Community Tasting Note

• Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 98 points

  October 27, 2020 - Well, this wine left no doubt who's king of the hill at Myriad. As good as the regular Crane is, this is on another level of texture, concentration and depth of flavor. I had it next to the 18 Empyrean and my only advice is - don't do that. The Empyrean was good, but totally overshadowed.
  
  We had this PnP, and it took about 30 min to really come into its own. The reason we didn't decant is every 18 wine from Mike I've had so far starts to shut down after about 2 hours of air.
  
  Starts with a gorgeous nose of violets, creme de cassis, fragrant earth and crushed rock. Wonderfully full bodied and deeply concentrated, this edition is chock full of decadence & minerality while layered to perfection. The tannins are super integrated and fine grained, and the purity is amazing. What I love about the 18 is the structure and spine of the wine keeps it from going over the edge on extraction, and should provide a longer life than many recent vintages. The finish is very long and fresh. Will be extremely interesting to see if this or 16 turns out the be the better wine. I am leaning toward this one. 99+

  17 people found this helpful 7,923 views

57 Comments

• Mark1npt commented:

  10/27/20, 10:06 AM - Excellent notes, ty....and again for the advice on not decanting, ty!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/27/20, 11:02 AM - It's a rough job, but I'm up to the challenge! :)

• JLuch1 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:01 PM - Cristal, Thank you. What is your plan for future consumption based on how this bottle handled? Holding a couple years?
  
  Seems like there is a pretty tight drinking window until it shuts down, so wondering what kind of timing you were alluding to regarding the 16 vs. 18.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:21 PM - Hi JLuch1 - Predicting when to drink these is so difficult. Usually, Myriad is good to go right out of the gate. But in this vintage I think they can use some age. Where the 18's I've had are concerned, the Cranes are more accessible than the GIII's.
  
  I think generally CT comes in handy in determining when to drink by reviewing recent notes. It also has a lot to do with trial and error and how many bottles you have on hand. I have a lot more 18's than other vintages, so I will likely be more aggressive in checking in with them.
  
  Right now, I'd definitely open a 16 over an 18, unless you just want to get a sense of the vintage. Ideally, the 14 & 15's are probably drinking the best and those are the ones to hit now. No rush at all on 18. I would guess they'll be some of the longest lasting Elysian's made.

• T.O.Wineaux commented:

  10/27/20, 1:23 PM - Thanks for the great note Cristal...I'm looking forward to getting my 2018 deliveries from Myriad. I've been wondering if 18 would be similar to 16 in quality and style. I haven't dug in to the Myriad 16s yet but have tried Mike's efforts on the Carter 16s and I was blown away.
  
  Looks like we have similar tastes given the nots you publish...I'm in TO. We should try to get together sometime to share some wine!

• JLuch1 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:33 PM - Thanks Cristal. I unfortunately only have the 17 in my cellar in addition to 18. I drank all my 17 standard Crane's up already as it was it doing well with a short decant. I still have not opened a 17 Elysian yet. So was trying to get a sense of the vintage without having the sacrifice a bottle (only have 3 of each vintage).
  
  I have had a few random 18's already and have found them to all be pretty coiled up in the early goings, perhaps something more akin to how 13 and 15 were upon release.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:37 PM - JLuch1 - Yeah, if you only have a few definitely give it some time. I'm sure you'll see plenty of CT notes from Napa drinkers in time that give you a sense on when it's drinking well. I say Napa drinkers because from time to time you'll see a Euro only drinker post a note, but those will be obvious from the score in the 80's. :)

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:40 PM - Hi DVS - So far, between 16 and 18, I find the 18 to be more structured, with bigger tannins but perhaps without quite the level of concentration. Same amazing purity, tension and freshness. To date, 16 is my favorite vintage, so 18 showing signs of being on that level is awesome.
  
  Always nice to find someone into similar wines that's local. Definitely should get together for a glass or 5.

