March 15, 2016 - Decanted.
Very similar to previous tasting note and still showing nice meaty aromas upfront, scents of cracked black pepper, smoked bacon, dried red meats, blackberries, plum, and blueberries with lighter scents of violets, forrest, vanilla, sassafras, baking spice, sage and lavender.
Full bodied on the palate with excellent medium-plus acidity that keeps the full mid-palate lifted. the tannins are medium-plus and in balance. Upfront flavors are reminiscent of a black pepper crusted, bacon wrapped, char grilled fillet mignon... Supporting flavors of black and blue berries, plum and boysenberry, vanilla, sassafras, fresh sage, light roasted coffee, smoke and touches of gun metal and mineral. The finish lingers with intensity
Overall, structured and completely balanced between the savory and fruit notes.Still in its prime drinking window
February 22, 2016 - Very dark ruby color with brighter perimeter. Medium plus body. Opened with spices (Provence, thyme) and oak. After 45 minutes - lots of dark fruits, cedar, more spices. On the palate - nice weight, good spiciness, well balanced and integrated, very mild tannin. Long and tasty finish. Reminds me some good CdP from 2006. Very good wine and right time to enjoy!
December 13, 2015 - Corked, so difficult to judge. 2-3 years ago in the tasting room would have given a 92-93
October 18, 2015 - Big nod to the Southern Rhone with this beauty. Nose of dark berries and Herbes de Provence, with a touch of tobacco. Loads of kirsch on the front palate, resolving to plummier fruit flavors and a noteworthy dose of white pepper. Savory notes on the finish. I'd say this is in its ideal drinking window.
December 9, 2014 - Definitely evolved since my last tasting
Aromas are meatier upon opening, with air time scents of cracked black pepper, smoked bacon, dried red meats, blackberries, plum, and blueberries with lighter scents of violets, forrest, vanilla, sassafras, baking spice, sage and
full bodied on the palate with excellent medium-plus acidity that keeps the full mid-palate lifted. the tannins are medium-plus and in balance. Upfront flavors are reminiscent of a black pepper crusted, bacon wrapped, char grilled fillet mignon... Supporting flavors of black and blue berries, plum and boysenberry, vanilla, sassafras, fresh sage, light roasted coffee, smoke and touches of gun metal and mineral. The finish lingers with intensity
Overall, structured and completely balanced between the savory and fruit notes.
November 21, 2014 - Vinturi'ed & decanted for 1 hr. Nice soft tastes of raspberry & darker fruits. After the first glass, it had a big long peppery finish. Medium bodied. Seemed to be Grenache-forward. Wish Jeff would put the percentages of each variety on the label. Didn't seem to be as big as some of the previous years (maybe heavier on the Grenache?).
October 5, 2014 - I am not a Grenache fan, but I enjoyed this wine. Perhaps a bit hot and extracted, but Cali enjoyable if your into it. Good finish and decent acidity. I read the spearmint comment and I have to agree.
December 21, 2013 - Deep violet color with violet, lavender, plum aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied with a supple texture, medium-acidity, and plum, spice, raspberry, and vanilla flavors. Medium+ finish
June 9, 2013 - Unique nose. Violet, dark berry, plum, allspice. A little alcohol. Decant for at least an hour. Full flavors with soft tannins. No alcohol on taste. Spearmint and dark fruit on taste. Gets even darker with spicy foods. A very nice big wine with plenty of time. Very nice.
December 31, 2012 - First night, I had this after a Sonoma coast Pinot and almost gagged. Hated it and thought it tasted like cough syrup. Night two I had it as a cocktail and loved its deep rich texture and smoky ember taste, showing again to me how profoundly different a wine can please or displease depending on circumstance. This is a cocktail or dessert (dark chocolate) wine for me.