Decanted 3+ hours, consumed over 2 hours with grilled steaks & balsamic gorgonzola baked brussels sprouts. Similar to the bottle from 12/25/2013, still a little porty and just a touch candied, but with oak more integrated and everything working together better than in any previous bottle we've opened. No rush on these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted ~1 hour, consumed over 1+ hours. From the initial 2009 bottling, which I recall enjoying better than the later 2010 one. Slightly-candied dark red fruit, still some discernible oak (especially shortly after pouring), Italian herbs, and a bit of leather, all with ample acidity and tannic structure. Full-flavored from the moment it hits the tongue through the medium-length finish. Dense, rustic, and a bit overpowering with our meal but still good overall, continuing to integrate and not in danger of fading for many years yet. While less my style now than it used to be, I enjoyed this and will hide our other bottle away for a few more years to see what happens. 88-89ish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
SLO Tasting Group - Secret Santa 2010 Tasting: I brought this, from the recent late 2010 bottling. Decanted ~2 hours total, consumed over 1 hour. A bit harsh/fumy at pour time, but with time in the glass this did come together nicely. Black cherries, cassis, oaky spice, and dusty tannins. Would benefit from a year or two in bottle.
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.
5/2/2015 - bretrooks wrote:
Decanted 3+ hours, consumed over 2 hours with grilled steaks & balsamic gorgonzola baked brussels sprouts. Similar to the bottle from 12/25/2013, still a little porty and just a touch candied, but with oak more integrated and everything working together better than in any previous bottle we've opened. No rush on these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2014 - grafstrb wrote:
Black cherry and raspberry on the Nose. Alcohol is a bit spiky. Tastes good; nice acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2013 - bretrooks wrote: 88 Points
Decanted ~1 hour, consumed over 1+ hours. From the initial 2009 bottling, which I recall enjoying better than the later 2010 one. Slightly-candied dark red fruit, still some discernible oak (especially shortly after pouring), Italian herbs, and a bit of leather, all with ample acidity and tannic structure. Full-flavored from the moment it hits the tongue through the medium-length finish. Dense, rustic, and a bit overpowering with our meal but still good overall, continuing to integrate and not in danger of fading for many years yet. While less my style now than it used to be, I enjoyed this and will hide our other bottle away for a few more years to see what happens. 88-89ish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - puppetclause wrote:
N: Great balanced nose, slight heat, baked cherry, a little kirsch
P: Sweet blackcurrant, spice, pepper, good acid, still somewhat tannic.
F: Plum, dry, good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2010 - bretrooks wrote:
SLO Tasting Group - Secret Santa 2010 Tasting: I brought this, from the recent late 2010 bottling. Decanted ~2 hours total, consumed over 1 hour. A bit harsh/fumy at pour time, but with time in the glass this did come together nicely. Black cherries, cassis, oaky spice, and dusty tannins. Would benefit from a year or two in bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment