March 7, 2021 - A full 20 minute decant for this bottle allowed it to come alive, even as it continued to open some through dinner. This was the last of a six bottle lot of the 2009 that was bought at auction several years ago (one was gifted).
Inviting nose of blue, dark red and red fruits. With a medium plus body, the palate showed these same fruits, a hefty dose of spice, and some pepper. The acidity was well balanced, the tannins were well integrated, and the 16.7% abv was nowhere to be realized. This wine could hold for another couple of years, but we suggest enjoying it now.
January 31, 2021 - Very sweet, inviting nose of blue- and blackberries, some vanilla, leather and licorice. Fresh, generous, black fruit driven palate without any heat. Long and highly rewarding.
March 12, 2020 - Excellent.
December 19, 2019 - Excellent
December 8, 2019 - 20 minute slo-ox. Just a tad off from the last bottle. This bottle showed mostly red and dark red fruits on both the nose and palate, along with some spice, pepper, and earth. The acidity was nicely balanced, and the tannins were completely integrated. Sorry to say that we only have one bottle remaining.
December 6, 2019 - inky purple; licorice, plum, black cherry, tar, vanilla, spearmint; dense, powerful black fruit, exotic spices, long velvety finish, surprising balance for 16.7% ABV; sourced from 130 year-old head-trained vines in the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County, Helen Turkey was consultant
June 13, 2019 - 20 minute slo-ox. As good as our first bottle in March as the wine opens with air. In fact, the last glass was better than the first as all the components came together. Too easy to enjoy and a great match for BBQ Baby Backs.
The wine starts with aromas of dark red and blue fruits. The palate shows a wine with a medium plus body, the same dark red and blue fruits, a hefty dose of pepper, some spice, and a touch of earth notes. All of this was wrapped in well balanced acidity and integrated tannins, without a hint of the 16.7% abv. Should hold for at least another couple of years, but the odds are that our remaining bottles won't last that long.
May 5, 2019 - 10 minute slo-ox. The second of five bottles bought at auction. Just a tad less impressive than our previous bottle on 3/27. Nice nose of dark red and blue fruits. This medium plus bodied wine showed a palate with these same dark red fruits, a hefty dose of pepper and some spice, all with well balanced acidity. Any tannins were well integrated, and the 16.7 abv was nowhere to be realized. Should hold for another couple of years.
March 27, 2019 - 20 minute slo-ox. A 9+ year old beauty! First of several bought at auction. Inviting nose of jammy dark red and some blue fruits. With a medium plus body, the palate showed these same dark red fruits, a hefty dose of pepper and some spice, all with well balanced acidity. Any tannins were well integrated, and the 16.7 abv was nowhere to be realized. Should hold for another couple of years, so we look forward to opening our other bottles.
March 16, 2019 - First experience with these tonight. In great shape. Shows slight ethanol notes. But way more I. Check then I would expect from 16.7abv. Soft pillows plush fruit, plum blue black wild tobacco resin lavender. Really impressed. Made me tipsy fast.