January 30, 2015 - At 10 years old, this still comes across as young and primary when opened, with immense smoky and meaty notes overwhelming most of the rest of the wine. They subside with an hour or so in the decanter, coming more into balance with rich dark berry fruit and some mineral undertones. Tannins are resolved at this point, and the wine comes across as a little soft to my palate (but then again, I'm an acid/structure freak). The last third of the bottle the following day is even more restrained and elegant. I'm pretty shocked by the life left in this wine; not sure where it goes from here...
August 30, 2013 - great, lots of fruit, love the structure, long finish
April 16, 2010 - Tasted from 375, I enjoy the Novy line of wines, solid QPRs and this wine is no exception. Somewhat primary nose, blackberry and spice on the palate with a nice lingering finish. For $10 you can't go wrong.
February 21, 2010 - Very nice. I had this in a 375ml bottle which was convenient as I wanted some syrah with my pasta. Not much on the nose but rich blackberry flavor. Good balance and medium length finish. Some spice and tar. Also good QPR.
September 13, 2009 - Are you kidding me? This was $19? Yeah, it was, and it was freaking delicious. A little shy on the nose, but the fruit practically exploded on the palate, and it had a lllooonnnggg finish to boot. Tons of blueberry, a hint of pepper, and an almost citrusy acidity on the finish. Would have liked some more pepper and maybe some minerality, but how much complexity can you expect at this price?
May 31, 2009 - Quite tasty but lacks the complexity of the Novy single vineyard syrahs. A good QPR however.
February 9, 2009 - Best after decanting.
January 14, 2009 - Been almost 3 years since I drank one of these and either the wine is changing, my palate is changing, or both. What find this time is a wine that cuts a broad path across the palate, with a pile of black cherry fruit and a good dose of acidity. Lard and peppery nose. Find some tar, too. This wine is quite generous for the $19 I paid (and I believe the price now for the current release is still pretty close to this point, too) but not sappy or heavy. Just pleasing, full of big flavor, and a nice lingering finish.
February 9, 2008 - still delicious.
January 5, 2008 - Drank two bottles this night, both 375s. The first bottle had about an hour of air before I got to it. Very well balanced and refined, with lots of blackberry and blueberry on the nose and palate, medium bodied with medium length finish. The second, popped and poured after the first bottle was finished, was not quite as open and the tannins were a bit grittier. Still, this has come a long way since my last bottle about ten months ago. Blended score for the two bottles, call it 90 and 88. The hour of air really did wonders for this wine. My 750s will sleep for another year or so before trying again.