Boy has this clamped down on itself since I last had it in 2018. Back then, it was gushing 100 points all day long. This bottle was sleepy and strict. Even with air, it was still kinda angry and in a 'pillow over the head leave me alone' kind of mood. Shoot for 2028 and see if 20 years from vintage will prove to be less sleepy-eyed? Fruit transitioning a bit too much? Flavors and focus seem on-point in terms of "stuffing," but they are cloaked under a flat and starchy blanket at the moment. Patience? I hope to think it’s not losing its fruit already.
The 2008 Duel Grenache served next to it was much more expressive.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (R&D’s): Blind. Deep color. Aromas of licorice, blackberry liqueur, roasted game and spice. Full-bodied. Flavors of spice, black fruit, pepper, rose water and cured meat. Medium tannins with a lingering finish.
This too had been opened just over seven hours before the flight was poured, and decanted for three hours in that stretch. There's still plenty of life left in this and the grenache.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind tasting of 12 syrahs from Washington, Oregon, Paso Robles and Australia. This didn't get a single vote as the favorite. Deep and dark but one-dimensional, without complexity of aroma or on the palate. A big, still tannic and closed wine without much charm. Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
1/21/2024 - csimm wrote:
Boy has this clamped down on itself since I last had it in 2018. Back then, it was gushing 100 points all day long. This bottle was sleepy and strict. Even with air, it was still kinda angry and in a 'pillow over the head leave me alone' kind of mood. Shoot for 2028 and see if 20 years from vintage will prove to be less sleepy-eyed? Fruit transitioning a bit too much? Flavors and focus seem on-point in terms of "stuffing," but they are cloaked under a flat and starchy blanket at the moment. Patience? I hope to think it’s not losing its fruit already.
The 2008 Duel Grenache served next to it was much more expressive.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2023 - RMundell Likes this wine: 96 Points
Monster wine. Silky, spice dark fruits. Still has plenty of time left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2023 - AllRed wrote: 97 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (R&D’s): Blind. Deep color. Aromas of licorice, blackberry liqueur, roasted game and spice. Full-bodied. Flavors of spice, black fruit, pepper, rose water and cured meat. Medium tannins with a lingering finish.
This too had been opened just over seven hours before the flight was poured, and decanted for three hours in that stretch. There's still plenty of life left in this and the grenache.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2022 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 96 Points
Pop and pour. Showing beautifully with fine tannins, silky black fruit and integrated acid, herbs, long finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2022 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 89 Points
Blind tasting of 12 syrahs from Washington, Oregon, Paso Robles and Australia. This didn't get a single vote as the favorite. Deep and dark but one-dimensional, without complexity of aroma or on the palate. A big, still tannic and closed wine without much charm.
Ric
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment