Ripe black cherry and plum, still nicely fresh for its age, with black pepper, anise and olive tapenade. Good weight and balance, despite a slightly sweet start.
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Still very fresh and vibrant, with plenty of black berry and plum throughout. Very nicely balanced and textured. Still has plenty of life left. Very enjoyable with burgers tonight.
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This has aged beautifully! It shows minimal bricking, an integrated bouquet and taste profile, and pleasant richness. Acid is still lively. Unlikely to improve, and it is delicious now. 91-92.
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At peak, maybe a bit beyond, but still very pleasant. It has aged nicely. Still a load of fruit (red cherry, plum, touch of orange). Tannins completely integrated. Heavy bodied but smooth and rich. Finish is not very long and it could use a bit more acidity, but overall a very good wine. Enjoyed this one more than the first. Drink now.
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Still fairly fresh berry aromas with slight spice aromas. Blackberry and boysenberry flavors also remain fresh, I'm quite happy with this wine's overall balance as well.
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Throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, Rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forest floor wrapped in very subdued tobacco tannins and a long long finish.
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Wow. This is as elegant a WA Syrah as I have tasted. Beautiful nose of blueberries. Palate tingles the tongue with dark fruits that don't overpower but enhance distinct tobacco and earthy tannins. Long finish that begs for more. Decanted to separate sediment. Drink now this must be at its peak.
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This wine is still improving! Be sure to decant since it is throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, Rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forest floor wrapped in very subdued tobacco tannins and a long long finish.
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WOW - definately at or just past its peak. Be sure to decant since it is throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forrest floor wrapped in very subdued tabacco tannins and a long long finish.
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This wine just keeps getting better. I would decant since it is starting to really throw sediment.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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Popped and poured at the end of a night of Rhones. Some sour cherry and muchroom on nose and mid palate. Earthy and porchini overtones. One described it as a Jolly Rancher cherry blast. Very enjoyable but definitely a different syrah stle from CA and Rhone.
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Lynn & Becky watching Twilight on Lynn’s b-day. Only had a small glass. Not very characteristic for Syrah, lots of pepper, but lacking the typical Syrah blueberry/leather flavors. Decent fruit, but as much depth as I remembered, kind of one-dimensional.
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This wine just keeps getting better. I would decant since it is starting to really throw sediment.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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Notes of tobacco and cherries on the nose. Nice berry fruit on the tongue, with a medium length smooth finish. Overall a well balanced WA Syrah that will go another 2-3 years.
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This wine has seemingly began its peak. Shedding its baby fat, the wine reveals dark smoky blackberry, graphite, and licorice with a dense mouthfeel and finely tannic finish.
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Lots of ripe black berries with good concentration and very good balance. Very fresh and enjoyable, this should evolve into something even more interesting in another few years.
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Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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What a wonderful expression of Washington Syrah - it is as good as it gets in this bottle. I personally think this vintage is in its prime window right now.
Deep purple color. A deep & complex nose of blackberriers, macerated plums, truffles & earth. The blackberries are ripe and the cassis & currants come with a creamy vanilla note. The green & white pepper are laced with a leather spice nicely entwined in some velvet which is what was left of the tannin. The finish goes for about 45 seconds.
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What a wonderful expression of Washington Syrah - it is as good as it gets in this bottle.
Deep purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep & complex nose of blackberriers, macerated plums, truffles & earth. The blackberries are ripe and the cassis & currants come with a creamy vanilla note. The green & white pepper are laced with a leather spice nicely entwined in some velvet which is what was left of the tannin. The finish goes for about 45 seconds.
This is drinking wonderfully now and will keep getting better but I may just keep drinking it and not let it age any more.
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This was excellent - showing only a little age on the rim. Dark and intense nose, blackberry, currant and dark cherry with notes of licourice and tar. Lovely balance with sweet currant and berry acidity on the finish. Tannins are pretty resolved - this is drinking really well now.
Retasted the next night, at least as good, if not better. Picked up a minty note on the finish, otherwise consistent notes. Easy 91, maybe a 92. Lovely.