• JLuch1 commented:

  10/27/20, 1:48 PM - I get ya, I frequent CT and Berserkers, so I am familiar with the scene. I was tempted to open a bottle now and basically used your response to suppress the urge, so thank you for that.
  
  I have other 16 Mike Smith wines I can always default to if the urge persists.

• cablover123 commented:

  10/27/20, 3:11 PM - Great note Cristal! Another confirmation that I am glad that I went long on 2018's and Myriad. I have been experimenting with Mike's wines and have found similar with the amount of air. The exception I found was Scarlett, which seems to need more air young. It seems many go thru a funky stage 2-4 years in the bottle and then come back some. I say "some" because he makes incredible young wines. I recently had a 2015 Carter Weitz that was humming.

• michigan dogs commented:

  10/28/20, 8:56 AM - exciting to read your note, I appreciate your insight and am so glad I have several bottles. I am always hesitant to drink too young.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/28/20, 9:13 AM - Hi MD - Yeah, I always think of Mike's wines as the first ones to dive into, since they are generally the most open for business early. This year, that's a bit different, but they are still fun. Cheers!

• NapaCabernet commented:

  10/28/20, 2:41 PM - Great post thx! Will hold them half a year then start drinking the first. By the way is the GIII Empyrean 17 ready (with or without decant)?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/28/20, 2:51 PM - Hi NapaCabernet: I didn't buy any Empyrean in 17. Actually only bought a few Elysian and that is it. Perhaps someone else on this thread has some insight.

• JLuch1 commented:

  10/28/20, 3:05 PM - NapaCab, I had a 17 Empyrean, but it was back on 1/1/2020. Thought it needed some years in bottle to better integrate, regardless of decanting. Lots of oak and very tight back in January. I am personally avoiding opening my other two bottles for a couple years, unless there are prevailing reviews that suggest otherwise.

• NapaCabernet commented:

  10/28/20, 10:26 PM - Thanx very much, so I will wait a year at least

• #1Winelover commented:

  10/29/20, 4:08 AM - Nice notes M. Most of the '18s that I have tried -- including Mike Smith's wines seem to need mucho time. Carter was better on day 2 (your reviews were similar to mine). Quivet needed a long decant. And Myriad Peterson and Steltzner were primary and better on day 2. I do have both doctors and really do like to try the wines when they arrive but on the other hand, I don't like to waste them. So to confirm, if I were to try 1 Dr., you would recommend opening Elysian?
  
  Thanks again -- really nice reviews!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/29/20, 7:54 AM - Hi WL: There is definitely no hurry to open any of them. They can all use some time. Of the four I've opened, in order of ready to drink it's: Elysian, Crane, GIII and then Empyrean. Even the Elysian takes a little time to come around, and we gulped it down so fast I never had time to find out if it would shut down, like the others, after a few hours. While I don't think it is wasting the Cranes, there will certainly be a better drinking window.

• vintage1949 commented:

  11/11/20, 12:47 AM - Greetings Everyone,
  After I have finished buying Memento Mori’s wines for two years I will end up with nine to ten three packs. Whoa-that is enough for this old guy. It will be time to move on to another couple wineries. Is this a wine I should consider for my cellar? Why? Who is the winemaker? Do you have to purchase other offerings to get to this wine. (Hello to those that I know) Thank you ahead of time for your response. Dave

• JLuch1 commented:

  11/11/20, 5:07 PM - Dave, others are more experienced on the reasons why you should consider a bottle, but I thought it worth mentioning that the winemaker, Mike smith, just sent an email to the allocation list with left overs from his 2018 release. If you are interested in trying to get a bottle, I’d suggest you email Leah Smith as soon as possible to see if there is something you could work out. Otherwise I suspect you’ll find a premium on this in the secondary market. Hope this helps.

• Mark1npt commented:

  11/11/20, 6:58 PM - JLuch, good advice!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/12/20, 11:10 AM - Dave - you can sign up for the mailing list. I doubt you'd get an allocation of the Elysian first year however. They are definitely worth seeking out - more of a modern, extracted and pure style. Will not confuse it for a BDX, that is for sure.

