6/25/2017 - mas01950 wrote:

Little nose, lean and acidic, lacking fruit to balance. Try in two years. May be closed, notes after 3 hours in decanter.

3/25/2017 - mas01950 Does not like this wine:

Too much Brett - seems to be a common note in aged Dunn bottles I have tried -
Good fruit for the age; but the Brett and some VA get in the way - active cellar since purchase and decanted 6 hours before serving - tried it over this time period and the notes are consistent

11/9/2014 - mas01950 wrote:

A bit disjointed/closed down. Not particularly aromatic, some plums and yeasty bread. Some bitter tannins on the finish. Wait a couple of years on the next one.

10/15/2013 - mas01950 wrote:

Aging has helped to round off some of the rougher edges - acid is still a bit ahead of the fruit, but the tannins resolved nicely.

6/9/2013 - mas01950 wrote:

Dark cherry, plum, and some earthiness on the nose. Tannins largely resolved, medium weight on the palate, with the nose reflecting the palate with cherry and ripe plum. Medium-length finish, with a slight green/herbal note in the tail of the finish. A very nice value.

6/3/2013 - mas01950 wrote:

Restrained aroma primarily of dark cherry/plum. Light-to-medium body - ripe cherry on the palate that is fading at this point and challenged by the acidity that rises towards the finish, with some bitterness. Still enjoyable but think the fruit will fade faster than the structure at this point.

5/28/2013 - mas01950 Does not like this wine:

Needs 3+ hrs in a decanter for overwhelming brett to blow off and let the nose emerge. No darkening at the rim, fairly typical and consistent crimson color. Barnyard still evident on the nose, some berry/floral/roasted meat aromas with a very strong acrid element predominating. Thin on the attack, with some red berry fruit, but immediately overwhelmed and eliminated by acidity. Predominately acrid/acid aftertaste with very little fruit on the finish. Given the eviscerated nature of this wine at only 9 years from vintage albeit a more feminine one, this had to be badly infected by brettanomyces - from a few of the other tasting notes, these bottlings are highly inconsistent, or this was probably one to drink early before the brett stormed the gates.

5/22/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

not worth it - didn't age well for $60+

5/4/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Spritzy and one-dimensional. Disappointing again from Garagiste.

5/4/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Not much on the nose, one-dimensional on the palate - just OK. Tannins resolved, I doubt this gets better. Should have opened earlier.

4/18/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Nothing particularly noteworthy - balanced, mid-to-full in the mouth, but not particularly complex - cherry on the palate and some earth on the finish, like a good Chianti Classico. Overpriced.

4/16/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Nose of ripe cherries and fresh mushroom. Resolved tannins, well-balanced acidity, mid-to-full mouthfeel. Like a well aged Brunello, still has fruit but showing secondary characteristics of mushroom and cedar on the finish. Nice match with steak florentine. Seems like fruit and structure can carry this another 3-5 years.

4/8/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Ruby in color, limpid - full, red fruit - good acidity. Some mushroom/earthiness, a bit one-dimensional now, hold another year.

3/26/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Seems a bit overripe, or perhaps a bit too much merlot? Nice wine, but atypical.

3/24/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

A bit one-dimensional, typical $20 Napa cabernet flavor profile for $50? More structure than fruit, disappointing.

3/3/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Given the apparent bottle variation shown in the tasting notes, I was concerned these bottles were a waste of money. Decanted for 2 hours before initial tasting, I didn't get any of the spritz/CO2 others found on opening. The nose wasn't giving much, some dark fruit and herbs, a bit reductive but it improved over time. Medium-to-full on the palate, one dimensional but full, ripe dark cherry/blackberry fruit. There was an acidic bite at the back of the throat that I think was CO2 vs. acid. Some bitter tannin as well. Try next one in a year. Garagiste should question the bottle variation, it seems excessive based on the notes published here.