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Baking spice and tobacco nose; leather, spice, smoke and a loamy black cherry palate. Plenty of acid to keep things interesting. Should cellar for some time. Delicious.
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Great syrah that is drinking really well right now. It is giving off sediment so I recommend a decant - it will also help the wine open up a bit.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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This is a big wine that still has some firm tannins and a big nose. This wine is in fine drinking state now but will continue to get better over the next 5 years. Two tasting notes - 1) pop & pour & 2) 1 hour after decanting
Pop & Pour Note Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, green vegtables, hibiscus, cassis, blackberry & green oak. Blackberries, cassis and some "green" black fruits with cigar box & cedar box spice and a nice medium long finish with a grain leather & tar in the background.
After an Hour Nose has really blossomed. Deep nose with tar, roasted meats, green peppers, cassis and herbal / rose petals notes. Blackberry and black cherry cream laced with a smoked & oaky vanilla followed by smooth white pepper spiced tannins in a medium long finish.
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Structured and earthy, this balanced wine stands black cherry, cassis, raspberry, cherry, and cola side by side and ties 'em together. Really quite good, but by the standard of Washington State Syrah QPR it's also outrageously overpriced.
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Huge fruit, big dill, giant heap o' plums, lots of everything. Deep purple in color with nice acid to balance everything out. Even better after open an entire day. This should age gracefully.
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Huge nose of smoky oak and plums. Palate reveals lush blackberry and chocolate with surprisingly high acid on the finish. Delicious young wine now which will likely reveal more complexity in the future.
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We were very nervous before opening this bottle. The previous night, we had opened a bottle of Cab from the same winemaker that we had unfortunatley (and unknowingly) held past it's prime. This bottle of Syrah was younger than the Cab from the previous night, and was also in a magnum format. The magnum probably bought us some time. Over two hours, this wine did not evolve from the very first sip. It remained an easy drinking, fruity Syrah. It was very aggressive for us to open this magnum since a key member of our tasting group was out of town at the time, but we needed to restore our faith in Dunham Cellars. This Syrah was very easy to drink, but was not as fruity as many Syrahs that are produced today. There are currently many easy drinking Syrahs on the market at a lower price point that suggest a better use for your Wine dollars. If you already have this wine, it's not anything to be ashamed of, but I would look elsewhere for future purchases.
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<Sturman Brought over for design meeting> Decanted for 10 hours before I got to it. Nose was still full and complex with Pepper, a little gamey, honeydew melon and vanilla. Boysenberries and dried cherries. Plenty of acidity and some toasty wood.
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7/27/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Mature black cherry with black pepper, leather and earth. Still good, but previous bottles as recently as last year were better.
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5/3/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Ripe black cherry and plum, still nicely fresh for its age, with black pepper, anise and olive tapenade. Good weight and balance, despite a slightly sweet start.
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6/14/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Still nicely fresh and robust black fruit with subtle spice and just enough sweetness. Richer start than middle or finish.
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1/16/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Still very fresh and vibrant, with plenty of black berry and plum throughout. Very nicely balanced and textured. Still has plenty of life left. Very enjoyable with burgers tonight.
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6/15/2016 - Motz wrote: 92 Points
This has aged beautifully! It shows minimal bricking, an integrated bouquet and taste profile, and pleasant richness. Acid is still lively. Unlikely to improve, and it is delicious now. 91-92.
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6/29/2013 - wine4ever Likes this wine: 90 Points
At peak, maybe a bit beyond, but still very pleasant. It has aged nicely. Still a load of fruit (red cherry, plum, touch of orange). Tannins completely integrated. Heavy bodied but smooth and rich. Finish is not very long and it could use a bit more acidity, but overall a very good wine. Enjoyed this one more than the first. Drink now.
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7/29/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Still fairly fresh berry aromas with slight spice aromas. Blackberry and boysenberry flavors also remain fresh, I'm quite happy with this wine's overall balance as well.
