May 14, 2023 - Dark rich fruit with plum, blackberry, chocolate and graphite
October 14, 2020 - Very potent and lush on the nose with red berry and forest floor. Palate was still very juicy but with added mineral notes, some spice and chocolate, finishing with silky but very light tannins suggesting at peak but not for much longer.
May 31, 2018 - Amazing wine. Drinking beautifully right now. Drank at a wine dinner. Was WOTN.
December 11, 2017 - Fruit was initially bright, but had an oddly muted note. I thought it might be slightly corked. I give this a 90 rating with the caveat that this bottle may be slightly off. Or, it’s a second wine that is starting to show it at age 10. Most of my 07s didn’t make it this long so it’s difficult to compare! (This one was picked up at auction recently.)
May 6, 2017 - Went to a fund raiser where I had a number of very small pours. No detailed notes since they were just tastes, so take it for what it is.
In order, the Ampersand was #1, followed by 07 Diamond Creek volcanic hill, the 06 Portfolio, and the 07 Kapscandy Estate. An 2011 Ridge Monte Bello showed well but was too young and not from a great vintage, maybe in 5 years. An 89 Heitz Bella was good and drinking well even though it was way past it's drinking window. A 08 Spottswood, a 2010 Pahlmeyer, and a 2004 Merus were disappointing. There were two different Sandrone Barolo's from 1997 that were outstanding.
July 2, 2016 - Plum & cassis, but not the big brute as previously described.
May 23, 2015 - Spectacular with 5 hours of decanting. Deep lush plum, blackberry and currant with chocolate, leather and huge finish
February 12, 2014 - Decanted for 3.5 hours and could have used more. Big, brutish fruit with cassis, berry, plum flavors and lush tannins that showed layers of fruit but still tight with tannins and a huge finish
June 2, 2013 - Decanted 2 hours and rebottled. Beautiful nose of cassis, leather and a little mint. Medium plus body with a silky smooth texture. Cassis, blackberry and plum fruit profile with notes of leather and a little cedar. No fall off on the mid palate or the long finish. Tannins are quite mild making this wine surprisingly approachable. Outstanding right now with some aeration. This may improve a little over the next year or so. I see this as a wine which will be best enjoyed relatively young rather than a long term ager. Hard to say any wine is a good QPR at this price point but this is worth the money in my book.
March 3, 2013 - Fantastic!