December 27, 2023 - Nose is tobacco, earth, leather. Still some fruit here red rasberry dominates. Taste is raisin, sweet and finish is smooth but a bit abrupt.
December 20, 2023 - Well preserved bottle. Very delicious.
August 6, 2018 - Cork was in amazing condition considering 19 year old wine...saturated just about 1/8"...cellared by me since 2004 when I received as a gift. Rich dark color appeared much more youthful than its real age, almost no bricking. A fair amount of oak on the nose, bit of cigar box. On the palate, plenty of tannins remaining with the fruit a bit muted. Nice acidity, and a pronounced herbal quality and still showing some oak. This was my first 1999 in a while, but this wine was a refresher on the vintage, that of more structure than fruit. Like a traditional Bordeaux or old-school Napa cab. Lots of life left, but expect less fruit going forward, but also likely gaining complexity. Not sure it's ever going to show as well as some of the earlier notes.
August 24, 2015 - Very nice. Plenty of tanins left. Could get better yet.
November 30, 2013 - took a magnum to dinner at Cafe Napoli in St. Louis, MO. Wow. We were discussing the age-ability of Cali Cabs, and then we opened this.
Spectacular. Dark, viscous, rich. Perfect tannins and silky mouthfeel. Dried dark fruits, spice, leather and chocolate. long long finish and had the dinner crowd buzzing.
August 6, 2013 - Outstanding. Very balanced with plenty of fruit.
May 26, 2013 - Drinking perfectly right now. This bottle did not quite live up to the promise tasted upon release, but it was still very good juice.
October 19, 2012 - The nose was dark and inviting with black currant, dusty cocoa, lavender and cherry liquor. On the palate, it was smooth with an acidic spine providing great textural diversity. Dark fruit dominated with a bit of an herbal quality, yet something seemed to be missing on the mid-palate. The finish was long and staying with a hint of resolved tannin lingering along with the flavor of dried berries. All-in-all, this is a beautiful wine.
September 3, 2012 - Drinking fantastic right now.
December 8, 2007 - Beautiful color, drinking great, had it with wood fired steak. Plenty of fruit and a very long finish. Decanted for about 30 minutes.