant flavor. It comes across as a wine just bottled. This really needs another 7-10 years to soften up. Recommend holding. 95+

12/28/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Aging well, same blue fruit. Tannins are still firm so no rush here. Having had 3 of the 2010's recently this was my second favorite. The Napa bottling showed the best at the moment.

12/11/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Very fruit forward at this point. Plum and dark cherry. Very low acid and tannins are fully resolved. Aging well even if it is a bit one dimensional. A crowd pleasing style. Enjoyed.

12/9/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Still drinking young and wish I waited a few more years. Blackberry, tobacco, a touch of sage. Tannins have a nice velvety mouthfeel to them. Big style but everything is in balance still. Hold or drink.

11/5/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Medium gold color, nose is a bit retracent. Nice energy, lemon and pear with a good acidic backbone. Drinking well, far from over the hill. Drinking well now.

10/31/2023 - bambam wrote:

Oxidized

10/31/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

I did not find this over the hill as some notes have suggested. Years ago I remember this wine as being too much of everything. Time has softened it. Plums and some earthy wood notes. I do not see this getting better but not over the hill.

10/18/2023 - bambam Does not like this wine:

From passive cellar in SF. Fill mid shoulder. Some signs of leakage. Faded nose and taste. Over the hill.

10/18/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

This came from a passive cellar in the basement of a San Francisco home. Fill was good at the bottom of the neck. Cork was saturated on the sides but no leakage. To my surprise there was still life here. Clearly past it’s prime but far from dead. Quit oaky on the nose, garnet color with slight brownish clear bricking on the edge. In the mouth a pleasant mix of mushrooms, cedar and pencil lead.

9/15/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Well, I held on to this longer than I thought I would. Not disappointed. Nice burgundy red with just a hint of clear around the edges. On the nose cherry banana custard. Very smooth with a nice acidic bite. This is not just a drink on release wine.

7/10/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Aging nicely, had this 7 years ago and the acidity almost overwhelmed it then. Now with some age the acidity is falling in line. Residual sugar is starting to show more. Getting more pear and apple flavors now less lemon. No hint of petrol in my bottles. Significant lees settling on the bottom. Drinking well now or hold.

6/1/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Wow, all the accolades are true. Flowers and minerals on the nose. The deepest red color. In the mouth velvety smooth and balance that is second to none. Fruit is still prominent but not over powering. Finish shows structure but all in check. This was my first bottle I have opened. No rush to open the next. This has the potential to age for a very long time. What a treat.

5/17/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Medium yellow in color. Lovely pears with nice acidity still. Enjoyed.

5/17/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Deep yellow color. Smooth entry with honey dew melons and apples. Finishes has a soft sweet touch. Enjoyable.

5/16/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Stewed cranberries and firm tannins. Severed a little warm which did not help it. Took some time to open up. Suggest decanting or better yet hold for several more years.

5/6/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

A big chewy cab is the first description that came into my head. Crimson red with no signs of aging. Floral oak and number 2 pencil on the nose. Plum, leather and a hint of white chocolate in the mouth. Finish is dry with significant tannins still. Enjoyable now but has legs to go further. Splash decanted this wine and probably glad I did. No rush here.

4/13/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Been many years since I last opened this wine. Grabbed it from the back of the cellar to check it out. Color is a deep garnet red with some faint bricking. I get plums on the nose. In the mouth very smooth and showing lovely subtleties that only come from age. Finish is a bit watery. Enjoyed it. Drink up, I don’t see this getting better but it seems to be fading slowly so no fire drill.

4/5/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

Nice nose of stone fruit. Mid pallet is refreshing lemon and peaches. Finish has a hint of oak but far from over powering. Really nice Chardonnay.

4/3/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

From magnum, a little tight at first but greatly improved with air time over the next 2 hrs. Cherried raspberries with subtle tannins and nice finish. No bricking around the edge. Aging nicely. In a good place right now and really don’t see it getting any better but still has legs to go further. Drink or hold.

1/16/2023 - bambam Likes this wine:

A big style wine. Still showing lots of youth. Blackberry and white chocolate notes. Mid pallet shows Velvety tannins. With the acidity and alcohol coming through on the finish which keeps the wine from being cloying. Interested to see how this develops.

