6/4/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Drinking very well now and should hold for at least a few more years.

6/3/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Quite a bit different from my previous bottle. Slightly oxidized but lovely vibrant acidity. Interesting to taste.

5/31/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Dark ruby red. Solid color, and youthful. Lovely enchanting nose, deep and complex. Smooth and drinkable, fine tannins. Dark finish. Spectacular wine drinking very well now and will continue for 5 to 10 years.

5/25/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Light, citrus, refreshing with some nice minerality on the palate. Simple wine but lovely for what it is.

5/24/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Light, crisp and refreshing. Strawberry and raspberry notes on the finish. Perfect on a hot day.

5/17/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Deep inky red color. Smokey dark fruits on the nose. Moderate weight on the palate with lots of firm tannin and lively acidity. Drinking great now and well stored bottles will hold for at least a few more years.

5/13/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Deep, dark, and brooding nose. Slightly reductive. Is it a Syrah? But it says Pinot on the label. Good balance and lovely finish. This is a big wine that can age for several more years.

5/13/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Loads of red fruit and bright acidity. Well balanced and a long finish. Great example of a CA Pinot.

5/11/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Absolutely magical. This is what CndP is all about.

5/11/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

This was very enjoyable . That said, it's showing a bit of age and a glass saved for the second day didn't quite hold up. Drink now or soon.

5/8/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

An absolute pleasure to drink. Light straw color still looking youthful. The nose has lots of minerality and some citrus. Lush mouthfeel and lively acidity on the palate. Medium finish. Drinking great now and should hold for at least a few more years.

5/7/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Dark straw colored, almost orange. It's certainly a strange wine and suspect this could be oxidized. That said, there's much to enjoy. The nose has some tropical fruits, bananas, and honey. The palate is thick, lush, and seductive. moderate acidity and medium length finish. Drink now.

5/5/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Maybe I don't know anything but this wine was spectacular tonight. Beautifully clear and ruby red. The nose is complex with lots of earthy minerality, dried fruits and other savory notes. Medium weight palate with strong citric acidity and moderate tannins.

This wine will age / hold for at least a few more years but it must be drinking at or near peak now. No reason to wait if you are HODLing. Drink now.

4/30/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Deep ruby red. Lovely complex nose of earth, cherries, and leather. Lush palate with smooth fine tannins and lively acidity.

This wine was spectacular and on point tonight. At or near peak and will drink well for several more years.

4/29/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Spectacular. Cleanly extracted cork with a little seepage but overall good condition. Decanted for 7 hours. Deep ruby red color. The nose showing red fruits and spice. The palate soft and sweet with balanced acidity. Long warm finish. Drinking very well now but can easily age another 10 to 20 years.

4/24/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Shortly after I started collecting wine I was lucky to taste a 1990 Beaucastel. I remember it as an eye-opening experience never having tasted a wine of that depth and complexity before. Today, the 1998 Beaucastel is a couple years older than the 1990 at that time and I've been looking forward to this opportunity.

Lofty expectations often lead to disappointment but that is not the case today. The wine is garnet in color and shows some age but not overly so. The nose is complex and seems constantly changing. Common themes are leather, dark berries, herbs, and earth. The palate is smooth leading into a long structured finish. Lively acidity evoking thoughts of a Californian Pinot.

This wine is at peak or just past. Well stored examples will continue to drink well for several more years. No rush but if you have more than one bottle, what are you waiting for?

4/21/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

It's a beautiful wine. Garrigue, earth, dark fruits. Lively acidity and firm tannins. Long structured finish.

4/21/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Lovely. Bordeaux-like and ready to drink now.

4/17/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Dare I say stunning? This wine is still showing vibrant and young. Silky smooth palate with plenty of structure on the finish.

4/15/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Quite firm and drying tannins. Lots of structure and acidity. Nice fruit on the finish. Sadly my last bottle. This would age beautifully for several more years.

4/10/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Recent reviews are spot on. Lovely bottle.

4/9/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Plenty of fruit left and well balanced. Drinking well now.

3/31/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Showing some signs of maturity but still has plenty of life left. Very delicious.

3/28/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

This was absolutely delicious. Better than expected. Still has plenty of life left in it and I hope that one bottle cellartracker says I still have is actually there.

3/26/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

This has aged beautifully.

3/24/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Surprised to see how intensely dark this still is. Fruit is faded a bit, palate is smooth with a firm finish. Lovely and has aged very well.

