February 17, 2024 - Perfect pairing. Pear Gorgonzola Risotto and Beef Tenderloin
October 21, 2023 - PnP. Opens with black cherry and blackberry followed by plum, tobacco, earth, spice and a touch of chocolate. Still has a lot of fruit with black cherry, blackberry, plum, cassis, earth and spice. Medium body with smooth silky tannins in the finish. A beautiful fully mature merlot. Probably at its peak.
November 6, 2020 - Color, clear red with copper rim. 1st nose, red fruits, macerated fruits and raisin stems. 2nd nose, chocolate and cedar. On the palate, silky smooth with chocolate notes. Great Merlot sample.
August 19, 2020 - This bottle has been hanging out in the cellar for 7 years. Still drinking very well, the window should extend into 2021 at least for those folks still holding out.
July 25, 2020 - Closed at first, benefitted from a short decant. Started with black cherry and blackberry followed by plum, tobacco, earth, spice and a touch of chocolate. Similar flavors in a medium body. Smooth silky tannins in the finish. A beautiful fully mature merlot. Should go another 5+ years without missing a step.
March 13, 2019 - The best showing of this wine over the past 6 years. Maybe at peak? Firm frame yet great touch and texture, especially on the palate and finish. Consistent with previous notes but fully fleshed out now - nothing is hiding or holding back. Drink 2019-2022. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 94.
June 15, 2018 - Still a nice compact core with firm tannins on the finish. Plums, blackberries, chocolate cherries, tobacco, and eucalyptus. Delicious concentration if still tight. However, much more accessible than the past few bottles. Maybe entering peak window? Drink 2018-2026. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.
January 29, 2018 - Still has a tight, tannic profile for a wine that is near 12 years old. Dark cherry, plum, cedar, licorice and tar offer a complex mouthfeel. Decanted for 1 hour. Excellent.
September 26, 2017 - Still somewhat closed. It took about 2-3 hours to reveal a discernable fruit profile. Seemed over-the-hill at first but by the end of the evening it was accessible and the tight acidic core and thick tannins jumped out at you. Still in slumber window. Should open up again nicely in the next few years. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 90.
July 2, 2017 - Consumed a few bottles over the past several days ending yesterday.
They were both popped and poured.
These are delicious savory bottles with the nice texture of Howell Mountain merlot pedigree, the fruit of California, and the maturation and development of 11 years. I really enjoyed them, and then I realized what I paid. Great. A go to for any carnivorous pairing for any occasion.
Decanting did benefit the fruit expression. I would probably drink the 750s within the next 2-4 years.