December 8, 2023 - Slow ox for 2hrs.
Pours a deep ruby, not showing a lot of age. Developing/ed. Aromas of creme de cassis, cherry cordial, vanilla, black cherry, blackberry, fennel, mint, violet, crushed rock, tar, cedar, cooked plums/jammy dark fruits. Opulent. Dry wine, but feels like there's some RS here. Med + acid, Med + tannin, full body, high alcohol, Med + palate intensity (v. rich), long finish. Palate matches the nose, though, the wine is quite rich, and sugary-fruity, something that I feel puts the wine down a bit in my opinion, where the sugar distracts from the structure. Very good. Drink now, not suitable for further aging- I'd be worried that the fruit would turn porty, or hold if that's your jam.
July 21, 2022 - At Vidalia with Joe, Wendy, David, Andrea...bottle purchased in Napa on a trip with this crew... Slow oxed for about 45 minutes,
Dark garnet color. Nose showing dark fruits and oak. Palate of dark cherry, plums, candied fruit, smoke and mineral. Rich texture through mid palate. Medium/long finish.
My notes from 2018 suggested a few more years were advisable. Age has done this well, this bottle may be in the perfect spot. May be at its best over the next 3 years. Some sediment at the bottom, best to strain if decanting
February 6, 2021 - Well I didn't wait a couple more years...
Deep dark center, red rim with modest sings of age at the rim.
Black raspberries, blueberries, and yellow plums, oil cured black olives, something smokey and ashy.
Mix of cherry brandy and creme de mure, stewed plums, smooth, rosemary and thyme, alcohol is a little noticeable, modest tannin, medium acidity, well integrated oak, good finish - ripe and rounded.
Drinking well now, has another 2-5 years to go.
December 19, 2020 - Pine-y, delicious, fruit explosion. Perfect pairing with short ribs.
May 28, 2020 - Deep red color, red rim with some signs of age.
The nose is great with tarry fruit, oak and herbs.
The palette is good with plums, cherries, integrated oak, good tannin and acidity. Finishes well.
Overall excellent. However, I think this needs some time to mature. 2008 has been called an early maturing vintage but my experience hasn’t born this out - much more reticent than 2007. Will be waiting a couple more years at least.
May 9, 2020 - Stored at 56° since purchase. Excellent. Drinking Great right now.
April 6, 2020 - Better on day two. Full and soft, this seems more of an early drinker than other years. Very well made.
November 22, 2019 - Very good. Going to wait one more year to drink the next 2008 as while it was very good it was not as good as the 2007. Nice hint of blackberry and a little rosemary. Still has time to age.
October 19, 2019 - This was solid
August 29, 2019 - Still youthful color. Nose of moss, forest dust, wild red berries, violets and hints of lavender. Wild forest herbs and conifers and some notes of blueberry emerge. Cigarbox. Dark fruit with bright acid on the palate. Black current, red currant, black cherry and boysenberry flavors combines over lively acidity, balanced by now-relaxing tannin. Some hints of star anise and dried herbs and dried violet petals. Almost a burnt orange peel zest. The interplay of darkness and lightness is lovely and continues for a nice long finish. Plenty of life remains.