February 18, 2024 - Completely oxidized. Bummer.
January 12, 2024 - Not as complex as most red label Asili, but on the other hand, this has evolved to a place that is better than the professional reviewers suggested years ago. It shows clear Asili characteristics along with a wonderful sweetness present in my favorite Barbareschi that does not fall into over ripeness (raisins, stewed plums, etc). So this is simply delightful. Don’t expect 1989, 1996, or 2004. But this provides hedonistic pleasure without the downsides typical in a ripe vintage. 94-95.
April 29, 2023 - Smoked meats with Jason: The only real blind of the night and I guessed NZ pinot for this, oops. Thought this reminded me of the Felton Road I had the other day - ripe red fruit but with green notes and bitterness. Didn’t feel completely clean and lacked precision. Out of the many disappointments on the night, this was the biggest for me personally.
January 12, 2023 - 2015 Produttori & Friends (Nella Kitchen & Bar, Los Olivos, CA): Mildly corked, enough to preclude us from enjoying the evident fruit and acid.
October 21, 2022 - Pre-Birthday Warmup Dinner with Friends (The Bristol - Chicago IL): Opened several hours ahead, with one hour in a decanter. Red cherry, some berry with a complex spicebox. Less power vs the 2004 white label in the next glass, but more balance and precision. Great right now.
January 9, 2022 - Opened with a PNP on Saturday night and that was not the right move. Closed and unimpressive. I was frustrated with it. On Sunday, the aromas, textures, and flavors emerged to my pleasure. Dry earth and floral notes plus some leather. Supple tannins provide a soft grip. Bright acid and medium body. Surprisingly juicy fruit. Very nice wine. Will provide ample decanting next time.
October 2, 2021 - Corked.
October 2, 2021 - Crystal garnet color with bricking at the edge. A bit hot, with the alcohol peeking through all the fruit. Cassis and cherries, fine spices, with tannins still evident. Needs more time in the cellar. Best served with hearty foods now. Decanted two hours in advance
May 22, 2021 - Decanted three hours before and I was rewarded with the most ethereal nose. Fairly limited sediment and lovely aromas from the cork. The wine in the glass was translucent and pale garnet coloured with a hint of brick. The aroma was stone fruits mixed with floral and savoury notes. The palate was sweet fruit just carrying the high alcohol (14.5) with those savoury flavours providing a long finish. Tannins were ripe and present and gave a velvet finish, which probably did require food- which we were having.
March 13, 2021 - From Magnum, decanted and served. We are not sure if this is because its still young but frankly given the pedigree (and for sure the price) this was a bit underwhelming.
Definitely not at par as the notes below which makes us think maybe our bottle was a bit off or just needed a lot more decanting to open up. Did not feel closed and difficult just was not singing. 91 on this occasion and with a lot of hopes shuttered.