• bsumoba commented:

  11/12/20, 11:15 AM - I just had a surprise welcoming email from Myriad on "leftover" inventory yesterday, 11/11/20.
  
  Being that this is my first year with them, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to snag an Elysian, the regular Dr. Crane, the GIII, a Round Pound, a Steltzer, and their Napa blend. I snagged an Empyrian from a retailer to round out the 18' lineup.
  
  It looks like they sold out quickly though.
  
  Now, I just need to get MM and Vice Versa and I'll be a happy camper.

• vintage1949 commented:

  11/13/20, 2:36 AM - Hey Cristal,
  Regarding “Always nice to find someone into similar wines that's local. Definitely should get together for a glass or 5.” Oh you guys are lucky to be able to get together and enjoy similar wines. Here in Sheboygan I do not know of anybody buying wines over $100. Dave

• vintage1949 commented:

  11/13/20, 3:03 AM - Hi Julch1, Mark, Cristal, Baum,
  Thanks for the great information and advice. Will sign up with them. Bummer 2020 is a no go so hoping 2021 produces good wines. I have had the Round Pond a while ago and it was not my thing. If I remember correctly and that is a big if it was lighter in style with flavors in the red spectrum, somewhat linear. Do I have that correct or do I have that confused with a different bottle? Are the other bottles such as Elysian, the regular Dr. Crane, the GIII, Steltzer, and Empyrian made in the same style or is the Round Pound simply a less expensive offering without the dark berry character of a Cabernet Sauvignon? Dave
  
  Added question. Just went to the Myriad site. Pictured on a page was their offerings. One bottle had a drawing of an older man with a beard with Dr. Crane below it. Getting confused here-is that a general Cabernet Sauvignon or something like an Elysian? Will post another question about the different offerings after I read more from their site. Thanks again ahead of time for answering all my questions, about

• #1Winelover commented:

  12/24/20, 6:02 AM - Hi all and Merry Christmas. I opened the '18 Elysian and it got better with a longer decant. I have 1/2 left for tonight. I do agree that Elysian is better than the regular Doctor. So if you like them a little primary, dive in with no decant. If you like them a little smoother, I would recommend decanting.

• Mark1npt commented:

  12/24/20, 7:18 AM - Thanks for the update, Rob! Merry Christmas to you and everyone else here, too! I may have to try one of these this weekend!

• #1Winelover commented:

  12/29/20, 10:16 AM - Does anyone have any insight/intel on the 2019 vintage in general? I just got Myriad's upcoming offering. Jeez. I'm still waiting for some the '18s to arrive!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  12/29/20, 1:33 PM - Hi WL - I unfortunately haven't had a chance to sample anything. Between the virus and fires, my attempts have been thwarted. The rumor about 19 is it's good not great; not on 18's level. Like a 14 after a 13. Still can't believe Mike is going to make a 20. That's putting your reputation on the line with most every winery worth its salt discarding the vintage.

• #1Winelover commented:

  12/29/20, 1:42 PM - Thx M. I do know some who picked before the fires, but in general, you are correct. It will be interesting to see how many of his wines are released. It's their reputation on the line.
  
  Thx for the 2019 feedback. I heard the same thing. I am not in love with the '14s as it didn't compare well with '13 and '15 was better as well. I will buy, but be super selective. Which is hard for me to do!

• Mark1npt commented:

  12/29/20, 2:49 PM - I've heard 'best ever' (probably lying) and 'it was interesting' (probably the truth). Take your pick.......but I'm tapped out.

• Mark1npt commented:

  12/29/20, 5:25 PM - Cristal, I agree with you. There may be, I stress 'may be' an occasional hidden vineyard that was not subject to either the 100 deg temps or the smoke/fires in '20....but I doubt it. I won;t be buying a single bottle of '20 unless someone can prove to me beforehand in a tasting that it isn't affected in some way. Just my personal decision.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  12/29/20, 5:44 PM - Hi Mark - Here's the thing. Even if grapes were picked before the massive fire during harvest, which by the way would be super early for anything valley floor North Napa (and especially Crane!), most everything in the valley was already exposed to smoke from the Complex fires earlier in the summer.
  
