Slightly funky nose/taste in the first glass. Opened up very nicely after 15-30 minutes. Dark fruit with just the right amount of residual backend acid/tannin. Early in the downhill side of the drinking curve though
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Very dark in the glass without the slightest trace of bricking, this may actually still have purple hues. The nose is rich, sweet cassis, blackberry reduction, and a background of vanilla custard. There is maybe a faint trace of light herbs - Italian parsley, perhaps, or maybe cilantro. The palate is all about sweet black fruits on the initial attack. The tannins show themselves on the rich mid-palate, but they are sweet and smooth, and there is good acidity to balance the drying effect. The finish is long and balanced, and just beginning to show a trace of secondary tobacco leaf and freshly-soaped leather. Overall, this wine is stunningly youthful for 12 years of age, and I will be hard pressed to leave my only other bottle for a few more years. I paid $65 for this bottle, and it is well worth it at that price. This is an outstanding wine that is a great example of what California has to offer. Highly recommended.
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4/30/2016 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 94 Points
validating my last tasting note!
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9/6/2015 - M2quared wrote: 90 Points
Slightly funky nose/taste in the first glass. Opened up very nicely after 15-30 minutes. Dark fruit with just the right amount of residual backend acid/tannin. Early in the downhill side of the drinking curve though
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3/8/2015 - Phredd Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dark in the glass without the slightest trace of bricking, this may actually still have purple hues. The nose is rich, sweet cassis, blackberry reduction, and a background of vanilla custard. There is maybe a faint trace of light herbs - Italian parsley, perhaps, or maybe cilantro. The palate is all about sweet black fruits on the initial attack. The tannins show themselves on the rich mid-palate, but they are sweet and smooth, and there is good acidity to balance the drying effect. The finish is long and balanced, and just beginning to show a trace of secondary tobacco leaf and freshly-soaped leather. Overall, this wine is stunningly youthful for 12 years of age, and I will be hard pressed to leave my only other bottle for a few more years. I paid $65 for this bottle, and it is well worth it at that price. This is an outstanding wine that is a great example of what California has to offer. Highly recommended.
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7/20/2014 - DesMarteau wrote: 94 Points
perfect aging window to drink! Nice integration, fruit, complexity....not overpowering but interesting
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6/14/2014 - gbremner wrote: 91 Points
Breathed for a few hours
Beautiful balance
Wonderful in old age
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