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7/2/2011 - Wino Joe wrote: 93 Points
Throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, Rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forest floor wrapped in very subdued tobacco tannins and a long long finish.
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11/5/2010 - masonjp wrote: 93 Points
Wow. This is as elegant a WA Syrah as I have tasted. Beautiful nose of blueberries. Palate tingles the tongue with dark fruits that don't overpower but enhance distinct tobacco and earthy tannins. Long finish that begs for more. Decanted to separate sediment. Drink now this must be at its peak.
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10/9/2010 - Wino Joe Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is still improving! Be sure to decant since it is throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, Rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forest floor wrapped in very subdued tobacco tannins and a long long finish.
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5/4/2010 - GA_Seattle wrote: 90 Points
Really good - nice black and blue fruits with tangy acidity and silky texture. Showing very nicely...drink within 1-2 years.
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4/9/2010 - NomadicEntrepreneur wrote: 90 Points
took a while to open up, deep color, blackberry
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12/17/2009 - Wino Joe wrote: 93 Points
WOW - definately at or just past its peak. Be sure to decant since it is throwing serious sediment. I love the complexity in this wine right now.
Wonderful color and bricking. Wonderful nose of blueberries, rainer cherries and subdued roasted meats. Tart blueberries surrounded by sour cherry jolly rancher and wonderful rich forrest floor wrapped in very subdued tabacco tannins and a long long finish.
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10/17/2009 - Wino Joe wrote: 93 Points
This wine just keeps getting better. I would decant since it is starting to really throw sediment.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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10/6/2009 - dklane wrote: 91 Points
Omg!
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8/30/2009 - rdsboca wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured at the end of a night of Rhones. Some sour cherry and muchroom on nose and mid palate. Earthy and porchini overtones. One described it as a Jolly Rancher cherry blast. Very enjoyable but definitely a different syrah stle from CA and Rhone.
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6/30/2009 - BigGer wrote: 91 Points
An impressive wine from Dunham. Nothing jammy, just well rounded mature fruit on a bed of liquorish and almond. Wish I had some more.
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3/26/2009 - GA_Seattle wrote: 86 Points
Lynn & Becky watching Twilight on Lynn’s b-day. Only had a small glass. Not very characteristic for Syrah, lots of pepper, but lacking the typical Syrah blueberry/leather flavors. Decent fruit, but as much depth as I remembered, kind of one-dimensional.
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1/28/2009 - Wino Joe wrote: 93 Points
This wine just keeps getting better. I would decant since it is starting to really throw sediment.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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1/25/2009 - matpat wrote: 92 Points
Notes of tobacco and cherries on the nose. Nice berry fruit on the tongue, with a medium length smooth finish. Overall a well balanced WA Syrah that will go another 2-3 years.
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12/14/2008 - rmodak wrote: 90 Points
This wine has seemingly began its peak. Shedding its baby fat, the wine reveals dark smoky blackberry, graphite, and licorice with a dense mouthfeel and finely tannic finish.
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8/7/2008 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Lots of ripe black berries with good concentration and very good balance. Very fresh and enjoyable, this should evolve into something even more interesting in another few years.
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7/27/2008 - Margoday wrote: 90 Points
The 2002 is ready to drink now!
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4/17/2008 - Wino Joe wrote: 92 Points
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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3/25/2008 - Wino Joe wrote: 92 Points
What a wonderful expression of Washington Syrah - it is as good as it gets in this bottle. I personally think this vintage is in its prime window right now.
Deep purple color. A deep & complex nose of blackberriers, macerated plums, truffles & earth. The blackberries are ripe and the cassis & currants come with a creamy vanilla note. The green & white pepper are laced with a leather spice nicely entwined in some velvet which is what was left of the tannin. The finish goes for about 45 seconds.
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2/24/2008 - Wino Joe wrote: 92 Points
What a wonderful expression of Washington Syrah - it is as good as it gets in this bottle.
Deep purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep & complex nose of blackberriers, macerated plums, truffles & earth. The blackberries are ripe and the cassis & currants come with a creamy vanilla note. The green & white pepper are laced with a leather spice nicely entwined in some velvet which is what was left of the tannin. The finish goes for about 45 seconds.
