March 9, 2024 - (Wineapalooza with Friends.) Spectacular, and red wine of the night for the group. Clear ruby color, no bricking, vibrant nose and in perfect shape, although she probably won’t stay in her prime much longer. Graphite, cedar, bay leaf and quiet plum throughout. Done in a Bordeaux style. Delicious. Drink by 2026. Outstanding.
December 1, 2023 - Excellent bottle. From Magnum. Youthful color, ruby with barely any bricking. Sage, herbs, dark fruit on the nose. On the palate the tannins are fully integrated, with a sultry texture and a fantastic balance. The finish lasts forever.
November 26, 2023 - I agree with other recent tastings that this is a lovely wine that has held up beautifully over its 38 years. Still had nice deep red color, clean nose and great balance.
June 27, 2021 - Perhaps a little past prime, but this remains an awesome wine. A dead ringer for Bordeaux. This well balanced , optimally extracted wine shows what can be done with California fruit.
November 27, 2019 - Tasted with erter99 and friends in Nashville TN, this was consensus WOTN. Tasted along with '85 Leoville Las Cases , 2005 Cos de Estournel, and a '97 St Emillion. Great Cabernet nose and a surprisingly fresh palate still brimming with California fruit. Tannin totally resolved. Good acidity and finish. This well balanced wine has the stuffing to go on several more years, but I expect no improvement. Drink now if you have some.
June 24, 2017 - From magnum - A savory mix of bell pepper, dark cherry and black currant fruit, and a compelling meatiness on the finish, supported by tongue-prickling acidity and tannin, it has definitely hit its peak but isn't at all in decline. Magnificent.
November 23, 2015 - The last of 3 from auction and the best of this lot. Fill just into the neck and a nice firm cork. Surprisingly dark color. This is a perfect ringer for Bordeaux, with nice cedar and a hint of Cabernet green. Fairly long, with smooth tannins. At peak, this bottle would hold for a bit.
May 27, 2015 - Lovely, integrated, old-school cabernet. Smokey, earthy, Bordeaux style profile with a smooth, silky palate and the tannins all melted away. There is abundant acidity on the attack, with the fruit in second, this shows better with food. Hanging in there and very enjoyable, but not especially deep or nuanced. Drink 'em if ya got 'em.
January 26, 2015 - JB at Fernando's House: Bdx but more right bank on the nose. touch of funk. light and resolved mid with sweet ripe red fruit. refreshing and satisfying. excellent showing.
August 18, 2014 - From an excellent looking bottle, with a fill into the neck and a cork soaked about halfway up. Beautiful nose, with dark cabernet fruit, lots of freshly tilled earth, a strong ashy cigar influence, and an unobtrusive hint of pyraziney herbal/green pepper. But on the palate the fruit has faded, and while the wine isn't drying out texturally, the fruit runs out in the midpalate and the acidity has started to stick out. It's best right away, and gets more tart as it sits in the glass. I'll bet this was lovely 5-10 years ago. Drink up.