October 21, 2023 - Cracking the whip; 10/16/2023-10/23/2023 (Eagan, MN): N: Honied and somewhat sweet apricots, lightly fruit covered stones, and dried hay. A good amount of fruit but walks the line between cloying and just the right amount.
P: Palate matches nose with the addition of bitter wax, a bit of spiced oak. Good weight on the palate but barely manages to keep somewhat light on its feet.
The Kolibri was much better to me the other night, showing much better delivery and freshness. I think that is what’s missing in this one, the freshness to keep things lifted. A bit weighted down. Might want to serve at cellar temp and keep it at cellar temp if possible if opening now.
June 25, 2023 - Did not stand up to aging -- nor did we finish the bottle.
January 30, 2022 - Cork was wet and broke in two on removal. Almost the color of apple juice. Not blown away as I had hoped. Will revisit tomorrow after some more airtime.
July 30, 2021 - Clear, full bodied and bronzed gold. Complex nose centered on spiced peaches. Oily in the mouth with some accompanying buttered. Full bodied and lus with a long finish
September 24, 2020 - Still not a fan. Sell
August 14, 2020 - In a good spot right now — nice tropical notes, exotic spice. Balanced with good length. Starting to show some secondary notes and drinking really well right now.
December 7, 2019 - 48% Roussanne, 34% Chardonnay and 18% Viognier from the Eleven Confessions and Bien Nacido vineyards. At the 10 year mark, a tremendous showing! EVOO viscosity...shimmering gold and green metallic color...nose explodes with butter rum spice, apricot jam, candied pineapples, match strike, exotic white honey butter, honeysuckle florals. Rich and creamy, again, evoo viscosity in the mouth...yet a citrus freshness that gives it a good acidic tang and cut through the richness. SO complex and layered with amazing flavors as the nose...as well as lychee florals, white pepper spice...a honeycomb waxiness, slight char of wood...amazing length and balance...not weighty at all. WOW...so so sorry to see this last bottle go...but what an exit!
December 25, 2018 - Kleur: Diep goudgeel, bijna de kleur van een licht gerijpte Sauternes Aroma / bouquet: KLABOEM, want subtiliteit en Sine Qua Non gaan niet samen ;-). Deze wijn (48% Roussanne, 34% Chardonnay and 18% Viognier) zou elke wijn uit de Zuidelijke-Rhône in haar schaduw plaatsen en biedt een explosie van even intense als complexe geurindrukken. Boterbabbelaars, vanille, boenwas, overrijp steenfruit als perzik en abrikoos, verfijnd hout, kaneel. Het houdt niet op. Smaak / Afdronk: Super-geconcentreerd, dik-sappig en filmend mondgevoel, gelaagd. Retronasale indrukken van cederhout, kaneel, roomboter en boenwas. Zachte zuurgraad waarbij de ongelofelijke concentratie en vulling tegenwicht biedt tegen het zeker voor een witte wijn royale alcoholgehalte van 15,5%. Geen culinaire eetwijn, deze wijn is eten en drinken tegelijkertijd. Algemeen / potentieel: Wat een feest, wat een krachtpatser. De laatste fles uit de kelder. In lichte paniek. Want deze wijn kom ik ook in 2019 en 2020 nog graag een keer tegen ;-). 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 13 + Smaak / Afdronk: 18 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 95/100
Google Translate:
Color: Deep golden yellow, almost the color of a slightly ripened Sauternes Aroma / bouquet: KABOOOMMMM, because subtlety and Sine Qua Non do not go together ;-). This wine (48% Roussanne, 34% Chardonnay and 18% Viognier) would put any wine from the Southern Rhône in its shadow and offers an explosion of both intense and complex fragrance impressions. Butter babblers, vanilla, polishing wax, overripe stone fruit such as peach and apricot, refined wood, cinnamon. It does not stop. Taste / Finish: Super-concentrated, thick-juicy and filming mouthfeel, layered. Retronasal impressions of cedar, cinnamon, butter and wax. Soft acidity in which the unbelievable concentration and filling counterbalances the definitely generous alcohol content of 15.5% for a white wine. No culinary eating wine, this wine is food and drink at the same time. General / potential: What a party, what a powerhouse. The last bottle from the cellar. In mild panic. Because this wine I would also like to meet again in 2019 and 2020 ;-). 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 13 + Taste / Finish: 18 + General / potential: 9 = 95/100
December 1, 2018 - This wine was chilled for 45 minutes prior to opening. It was clear and straw yellow in colour with a nose and flavours of lemon and orange citrus mixed with a slight aftertaste of butterscotch. The wine was quite good but there wasn't a long or noticeable finish to it.
November 16, 2018 - WIML94
Tasted non blind.
Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of ash, flint, yellow pear and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of creme, yellow pear and nutmeg. Medium acidity, full bodied. Drink now.