Two hour decant. I was anxious to taste VHR's latest venture. This wine was developed for restaurants as it is immediately accessible and made for early consumption (although it seems like it will still age 5-7 years effortlessly). This was a great wine to start the dinner with....plenty of red fruit and hints of darker fruit, with notes of chocolate, bramble and baking spice. The wine had fine tannins and a luxurious mouthfeel. Not overly complex, but nice and balanced with decent structure. VHR fruit is evident. A very nice QPR for VHR! I would order this in a restaurant without reservation! 93+ for me!

Note: 98 is my benchmark.

Two hour decant and served about an hour later at a VHR event at Anhelo in Phoenix. This was drinking incredibly well! Mostly red fruit with some dark fruit mixed in. Lots od earth and cedar to accompany a core of VHR fruit. This wine is still an infant, but smooth and delicious now...I don't know if I would have the discipline to keep my hands off this one! Velvety fine tannins and a luscious mouthfeel accompany a lengthy finish....Absolutly stunning now, and should get even better (hard to believe!) 96 points for me and in a great place right now with a proper decant.

Note, my benchmark for red wine is 98.

Received a 3 hour decant and then drank about 1 1/2 hours into dinner. Saved some of this for the end of dinner (about another 1/1/2 hours). This wine started out a little tight, but still showed plenty. of dark fruit with hints of red fruit. Wine had firm tannins and good structure (plenty of fruit and acidity to accompany the tannins). The wine also showed signs of earth, tree bark and some chocolate. Oak was present, but fairly well integrated. This wine opened up much more at the end of the night. If drinking now, I would decant 6 hours. This should probably remain cellared for another 5 years....then drank over the following 10-15 years. An excellent wine that should improve. started as a 93 and ended around 95...my score, 94.

Note, my benchmark is 98.

Decanted for 4 hours then served about 2 hours later (total of 6 hours of air) I love this wine and this vintage, but the wine seems like it is starting to close down a little. Everything is there, but it still needs to integrate. I feel like this wine will be the best of the bunch, but it will take a few years to strut its stuff! Plenty of dark fruit with some red fruit, and unbelievable structure. I fell in love with this vintage because I feel it (and other 18s) show so much structure and balance with pure fruit, tannins and acidity. This is already good (and even better at the end of the night), but still has so much more potential. I think this will eventually flirt with perfection! Aside from the fruit, there were hints of tobacco and earth, as well as notes of chocolate and toasty oak. 95+ today, but loads of potential. Hold this one for another few years then enjoy for a long, long time!

Note, my benchmark is 98 points.

4 hour decant then another 2 hours before it was poured. Surprisingly approachable! This and the 12 seemed heavenly right now. Hard to believe this may get even better because it is drinking so well right now....the purity of that VHR fruit is intoxicating! Offers hedonistic pleasure now (but not a big, over-extracted wine), but should develop nicely. This will be difficult to keep my hands off of it! Dark fruit with some red fruit, cedar, tobacco, and spice with notes of dark chocolate. Easy 96 and should improve!

Note, my benchmark is 98 points.