December 25, 2023 - Dark ruby red color in the glass with a smooth velvety texture. Opened nicely after a four hour decant. Paired with tenderloin roast for Christmas dinner.
August 29, 2023 - PNP from 1.5L. Purchased from winery.
December 15, 2022 - A great showing after a bit of time in a decanter. Lots of dark and bright fruit, bitter cocoa, coffee, subtle oak. Medium body with good acidity but just lacking in depth and length to be extraordinary. Mind you, this is darn good. Drink or hold.
April 9, 2022 - Bad cork (gain); luckily I brought the Durand. Enjoyed with apps and a meal over a few hours; this is engaging, companionable juice, and a hit with the ladies. No really signs of falling off; this was my third off four.
March 16, 2022 - No formal notes, ready after splash decant. Starting to develop but in a good place now. Relatively big-boned but restrained.
January 21, 2022 - Only one word here.....CONSISTENCY.......a solid 94 pts. on my last 3 bottles.....beautiful integrated , pencil shavings, cedar, blueberries with silky tannins ending with a solid long finish. Master piece from Larkmead vineyards.
January 10, 2022 - Same as prior note. A gem!
November 27, 2021 - Decanted with light sed 1-2 hours prior to drinking. Still dark ruby, no bricking. Nose of dark red fruits, floral. Still young fresh and fleshy on front end. Tight tannins that still needed time but did open a little as the night wore on. Good length. I still have a few 11s and 12s in the cellar and per this bottle am in no rush to open them.
November 13, 2021 - This is a more savory and earthy wine than I tasted it six years ago (9/15 - 95 points) - it's still tasty, but it's more dark and less fun (like the later seasons of the Sopranos, when good somehow tastes bittersweet because of the greatness that came before it). Dark cherry in color, medium in body, aromas of blackberry, charcoal, leather, and cocoa powder. Flavors of black cherry, mulberry, ground pepper, and espresso, with a lingering but somewhat gritty finish. Blend of 42% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. 14.7% alcohol. 93+ right now, but I would drink in next year or so.
November 12, 2021 - First drank this wine in 2013, and 8 years later it has aged beautifully. Easily my favorite right bank blend in all of Napa. Magic in a glass.