July 6, 2014 - Wow. Powerful nose. Blackberries and currants with a long finish. At its absolute peak right now although sadly my last bottle.
January 4, 2013 - On opening, nice fruit but rough tannins. With a couple hours decanting, the fruit and tannins both faded, to the point that it provided little taste (but nice body) to go with the ribeye I had prepared. But on its own, when I could pick up the more subtle flavors, it was yummy, and even better the second night.
August 15, 2010 - Surprisingly good after holding for a few years. Decanter for three hours. Well balance.
October 5, 2009 - This is my third and final bottle of this, the last one was consumed late 2006. I think it is starting to fade as it was nowhere near as good as the last two. Still a great wine, but I think it's time to drink up.
September 19, 2009 - Popped and poured. Far too oaky starting off. Dries the tongue out like whoa. A tiny bit of dusty fruit peeking through, but it strikes me as over the hill. The oak burns off a little as it opens up after a few hours, but is replaced by tart red cherries. Improved slightly on the second night. I'd definitely decant this for a couple hours if I got it again.
March 29, 2009 - Really had a lot of that classic Napa Dust aroma. Surprising given this is really a Mt. Veeder mountain cab and I have not experienced this before from Veeder wines. Very dark color and a lot of fruit. Still somewhat tannic and probably will get better with a few more years. Better than previous years and I suppose the winery is starting to recover from the fire on property. I would also say this is a relative value for the region.
March 3, 2008 - Inky purple, tight nose upon opening of plum, tobacco, and oak. Decanted for one hour. Far more fruit and far less oak on the nose after decanting. This one is real jammy, very fruit-forward with blackberries and some cocoa or coffee on the palate. Very big tannins on the back end that don't smooth out all that much as time goes on - could probably cellar this for another five years. A complexity and nice, long finish that makes this a wine to linger over.
November 26, 2007 - Dark color, thick spice and charcoal taste but with a good fruit balance. Very dry, and it definitely needs a little air time, but a great wine.
June 21, 2007 - Dark & inky in color with thick legs. Deep black currant nose with spices of pipe tabacco & cedar. Blackberry & currant with mild tannins & slight pencil lead leading into a long finish.
April 18, 2007 - Nose is soft, elegant, and complex consisting of pine, eucalyptus, pencil lead, toast, coffee beans and some black cherry. The palate follows through with the same complexity, showing off the fact that it's mountain fruit with black plums, tea leaves, cassis, and some dusty tannins that are well integrated and allow for nice mouthfeel. This is a very nice bottle.