December 9, 2016 - A bit better than the first two murky messes. This wine simply cannot age. A medium ruby in the glass, still a touch of murkiness but the edges look good. The nose features mostly nondescript bright red fruits. On the palate, acidity in check, no tomato leaf or iron to note. Some bright cherry, red alpine currant and that's about it. Still good enough to cook with, which the first two bottles certainly were not. Will not buy this particular wine again. A rare LBW loser!
November 13, 2016 - Nearly the same as the bottle yesterday. Hopefully our third and final bottle is better, but the prospect seems dim.
November 12, 2016 - The gratuitous wax removed, the cork was in good shape. Decanted off of sediment, and a ruby purplish murky wine poured. The nose featured cherry, red alpine currant, and blackberry; not corked. Very flat on the palate, uninspiring, really, and we poured it out. Not sure why it was not clear, no secondary fermentation, but hopefully just off. First of 3.
November 6, 2014 - Paired well with pollo en mole. Monster big wine. Boo berries, blue fruit, cracked pepper. Not sure I could drink more than a glass or two in one setting, but it was nice with the mole.
June 10, 2013 - Must be some severe bottle variation because I thought this was a solid Syrah.
June 9, 2013 - By the time it takes to drink one glass the wine starts to evolve into something I can't describe but not good as wine drinking goes. Used a second bottle for cooking and that was fine, added to the stew-like dish.
May 25, 2013 - Most opaque wine I've ever had (almost cloudy). Nose is wonderful black fruit, smoke, and pepper. On the palate, it's very concentrated ... very extracted. Alcohol is prevalent throughout. Disappointing given lineage and nose.
May 3, 2013 - Very dark plum extract color. Nose is violets and licorice. On the palate, boozy black fruits. Wouldn't be mistaken for a Rhone or Languedoc Syrah due to the extraction and alcohol heat. A pretty nice wine, but lacking anything that stands out in an outstanding way.
April 25, 2013 - 4-5 hours in the decanter. Opaque deep purple red in the glass. Nose of pronounced candied apple and cherries, some apricot and earthy notes. Heat on the palate. Tannin and acidity held up over a sturdy mouth feel with herbal tones and slight forest floor pine. As a daily drinker it scores well, but doesn't really step too far beyond.
April 6, 2013 - Nothing special. Cloudy day two.