PnD 1/2 of the bottle let air for 90 mins. Dark purple garnet almost saturated with a plum to clear rim. Lots of oaky notes on the nose with cigar box coconut caramel and vanilla masking the plum and cassis that struggles to be heard (is a smell capable of being heard?). Medium weight with oaky tannins that need more time. Nicely ripe but not overly with notes of cassis plum black raspberry touch of tar espresso and licorice. A bit hot. Needs some time for the oak to integrate. Will see how it shows tomorrow after sealing and leaving in the fridge.
More balance and integration on day 2 with the oak more of a spice than a main ingredient. +2 pts. If I had more I would hold for 4-5 years or decant for 3+ hours.
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Slightly smoky on the nose, along with aromas of dark roast espresso and green edged black fruit. Medium bodied with a nice mix of toasty blackcurrant that is streaked with herbal and floral elements. Some baking spice comes through on the finish.
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Has been a while since I had one of these, probably 3 vintages since I've had one. Solid purple/crimson color. Attractive nose, although a tad muted, licorice and warmed strawberries. Flavors are not as oaked as I remember past vintages - I wonder if Mike's crew has dialed back the new oak on this wine? Palate is a focused dark cherry flavor accompanied by the aforementioned licorice, some slight herbaceous flavors, and a decently long finish.
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8/18/2021 - djpo wrote: 90 Points
Very worthy offering.
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12/13/2016 - nowine4u Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consistent with other vintages.
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8/16/2016 - df1962 wrote: 90 Points
PnD 1/2 of the bottle let air for 90 mins. Dark purple garnet almost saturated with a plum to clear rim. Lots of oaky notes on the nose with cigar box coconut caramel and vanilla masking the plum and cassis that struggles to be heard (is a smell capable of being heard?). Medium weight with oaky tannins that need more time. Nicely ripe but not overly with notes of cassis plum black raspberry touch of tar espresso and licorice. A bit hot. Needs some time for the oak to integrate. Will see how it shows tomorrow after sealing and leaving in the fridge.
More balance and integration on day 2 with the oak more of a spice than a main ingredient. +2 pts. If I had more I would hold for 4-5 years or decant for 3+ hours.
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11/15/2015 - M. D. Van Norman Likes this wine: 87 Points
Smooth and pleasant but not otherwise remarkable.
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6/2/2015 - cpdwines Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still drinking a tad young, but excellent now.
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2/17/2015 - Al Doughty wrote: 88 Points
Slightly smoky on the nose, along with aromas of dark roast espresso and green edged black fruit. Medium bodied with a nice mix of toasty blackcurrant that is streaked with herbal and floral elements. Some baking spice comes through on the finish.
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1/17/2015 - cwiebe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Has been a while since I had one of these, probably 3 vintages since I've had one. Solid purple/crimson color. Attractive nose, although a tad muted, licorice and warmed strawberries. Flavors are not as oaked as I remember past vintages - I wonder if Mike's crew has dialed back the new oak on this wine? Palate is a focused dark cherry flavor accompanied by the aforementioned licorice, some slight herbaceous flavors, and a decently long finish.
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12/9/2014 - silicon valley wrote:
A nice drinkable wine.
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