September 8, 2018 - -- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple glasses non-blind over approx. one hour --
Gorgeous moderately-aged aromas: red-fruited (cherry and strawberry), with a hint of old wood. No tannins. Medium-high acidity. Red-fruited on the palate, with a pleasant savory aspect. Still in its prime window, which I expect will stay open for quite some time. No brett. Brighter than an '00 Francesca's which was consumed alongside. The superlative showings for this wine continue. Gut impression score: low to mid 90's.
April 19, 2018 - Delicious red raspberry, cherry, and herbal aromas and flavors with earthy notes culminating in a long refreshing finish.
January 23, 2018 - Drinking very well with pop and pour. Fully resolved are ready to go
September 10, 2016 - -- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 hours --
NOSE: expressive purple fruits; damp earth; hints of crushed rocks and leather/funk; gentle spiciness.
BODY: garnet-violet color of medium depth; medium-light bodied; slight bricking.
TASTE: ripe red/purple fruits; powerful, yet elegant; lovely back-end herbal note; pleasant mid-palate specks of spice (perhaps oak-derived?); seamless; plum; black cherry; fig; incredibly delicious!; medium+ acidity; no tannin; alcohol is a tiny bit noticeable; in its prime drink window now, but not tired; I'm not sure there's any room for further improvement, so Drink Now and over the next few years. Truly phenomenal wine!
50, 5, 13, 18, 9 = 95
July 3, 2016 - Decanted 90 minutes; minor need or benefit. Reddish brown with orange tinge and approaching translucency. Nose has an almost a rustic red fruit quality, with earth and spice tones that gives it a nuanced complexity. Medium light fruit weight. Silky texture on entry that expands flavor and acidity on the palate. Still with a juicy pinotness behind tamed tannins and secondary flavors. Great match for wild king salmon. Table was surprised to find this was from Cali and shocked that it came from
Pisoni vineyard.
November 11, 2015 - unfortunately, TCA infected
August 26, 2014 - This started off a bit weak when opened. Rustic, rough edges, missing acidity. But after being open 45 mins or so, somehow the wine blossomed. There was terrific acidity, red fruit and a smoothness to it.
Decant or at least give the bottle a chance to breathe, or do as we did, follow the evolution in your glass.
June 20, 2013 - Popped and poured. Showed well with 20 minutes of air. This is drinking at or near now, but will probably hold for a few years. Elegant with bing cherries and nice acidity.
November 23, 2012 - Opened and gave this a short decant of maybe 30 minutes or so. The absolute best showing of this wine I have had, and have consumed a half dozen or so over the years. The tertiary flavors are starting to show through, and the wine has become fully resolved, although there is no hurry to drink up. Raspberry/strawberry/cherry with spice, but there is a very pleasant and unmistakeable mushroom lurking in both the fore and background. The wine now possesses a smoothness that surrounds the tongue, while not overwhelming it. A pleasure to sip, and I just enjoyed the sensation, but the finish was certainly long and rewarding as well. I am not sure if Joe has any of this left, but if he does, well worth the coin. I am happy to have 4 more bottles of this. Outstanding wine
November 19, 2011 - Hotel Terravina (Southampton, UK): -- popped and poured --
-- consumed non-blind over approx. one hour --
Initially, a bit diffuse and a tad sweet. With time in the glass it lost most of its sweetness and seemed to come together somewhat. By far the cleanest/least funky bottle I've had of this. Still very good, but this bottle lacked the excitement of previous bottles.