January 1, 2024 - Impenetrable opaque black ink color, with coronal edge of violet to crimson to orange. If not for the intoxicating wide central core of densely brilliant black fruit aroma, the wine’s etiology would have been construed to be that of a young Pauillac, presenting with an accompanying heady bouquet of pencil box, sweet tight grained oak, cocoa, and the subtle sense of a tightly packed dirt floor on a warm afternoon.
The medium light viscosity mouthfeel is redolent with sweet, well extracted and concentrated silky smooth blue and black fruit, supported by a well balanced acidity and the lingering fond memory of an appropriately complementary tannic presence, all of which (sans food initially) are gently transported throughout the stages of the palate, and enjoyed, as a setting sun, in the extended finish (eight minutes and counting).
The cast of varietals include 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petite Verdot.
This elegant beauty is perfectly balanced, and should remain so, with proper cellaring, for at least the next five to eight years, depending, of course, on respective tasting proclivities.
I compare the beauty of this wine with the 1985 and 1986 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines I was so fortunate to drink, and, per my retentive sentimentality, the scant few remaining in my cellar.
April 2, 2022 - Red and black fruits - black currant, raisin, blackberry, cherry
Black pepper or exotic spices
Toasty oak
January 3, 2022 - From magnum. This is pretty consistent with my note from 2014. Tasting very young. Probably a combo of the magnum and cold cellar.
September 3, 2021 - In a nice place right now. Hurry up and drink.
August 6, 2019 - Slight cork leakage but still good. Lost a little fruit and tanins have smooth out. Almost bordeaux like now and not a high power California cab.
March 19, 2019 - Not as good as previous similar bottle. Not as full body as color. Dark fruits. Moderate tannins.
January 12, 2019 - Super mellow. Drink now. Anise, dark fruits, a little spice and a little tobacco tannin dust.
December 21, 2018 - very good. Got better after first sip. Liked it
May 9, 2018 - PnP and didn't smell much. Was medium weight with moderate black and blue fruit mid palate, with moderate lasting round tannin finish. I also tasted some acid initially which I didn't care for, but about 15 min later with some air to the wine in the bottle, it was gone, and tasting real smooth. It lost its vigor after a couple of hours though. Would not allow to age any longer, and drink now. Wish I had more - was very reasonably priced.
November 20, 2017 - This time was the best this wine has shown for me. Black and blue fruits, with dusty undertones. Smooth, round tannins, medium length finish. Definitely say this is drinking at peak, but should continue like this for a while.