December 8, 2018 - Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.
Day 1 okay, but a bit dry and uni-dimensional
Day 2 much better, fruit more present, richer .
What to do with the next one?
October 5, 2015 - 14% alcohol by volume. Sees six months of oak. Darkly colored and opaque. Scent of currants and blackberries. Juicy on the palate with some savory notes and an astringent edge. I had this with a dish similar to a lamb stew but prepared in the oven instead of on the stovetop.
December 25, 2014 - Awesome with Christmas beef wellington. Leather, garrigue, raspberry nose. Smooth tannins, balanced acidity, primarily red fruit palate. Nice.
October 4, 2014 - Gosh...I wish I had more of this stuff. Lots of great red fruit. Nothing terribly complex but everything seems to be in order; balanced. My last of six and just as delicious as the first. Drink or Hold for the near term.
August 1, 2014 - Popped and poured; consumed over dinner. Lots of bright red fruit on the nose and it follows through to the finish. Good acid. Good balance. It's not going to win the award for most sophisticated but then again, this wine isn't trying to be that. There isn't much to complain about...only that I wish I had more. It's too easy to drink these when you have them in the cellar.
March 1, 2014 - Rich blackberry, coffee beans, cedar, cherry. Fresh and lively with well integrated tannins. Great value.
November 16, 2013 - Expressive berry nose. Earthy palate, with blackberry and leather. Peppery finish. Slightly on the hot side, but an excellent value at $12 a bottle.
June 30, 2013 - color: dark aubergine; nose: faint oak and cherry; taste: medium-bodied mouth feel, rounded ripe fruit taste, medium-length finish displays dark chocolate, coffee, and yummy tannins; overall: happy, balanced dry red wine with plenty of tasty stuffing, which is plenty good on its own and should pair nicely with grilled pork tenderloin or burgers, decent QPR (approx $17 in Japan)
June 4, 2013 - Rather thin on first pour. Develops well over the first hour. Complex muted nose of dark fruit, leather and graphite with spicy notes carrying into the initial taste. Nice balance. Finish a bit short but satisfying.
March 13, 2013 - Didn't like it first, but after exposure to air, the wine became softer and much more balanced. Really like it now.