March 18, 2023 - At first open, the nose was incredible. Probably the best of the night- right at open. Tells the story right from the get go - this one may be a bit on the back side of the mountain. It was a great wine - one with all the pedigree you would expect but certainly could have been opened a few years earlier. No residual tannins and not much acid to keep this going, so imo please drink up. What there was, though, was a great deal of mature blue and black fruit, with a consistent layer of methol and green, though it was in the background. It was a thoroughly enjoyable wine - and probably was a beast a decade ago.
August 30, 2021 - PNP at Spago
A beautifully aged Cabernet. Good fruit, acidity with medium tannins.
That cab fruit flavor mixes with some green pepper and eucalyptus .
An hour in and the wine just improves
August 21, 2021 - Sam's 60th Birthday (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Small glass, brief note. Impressive display of black berries with lots of complexity emerging, but wonderfully fresh for its age. Concentrated fruit is front-and-center, with structure in the near background. Very good length with a persistent finish.
March 15, 2020 - :30 decant At Kali.
Good nose with some mango it finishes slightly hot and out of balance but still good
This is Napa Cabernet with some nice secondary earthy flavors that come with age. Maybe a bit too extracted
In the end stage of it’s drinking window imo.
April 2, 2018 - Very worthy of its WA rating. Flawless. Dark, dark ruby garnet color. Minimal sediment. Moderate rim variation. Beautiful nose of a classic cabernet. Low tannin. Low acid. Medium alcohol. Long finish. Very ready to drink and perfectly within its window. Perhaps a bit beyond peak. Paired perfectly with grilled lamb.
December 26, 2016 - Absolutely worthy of its WA rating, and naturally we concur. Paired perfectly with standing rib roast. Ready to drink and plenty of bottle life left.
February 19, 2016 - Rich, lush, opulently styled wine, with a blast of licorice, blackberry, jam, dark chocolate and smoke that is truly delivering the goods today.
December 20, 2015 - Wonderful nose, really something more out of Bordeaux than California. Hold these wines and give them this kind of age. You will be rewarded.
February 21, 2015 - Wonderful black cherry and cassis aromas and flavors with well balanced layers of mocha, spice, and oak. Well resolved tannins on the finish.
February 21, 2014 - Showing almost no age, bought on release and stored well since. As soon as the cork was pulled, it had an amazing nose. While difficult to leave, it was decanted for 2 hours and it just started to sing. Not shy with red and black fruits, anise, cassis, pencil lead and just a touch of herbs. Very rich, complex palate with layers of flavor. It starts with the black fruits, adds some raspberry, anise, cassis, a hint of dried herbs, thick and rich. Ends with a long, silky smooth finish. Not heat in this amazingly balanced wine. Over the 5 hours that the bottle lasted, it just kept getting better. Not sure if it is at its peak, it may improve with time, but certainly can age for year to come. Glad I still have a few more bottles for the future.