July 31, 2022 - Much improved. An integrated, smooth and pleasurable Syrah with smoky, peppery and earthy tones. Long finish. Turns out I was sad to see this go.
April 24, 2021 - 4th Saturday Group (M&R's): Double decanted off its sediment three+ hours before dinner, remaining under cork until just before service. In a word, lovely. Black fruit, spice and floral elements turn to red fruit as it sits. Has just the softest bit of tannin, supporting red fruit and peppery spice flavors. Lovely. Drinking well at the moment- give it an hour to wake up and enjoy.
December 28, 2020 - Smooth, rich nose and palate of red to purple fruit. Tannins are integrated with a balanced palate; acid is still present. Pleasant wine, but not outstanding, and not obviously a Syrah. Beyond an obviously a dignified new world red with some age, I'm hard pressed to determine what makes this a Syrah. Interested to see what might happen with another few years.
February 7, 2018 - Still very nice, tannin is still present, fruit is still rich, but this one didn't wow me like the last. It tasted like a deep dark wine but lacked that bit of funk I like out of a syrah- no bacon fat, no smoked meats. Not sure if it's bottle variation or that the fruit might be fading. One more to go, I'll get to it eventually.
November 18, 2017 - PnP at a restaurant and ready to go almost right away. Over two years since I last had this, and it has improved. Textbook syrah profile and completely mature. Less full bodied and more acidity than most CA syrah. Thinking this is at peak now given it needs no decanting while still has very good fruit and balance. Really nice.
November 1, 2016 - I found this to be somewhat "hot" with an antiseptic note to it. It wasn't terrible, but lacked fruit and was somewhat thin on the front end. My son just set it aside and said he wasn't interested. The next day it was a little better, but not a lot.
February 14, 2016 - Finishing up the remaining half of the bottle opened the night before and this has really blossomed. Black fruit, plum, incense and pepper aromas turn to blue fruit and meat. Flavors of black fruit, peppery spice and violets with a subtle tapenade-like quality in the finish. Yeah, these definitely need to be decanted or left alone for a couple of years. Excellent.
February 13, 2016 - Aromas of spice, dark fruit and roasted meat. Dark fruit and spice flavors on the palate. Has a good bit of acidity showing- really needs to complement a meal. Still on the youthful side of things, I'll have to decant the next one or better still, give them a couple of years yet.
July 12, 2015 - Served at a dinner party, so no formal notes, but recall it had a fairly large profile and a nice level of acidity often missing from New World syrah. Was concerned some non wino friends may not like syrah, but they all enjoyed and matched well with NY Strip.
March 29, 2015 - Wish this was not the last bottle