2/15/2024 - melsdad Likes this wine:

2016 Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay - My first time tasting this elixir. The nose was somewhat reticent with a hint of lemon. On the palate, there are layers of rich, honeyed fruits, mouth-watering acidity with nice minerality. It’s a mouthful of wine, early in its evolution that I would love to try in 5 years or longer. There’s no rush. 98 pts with upside.

2007 Futo - Double decanted 2 1/2 hours prior to dinner. Ripe, full-bodied and opulent. Beautiful from the word go featuring blueberries and blackberries. Large CF component. Very smooth and great purity of fruit. Right in its prime for me. 98 pts

2007 Abreu Madrona Ranch - The most complex of the three reds we devoured. Wasn’t sure it was going to come around when I first opened it but 90 minutes after double decanting it certainly did. A nice amount of CF I’m sure. It’s black-fruited with a streak of red berries and a hint of spice. Tannins are ripe but firm. It’s great and will stay there for years to come. 98 pts (Do you sense a theme?)

2007 Outpost True Vineyard - Tight at first. I would recommend a 60 minute decant if consuming now. Surely will have the longest life of the three reds. Deep blue and black fruited with nice minerality. A powerful 100% Cabernet and, yes, 98 pts.

While qualitatively very similar, they took turns as WOTN which I found enhanced the experience. Futo out of the gate was on top, then Abreu and the last sips of the Outpost were it’s best. What was surprising to me was that only two of us are big fans of big, rich and ripe (modern) Cabernets. One was decidedly old world and one right in the middle. And yet, we all agreed on these beauties.

2/15/2024 - melsdad Likes this wine:

2016 Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay - My first time tasting this elixir. The nose was somewhat reticent with a hint of lemon. On the palate, there are layers of rich, honeyed fruits, mouth-watering acidity with nice minerality. It’s a mouthful of wine, early in its evolution that I would love to try in 5 years or longer. There’s no rush. 98 pts with upside.

2007 Futo - Double decanted 2 1/2 hours prior to dinner. Ripe, full-bodied and opulent. Beautiful from the word go featuring blueberries and blackberries. Large CF component. Very smooth and great purity of fruit. Right in its prime for me. 98 pts

2007 Abreu Madrona Ranch - The most complex of the three reds we devoured. Wasn’t sure it was going to come around when I first opened it but 90 minutes after double decanting it certainly did. A nice amount of CF I’m sure. It’s black-fruited with a streak of red berries and a hint of spice. Tannins are ripe but firm. It’s great and will stay there for years to come. 98 pts (Do you sense a theme?)

2007 Outpost True Vineyard - Tight at first. I would recommend a 60 minute decant if consuming now. Surely will have the longest life of the three reds. Deep blue and black fruited with nice minerality. A powerful 100% Cabernet and, yes, 98 pts.

While qualitatively very similar, they took turns as WOTN which I found enhanced the experience. Futo out of the gate was on top, then Abreu and the last sips of the Outpost were it’s best. What was surprising to me was that only two of us are big fans of big, rich and ripe (modern) Cabernets. One was decidedly old world and one right in the middle. And yet, we all agreed on these beauties.

2/15/2024 - melsdad wrote:

2016 Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay - My first time tasting this elixir. The nose was somewhat reticent with a hint of lemon. On the palate, there are layers of rich, honeyed fruits, mouth-watering acidity with nice minerality. It’s a mouthful of wine, early in its evolution that I would love to try in 5 years or longer. There’s no rush. 98 pts with upside.

2007 Futo - Double decanted 2 1/2 hours prior to dinner. Ripe, full-bodied and opulent. Beautiful from the word go featuring blueberries and blackberries. Large CF component. Very smooth and great purity of fruit. Right in its prime for me. 98 pts

2007 Abreu Madrona Ranch - The most complex of the three reds we devoured. Wasn’t sure it was going to come around when I first opened it but 90 minutes after double decanting it certainly did. A nice amount of CF I’m sure. It’s black-fruited with a streak of red berries and a hint of spice. Tannins are ripe but firm. It’s great and will stay there for years to come. 98 pts (Do you sense a theme?)

2007 Outpost True Vineyard - Tight at first. I would recommend a 60 minute decant if consuming now. Surely will have the longest life of the three reds. Deep blue and black fruited with nice minerality. A powerful 100% Cabernet and, yes, 98 pts.

