Drank over 2 nights. Great on both. Black/red color. On nose, saline, blackberry, iron, mesquite. On palate, blackberry, blueberry and black olive notes. Medium+ acidity, medium tannins, medium+ body and very long finish. 93+
Would buy again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I won't give this a score as it could have just been a bit too early to drink, or slightly corked, but was not happy with this at all. Undrinkable the first night, same on 2nd, let it sit another 2 days and was able to consume. Seemed extremely tart and bitter at first, mellowed a bit on the 4th night. Will let this one sit for a year or two before trying again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice intensity and bright beam of red fruits dominate. Finish seemed muted. This 2020 version is not as approachable yet. Optimus is usually quite fun to drink both young and or aged but this stands out as another great Optimus,...just wait 2-3 years before you start pulling them out (at least that is what I'll do, until they open up). It has all the right parts hiding in there.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
OK, you caught me. We simply enjoyed this wine with our meal and didn’t take any notes. My notes from the 2016 are here: “Inky in color. Dusty jam and leather on the nose – like a really big red wine. Dark berry jam of ripe fruit, rich and sweet (in a good way). Cedar, mint and tarragon notes on the finish.”
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Mhanky hit the tasting notes spot on. Does need about an hour right now to really integrate. Will definitely give this some more time before opening again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very much agree with earlier MHANKY review. Great qpr. It stands up very nicely to pasta with Rao's Marinara and crushed red pepper. Syrah driven, with nice cedar tannins, dark boysenberry and a long slightly acidic finish. Not overextracted, like the 2020's I have tasted lately. Felt bad popping this 2020, but it gave me clues into the Estate Cuvee. Will wait until end of 23 or 24.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/22/2024 - CWilliam wrote:
Drank over 2 nights. Great on both. Black/red color. On nose, saline, blackberry, iron, mesquite. On palate, blackberry, blueberry and black olive notes. Medium+ acidity, medium tannins, medium+ body and very long finish. 93+
Would buy again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2024 - Moorsie wrote:
I won't give this a score as it could have just been a bit too early to drink, or slightly corked, but was not happy with this at all. Undrinkable the first night, same on 2nd, let it sit another 2 days and was able to consume. Seemed extremely tart and bitter at first, mellowed a bit on the 4th night. Will let this one sit for a year or two before trying again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2024 - clillibr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Soft and refined. Great blend
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2023 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice intensity and bright beam of red fruits dominate. Finish seemed muted. This 2020 version is not as approachable yet. Optimus is usually quite fun to drink both young and or aged but this stands out as another great Optimus,...just wait 2-3 years before you start pulling them out (at least that is what I'll do, until they open up). It has all the right parts hiding in there.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2023 - Central Coast Sharon Likes this wine:
OK, you caught me. We simply enjoyed this wine with our meal and didn’t take any notes. My notes from the 2016 are here: “Inky in color. Dusty jam and leather on the nose – like a really big red wine. Dark berry jam of ripe fruit, rich and sweet (in a good way). Cedar, mint and tarragon notes on the finish.”
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2023 - Mactus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mhanky hit the tasting notes spot on. Does need about an hour right now to really integrate. Will definitely give this some more time before opening again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2023 - Amishdesai93 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fruity, acidic, balanced body - pop and pour ready
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2022 - kanographic Likes this wine: 95 Points
Had great old world taste. Hints of earthiness, cherry, and other red fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2022 - redrules Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very much agree with earlier MHANKY review. Great qpr. It stands up very nicely to pasta with Rao's Marinara and crushed red pepper. Syrah driven, with nice cedar tannins, dark boysenberry and a long slightly acidic finish. Not overextracted, like the 2020's I have tasted lately. Felt bad popping this 2020, but it gave me clues into the Estate Cuvee. Will wait until end of 23 or 24.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2022 - MHanky Likes this wine: 92 Points
Is it too young? Probably. 2 hour decant. Had with carnitas (bad pairing, was way too hot on the palate).
Clay, cedar, floral and red fruit on the nose.
Palate is juicy blackberry, blueberry, turning to sour dark cherries on the back end . Medium+ body Medium+ tannins, medium acidity.
Have one more, will cellar for a few years and revisit.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment