As I recall, this was a massive, almost undrinkable brute in its youth. Now it is still deep maroon, almost opaque, loamy/mushroom with some iodine on the nose, full body with crisp acid, well balanced.
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Nose reminiscent of old Bordeaux, slight bricking on the rim. Was closed at first, with the finish chopped off by tannins. Decanted and returned in one hour, finish longer but still dominated by tannin. At the hour and a half mark it opened up and rounded out, and displayed well for an hour or so, before the fruit began to fade in earnest. Handle it carefully and drink it up.
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12.5% Low neck level, the cork pulled nicely. About a tablespoon of sediment stuck at the bottem of the bottle Medium color, with some light bricking. On opening, light dark cherry nose, with overtones of blackberry, red current, with hints of basil and oak. Sour cherry, lots of acidity and medium tannins upfront, hiding the blackberry and touch of cranberry until the moderately long finish, when it emerges. An 88/89 out of the bottle.
+45 minutes. The cherry on the nose has strengthened,on the nose, upfront, and also now in the very long finish, giving just hints of the other flavors. Tannins and acidity still strong, too. The body has gotten richer and fuller as well. Easily a 92+ at this point
+75 minutes. The blackberries have come out fighting on the nose and upfront, taking the lead from the black cherry while leaving the previous flavors intact. Very intense, still balanced by the acidity and to a degree the slightly weakening tannins. 95
+105 through 165 minutes, fruit intensity lessening slowly, but still excellent. The tannins are lessening slowly as well. The acidity is still strong. This certainly didn't have the fruit for a long decant, but overall, wonderful
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Flock Tasting - First Editions: Bronze dark ruby. Nose shows some dark fruit, spice, minerals and cedar with limited aromatic intensity. Initially acid driven with lingering tannic bite and not enough fruit to support. Though it picks up some fruit with air this never found great balance. Charming none-the-less with nuanced complexity. Group favored this much more than me. My #8, Group #2. Ravenswood's first Pickberry.
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With Michael Lehmann at the office. Deep ruby color. Very nice nose. Rich fruit. Quite attractive. On the palate, this is packed with fruit, alcohol, and tannin, and it all works beautifully. It is a massively proportioned wine, full-blown with very intense fruit. A great wine. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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9/25/2017 - Nyindallas Likes this wine: 89 Points
Amazing but still drinkable. Purple color, plum and leather nose. Hints of red fruit and cocoa. Drink up. Note this bottle was very well cared for.
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5/24/2015 - Office Rat Likes this wine: 93 Points
As I recall, this was a massive, almost undrinkable brute in its youth. Now it is still deep maroon, almost opaque, loamy/mushroom with some iodine on the nose, full body with crisp acid, well balanced.
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10/9/2012 - lockestep Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose reminiscent of old Bordeaux, slight bricking on the rim. Was closed at first, with the finish chopped off by tannins. Decanted and returned in one hour, finish longer but still dominated by tannin. At the hour and a half mark it opened up and rounded out, and displayed well for an hour or so, before the fruit began to fade in earnest. Handle it carefully and drink it up.
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12/6/2008 - DrT999 wrote: 92 Points
12.5% Low neck level, the cork pulled nicely. About a tablespoon of sediment stuck at the bottem of the bottle Medium color, with some light bricking. On opening, light dark cherry nose, with overtones of blackberry, red current, with hints of basil and oak. Sour cherry, lots of acidity and medium tannins upfront, hiding the blackberry and touch of cranberry until the moderately long finish, when it emerges. An 88/89 out of the bottle.
+45 minutes. The cherry on the nose has strengthened,on the nose, upfront, and also now in the very long finish, giving just hints of the other flavors. Tannins and acidity still strong, too. The body has gotten richer and fuller as well. Easily a 92+ at this point
+75 minutes. The blackberries have come out fighting on the nose and upfront, taking the lead from the black cherry while leaving the previous flavors intact. Very intense, still balanced by the acidity and to a degree the slightly weakening tannins. 95
+105 through 165 minutes, fruit intensity lessening slowly, but still excellent. The tannins are lessening slowly as well. The acidity is still strong. This certainly didn't have the fruit for a long decant, but overall, wonderful
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5/25/2008 - Italiana wrote: 70 Points
Way too old. . .sour and bitter. Too bad
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12/19/2007 - Nanda wrote: 86 Points
Flock Tasting - First Editions: Bronze dark ruby. Nose shows some dark fruit, spice, minerals and cedar with limited aromatic intensity. Initially acid driven with lingering tannic bite and not enough fruit to support. Though it picks up some fruit with air this never found great balance. Charming none-the-less with nuanced complexity. Group favored this much more than me. My #8, Group #2. Ravenswood's first Pickberry.
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1/15/1990 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points
With Michael Lehmann at the office. Deep ruby color. Very nice nose. Rich fruit. Quite attractive. On the palate, this is packed with fruit, alcohol, and tannin, and it all works beautifully. It is a massively proportioned wine, full-blown with very intense fruit. A great wine. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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