  When Shafer and the big production old school wineries decide not to make a vintage, you know it's bad. I understand the huge financial impact for many, but it's going to be hard to have credibility selling a 2020 vintage.
  
  Guess we will see! I will likely not purchase a single one.

• Mark1npt commented:

  12/29/20, 5:59 PM - Cristal....you are preaching to the choir here.....I was trying to be kind, but even with all you named....the big issue was the heat prior to the smoke and fires. Wayyyy too many 100 deg + days this summer. I saw a lot, as in tons of raisins while I was out there before the big fires broke out. Too many damaged crops. The heat this summer was worse than the heat in '17. I would not have bought any '20 just for that alone. The smoke and fires just cemented my decision.

• #1Winelover commented:

  12/30/20, 4:27 AM - I know that Realm, Fait Main and Trespass are not releasing any 2020s. I will be interesting who releases wine; especially from the same vineyards where others are not releasing anything! I just finished re-stocking my cellar with the 13 and 16 vintage. My wallet will thank me if I really can scale back on the '19 and not buy any of the '20!

• Mark1npt commented:

  12/30/20, 5:04 AM - #1....I'm sure we'll see more and more consolidation in the industry as smaller producers continue to be pushed out by the economics of it all. A real shame. Some are just going to have to make wine no matter how it turns out, just to try to survive into another year. Most of the supermarket wine buying crowd will never know the difference so those sales may be enough to keep some of the larger bulk producers afloat safely.

• Decanting Queen commented:

  12/30/20, 5:35 AM - My ‘19 buying will be very small and selective around one or two producers that I want to support, not because I think the wine will be any good. And then, I’m not buying any more (who believes me!!?? Lol).

• NapaCabernet commented:

  1/13/21, 4:54 AM - Hi there, any guess for the 2019 allocation, will you buy? I am unsure..

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/16/21, 6:41 AM - Hey Mark,
  From CT’s comments about the 2020 vintage my wallet will be closed tight for Napa. Will use the year to save up funds for future vintages. A little money may trickle out of my wallet to buy some 2015 Sauternes. What are you going to do? Dave

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/16/21, 12:54 PM - Hey Dave......not buying many '19s unless I really trust the source and/or get to taste them first. The power outages out there during harvest in '19 may have disrupted the picking, sorting, fermenting regimen too much.
  
  Buying a total of ZERO '20s......as I honestly can't think of a single place that wasn't severely affected by the heat, fires and smoke in '20. I've already begun back filling my cellar with '12 thru '16 and I'm sure over the next few years I'll add a few more '18 wines back in as well. Cheers, Mark

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/16/21, 2:30 PM - I'm going to try and take your advice (for the '19). Like you, I won't be buying 2020 unless it's from a different Hemisphere :)

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/16/21, 8:07 PM - Smart move, Rob......there will be plenty of bad to average wine sold in tasting rooms and supermarkets over the next few years........

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/17/21, 2:18 AM - Has anybody heard about Washington State’s 2020 vintage? I have purchased Cayuse’s Bionic Frog 16, 17, 18, and 19 vintages. Was going to make 20 my last purchase. May cut that short and end with 2019. Dave

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/17/21, 4:28 AM - Hi Mark,
  Regarding “there will be plenty of bad to average wine sold in tasting rooms and supermarkets over the next few years........” I can already guess what the descriptions will be. Interesting/great value/superb wine character for 2020/captures the special qualities of the vintage/a unique and trustworthy wine/a wine that shows all the qualities only California can offer/tastes like sh#t/whoops skip the last one. Dave

• Decanting Queen commented:

  1/17/21, 5:50 AM - Dave—Washington vintages don’t seem to always correlate with Napa but I am not sure because there were also Washington fires in ‘20. I have no idea if they were near Walla walla. But I will say, if you are not buying cayuse this year but want to hold your place on the list, I’m happy to buy your allocation ;-).

