April 10, 2022 - A wine of unclear provenance. Prune color--somewhat murky. Something of a barnyard nose. Light hit of tart blueberry (?) on the tip of the tongue. As the wine passes back I get a menthol or minty suggestion, A full-bodied wine with a surprisingly short finish. An enjoyable wine, but this particular bottle is past its peak.
March 18, 2022 - beautiful mild age great with steak or just ...
October 5, 2019 - Tasted with family to celebrate a promotion. Served with pizza.
Very smooth! Almost people will like this wine, and with most foods. Tannins are still present but really integrated into the wine. Still has cherry/blackberry notes, leather, medium finish.
June 11, 2016 - After a string of disappointing early 2000's Calif Cabs, this one surprised me. Very good, needed to open for about an hour. Always fun to drink large format bottles.
May 29, 2016 - The drink by date was right. This one had lost its structure but we had just purchased from the winery this winter. It was a "bonus" offering that we had not tasted.
April 2, 2016 - A dark, almost syrah like appearance. Sensual aromas of chocolate, loamy earth, and black cherries gives way to a soft, supple feel on the mouth with dark berry and cherry flavors and a chocolate like feel. Sensationally smooth tannins and silky acidity just makes this wine a bit hard to put down. Long, satisfying finish. A great take on a California Cabernet that is really ready to drink now.
November 10, 2015 - Charcoal, chocolate nose, with faded leather. Slight white pepper leads to plum and blueberry. Fantastic wine. True essence of cabernet from beginning of the century. Enjoy.
May 8, 2014 - Just keeps getting better. Still has that loamy, eucalyptus nose. The tannins are seamless throughout the dark berry flavor.
December 20, 2013 - Christmas (and birthday) party (Our house): From magnum - slow oxed 4 hours. Deep purple color leads to classic nose of cassis, a hint of tobacco and vanilla. Medium full body shows beautiful dark fruit with good amount of secondary flavors. Nice tannins at finish. I really enjoyed this and suspect it is drinking at peak.
October 27, 2013 - Decanted for about an hour. Not as much baking spice as I remember in previous bottles. Well balanced and good backbone. Cassis with some plum. Medium body, almost silky. May be slightly past fruit's peak. Typical nose.