2/1/2014 - dekay Likes this wine:

Pear, peach, honesuckle. Round, mildly unctious, with trim minerality, acidity and slight effervescence. Very nice value.

12/20/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Wonderful balance of savory and sweet, though somewhat shutdown. Took a little over an hour to open up. Somewhat light nose of cherry, baked spice, liquor, meat. Starts with medium bodied dark/red fruit and finishes in back of the palate with layers of savory flavors. Long finish. Will improve.

10/18/2012 - dekay wrote:

Opened nicely with dark cherries and ripe plum, garrigue and mineral. Palate leans toward the savory with herbs, a bit of fat now balanced with receded fruit. Still balanced with acidity and slightly drying tannins. On the downslope of its window.

3/18/2013 - dekay wrote:

Light cherry, oak; light - medium bodied, cedar, smooth, balanced, light acidity and resolved tannins, easy to drink, but not much of a value.

3/14/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Nose is the best part - blueberry, warm vanilla spiced pudding, baking spices, bits of chocolate and hints of cedar. Palate is relatively straightforward - dark fruit, bit of spice, not much acidity or tannins - a bit flat, really. Modest finish. Nice to drink, but it is well constructed, fruit-forward drink-now wine, as the lack of structure will make this less interesting in a few years as the main attraction - the fruit - will fade and I don't see what will counterbalance.

3/12/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Nose is dominated by ripe soy reduction, graphite and a bit of tar, but red berry, cacao, and some floral elements can be coaxed out. Smooth and highlighted by savory elements and lightly sour acidity. Ends with a light but distinct saline earthiness - more or less similar to the aftertaste of very dark chocolate sprinkled with sea salt. A classy rioja, and ideally paired with Mediterranean fare; difficult to consider it a value, however.

3/7/2013 - dekay wrote:

Red berry, cassis, anise, bit of jam; very full, with additional graphite, hints of tar, and cedar as it rolls on the palate. Smooth and light on the tannins, with a moderate finish. Modern construction in the way it is upfront yet very drinkable; a couple years may make it come together better, but I doubt much aging potential. Not harmonious, but is undoubtedly a very good value.

2/24/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Very nice truffly, earthy aromas with hints of red fruit. Faded a bit from the last bottle, it needs a little air. Savory with some spice, with fruit a bit withdrawn, still nice acidity and light tannins. A touch lacking in body. Moderate finish.

2/16/2013 - dekay wrote:

Medium bodied, lightly creamy texture; fruit is somewhat faded; not over-oaked.

2/13/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Deep aroma of spice and plum. Straightforward fruit and oak. Balanced and not overdone.

2/9/2013 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Cassis, earth, cherry, some herbal notes. Grainy, but not distractingly so. Tart cherry with hints of cacao and leather in the background. Not particularly complex. Tannins are mostly receded, but I would wait another two years before opening the next. Not much finish.

1/24/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Penetrating dried cherry, dark chocolate and anise - a bit like sniffing a dark chocolate covered candied cherry cut in half; dry, medium bodied with leather, cacao and darker red fruit, well-integrated tannins; long finish with coffee-edged bitter notes. Layered, great to sip and contemplate; might pair with a glazed roast

1/23/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Light cassis, plum and cedar. Leather, earth, dark fruit packaged in a medium body with light acidity and fully integrated acidity. Unlike so many Napa cabs, it does not overpower its accompanying food. Medium finish.

1/19/2013 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Plush garnet color; Nose is light, with hints of dark fruit and spice; medium and balanced, but not particularly deep or complex. Short finish.

1/17/2013 - dekay wrote:

Much faded from my last bottle. Nose is barely present; body is light to medium, with hints of red fruit and savory elements. Medium finish. Still balanced, but I would finish any remaining bottles soon.

1/13/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Dark cherry fruit, peppery spice, leather on the nose. Dark fruit - cherry, plum- spice, with tangy, acidity finishing with lightly bitter cacao elements. Just a tad light on the overall finish.

1/10/2013 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Nose is light, some dark fruit, scorched earth, some heat. Dark fruit, cedar, smoke with saline elements. Quite full with largely tamed tannins. Heavy wood on the finish. Too one-note and over-oaked to be considered very good on its own, it deserves a hunk of well-prepared red meat to accompany it.

