June 22, 2020 - leather, earth nose; ripe, big round full bodied wine, stewed fruit, medium tannins, cocoa, voluptuous, silky mouthfeel, good structure, long finish, still a bit hot initially (15%) but really mellowed nicely after about 2hr
November 11, 2018 - Shame last bottle. At its peak.
September 18, 2016 - It's time to enjoy this - nice wine beef stew
See prior notes
May 19, 2015 - Second bottle went down tonight. Just as lovely as the first. This wine is showing much more green pepper and clove. Rather vegetal, but not over the top. Finished with a 60+ second finish. Beautiful wine. This wine has aged rather flawlessly, but I'm honestly not sure it really has the depth to last more than a few years from now. Drinking ***WELL*** tonight. A great accoutrement to dinner and after hours wind-down. Drink now to 2018.
January 28, 2015 - Big brooding dark fruit wine - even after 30 decant. Dark fruit and licorice at the start to a even finish and round mouth feel. Light finishing notes of earth and cedar
November 23, 2013 - Like this wine. Great blend. Probably will get much better with age.
February 8, 2013 - A dark berry nose, with licorice and tobacco leaf. The palate is bright and inviting, with raspberry and strawberry complimenting the blackberry. Finishes with a mix of fruit and herbs, providing complexity. The mix here is unusual and enjoyable.
December 25, 2012 - This wine is amazing. Great balance, fruit and depth. Every time we open the blender boy I'm reminded of how great it is.
November 13, 2012 - Outstanding. This wine is full bodied, ready to go. Enjoyed after 30 minutes of decanting. This wine poured a ruby red with some purple tones. The nose was quite floral, a little acidic, a little sharp. This died after 45 minutes and was mostly a hawthorne and wildflower floral bouquet. The wine on the palate was dark, robust, full bodied. Inky, teeth staining. Currant notes in the front and middle, remaining very soft, velvety. Not as much acidity as the nose was anticipating. The finish of the wine was moderately tannic with a little bit of that petite verdot dustiness. You can definitely tell the 50% CS was the backbone of this wine, but the floral characteristics of the 28% Cab Franc, the dustiness of the 8% Petite Verdot, and the spice and velvet of the 14% Petite Syrah all blended incredibly well. Ready to go now with about 30-45 minutes of decanting, this one should continue to evolve until around 2016, and done shortly thereafter. Great combination from Erna Schein. I really messed up by only getting one bottle of this. Need about 12 more!
October 4, 2012 - Outstanding! Another example of great balance and creativity from Erna schein.