January 21, 2024 - Boy has this clamped down on itself since I last had it in 2018. Back then, it was gushing 100 points all day long. This bottle was sleepy and strict. Even with air, it was still kinda angry and in a 'pillow over the head leave me alone' kind of mood. Shoot for 2028 and see if 20 years from vintage will prove to be less sleepy-eyed? Fruit transitioning a bit too much? Flavors and focus seem on-point in terms of "stuffing," but they are cloaked under a flat and starchy blanket at the moment. Patience? I hope to think it’s not losing its fruit already.
The 2008 Duel Grenache served next to it was much more expressive.
December 10, 2023 - Monster wine. Silky, spice dark fruits. Still has plenty of time left.
August 26, 2023 - 4th Saturday Brown Bagger (R&D’s): Blind. Deep color. Aromas of licorice, blackberry liqueur, roasted game and spice. Full-bodied. Flavors of spice, black fruit, pepper, rose water and cured meat. Medium tannins with a lingering finish.
This too had been opened just over seven hours before the flight was poured, and decanted for three hours in that stretch. There's still plenty of life left in this and the grenache.
December 9, 2022 - Pop and pour. Showing beautifully with fine tannins, silky black fruit and integrated acid, herbs, long finish.
October 13, 2022 - Blind tasting of 12 syrahs from Washington, Oregon, Paso Robles and Australia. This didn't get a single vote as the favorite. Deep and dark but one-dimensional, without complexity of aroma or on the palate. A big, still tannic and closed wine without much charm.
Ric
October 2, 2022 - Amazing power and complexity as expected. I wasn’t quite as blown away as with the Dark Blossom though.
May 22, 2022 - Part of the post birthday celebration. Burgers and by itself. Deep purple. Spicy blackberry cobbler , menthol albeit subtle nose , fully throttle blueberry, ripe black cherry, vanilla, moderate tannins with a touch of heat on the dark fruit filled long finish
May 22, 2022 - Sweet Jesus. Absolutely perfect zero question. Blueberry compote, açaí, nose is transcending. Touch of meat, in a Rhone way not a funky way. Chocolate. Transporting. Ethereal. Perfect. At peak but not fading. 2022-2030?+
April 17, 2022 - Super delicious! Notes as last time except with a 3 hour decant and consumed over 2 hours.
July 27, 2021 - Tasting every couple hours, it took an 8 hour decant to fully blossom. Full bodied, deeply extracted, yet luxurious. Deep black fruit, black raspberries,grilled meat, earthiness, black olives, semi sweet chocolate, pepper. A real sipper that carried the high alcohol well.