March 24, 2022 - Fruit Day - Decanted off a good tablespoon of sediment. Browning garnet in the glass. Nose of cedar, forest floor, spice, old leather, mushroom and some funk. On the palate, there’s tobacco, cedar, dried dark fruit, some acetic acid (but not off putting), spice and leather. Long finish with some heat showing - both from spice and alcohol. This is a terrific fully developed bottle. Definitely mature of course but I’m very pleasantly surprised at where it is tonight.
January 14, 2022 - Juan Gil and El Nido Jumillas 2002-2012 (Tasted Blind) (Virtual Tasting): Nose: 91; Palate: 90 (Tasted blind)
December 5, 2021 - After 2 hour decant its quite lively , pleasantly surprised
March 18, 2016 - Dark garnet core out to a slightly browning rim - showing some but not a great deal of maturity. The nose shows black berry, plum and black cherry with definite liquorice, leather, espresso and dried herbs in the background. Soft on the palate with resolved but still evident tannins, balanced acidity and elevated but not unpleasant alcohol. Initial flavours of ripe black fruit evolve into dried red fruit (black cherry) and leather with the liquorice and espresso still there in the long finish. This has developed extremely well and is ready to go now. Tanner and Advocate got it right with 89/91 points and Spectator had a fail with 84 points. Purchased in 2006 and allowed to develop in a properly controlled cellar.
July 26, 2015 - Past prime time.
February 11, 2015 - Lesson learned - held on to this too long. Stewed. Will try another bottle, but not holding out much hope.
There is moderate sediment in the bottle.
February 16, 2013 - Very rich, jammy, dark fruits. Spicy. Slightly acidic finish. Very nice. Youthful. Lots of life left.
April 20, 2012 - Pretty crimson red. Wonderful nose of raspberries and blackberries mixed with vanilla, cola, and coffee. Some strawberry on the attack that quickly fades to a slightly bubble-gum like mid palate that in turn quickly moves to blackberry, cola, and a mild coffee finish. The blackberry portion of the finish lasts forever. Very good stuff, and the wine isn't showing its age a bit - it still drinks young and probably has another 12 years or so of life.
February 25, 2011 - A little past its prime, but still very drinkable
January 14, 2011 - May have left this too long