12/18/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

From magnum. Celebrated my parents 60th wedding anniversary. Yes that’s 60 years! That’s not a typo. Lovely nose. A little tight at first. Tannins are still very present. Dark fruits are also very vibrant. This could have benefitted from more time but still not unhappy I brought it. Everyone loved it. My mom even had 3 glasses and she never has more than one. Ultimate compliment. What a joy! Why I collect wine. To properly celebrate moments like this. 96+

11/24/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Drinking well. I agree this is just entering its drinking window. Rose hips and light strawberry on the nose. Smooth and well integrated. Enjoyed.

9/9/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Fuller style but not cloying. Acidity was present but in check. Lemon curd and cream. Drinking well.

9/1/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Exceptional balance with velvety tannins. Drinking great.

7/31/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Dark cherries and violets on the nose. Silky smooth, tannins still present but softening. Finish is lovely. More drink than hold but it’s still got life in it.

6/23/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Has turned a deep amber hue. Drinking well. Sweetness is not cloying for a late harvest. Drink or hold.

5/29/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Still showing some tightness when first opened. Opened up after some air time. Lovely fruit and balance. Hold or drink. No rush here.

5/29/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Solid showing. Great all around balance, nothing sticking out. Still some tannins showing, hold or drink.

1/13/2022 - bambam Likes this wine:

Drinking really well. On the nose blueberry, flowers, and a sweetness I can only describe as cotton candy. Tannins are still there and provide good balance. Finish is polished. Drink or hold

12/25/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Wow, still going strong. Still very fruit forward, stewed plums, significant tannins still, this has plenty more time.

12/25/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Some light browning around the edge. Floral cherries on the nose. Great balance. Drinking well now. Near peak. Drink now.

12/10/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Still really big. Needs more time. Lots of potential here. Hold

12/10/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Deep color and flavors to match. Great balance as always from Saxum. Has more life it. Drink or hold.

12/10/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Very smooth and pretty floral nose. Drinking very smooth and enjoyable. Drinking well now.

12/10/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

From magnum, It is holding up much better than I anticipated last time I had it 4 years ago. Dark color and strong blueberry compote with prominent oak. Drink or hold.

11/25/2021 - bambam wrote:

Fruit driven, lighter style. Enjoyed

9/4/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Drinking well, peppery blue berries with a touch of smoke. A slight whiff of alcohol on the nose but in check. Plenty more life in this. Drink or hold.

7/10/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Light styled SB. Lemon and faint hay. Nice drink for a hot day.

6/27/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

So I initially did not write a note on this wine. Out of the bottle it was a bit harsh and jagged. We only had a glass and put the cork back in it and back in the cellar. Ended up letting it sit for about 4 days. Had friends over, pulled it. What a surprise. It had melded together and was very enjoyable. Decant or let sit.

6/4/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Decanted, wonderful nose. In the mouth it’s like drinking silk. Awesome texture and balance. Wonderful finish. Flavor profile is classic HSS. Glad I have more. Drinking well now but still very youthful. No rush here but worth a taste now.

5/8/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Dusty tannins, fruit and oak are subtle, red fruits and herbs in the mouth. Enjoyable but not noteworthy.

3/3/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Drinking well. Soft tannins, cherried plums. No rush here.

2/14/2021 - bambam Likes this wine:

Drinking well now. Dark fruits, a whiff of dry tobacco and thyme. Smooth and well balanced. I did get a whiff of alcohol when it started to warm up but no heat. If it were not for that I would have scored higher. Enjoy now or for several more years.

11/26/2020 - bambam Likes this wine:

Maturing just beautifully. Incredible balance is the first thing that comes to mind. Lemon zest with a creamy feel. Nice acidic backbone. Real pleasure.

9/25/2020 - bambam Likes this wine:

This is drinking real nice. Stone fruit with just enough acidity to keep it fresh.

6/15/2020 - bambam wrote:

Not sure if this bottle was cooked or not? Bought it at auction so no history. It was a jumbled mess. Reminded me of a huge alcohol zin. Stewed fruit, big tannins, burnt finish. ?

6/15/2020 - bambam Likes this wine:

Really nice, everything in balance, not over the top in any way. BlackBerry, plum, a little spice. Tannins are there but compliment the fruit. No heat. Enjoyed!

5/1/2020 - bambam wrote:

Tannins are still firm and the fruit is still fresh. This could use a few more years but shaping up nicely. Everything in balance.