8/18/2021 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Popped and decanted for 30 mins before approaching. Very muted fruit flavors with a somewhat sharp finish, which was surprising given the cab franc content. I had high hopes this wine would evolve and open over time, having tasted it many years ago. Sadly I am left to conclude that this is just a marginal effort with a premium price tag.

12/29/2020 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Drinking at its peak right now, tannins are fully resolved, silky smooth and attenuated dark fruits and cherry.

11/3/2020 - jonwill wrote:

Consumed on election night! Seemed lacking fruit and a bit hot for this varietal. May wait a few years for the next bottle or hold a longer decant. On the upside, powerful and silky.

4/5/2019 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Thick and juicy Pinot, full of ripe fruit with a palate that grips you for a long time. Nice effort and really a unique Pinot.

4/4/2019 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Truly special expression of Cab Franc, meaty and full of base. Great experience!

6/17/2018 - jonwill wrote:

Unremarkable...

3/19/2018 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Consistent with other reviews, opened this about 90 mins and decanted before consuming. Even with the decant it was still quite astringent when first tasted but opened quickly in the glass. Deep rich ruby, not overly fruited with a long oak finish that also isn’t overdone. Very nice bottle, paired with rib eye which was the perfect match.

11/25/2016 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Drinking perfectly now...paired with a Thanksgiving Lamb Crown.

10/30/2016 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully. This is the prime, consume now. Deep dark cherry with a wood finish and a medium length on the tail.

10/16/2016 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Still has the stuff! Amazing bright fruit despite its age, this is a classic.

10/16/2016 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Delicious, bright cherry with a vanilla body and medium length finish. Drinking nicely now.

2/27/2016 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Popped and poured, drank over several hours. Still plenty of fruit here but very fine integrated tannins, has mellowed a lot in its bottle journey. Drink now, at its peak now!

1/1/2016 - jonwill wrote:

Never given a rating this high on CT. Outstanding fruit with an amazing creamy finish. Not much in the way of tannins evident, although I suspect this one will hold its punch for many years to come. Well worth the hype.

12/20/2015 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Was relatively closed and fairly light for a stags cab. Long lasting finish with very subtle fruit.

8/23/2015 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Drinking very nicely but still has a lot of legs...surprisingly abundant ripe fruit with an extremely long finish. Drink or hold!

7/20/2014 - jonwill wrote:

For Andrea's birthday...rich, velvet and surprising level of young fruit, still has a lot of legs left!

9/27/2013 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Consistent with other experiences here, this has really developed into a beautiful wine, unlike previous vintages that have been generally drinkable earlier, this is entering its prime. Beautiful, smooth and silky.

8/24/2013 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Beautiful, a little young still but tons of fruit with a little light cream.

5/19/2013 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Rich, bold blend...great for a cold night and a rich food pairing.

5/19/2013 - jonwill wrote:

Really bright wine with plenty of tart cherry cola. Drinking as good as I predict it will get.

4/6/2013 - jonwill wrote:

Ina word, unremarkable

3/10/2013 - jonwill wrote:

Decadent Pinot, not quite the caliber of its successor or predecessor, but still very enjoyable. A little less fruit on the front end, a little earthier but rich and concentrated darker fruit and a little dried fig.

3/8/2013 - jonwill wrote:

Outstanding, bright, powerful and full of fruit but balanced.

3/3/2013 - jonwill Likes this wine:

I am not sure i agree with some of the previous reviews on this wine, it is a very bold, young pinot with tons of fruit and is drinking wonderfully. Bright fruit with nice acidity, a little earth that will come out in time. This is not for the faint of heart, reminds me of Hallberg Vineyard Pinots. Bold and beautiful.

12/24/2012 - jonwill Likes this wine:

Drinking perfectly now, alive with bright fruit and rich vanilla

12/15/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Big, buttery and rich.

12/15/2012 - jonwill Does not like this wine:

Funky and thin, perhaps a bad bottle.

11/25/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Outstanding bottle and drinking perfectly right now with little aeration. Classic, juicy CA cab with signature dust.

11/23/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Drank day after thanksgiving for lunch, consistent with previous notes.

11/23/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Powerful, refined and plenty of cherry with a vanilla finish. Decanted 3 hours prior to consuming.

11/11/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Delicious Pinot, not a fruit bomb, more like a French style, well balanced.

11/3/2012 - jonwill wrote:

A good drinking cab, right balance of fruit, not much oak and chalky. Still a good everyday drinker though.

10/5/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Wowza, this surprised us. Not remarkably fruit forward but a wonderful, soft and full fruit and vanilla aftertaste that hangs well with deep but firm grip. Nice complement and contrast to the Rosellas vintages from Miner.

9/22/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Per previous notes, drinking nicely...Rhone flavors are out, deep dark flavors are abundant and cherry is still there but very mild.

8/31/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Had high hopes for this bottle given the lineage, concentrated fruit and mellow acidity, but nothing remarkable. Drink now, likely to fade into the sunset soon!

8/28/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Nearing the end of its drinking window, drinking fine out of the bottle. It became raisin like by second day.

8/5/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Consistent with previous notes, wonderful blend.

8/1/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Agree with previous posting, disappointing, not much fruit and fairly flat and uninteresting. Not particularly notable.

7/27/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Funky nose but a beautiful cherry bouquet finish, wonderful Pinot. Drink not, doubt this will evolve despite CT reccomended drinking window.

7/22/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Fantastic California style chard, rich and smooth finish with just the right level of acidity and malo...beauty.

7/15/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Lush and voluptuous...

7/6/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Masterful cab, starting to enter its prime. Did not have a decanter so popped and let sit for a few hours before serving with hickory bacon wrapped fillet. Nose was quite open after two hours, flavor was smooth fruit, almost like it was wrapped in milk chocolate, with extremely fine tannins and no bite at all and a lengthy finish. A treat and this is only the beginning!

7/1/2012 - jonwill wrote:

A pleasant, drinkable Pinot, concentrated and moderately laced with cherry and anise.

6/2/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Does not disappoint...lots of bing cherry, cola, cinnamon, spices. Nice long finish. Will she get better with some age? Time will tell, but beautiful as a baby.

5/27/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Drinking wonderfully now, oak has mellowed but fruit is showing through big time.

5/26/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Power and concentrated, for sure needs a decant but is drinking nicely now!

5/13/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Nice, not overpowering. Lacks the oak and soft tannins I would expect from a good Merlot, no silk. Definitely drinkable though and enjoyable.

4/14/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Disappointing, probably opened too early. A bit flat with very little of the fruit coming through. Hold on to this one for a bit longer.

4/9/2012 - jonwill wrote:

A little reserved after pop and pour, really came through after a few hours but amazing depth and openness on day 2. Worth a decant or a few more years in the cellar.

4/7/2012 - jonwill wrote:

Drinking perfectly now...gorgeous bouquet with powerful fruit concentration and a soft finish.