March 6, 2022 - Still holding up quite well and this bottle more lively and definitely at not past peak, drinking prime. Tasting experience otherwise very similar to notes from 8/8/2021. Drink or hold but heavily leaning on the drink side.
August 8, 2021 - At or maybe just past peak so need to drink up any holdings. Beautiful soft Sonoma cab from a great producer, tannins completely resolved and very integrated. Surprisingly floral nose with rose bud and a lighter tropical note as well - think hibiscus. Good mouth feel, moderate length, minimal oak on palate - in fact more cedar then oak right now, dark red color with bricking, fruit still well retained up front with the mid- and late palate more earthy.
June 18, 2020 - This wine is finally in a clear window, might be at peak. Consistent with previous notes but the nose is far more perfumed and floral than I recall, bringing fresh lavender, potpourri, red roses, forest floor, wet mud, funky bell pepper, and grape hard candy. The palate is full, square with soft edges, concentrated, and balanced, bringing deep dark and blue fruit with lingering red fruit, savory herbs, chocolate mocha, pipe tobacco, old leather, and ripe strawberries into a refined, extended, and near perfect finish. Drink 2020-2024. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
December 8, 2018 - Was very curious to see what this wine was going to drink like. Fortunately, I thought it was very solid! It tasted as a 13 year old Sonoma Cab should, so I was happy to that extent. With the age, it was very easy to drink and something I could drink all night. Tannins were wonderful, mouthfeel on point, and plenty of fruit to bring it all together. Was just missing that extra umph to make it a great wine!
August 4, 2018 - Consistent with notes a few years ago, only smoother and more refined. Dark, opaque inky black purple color. Tons of sediment. Super potent red berry notes on the nose and palate. Good frame and balance with silky tannins on the length finish. Drink before 2024. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment score: 92.
May 21, 2016 - Opened and decanted 3 hours ahead of BBQ chicken, roasted fingerlings, and strawberry-spinach salad. Sappy, purple, cloudy crimson color. The nose brings intense red fruit, mainly raspberries and strawberries, along with whiffs of black currant, lavender, licorice, wild herbs, and garlic. The palate is full, square and compact with hard edges, bringing tangy blackberries, creme de cassis, raspberries, dried leather and cherry sweet tobacco into the finish, which is slightly hot and unresolved with thick tannins. Still feels wound up after 10+ years, so should be best after 2018.
April 16, 2016 - Finesse and freshness are the most interesting aspects of this wine.
In comparison, all the other cabs tasted along were very big (Don Melchior 96, Almaviva 01)
November 21, 2014 - Dark fruit, oak, and a hint of bell pepper.
October 24, 2012 - Laurel Glen Dinner (Naha, Chicago): Opens with a pleasant roasted red bell pepper quality- something I expect in older vintages thus a bit of a surprise here. Also has black fruit and herbal qualities. Structured yet elegant, with flavors of dark fruit, cassis, florals and vanilla. Shuts down hard and fast in the glass though. 92+ pts, if only briefly. Hold for a few years yet.
October 19, 2012 - PnP through the vinturi, left in the glass for about 30 minutes.
In the glass: Dark magenta, super pigmented, no bricking at the edge, ok legs. On the nose: Hot minerals, charcoal & oak, opened up some to spice, a little tart raspberry & currants, dark fruit. In the mouth: medium mouth feel, dry tannin grip, sweet cherries & anise on the tongue, charcoal & oak, light dry finish. This has enough tannins to go down for a few more years to let it mellow. I bet decanting it for longer will smooth out the tannins. Nice for a cab, more fruity than some but the tannins are still a little pronounced. Very nice!