February 4, 2021 - Quite excellent. Notes of cherry, strawberry, spice and earth. Absolutely no stewed fruit. Delicious with our Indian food, especially the tandoori chicken.
Bigger and better than the 2011 we had the night before.
June 16, 2019 - Don't know if there's substantial bottle variation, but my experience was very different than some of the previous posters. Rich strawberry fruit, to be sure, but no stewiness or portiness. And the richness is somehow all frontloaded; the snappy finish leaves only a light memory of strawberries. Delicious.
December 16, 2018 - Both bottles were way too overripe. All that was left is stewed fruit. Almost Port like. The clos Pepe from the same vintage was absolutely singing. However this was far from it.
August 9, 2014 - Too fruit forward for me. Even more so than last time.
June 24, 2014 - well balanced, smooth and ready to drink. The nose continued to become more expressive and complex after qa couple hours open.
December 29, 2013 - Dark garnet color. Intriguing nose of jalapeño, dark cherry, tobacco, cocoa, and cola. The palate is ripe with cherry, tobacco, cocoa, cola, and a touch of caramel on the finish. Structurally, this medium-bodied wine has solid acidity to match the bigger fruit and a plush mouthfeel. Overall, this the biggest of the 09 Sandlers, but it manages to be enjoyable and not overblown. It might not be for everyone, though.
September 21, 2013 - Well made but a little to fruit forward for me. Also needs more complexity.
July 2, 2013 - sellersnathanw pretty much nailed it..
April 10, 2013 - Very young, yet approachable. This is EXTREMELY fruit-forward, opulent, rich, and highly extracted. Almost a bit over the top for me, yet definitely varietally correct, just made in that new world, CA style.
July 24, 2012 - Delicious open and ripe red cherry and spice aromas and flavors with silly texture and smooth long finish.