Still tight when first opened. Decanted, which opened aromatics. Last third of the bottle showed very well after being open for about an hour. Savory, earthy aromatics on the nose, including sassafras, eucalyptus, and cedary tobacco. Tannins were smooth and developed with almost a gravelly character (think a slightly more chunky Rutherford dust) evincing a complimentary minerality. Rich dark black cherry and cassis fruit on the palate along with distinctive vanilla mocha flavors bookended by complex savory herbal notes. Still good for at least another five years, which should help refine the overall structure even further, but absolutely delicious even now. Served with a beef roast and roasted root vegetables (carrots, turnips, and potatoes). Excellent pairing, with the wine finessing the beef; however the savory herbal notes of the wine really complimented the earthy flavors of the root vegetables. Also included some very ripe fried plantain on the plate, which--because it was so ripe--had a slightly sweet banana character that actually worked really well with the fragrant aromas of the wine. Over delivers for price point, which is virtually always the case with this wine, vintage after vintage.
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12/20/2023 - MineWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needed a long time to open up, should have been decanted. Carol initially thought it was bad, so we opened something else.
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4/1/2022 - Steve&Carolyn Likes this wine: 91 Points
Strong and fruity with notes of brambleberries, dark plums, bing cherries. Spice on the back palate.
Light tannins. Long finish.
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5/2/2021 - Risky Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful heavy body, dark Berry , smooth wine, slightly spicy
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1/30/2021 - jfolbe wrote: 93 Points
Agree with WSHighins. This is at its prime. Great nose, great fruit, soft tannins.
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7/22/2020 - jwhiggins Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still tight when first opened. Decanted, which opened aromatics. Last third of the bottle showed very well after being open for about an hour. Savory, earthy aromatics on the nose, including sassafras, eucalyptus, and cedary tobacco. Tannins were smooth and developed with almost a gravelly character (think a slightly more chunky Rutherford dust) evincing a complimentary minerality. Rich dark black cherry and cassis fruit on the palate along with distinctive vanilla mocha flavors bookended by complex savory herbal notes. Still good for at least another five years, which should help refine the overall structure even further, but absolutely delicious even now. Served with a beef roast and roasted root vegetables (carrots, turnips, and potatoes). Excellent pairing, with the wine finessing the beef; however the savory herbal notes of the wine really complimented the earthy flavors of the root vegetables. Also included some very ripe fried plantain on the plate, which--because it was so ripe--had a slightly sweet banana character that actually worked really well with the fragrant aromas of the wine. Over delivers for price point, which is virtually always the case with this wine, vintage after vintage.
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