While qualitatively very similar, they took turns as WOTN which I found enhanced the experience. Futo out of the gate was on top, then Abreu and the last sips of the Outpost were it’s best. What was surprising to me was that only two of us are big fans of big, rich and ripe (modern) Cabernets. One was decidedly old world and one right in the middle. And yet, we all agreed on these beauties.

2/15/2024 - melsdad Likes this wine:

2007 Cali Cab tasting...and one big white!

2016 Kongsgaard The Judge Chardonnay - My first time tasting this elixir. The nose was somewhat reticent with a hint of lemon. On the palate, there are layers of rich, honeyed fruits, mouth-watering acidity with nice minerality. It’s a mouthful of wine, early in its evolution that I would love to try in 5 years or longer. There’s no rush. 98 pts with upside.

2007 Futo - Double decanted 2 1/2 hours prior to dinner. Ripe, full-bodied and opulent. Beautiful from the word go featuring blueberries and blackberries. Large CF component. Very smooth and great purity of fruit. Right in its prime for me. 98 pts

2007 Abreu Madrona Ranch - The most complex of the three reds we devoured. Wasn’t sure it was going to come around when I first opened it but 90 minutes after double decanting it certainly did. A nice amount of CF I’m sure. It’s black-fruited with a streak of red berries and a hint of spice. Tannins are ripe but firm. It’s great and will stay there for years to come. 98 pts (Do you sense a theme?)

2007 Outpost True Vineyard - Tight at first. I would recommend a 60 minute decant if consuming now. Surely will have the longest life of the three reds. Deep blue and black fruited with nice minerality. A powerful 100% Cabernet and, yes, 98 pts.

While qualitatively very similar, they took turns as WOTN which I found enhanced the experience. Futo out of the gate was on top, then Abreu and the last sips of the Outpost were it’s best. What was surprising to me was that only two of us are big fans of big, rich and ripe (modern) Cabernets. One was decidedly old world and one right in the middle. And yet, we all agreed on these beauties.

11/17/2023 - melsdad Likes this wine:

Double decanted 3 hours before dinner. Zero hint of smoke taint. This was singing. Big and voluptuous in the mouth, expanded mid-palate and long, lingering finish. My second 96 rating of this wine. Along with Carter Grand Daddy, the best 2020 I've had. Thank you Leah and Mike for your hospitality.

6/1/2020 - melsdad wrote:

Not the full-throttle cab blend it was a few years ago but...still a great bottle of wine. Drink 'em if you have 'em!

12/18/2019 - melsdad wrote:

Very disappointing! I think that's the first time I've said that about HA wine. Fruit was austere, tannins more evident and the mouthfeel was thin.

11/15/2019 - melsdad Likes this wine:

Delicious is the first word that comes to mind. Decanted for 1 hour. This one is loaded with luscious, velvety red and black fruit. Super smooth. Just a pleasure to drink. A lack of complexity is the only reason I didn't give it a perfect score. I expect that will change with a little time. A stunner!

3/6/2019 - melsdad Likes this wine:

Tasted blind. I was told it spent 30 minutes in the decanter. The first few sips were NOT good. I would have rated it high 80s. Too much green, with grainy tannins and too alcoholic. It was DOA....or so I thought.

After an hour or so, at a friend's urging, I tried it again. "If I must", I said. To my shock, the wine came out of nowhere. Like the Phoenix from the ashes it rose. Fruit had come forward, the tannins had softened and the alcohol had dissipated. I would have put the odds of this be so good at zero.

I would say there may even be some upside. For now, 95-96 with a 60 minute decant.

11/20/2018 - melsdad wrote:

Part of a EE vertical with the 12, 14 and 15. Decanted for 4 hours and consumed over the next 3. Another great EE. Rich, ripe black and red fruit, nicely structured. 97 pts for now with upside given some cellar time. Everyone at the table agreed it placed third to the near perfect 12 and 15. The 14 was a distant fourth. Will try and wait a year before having my next bottle but I make no promises. Glad I have 8 more in my cellar.

11/7/2018 - melsdad wrote:

My first Scarlett Reserve. Decanted for 3 hrs and drank from decanter over the next 4 hours. This wine is a mouthful. Red and black fruit fills the mouth with a touch of sweetness. Very smooth. An gorgeous Mike Smith creation. If this was the only wine I had to drink for the rest of my life, I'd be ok with that. Thanks to Csimm1161 for the recommendation.

