July 19, 2022 - Purple ruby core color, very light bricking. Nose of ripe boysenberry, blueberry, green olive that is secondary to the fragrant floral, violets, hot climate syrah profile. Matt says it reminds him of the dip stick from fun dip. Excellent aromatics. Medium plus to full bodied with blue and purple fruit, liquid violets, boysenberry, not jammy or ponderous considering how forward the wine is, freshing, medium to medium light acid, silky tannins.
I found this to be best in a grassl mineralite (white) glass, which seemed to compress the floral aromatics in a compact space. The larger cru and 1855 glasses brought out a vanilla profile that I didn’t get at all on the mineralite. Opened with a slight chill and improved as it warmed up.
Fantastic bottle that is drinking at its peak. Great balance, ripe paso florals but good acid. Wish I had more, this is pure enjoyment in a glass. 95-96
October 28, 2020 - Still a great bottle of wine
high alcohol well balenced
but, drink up
December 31, 2017 - Absolutely delicious, great with a couple of years of age on it. Was fantastic out of the gate, did remind me of 2007 Saxum JBV, however, with extra air fell apart just slightly. Still a wow wine.
December 30, 2017 - Stellar Paso Robles non blind tasting. Opened for an hour then tasted over four hours with cheeses and meats. No formal notes taken at the time. The oldest of the wines. Excellent overall balance. Fruit has integrated.
November 23, 2015 - Absolutely delicious right now. Wish I had more!
December 24, 2014 - Paired well with rack of lamb.
October 9, 2014 - Wow! This wine is in its prime. Complex, exquisitely balanced, rich, ... wonderful.
September 29, 2014 - good blue/black berry tastes long finish very well balanced for high
alcohol wine
May 15, 2014 - Meeting of Minds OG Crew (Craig's Place): Popped and poured; consumed over a four hour period. Is this really 17% ABV?!!! I wonder if that's a typo. I would have never guessed considering how well this was drinking 7 years on. I expected loads of heat and stewed fruit and I received the exact opposite. This bottle blows away the theory that high ABV wines will make for a hot mess. Instead, we were treated to fresh, perfectly ripened brambles with a pleasant addition of spice. The texture was smooth and seductive...really very sexy...borderline slutty. Tied for my WOTN. I would love to experience this again...sadly, it's far too limited to expect such a thing. Drinking very nicely now on the PnP...why wait?
February 8, 2014 - Delicious blueberry and blackberry jam early to mid palate. Mild tannins toward the finish provide a cohesive structure.