October 23, 2021 - This showed much better than the bottle enjoyed in late 2019. The 25% Syrah still makes a huge imprint and statement in the aromatic and flavor profile: black licorice, smoked meats, blackberry liqueur, and black dry earth; the Cabernet lends mixed currant, some greenery, structure, spice, and black coffee accents. This bottle was much livelier and showed more structure. Wonderful balance, big finish, focused intensity, and layered complexity. Seems mature, but also seems like it could cellar for a few more years. I did not decant this bottle like the previous one, so that might have impacted my impression. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
May 16, 2020 - Smoke and black fruits, cherry, currant, bramble, coffee; very polished.
December 28, 2019 - Fully mature, with the aromatic and flavor profile dominated by the 25% Syrah in the blend. Very complex flavor profile of smoked, cooked and stewed black plums, cherries, currant, and blackberries, along with black coffee grounds, dried purple flowers, dried licorice, herbal mint, and wet, charred black earth. Structure is well integrated but starting to fade; lacks the power I remember from seven years ago. Medium finish. Enjoyed with roasted rib roast. Recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Lots of sediment and sludge in the bottom of the decanter along with 1-2 ounces left in the bottle.
December 14, 2019 - 9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.
September 13, 2019 - Decent, but past its prime now, unfortunately. Should have opened some earlier. I'll see how it does over several hours after decanting. If it gets better I will update this.
February 4, 2017 - Big, pretty nose, though the palate seems a bit soft,lacking a tannic backbone. Light medium weight. PLUM, cranberry. May have miseed this by a year or two
July 27, 2016 - 91 points, nice nose, fruit, balance and finish. Drinking well now.
March 7, 2016 - 92+
Drank over 2 nights - did not degrade overnight.
Dark red color and throwing some sediment. Saline / iron / black cherry & fig on nose. On palate, medium body, iron, saline /black cherry flavor profile with high (low ph) acidity and medium+ finish. Sad this was my last bottle. The Syrah dominates the palate & nose - not a bad thing in my opinion.
Would buy again. Should be good for a few more years.
December 5, 2015 - Annual Christmas Wine Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Didn't take detailed notes. Part of Christmas wine dinner and cellar raid. Drinking beautifully. Stood up to some serious wines at 5-10 times the price
October 31, 2015 - Had this wine at Canoe Brook CC and up against a 2011 Juslyn Perry's Blend. This wine was bigger with evident tannin's which at 10 years likely will not improve the fruit flavors. After an hour the wine delivered more punch with velvet mouthfeel and earthy meaty flavor.