1/3/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Takes a little over an hour to open up. Light aromas of spiced, candied red fruit. Savory spiced meat, mature fruit, light acidity balanced with mild tannins. Medium long finish of similar character. Not improved from last year, but still wonderfully layered and emphasizing savory elements.

1/5/2013 - dekay Likes this wine:

Deep tomato beef, pepper, leather and earth on the nose. Savory, deep dark fruit, with a broad meaty element, tangy, flavorful acidity. Long finish extending the prior elements. A nice contrast to some of the fruit driven, one-note, local cali cabs I've had.

12/31/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Deep plummy, dark fruit and spice on the nose; game, spiced fruit, chalky minerality in balance with well integrated tannins and solid acidity - but just a bit light; long finish emphasizing a bit of eucalyptus and spicy wood. Gets better with air and is in its drinking window. Lacks that extra depth and texture to rise to the next level.

12/30/2012 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Blend of dark/red fruit notes, but faint. Light to medium body; faded fruit and tannins; is nice and has balance, but clearly past its prime.

12/24/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Just a touch diminished from the last bottle. Still dark jammy fruit notes, with a rich, warm palate of red and dark fruit with enough acidity and tannins to provide support. Finishes with smoke, earth and fruit.

12/21/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Better than the bottle a year ago - more in balance. Deep, dark fruit aromas with less noticeable heat. Plum and spice, weighty texture, balanced acidity and tannins. Moderate finish.

12/15/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

A beautiful wine, with striking balance at this stage of development. Light, but clear nose of cassis, dark berry, vanilla and dark plum. Layered, textured, with finely grained tannins, mature dark fruit, coffee and cacao notes. Long finish. Not over-wrought as so many Cali-cabs have become.

12/7/2012 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Light nose showing predominantly oak, red berry and a hint of sweeter dark fruit and tar. Not showing much on the palate except more wood, some tart red fruit, and still youthful tannins and acidity. Has structure but not stuffing - I hope it develops into something similar to the very good 2001 vintage.

12/1/2012 - dekay wrote:

Decently structured; has shed its youthful fruit. Blueberry/blackberry jam, tar, herbs, hints of bacon fat on the nose. Palate needs some air to flesh out, with dark fruit and spice, but just a bit hollow in the middle as the fruit has faded a touch. Pleasantly bitter acidity and light tannins appear toward the end; short finish.

11/27/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Very light nose of red fruit, wet slate and spice. Medium bodied, red-fruit, garrigue, minerals, all in a light, balanced package with more than enough acidity for freshness. Savory finish, emphasizing herbal elements.

11/17/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Penetrating cassis with a touch of heat; dark and light fruit with palpable sense of sweetness, spicy oak, wonderful texture, nicely buttressed with lightly teeth coating tannins; extended finish.

11/11/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Deep sense of dark, mineral laden fruit with just a hint of raisen & prune. Rich, yet slightly tart with smooth tannin, very slightly heavy on the fruit. Short, somewhat tart finish.

11/9/2012 - dekay wrote:

Dark, brooding nose. Palate enters thick but quietly, but builds with dark, grainy fruit, cacao, spice and earth that last into the moderately long finish. Has just enough acidity and the grainy tannins to hold it up.

11/7/2012 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Light red fruit nose; palate dominated by tart acidity backed with some red fruit - sour cherry; finish has a bit of earthiness.

11/4/2012 - dekay wrote:

Subdued nose of cassis / dark fruit. Strong in the mid-palate with dark fruit and a bit of cacao, lush texture, broad acidity and somewhat grippy tannins. Medium finish. Still on the young side, but eminently drinkable.

10/29/2012 - dekay wrote:

A straightforward CdP from an undistinguished year that rises above average with good texture and mouthfeel. Nose is rather mute at this stage, with light hints of anise, red fruit and a bit of heat. Savory flavors dominate, with light fruit backed by some meat and herbs. Nicely rounded mouthfeel with keen acidity and matching, lightly dusty tannins. Moderate but unintense finish. Might improve with age, but a suspect you will trade off liveliness for only moderate gains in secondary characteristics.