3/13/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

The color is garnet red and showing signs of a mature wine. The nose is lush and seductive with notes of ripe strawberry, cola, and spice. The palate is soft and acidic with firm tannin on the finish. This is drinking really well right now. Why wait?

3/12/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Showing a little age in the color. Garrigue, berries, etc on the nose. Medium body with good tannin and acidity. Lovely bottle that will age gracefully for several more years.

3/11/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Drinking on-point right now. Lush soft Pinot but it's got a strong backbone of tannin and acidity. Absolutely lovely.

3/11/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

This was absolutely lovely. But I drank it a few days ago and don't remember specifics on the wine. Drink now or in several years.

3/11/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Color is good, shows a just a little age though. The nose is lovely. Dark, brooding, somewhat restrained. The palate is nicely balanced with tannin and acidity. Body is medium weight with slightly faded fruit. Slightly past peak but will hold for at least a few more years.

3/4/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Sadly, oxidized with a bit of VA.

3/2/2022 - kris.h wrote:

This seems overly ripe and not much pinot character. Interesting to see how it has aged. The palate still has nice structure and pretty good balance. I wonder if this is slightly oxidized as it's mainly the nose that seems off.

Edit: Second day, the over-ripe nose has dissipated significantly. I even get a little pinot character on the finish. Still seems quite heavy and ripe though.

3/2/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Bottle variation? Or more likely taster variation. This was really good tonight. Smooth and mellow. Plenty of fruit and a nicely balanced finish. Must be drinking near prime so drink now or within the next couple years. No rush though as this has structure to hold for longer.

2/24/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Just beginning to enter a nice drinking window at nearly 20 years old. Still showing very young but everything is starting to come together. A bit of heat at first which quickly dissipated. Long finish and well balanced.

2/23/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Just a little brickish in color. The nose is reserved but showing a slightly smoky / earthy quality along with subtle dark fruits. With a bit more air, I detect a hint of brett on the nose. Tannins are smooth and refined with bright acidity. Medium weight with a pleasant finish though not very complex. This wine is fully mature and ready to drink now. Likely on the downward slope but should continue to provide drinking pleasure for a few more years.

2/21/2022 - kris.h wrote:

The color is showing a bit of age. The nose not giving up much but shows some ripe strawberry with earthy undertones. The palate is light with very soft tannins and a bit of acidity. This wine is fully mature and past its prime. However it's still drinkable and shows some nice Pinot characteristics.

2/16/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

It started out quite tart but with air became much more full and round on the palate. The finish is still nicely balanced with acidity and tannin. Fully mature with some dark fruits remaining. Drink now to 5 years.

2/15/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

This has been lovely. Characteristic aromas. Color shows a little bricking. Lively acidity, firm tannins, dry finish. Fruit has faded a bit. Drink now or in a year or two.

2/12/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Similar to my previous note.

2/11/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Color showing a bit of age. Some dusty quality to the nose. A little fruit. A little stemmy. Firm tannins and acidity. Not much fruit. Drink now.

2/11/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Sadly oxidized despite perfect storage since release.

2/10/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Continually surprised at how young these wines are showing. Dark red, no bricking color. Some earthy scents and dark fruit on the nose. Tannins are still firm with balanced acidity on the palate. This would pair nicely with a filet mignon.

2/5/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Still showing young. Very dark. Dark fruit, leather, chocolate on the nose. Quite intense actually. The palate is initially smooth, showing lively acidity, sweet fruits, and lovely integrated tannins with a firm finish. Seems to be in a really good place now and I imagine it will drink well for several more years.

2/4/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Red fruit and chocolate? Moderate tannin. Soft acidity.

2/1/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

The cork shows zero seepage. In the glass the color is deep red, slight garnet at the edges. Sweet red fruits on the nose. The palate hits with bright acidity, fine tannins, and a hint of cola. Lovely finish. Still very youthful. Drink now or whenever you want.

1/30/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Dark. Still young. Dark fruits on the nose and something tar-like or a little smokey. Lively acidity on the palate. Firm tannins on the finish. Drinking well now or wait 5 years.

1/29/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Dark and brooding. Plenty of fruit still remaining. The finish is a bit acidic and astringent.

1/26/2022 - kris.h Likes this wine:

Tight restrained nose but on the palate it's silky smooth with a firm finish. Drinking very well now.

1/25/2022 - kris.h wrote:

Clear and pale color. The nose is reserved with subtle peach and citrus aromas. The palate is soft with medium to low acidity. It's pleasant and nice to drink. Not really sure where this one stands but I feel like it's a bit past prime so drink up!