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 6:20 AM - Dave, I know exactly zero about Wash St wines but I'm sure others on here will help you out!

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 6:22 AM - Dave.....that pretty much sums it up! Gladly for us, the vast majority of supermarket wine will be gobbled up by the unknowing masses and eventually disposed of at all their dinners and wine parties. As it should.

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 6:30 AM - Dave....I personally know Jen very well....she would gladly take your allocation off your hands if you don't want it......I could hear her salivating from a thousand miles away, at the thought! You need to catch her at a weak moment and do the deal, now! I wish more of us on here did that so we could:
  
  a. save our wallets some pain some years and
  b. keep our place on these mailing lists and not lose our rights to keep getting some of these great wines! Lastly,
  c. keep our spouses happy........

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/17/21, 8:27 AM - Geesh do I dare say what I get at Cayuse? I only get three bottles a year but it is their Bionic Frog! How would I get the wine to someone else? Change of address form? I can’t ship from Wisconsin. Dave

• Decanting Queen commented:

  1/17/21, 8:31 AM - Hi Dave I’ll figure out how to DM you but it is easy. Basically I PayPal you, you order and have it shipped to my address instead of yours...

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/17/21, 8:45 AM - Hi Jen,
  Sorry what does DM me mean? My wife has PayPal-how does that work? I buy things on the internet using PayPal-never sold. Laughing-it took me ten years to get the Bionic Frog. Have not even tried the first vintage I bought-2016. Don’t worry we will work something out. Would have to figure out taxes and shipping. (Not ordering 2020 until late summer/early fall this year.) Obviously sold at cost:) Happy for you! Dave

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 9:26 AM - Dave, it's your shipment. You can ask them to ship it anywhere you want. No problem!

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 9:34 AM - Dave, just put your email here and after you hit 'save and done' she'll get it and contact you. You can get right back on and edit your email out of your response so nobody else can see it. Then Jen will email you. She can send her paypal payment for your wine to your wife's account and then your wife can just have the money transferred back to her bank account. It's a roundabout way of doing business but it works perfectly. I've done it with Jen and a few others with wines on here before. It's kinda like when Americans couldn't fly to Cuba on vacation but if you went to Mexico or Panama first then you could fly into Cuba.

• JLuch1 commented:

  1/17/21, 9:46 AM - I know most you folks are pretty set on your perspectives of the 2019 vintage, but figured I’d share the link below for some further insight. Roy Piper and Russel Bevan chimed in on their views of the vintage and some other helpful comments from board. I have to imagine there will be some compelling wines out there in 19 and it is always helpful to be selective.
  
  I for one grabbed Myriads Dr. Crane offerings because it’s my favorite from their line up and also my wedding year, so seemed appropriate to have some.
  
  I will also be buying from other regions on the West Coast, such as wines from Halcon as I’ve heard the weather was favorable in the Yorkville Highlands and the grapes had extended hang time.
  
  Overall my goal is to spend less on Cab this year, but not because of the vintage, more because of my cellar which is seemingly lopsided and cab heavy at the moment.
  
  I hope this helps and apologize if this was a bit of a monkey wrench for some.
  
  -Joe
  
  https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3153011#p3153011

• vintage1949 commented:

  1/17/21, 11:16 AM - Greetings

• Decanting Queen commented:

  1/17/21, 11:32 AM - Got it—thanks Dave—I will send you an email!

• Mark1npt commented:

  1/17/21, 4:10 PM - Hey Joe.....I'm set on the '19 only because I was out there during the power outages and spoke to a winemaker who was quite perturbed that he couldn't pick or process his fruit that was already picked because there was no power. Most wineries did not have backup power, at least not for the first outages. Many generators were brought in after the first one. Who knows how the '19s turn out? I'm going to need to taste some before buying.

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