10/26/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Showing well. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet France, 15% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Deep cassis with a bright red edge, smoke and a bit of pepper. Ripe but not overwhelming fruit with nice depth and layers, lightly tart and dusty tannins. Long smokey, earthy finish with bitter cacao.

10/24/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Dark, mature fruit with a touch of earth on the nose. Fruit has receded, emphasizing a veneer of tobacco and earth over dusty tannins, backed with balanced acidity. Finish is long, complex, but a bit tart.

10/19/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Opens with notable cassis and red fruit, with a bit of earthy, cigar box note as well. Fruit presents youthfully vibrant, moderate acidity and slightly drying tannins. Medium finish emphasizes smokey elements. Might improve in a couple years, but certainly enjoyable now.

10/18/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Opened nicely with dark cherries and ripe plum, garrigue and mineral. Palate leans toward the savory with herbs, a bit of fat now balanced with receded fruit. Still balanced with acidity and slightly drying tannins. On the downslope of its window

10/15/2012 - dekay wrote:

Primary dark berry with a bit of cherry in the background. Somewhat muted on the attack, with mixed berry, vanilla, spice and touch of oak around the perimeter. Moderate tannins, acidity somewhat bright, moderate finish. Could be drunk now, but 2-5 years would help.

10/11/2012 - dekay wrote:

Dark cherry with some red notes, mineral, tar on the nose. A bit light on the attack, but picks up with broad red/dark fruit, balsamic and chocolate notes (think ripe strawberries, dark chocolate, drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar - turned into a reduction) - tannins take an hour or so to unwind - shows aging potential.

10/5/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Pungent black fruit tinged with spice - classic syrah nose. Not overly complex but very balanced and wonderfully textured - blackberry, bit of currants, mineral - round, lightly grainy but firmly present tannins and fresh acidity. Moderate finish. A wine that is of a piece. A few more years would even out the tannins a bit, but the fruit would lose some of its character.

10/3/2012 - dekay wrote:

Underripe red cherries mixed with earthy red fruit; red tangy cherries flavors dominate with grainy, moderate tannins and still fairly youthful tannins, Shortish finish.

10/3/2012 - dekay wrote:

Cassis, dark, grainy fruit, moderate tannins, nice texture, decent finish. Nothing remarkable, nothing wrong.

9/28/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Quite nice. Berry, slight meat, and a distinctive aroma in the background I associate with dried kelp (iodine-ish) that is attractive. Fruit (berry, a bit of cherry cola); has a great mouthfeel - light to medium bodied, with vibrant acidity and mild tannins. (the acidity lends the spritzy or fizzy character, no undesired fermentation here) Light but extended finish.

9/23/2012 - dekay Does not like this wine:

A little tired. Light cassis and spice aromas. Fruit was weaker than the last bottle, with more VA character, but not obtrusive. Moderate finish.

9/20/2012 - dekay wrote:

Somewhat a disappointment. Dark and red berry intermingled with spice; took some time to open up. More red than dark fruit, minerals, light garrigue; keen acidity and matching tannins. Moderate finish. Extended air required; somewhat shut down, I'd wait a at least 2-3 years for the next bottle.

9/18/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Spice with hint of cedar, red berries and cherries; full, dusty, tangy with dark and red fruits which tilt toward the red due to the lightly acidic tangy-ness. Moderately long finish which highlights a bit more of the cacao and earthy tobacco elements

9/17/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Melange of very ripe honeydew and white peaches and nectarines; stone fruit infused honey, honey, honey; suave but unctuous, with not quite enough acidity to balance the sugar, but delicious, leaving a long trail of sweetness.

9/8/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Notes of dark stewed figs, sandalwood, tar and spice. Plush mouthfeel - full, smooth, without rough edges - but like a worn easy chair, a bit past its prime, with less fruit and complexity, but still nicely textured and enjoyable. Moderate finish

9/13/2012 - dekay Does not like this wine:

Nice, but straightforward. Classic dark fruit notes with a bit of spice, clean dark fruit with just enough acidity for support it. Not much of a finish.

9/5/2012 - dekay Likes this wine:

Dark fruit reduction, tar, concentrated anise, some barnyard; somewhat muted. Herb and spice (five spice?) dominated palate with fruit taking a back seat. Tannins quite present but in balance with the power of the wine's flavors and textures. Classic Pegau.