3/3/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

A bit short and one-dimensional, but was a decent aperitif. Flowery nose, medium bodied, citrus flavor. Low QPR at $16.

2/24/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Cherry and earth on the nose, med. on the palate, a bit acidic on the finish.

2/23/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

A bit closed on the nose, too early to rate. Wait 2-3 yrs.

2/8/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Pale yellow-to-golden color. Floral nose w/ aromas of peach, apple and lemon - Acidity balanced, full and long on the palate. White peach and apple on the palate, w/ lemon and a very slight touch of parmesan on the long finish.

2/2/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Flinty and leesy - bright fruit that paired well with grilled whole sea bass.

2/2/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Big wine - cherry, tobacco and earth on the nose, full on the palate with dark fruits, long finish with some cedar, tobacco and earth. Some oak tannin a bit out of balance, but there is enough fruit to carry this a few more years and see if that oak fades a bit.

2/2/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Difficult to rate - on the first day, the wine was out of balance, not much on the nose, tannin and acid dominating the fruit. Improved on the second day, but acid still seemed high relative to fruit. On the third day, the wine opened up, much better balance, dark fruit nose w/ some earth, full-bodied on the palate with ripe cherry and earth on the finish. Based on this experience, the wine needs at least another year or two before trying again, but shows great promise. Drink 2013-?

1/17/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Well-balanced, medium-bodied, fruit-driven pinot with nice acidity for balance - some mushroom and earthy aromas on the finish.

1/17/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Aromas of black cherry, ripe fig, and herbes de Provence. Ripe fruit on the attack and mid-palate, dark cherries, fig, blackberry - some raisin on the finish with a touch of fennel seed and tarragon. Balanced acidity and largely resolved tannins. Full-bodied - spreads across the entire palate. Enough fruit and acid to carry this another 5 or 6 years - longer if kept in a cool cellar.

1/10/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

More balanced than the first bottle - acid in better balance with the fruit - also has put on some mid-palate weight in the last 7 months. Still not much on the nose, sour cherry/cherry on the palate. Slightly more aromatic on the second day, this seems to need time. Wait another 12-18 months before the next bottle.

1/8/2011 - mas01950 wrote:

Plum and chocolate on nose and palate. Tobacco and vanilla notes on the slightly acidic finish with a bit of VA becoming evident.

11/5/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

a bit acidic, but enjoyable - more fruit needed to balance the acid.

11/5/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Lacking in varietal character - but pleasant enough with a simple meal, no obvious flaws, just not much going on.

10/29/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Blackberry and dark cherries - Mid-palate a bit hollow and substantial bitterness on the finish - perhaps this will round out with more time?

10/25/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

No real PN character - atypical.

9/26/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Still young, deep ruby color. Cassis/plum nose, a little earthy/barnyard, touch of VA. Full-bodied, still noticeable tannin, dark fruits, plum, some vegetal and earthy character on the finish. Balanced. Wait 3-5 yrs before the next one.

9/19/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Nose is simple, color is dark rose. On the palate the wine is very unripe, lean, with overwheming acidity.

8/16/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Much better than first bottle which was clearly defective in comparison - opened up after 2 hours in decanter - earthy, red/black cherry nose, no bretty funk this time. Medium bodied, balanced on the palate with darker cherry, decent length on the finish with cherry, earth and tobacco/leather.

7/11/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Fruity, nice acidity, soft tannins.

6/26/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Brick/brown a the edge; barnyard aromas that blow off after about 2 hrs. Some nice elements, but somewhat acidic for the lack of fruit that comes with age. Past it's prime.

6/26/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

deep yellow/golden; maybe a bit advanced for 5 yrs - a bit short on the finish.

6/13/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Med/full bodied, tannins resolved but nice acidity to balance. Cherry/Plum mid-palate, some herbaceous/tobacco character on the finish.

