January 11, 2020 - Well balanced mature wine. Smooth medium tannins and medium acid. Long finish. Not very complex. Time to drink this wine.
August 17, 2019 - Good to go for another 5 years at least
June 3, 2018 - Still drinking well, though I think I preferred my other bottle a little more two years ago. It's a little softer now; fully integrated, as before, but maybe lost a bit of its structure, which I think added to its gestault. I dunno; there might be a little more nuance now though. The color of this is still strikingly deep, which is noticeable even as it's pouring from the bottle, ending up a dense, opaque coloring in the glass, with a ruby (, is that purplish?) color at the edges. Earthier than last time, with aromas of damp earth and leaves, licorice, black tea, musty cellar, wet rocks, graphite, dark fruits, dark chocolate, and walnuts. Medium body, medium (+) acid and finish, with flavors of dark and dark red fruits, lemon, bitter orange peel, herbs, dark chocolate, and mineral. Great with a marinated and perfectly cooked (props to my wife) flank steak tonight, and enjoyable post meal sipping as well.
April 3, 2017 - Dam... last of my 6. Drinking great. Deep, dark fruit. Tannins fully integrated. Hint of oak. Must seek out more of this.
March 26, 2017 - I drank a bottle of the 2008 a few years ago and recall a grittiness and tannins that overpowered the fruit. A few more years in the cellar and this wine developed nicely. A full nose of dark ripe fruit, anise, white pepper, and cedar. A big and delicious fruit forward palate with spice, earth, tobacco, a lush mouthfeel, and nice integration of the tannins. The finish was lingering with a surprise of bright ripe fruit. This paired well with grilled ribeye steak.
February 8, 2017 - Awesome juice!
October 5, 2016 - A reliable go to wine for me. Didn't disappoint. Opened up very tight and tannic, taking an hour to fill out and soften somewhat. Dark fruits, some oak, earth and much minerals in the nose. A gutsy juicy Spanish red in the mouth, bright and ripe, full bodied with a sweet tangy finish followed by a good dose of tannins. Really nice. Not sure who will win in the end, the fruit or the tannins. In a good spot now.
April 3, 2016 - I've heard good things about this wine and have only had the previous vintage once, and I recall it being enjoyable but not really living up to the hype. Well this bottle tonight was fantastic. Deep ruby coloring. Great nose right off the pop with dark and dark red fruits, violets, herbs, earth, and minerals. Consistent representation on the palate, with a great mouthfeel and integrated tannins. This is ready to go and drinking great, which makes me think I need to check on my other '07. Great showing, and paired perfectly with porter braised short ribs.
March 20, 2016 - complex, deep with earth, leather and spice complementing strong strawberry and cherry fruit.
December 15, 2015 - I really, really, really want this to be more. Instead it was satisfying. There was a lot of Rhone "grittiness" which I love and there was that Rhone fruit thing thrown in and a tab of acidity. All great components, but not singing together. For the price a good bottle. For every thing else a good bottle. There is a softness almost limp, that overshadows the gritty stuff. So I ended up with an ok bottle, actually a good bottle of wine. But based in what I read here and a past experience (2007) with Finca Sandoval, I really expected more. Think John and Paul after the Beatles. That about sums it up.