Second day for this wine as well, having been opened for 24+ hours. More feminine than the Grand Chenes, shows strawberry and a floral aspect on the nose. Very light, refreshing mouthfeel, with perhaps too much acidity. This was better on day 1, but either way I'd round these bottles up in the drinking queue, I cant imagine them improving from here. Solid bottle for the money - under $19.

Decanted for 2+ hours, color was dark and inky. Nose was tight, showing some minerals, tobacco and red berry. Touch of cedar as well. Very balanced wine, with nice fruit upfront and a gorgeous, lengthy finish. Would definitely buy again, amazing qpr.

Day 2 - I updated my note to reflect the second day. This had been open for some 24 hours and was finally showing some licorice and red berries on the nose, the tobacco up and left. Still had a nice heft to the wine - and I can see this coming into its own and improving with time in bottle. Must resist opening another.

Decanted for about 45 minutes to an hour, then slowly sampled over the course of the next 2 hours. Dark color with some cloudiness, must be unfiltered? I also had a nice little fruitfly in the glass, at least I got my protein! Drunk alongside a 2004 Radio Coteau Savoy - this was in stark contrast to that wine. The Coteau is stylish and chic - the Sea Smoke would beat up the Coteau and steal it's designer clothes. Nice powerful, round nose of dark red fruits laced with caramel. The nose significantly changed over the course of the night, ending with a "smoky, woody, cedary" type aroma - almost like when you first light a fire. Very interesting. The fruit here is sharper, tangy - with some sweetness to the cherry fruits. Good to see this bottle show well after my prior disappointing one. While I preferred the Coteau due to it's complexity and truer varietal breed, I give the SS Southing an extra nod b/c it is what it is - a massive pinot.

An interesting contrast to the 2004 Sea Smoke Southing. Not decanted. Delightful, bright nose of raspberry and minerals which won me over with it's graceful style. Nice juicy, focused flavors of raspberry and pomegranate wrap up with some chewiness to the tannins on the back end, but definitely a pleasing finish and nice length. Very clean and nicely acidic - I can imagine salmon being a knockout pairing with this wine. The tannic spine will reward those with patience, wish I had some to test mine with!

Decanted for about 45 minutes to an hour, then slowly consumed over the next 2 hours. This showed better than the 2003 Commanderie, but didnt have the backbone of the Grand Chenes. Body was somewhere in between. First time having this estate, showed red currant and some other berry aromas out of the gate, with a gravelly/crushed rock/minerally aspect. Solid polished fruit that weakens a bit on the back end, ending somewhat thin. But a great value for a $20 wine, better with food than drunk without.