3/20/2018 - melsdad Likes this wine:

Drank at a Beckstoffer To-Kalon dinner with '13 B Cellars, '!2 Schrader CCS, '13 Lede and '12 Tor Kenward. Decanted 1 hr before getting to the restaurant and had another 3 hours of air throughout the evening.

On the palate my notes are exactly TGOT's except I substituted a hint of menthol for his pine. I thought a 2012 would have been more open particularly with all the aeration time. The mid-palate is not yet developed.. A lovely wine with a long finish that I would suggest leaving alone for 2-4 years. Very enjoyable.

12/27/2017 - melsdad Likes this wine:

I double-decanted this monster first thing in the morning and it spent 5+ hours in the decanter before consumption. WOW!! By far, the most powerful EE. Unmistakable EE nose. Incredible texture. Waves of red and black fruit coating my palate. #2 wine of the night next to '12 Wildfoote. On its way to a perfect score with time.

7/22/2015 - melsdad Likes this wine:

Great wine but too young to appreciate to its fullest. Not sure it will ever live up to RP100.

5/9/2015 - melsdad wrote:

I had this wine when it was first released and didn't care for it. Much different experience this time. Decanted 90 minutes. Black and red berries on the attack, complex mid-palate, preseny yet smooth tanins and long finish. 73% Cab Franc, 22% Pertite Verdot. Very enjoyable. I will drink my last bottle in the next year or two.

2/9/2011 - melsdad wrote:

Complex yet huge! A mouthful of Cabernet that has a long life ahead of it. Needs at least 3 hours of air. Loved it with braised beef.

12/16/2009 - melsdad wrote:

Really opened up with 90 minute of aeration. Will only get better.

8/1/2009 - melsdad wrote:

Excellent Barolo right out of the bottle. I was worried with all the flawed bottles showing on CT. Cork was as pristine as any cork I have ever pulled. Color was typical reddish brown for Italian wine with a little age. Combined power with balance and dry Nebbiolo fruit. Enjoyed with filet mignon in a pepercorn sauce.

2/15/2008 - melsdad wrote:

This is great stuff. Not your typical Aussie fruit bomb. Tastes more like a modern made CdP. Decanted for 1 hr. Complex on the nose and palate. Black fruits with a bit of smokiness. Cool weather syrah with only 13.5% alcohol.

2/21/2007 - melsdad wrote:

With Jason, Jay and Harold at Fascino. Exquisite.

8/11/2006 - melsdad wrote:

5 hrs. of air and this baby was singing. It has all the components of a great wine and should only get better. Great fruit up front, firm well-integrated tannins and a finish that keeps going and going. A beautiful match for my filet mignon.

1/4/2006 - melsdad wrote:

Everyone at the table rated this 100. It had everything. Power, finesse, great fruit, structure, elegance, complexity, developed mid-palate, long finish. The single best bottle of wine I have ever had.

2/14/2006 - melsdad wrote:

Decanted for 3 hours. Still good the next day ungassed. Flavorful. Red berries with a hint of white chocolate. Firm tannins. Will wait a couple years to open next bottle.

12/7/2005 - melsdad wrote:

Powerful yet not a hard edge to be found. Huge yet elegant. A multidimensional masterpiece with flavors cascading over the palate. Decanted for 3 hours before consuming. Should last 20 years or more.

9/22/2005 - melsdad wrote:

Opened up beautifully after 3 hours of decanting. Tasted with nine other serious wine lovers. Everyone rated it between 97 and 100. Huge wine bursting with big red and black berry fruit. Long, smooth finish. Not a hint of heat even with 15.5% alcohol. Best Granache I have ever tasted. If you can find it, worth the price of admission.

8/27/2005 - melsdad wrote:

I refer to this wine as "glass full o' shiraz!" Fruit bursts in the mouth. 2003 was a great year for the Heathcote region. Could use some breathing time. Will only get better. Finished the ungassed, non-vacuumed bottle after five days. WOW! Still every bit of a 94 pt. rated wine.

11/9/2004 - melsdad wrote:

Layers of ripe fruit cascading from the glass with a touch of vanilla on the finish. Recommend with anything cooked on the grill. Showing well now and I suspect for years to come.