July 5, 2020 - Dark color, appropriate for its age with plenty of butterscotch and caramel apple character. Still good richness and depth. Probably better a few years back, but certainly still enjoyable.
January 6, 2020 - Popped and poured, then enjoyed over several hours. Certainly mature, but in a fun nutty, butterscotchy way, and certainly not tired, although fading at the 2-hour mark. Bottle purchased from Rhys at release.
June 4, 2014 - Rhys in Atlanta (Aria, Atlanta, GA): Showing its age with some nuttiness, but not at all over the hill, with plenty of acid. Clearly California, but in a good way.
January 25, 2013 - Honey color; surprise as aging it was showing; rich; reminded me of a 20 year burgundy. Enjoyed but probably slightly passed it's peak.
December 1, 2012 - Corked! :(
April 30, 2012 - Really intense nose. Big wine. Lots of palate presence. Very focused lemon with great mineral finish. My only complaint is that as the wine sat open and warmed the oak became excessive.
March 17, 2012 - Double decanted, this had an intoxicating banana cream pie, orange peel, nutmeg, Meyer lemon. Still a lot of powerful, rounded fruit, including pineapple, lemon, peach and a little grapefruit. A pretty rich mouthfeel actually; everything is still in place with fruit, structure and grip, including some oak for sure. Moderate finish.
December 21, 2011 - Lemon oil on the nose. Extremely intense - a real wakeup jolt at first. We had our other bottle over 3 years ago and it was intense then and I figured it would have "mellowed" some by now. It may have a little but still seems like it has years to go. Still, it was great last night. Tends toward the citrusy side of flavors. August restaurant.
September 25, 2011 - EWG does LQ @ SK (Starry Kitchen, Los Angeles): Served blind. This one also cleaned up with some air. Banana and wax showing a bit of age. Buttery and minerally with some air. Rich and fat initially and actually falling off on the finish. Clearly a bigger California powerfully fruited Chard. Pretty sweetness later on and a touch of heat. A mixed bag overall for me. I think the fruit would benefit from a few more years but I'm not sure the structure is present for extended aging.
July 25, 2011 - This was exquisite...a happy medium between California tropical fruit (Aubert) and Burgundian elegence (Batard-Montrachet). Could have smelled this wine all night...a perfect match for butter-poached lobster & summer succotash fettuccini. Skipped the second vintage when my son was born to save some cash so I don't get offered any more...what a mistake!!!