6/7/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

The nose is somewhat simple and one-dimensional (light rose and little tar, and some sharpness from the alcohol), but well structured in both acid and tannin with red cherry on the mid-palate and a medium to long finish. These notes are from the second day, and from the half of the bottle that was left in the decanter. Given how much air this absorbed, this easily could go 8-10 years, even longer.

6/4/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Dark ruby color, no sign of lightening at the rim. Nose of ripe black fruit (currant w/ some plum), licorice, and mint, some earth in the background. Medium-bodied with mid-palate of dark berries, menthol and some oak, and a finish of earthy spice and tobacco. Long with balanced acidity - a nice wine with rib-eye on the grill. Enough structure and fruit to go another 4-5 years easy - very nice.

6/4/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Acidic and bretty - disappointing. Even with significant air, this did not improve much.

5/18/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

More cabernet notes/new oak on the nose - more of the sangiovese character comes through in the mid-palate w/ dark ripe cherry and balanced acidity, with some earth & vanilla on the finish. Full-bodied. A little bitter tannin on the backend that will likely integrate with a few more years in bottle. Although a CCR, this seemed more Super Tuscan in its personality at this stage.

5/7/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Slow ox'd for 2 hrs - limpid ruby red color, ripe cherry with a hint of sassafras on the nose. Smooth texture, Light-to-medium bodied, ripe black cherry with balanced acidity that paired well with grilled wild salmon. No noticeable tannin. Short finish - a clean wine. At $12, a good value.

5/2/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Enjoyable but too ripe - blind it would be tough to differentiate this wine from any other high alc. varietal - full-bodied and full of fruit and oak, but heat/alcohol and a bit of bitterness on the finish. I would drink now as the alc. will likely dominate as the fruit fades. Still, many found this enjoyable as a cocktail before dinner. It is tasty.

4/28/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

A bit more tart than the prior bottle - green apple, lime, and grapefruit.

4/26/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Long aeration in decanter for half a day. Color is dark ruby/opaque - Right now, nose is a bit one-dimensional with concentrated black fruits w/ a little tobacco note. Full-bodied w/ black currant/plum on the midpalate and finish, with a touch of tobacco, cedar and heat on the finish. Low acid but well-balanced at this stage. A very good value at $25. Will try again in 2-4 years.

4/9/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Probably opened too soon. Still packed with fruit, and classic Napa nose of dark plum/blackberry, with aromatics and acid of Tuscany - a touch of mint/herb/earth in the background. Full-bodied, w/ currant/plum from attack through the finish. A bit of chocolate emerges on the long finish. Got some bitter tannin, otherwise would have given it a higher score. Will be even better in two years.

3/28/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Not as good as the first bottle. Nice aromas of red fruit and earth. High acidity, however, for the fruit - even with food this bottle's acid dominated.

3/14/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Early on, some bubble gum, plum and earth on the nose. After some time, mostly plum and earth. Medium-bodied, plum/tobacco on the midpalate, and earth and plum on the finish with balanced acidity - best with food. Tannins largely resolved, but the wine was best 6 hours after opening (3 slow ox'd, 3 in decanter w/ moderate sediment) - stuffing to last, so perhaps more tertiary character would emerge but likely at the expense of the fruit, which might make the wine a bit acidic. Drink over the next 3-4 years.

3/7/2010 - mas01950 wrote:

Slow Ox'd for 4 hrs - overwhelming barnyard/manure aroma. Re-inserted cork and returned to cellar. On second day, slow ox'd for another hour, then decanted (little/no sediment) and first glass was poured 3 hrs later. Brett/barnyard stil noticeable but in the background - much improved. Nose of dark cherry, cedar, barnyard and graphite. Red to dark fruit on the palate, decent length, but some barnyard returns on the finish. Acid a bit out of balance (high) but pairs well with roasted lamb. Not sure whether this was a flawed bottle or not - the brett character may have overwhelmed some of the fruit, throwing the wine off-balance and making the acid more noticable. Disappointing - this wine was held in an active cellar and purchased on release.