Community Tasting Note

tyvoodoo wrote:

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - Opened at 4:30pm and double decanted. My goal was to follow this wine over the course of a few hours to see how it develops with air time. Wine was decanted at cellar temp and remained there over the course of the evening.

4:30pm: Immensely dark color, black core with a slight purple tinge on the edge. Nose is rather explosive right on the first pour, cedar box, cigar shavings, ground nutmeg all rolled with a heavy dose of black fruits. Under the first layer are hints of cool blue fruits, spicy oak and an interesting mineral note that reminds me of crushed limestone. Nice medium weight mouthfeel, great balance and concentration without being heavy. Midpalate is a touch thin and the spice/toasty oak is very noticeable on the finish with some poking tannins. Smashing mixture of blackberry and raspberry fruit on the palate will revisit in an hour or so.

6:00pm: Color and nose have softened up a bit. Crème de casis, melted red licorice, raspberry reduction sauce all with a perfume like scent. More nutmeg, baking spices and a touch of pepper all mesh together. Palate has gained some weight and fattened up a bit in the mid palate. A roundness and plush mouthfeel carry the fruit all the way with a nice juicy finish. Black cherry, pomegranate and blackberry blend together to create a gorgeous fruit profile all rolled with a touch of mocha and baking chocolate. Tannins are still a touch during and sharp on the back end but have softened a bit since opening.

7:30pm: Wine has fleshed out a bit more displaying a full and lush mid-palate and a long sticky finish. The firm tannins that were present on the finish have rounded out a bit and integrated with the wonderful fruit after 3 hours of air. This wine is the complete package stacked with plentiful fruit, great structure and ample acidity to prevent it from becoming too thick or cloying. I am really excited to see what this does with a few years of age on it.

I agree with the Rivers Marie team that this wine is better than the 2007. It just seems a bit more complete and built in a slightly leaner style than the 2007. I am really excited about this wine and can’t wait to follow it over the next few years.

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