Community Tasting Note
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bjamesclark wrote: 90 points
December 13, 2016 - A lengthy decant shows moderate to moderate-plus aromas that are starting to show the evolution and age of this wine. Aromas show a mix of sarsaparilla, old wood, game meats, crushed dried violets and lavender, tar, earth, camphor, menthol, leather and walnut scents that lead into plum, wild blackberry, dried cherry and vanilla with touches of fennel pollen. Noticeably less fruit than previous notes.
The palate remains lively with medium-plus acid. Flavors in this have evolved as well, losing the jammy fruit quality noted in the past. Flavors of grilled game meats, herbs and tobacco, crushed walnut, dried violets and lavender, camphor, fennel pollen, menthol and fruit flavors which show dried cherry, wild blackberry and black plum skin. The finish lingers highlighting the acidity and savory notes.
Overall trending downward and showing more maturity than expected.
Past its peak, but still a great wine drinking well in its price point.3 people found this helpful 2,267 views
2 Comments
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wineotim commented:
12/13/16, 6:54 PM - Yes, trending downward...best days are behind.
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deBare commented:
10/21/17, 2:22 PM - This is very fair comment indeed. My friend and I bought 14 cases back when the first release came out a decade ago (btw we returned every bottle of the second release!!!).
The dozen or so bottles that we have left definitely need a longer decanting (2-3 hours) to return to a shadow of its original self.
It's still a great wine but we should have probably drank it all about two years ago.