February 6, 2010 - importer bankruptcy closeout purchase. Bottle was in excellent condition. Typical cab nose, cedar, hint of mint. definitely new world, but restrained, which may be the benefit of its age. Lively acidity, red fruit, luscious and velvety with a long finish of bitter chocolate. Unfortunately, after a promising start, the bitter chocolate flavor began to dominate the wine after about an hour, and the wine actually became disjointed.
April 18, 2009 - Very dark purple color. Nose of wood, tar, bramble, menthol. Pallet a bit woody, but lots of heavy fruit, viscosity and smoothness that makes it pleasant on the pallet.
September 12, 2008 - Started drinking like a nicely aged CA Cab. Then after an hour or so, started to fall apart and get harsh. The wine finally started to show some grace and elegance, but doesn't have the backbone to last much furher. Drink remaining bottles soon.
April 12, 2008 - Dark red, little if any browning. Nose of a little lead pencil, tar, some fruit. Somewhat astringent. Pallet showed lead pencil, bordeaux-like. Thought it might be closed, so decanted. It evolved and opened a little, but nothing special. Perhaps got a bit stemmy.
August 9, 2007 - Black as ink. Super dark nose and pallet as well. Tar, tobacco, some leather and earth. Closed to start, opened a bit as it aired out. Still holding its own.
February 16, 2007 - Super dark color - almost black. Nose of tar, tobacco, leather, some very dark fruit. Perhaps a bit burnt / woody. Pallet very rich and thick. I'd guess this was a petite syrah as opposed to a cab sauv. Lots of dark fruit, tobacco, maybe a little lead pencil.
September 1, 2006 - Very tight, austere and hard to drink. Never opened up. Wish it was like the last one, but it wasn't. Not sure if bottle variation, or last bottle was opened, but the wine has closed, etc.
July 28, 2006 - Wow. Drinking great now. Finally integrating the pieces into something special.
April 24, 2005 - It was time to drink this one.
Dark purple, fruit waning a bit, but surprisingly good given
the expected drinking window. Probably a very good $20 wine
if drink it a couple of years earlier.