This is drinking wonderfully now and will keep getting better but I may just keep drinking it and not let it age any more.
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2/9/2008 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
This was excellent - showing only a little age on the rim. Dark and intense nose, blackberry, currant and dark cherry with notes of licourice and tar. Lovely balance with sweet currant and berry acidity on the finish. Tannins are pretty resolved - this is drinking really well now.
Retasted the next night, at least as good, if not better. Picked up a minty note on the finish, otherwise consistent notes. Easy 91, maybe a 92. Lovely.
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1/2/2008 - keepitreal wrote: 90 Points
Baking spice and tobacco nose; leather, spice, smoke and a loamy black cherry palate. Plenty of acid to keep things interesting. Should cellar for some time. Delicious.
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12/12/2007 - Wino Joe wrote: 92 Points
Great syrah that is drinking really well right now. It is giving off sediment so I recommend a decant - it will also help the wine open up a bit.
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, roasted meats, green pepper, white pepper and herbal notes. Some alcohol heat on the nose. Wonderful blackberry and creamy vanilla cassis fruit with cedar box & leather spicing the finish wrapped in some velvet tannins. Medium long finish.
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12/1/2007 - Margoday wrote: 90 Points
decant for about 2 hours, then enjoy!
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11/3/2007 - Wino Joe wrote: 92 Points
This is a big wine that still has some firm tannins and a big nose. This wine is in fine drinking state now but will continue to get better over the next 5 years. Two tasting notes - 1) pop & pour & 2) 1 hour after decanting
Pop & Pour Note
Deep black purple color fading to a thin garnet ring. A deep nose of tar, green vegtables, hibiscus, cassis, blackberry & green oak. Blackberries, cassis and some "green" black fruits with cigar box & cedar box spice and a nice medium long finish with a grain leather & tar in the background.
After an Hour
Nose has really blossomed. Deep nose with tar, roasted meats, green peppers, cassis and herbal / rose petals notes. Blackberry and black cherry cream laced with a smoked & oaky vanilla followed by smooth white pepper spiced tannins in a medium long finish.
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9/16/2007 - Wicker Parker wrote:
Structured and earthy, this balanced wine stands black cherry, cassis, raspberry, cherry, and cola side by side and ties 'em together. Really quite good, but by the standard of Washington State Syrah QPR it's also outrageously overpriced.
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1/7/2007 - keepitreal wrote: 90 Points
Huge fruit, big dill, giant heap o' plums, lots of everything. Deep purple in color with nice acid to balance everything out. Even better after open an entire day. This should age gracefully.
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7/11/2006 - rmodak wrote: 90 Points
Huge nose of smoky oak and plums. Palate reveals lush blackberry and chocolate with surprisingly high acid on the finish. Delicious young wine now which will likely reveal more complexity in the future.
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5/13/2006 - last chance wrote: 86 Points
We were very nervous before opening this bottle. The previous night, we had opened a bottle of Cab from the same winemaker that we had unfortunatley (and unknowingly) held past it's prime. This bottle of Syrah was younger than the Cab from the previous night, and was also in a magnum format. The magnum probably bought us some time. Over two hours, this wine did not evolve from the very first sip. It remained an easy drinking, fruity Syrah. It was very aggressive for us to open this magnum since a key member of our tasting group was out of town at the time, but we needed to restore our faith in Dunham Cellars. This Syrah was very easy to drink, but was not as fruity as many Syrahs that are produced today. There are currently many easy drinking Syrahs on the market at a lower price point that suggest a better use for your Wine dollars. If you already have this wine, it's not anything to be ashamed of, but I would look elsewhere for future purchases.
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4/25/2005 - lorenzo wrote: 88 Points
<Sturman Brought over for design meeting>
Decanted for 10 hours before I got to it.
Nose was still full and complex with Pepper, a little gamey, honeydew melon and vanilla.
Boysenberries and dried cherries. Plenty of acidity and some toasty wood.
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