8/8/2023 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Purchased a case of this after enjoying the 2017. One of the most enjoyable Chianti’s I’ve had - good fruit and depth complimenting the typical Sangiovese acidity.

7/29/2023 - JeffaC Does not like this wine:

Skunked

9/12/2022 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Predominantly black fruit with pencil shavings and nice acidity. Tannins are well integrated. Drinking well now but certainly several more years of enjoyment remaining.

7/20/2022 - JeffaC wrote:

Color beginning to approach a light brown. Aroma and palate evidencing oxidation. Down the sink.

5/19/2022 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

The combination of fruit and savoriness with just the right amount acidity make this a quaffable wine. I’d be very happy to enjoy this wine over lunch in a Paris bistro.

5/2/2022 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Clear, garnet color fully intact. Clearing a bit at the edge. Sweet spice, incense, smoked meat aromas. Smooth mouthfeel with medium plus acid and sweet tannins. Well balanced and still enjoyable.

12/16/2021 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Still very enjoyable. Balanced tannins and dark cherry fruit. Good acid. Nice savory aromatics.

11/12/2021 - JeffaC wrote:

Corked

8/10/2021 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Had with BBQ spare ribs. A good fit. Not overly complex. Still good dark fruit. Medium finish. Enjoyable

6/15/2021 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Still in fine shape. Slight clearness at the edge, no bricking, dark red, violet. Still some black fruit on the nose, soft cedar aroma. Nice acidity balancing remaining fruit. Soft tannins. Medium minus taste length. Enjoyable.

9/15/2020 - JeffaC Does not like this wine:

Difficult to get past the dominant tartness in terms of both how overwhelming it is and that the taste is very atypical of wine - sauerkraut? I hoped it would dissipate after 24 hours, but unfortunately it didn’t. I dumped it. Life is too short.

6/7/2020 - JeffaC wrote:

Nearly a full glass of gelatinous muck near the bottom of the bottle some of which was floating making it difficult to pour off just a couple of untainted glasses. Never seen anything like this. The wine seemed to taste fine but the shock of the condition of the bottle made an evaluation of the wine challenging.

5/11/2019 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

A nice balance between fruit and acid. A very enjoyable wine after nearly 16 years. Speaks to ageability of Napa mountain wines.

4/5/2019 - JeffaC wrote:

Dark fruits, sweet, almost port-like. Possibly a bit oxidized. Not even sure I would have picked this as a pinot noir if blind tasted.

10/6/2018 - JeffaC wrote:

Still very enjoyable

9/25/2018 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Still very enjoyable. Cherry, leather, nice acidity, soft tannins, good balance.

2/27/2018 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

“Lost” this in the cellar but it’s been well kept. Cork was in perfect condition when pulled. Deep garnet color with some clearing at the edge. Still bright with no visible sediment. Nose of rich brambly fruit, sweet tea, some leather, slight mint or maybe eucalyptus. Palate of dark cherry, medium acid, still has fruit tannins contributing a nice structure and balance for a zin of this age. Nice 30 second+ finish. Very enjoyable.

1/17/2018 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

I concur with JS199, very Bordeaux like but with perhaps a bit more dark red cherry on the nose than I would expect from a French claret. Also aromas of leather and dried fall leaves. Soft fruit and wood tannins. Blackberry notes on the palate. Smooth mouth feel, well integrated with medium acid and finish. Will likely disappoint those expecting a typical Napa cab.

11/1/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Cork in pristine condition. Tasted immediately upon opening. Dark fruit, caramel and savory notes on the nose. Mouth filling red and black fruit on the palate. Balanced acidity with some smooth tannins. Amazingly fresh for its age.

10/30/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Clear, no evidence of sediment. Meniscus has some slight clearing. Color is dark ruby with violet hues. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry with some savory notes. Palate has soft tannins with medium minus acidity. Broad flavors of black fruit and pepper with a medium length finish. Very enjoyable Syrah with 10 years of age on it.

9/20/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Clear, medium gold color. Apricot, baked peach, Asian pear aromas. Medium acidity, ripe stone fruit, spice, goose berry flavors. Balanced, lively mouthfeel. A very enjoyable wine for its age.

7/4/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Very impressive how this has held together after almost 20 years. Dark garnet color with slight brown tinge but otherwise no sign of color breakdown. Aromas of strawberry preserves and black cherry along with dried grass. Smooth mouthfeel and balanced. Soft tannins with a long finish. Very enjoyable.

5/16/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Medium salmon color with a nose of rhubarb, red cherry and strawberry with some minerality and spice. Flavors of water melon and peach with medium acidity and length. Fairly balanced with a smooth mouth feel.

5/15/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Dark, ruby red color, almost opaque. Intense nose of blackberry, blueberry, leather, tobacco, a little "hot" from the 15% alcohol. Nearly over powering tannins, but some good dark berry fruit coming through. Still seems young. I'd say this needs a couple years to smooth out and become more integrated.

5/9/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Light gold color, aromas of pear, grapefruit and pineapple. Flavors of pear, grapefruit, papaya. Slight petillance adding to the medium acidity, yet balanced smoothness. Good body with nice medium plus finish.

4/11/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Golden yellow color. Aromas of peach, pineapple and honey. Palate has flavors of melon, pineapple and peach. Mild acidity with a slight bitterness in the finish. Still pleasant but not getting any better.

4/9/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Cork was well intact. Medium red color with slight brown tones. Slight clear edges. Aroma of red apple, anise and savory notes. Smooth tannins with medium acid and slight red fruit, apple and subtle earthy flavors. Overall a very enjoyable wine given the age.

2/10/2017 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Did not decant given the age. Wine had extended about two thirds up the cork but the cork was still intact. Color is good with lighter ruby hues. Perhaps thinning at the edges. Cherry, savory and smokey aromas. Tannins have softened. Still some light acidity. Medium red fruit. Lingers on the palate for 15+ seconds. Overall still a very enjoyable wine.

12/2/2016 - JeffaC Likes this wine:

Dark red, violet color. Heat has mostly dissipated, tannins have mellowed. Still possesses good fruit and wine is well integrated. Decanting for an hour+ beneficial relative to initial taste. Just as good the next day if not a little better. Seems time has treated this well and patience has been rewarded.