December 3, 2017 - Wow. Bought six mags on sale when Diageo was exiting. Opened the third tonight to celebrate the 2017 deer season, paired with Camembert, fresh venison backstrap with mushrooms, wilted kale and yam salad. The cork was as solid as yesterday’s bottling. A full tablespoon of precipitated tannin on decanting. Mixed berries and tarred hemp on the nose, silky on the edge of the tongue, long anise finish. Why can't they do this one again? They are the Penfolds folks, after all. Shame on mediocrity!
September 25, 2016 - Amazingly, we can still taste the blackberry cassis and the rich ripe dark sweet fruits, and the dark earthiness. It's a strong wine, so may have limited appeal. We liked it, although it's not our favorite style.
June 20, 2015 - In good shape for '98; rich medium+ body, still some oak, blackberry-cassis, slight hint of ripe sweet dark fruits, dark earthiness; classic old school Napa cab. did not show too much signs of aging, holds itself well. Not my style, lacks a bit of elegance and character but exactly what should be.
November 23, 2014 - remarkably good. figured it was way past its prime...not so at all. decanted and sipped over a 2 hour period. best after 1 hour. 92 pts.
October 11, 2010 - a little past it's prime
November 26, 2009 - This drank very well. Still lots of fruit, smooth tannins, great finish. Aging it made a big difference.
March 12, 2009 - A little on the light side. Tannins have all but disappeared. Drinking smooth, past its prime. Lacking in complexity but still very enjoyable.
October 8, 2008 - Still drinking extremely well. Sorry to see it go. We decided on this one following a 2001 Sterling Merlot and the consensus among the three of us was a preference for the cab. Still had decent fruit even though it appears beyond its age recommendation. Tannins have definitely softened.
June 23, 2007 - Not as exciting as the Chateau Potelle, but still nice. A little bitey. This bottle was a gift from my U.Bob.
June 23, 2007 - Not as exciting as the Chateau Potelle, but still nice. A little bitey.