October 9, 2022 - This is the Spring Mountain District bottling. Med+ ruby, w/ ripe black berries, dried plum, mint/eucalyptus, earth, leather, dark chocolate, smoke, baking spice. Developing. Dry, but w/ plenty of fruit left. Med acidity, med+, polished tannins and high alcohol (14.3%). Full-bodied but quite elegant at 17 years, w/ med+ flavor intensity and length. It is drinking well now but still developing, with quite a few years of aging potential left. A great example of the elegance and structure that mountain fruit can provide.
May 25, 2020 - Past it’s prime IMO.
July 1, 2018 - Finally came together last glass, but it was not a great Keenan even though it was aged in temp controlled cellar. Cherry fruit was complemented by leather, dust, eucalyptus, charred oak, tannins still a bit prominent and loud. I’d hold another bottle for 3-5 years hoping the tannins integrate further. Good, but not great. Drink 2022- 2026
May 22, 2017 - True and pure expression of Napa Valley Cabernet. The bouquet is filled with black fruit, cassis, and dark chocolate over notes of licorice, fancy oak, and conifer. Powerful, concentrated, and mouth filling but with impeccable richness and balance. Fruity and savory elements abound, with Mountain berry fruit flavors that shift to plums on the back end. Finishes long, deep, and brooding. This is evolving beautifully.
January 22, 2017 - Nose is of olive and Indian spices. Whoa! A tannic beast. Definitely the antonym of a “spoofed, fruit-forward Napa Cab.” Quite light on the dark currant fruit, but then the tannin really smacks you. Vininess mid-palate. Really unfortunate bitterness on the rear palate. I think that’s from the tannin.
January 1, 2017 - Very good. Drink now though or forever.........
August 16, 2016 - Has aged well, not a great wine, but a good wine. Relatively straightforward and simple. Not a lot of complexity but enjoyable with nice fruit.
June 11, 2016 - Great, mature Cali cab. Drinking in its prime
September 12, 2015 - peak performance right now.
December 27, 2014 - Not as complex as prior bottles but still fine to drink. Pop and pour from 375, cork broke in half while waitress decanted this byo bottle. Thin, 1-2 dimensional, flat with fruit but little of the depth that I enjoy in most mountain fruit wines, and generally find in Keenan. Think this is just past its peak - full bottle may have more life to it.