December 3, 2022 - This wine was blind poured with 11 other wines at a tasting of 1990 California wines. The wine was clear and mid deep garnet red with a tinge of orange at the rim. With a muted nose of dark berries and some leather, the wine had these same flavours but with stronger tannins than expected. The finish tailed off quite quickly.
November 23, 2020 - Very nice juice. Give it 10 years or so more, maybe 20. Just so much fruit, but nice. A little overpowering for me right now until it gets some more complexity on the palate. Notes ended up in the trash unfortunately.
February 8, 2020 - Acker Merrall Bicentennial Gala (Cipriani Wall Street - New York NY): Late night, small glass from large format, brief note. Massive and ultra ripe black fruit with sweet spice. Intense concentration and weight, there is nothing demure about this wine. Easy to appreciate, even if it's not exactly my style of wine, particularly as it finishes on the warm side.
June 11, 2018 - Very worthy of it's rating. Very classic aged California cabernet. Dark ruby color. Moderate rim variation in the glass. No flaws. Mild sediment. Old world character. Dark fruity nose. Low tannin. Low acid. Medium alcohol. Long finish. Our one and only bottle. Probably beyond peak, but, a beautiful experience. Paired perfectly with grilled hamburger.
January 1, 2018 - On initial pop this offered gorgeous Burgundian sous bois notes before transitioning with air to more typical aromas of blue fruit, dark cherry, graphite, and licorice. Elegant and polished, with plenty of ripe acidity and a silky, lightweight texture. Incredible depth to the lingering finish. At twenty years old, the 1997 Herb Lamb is probably at its peak and will hold there for five or so years.
December 11, 2017 - Palais. Great restraint for Napa, lovely. From mag.
October 29, 2017 - This is a spectacular wine. Incredible nose with deep, rich fruit, fine tannins, and terrific balance. Just the right amount of grip and age. Remarkably vibrant at 20 years old, but no reason to wait. Enjoy!
April 16, 2017 - Still rocks. Great ripe fruit wonderful balance. Nice long finish.
March 7, 2017 - Totoraku Cali Cabs & Syrahs Dinner (Totoraku): Very nice. Simpler than I would've thought.
February 6, 2017 - Colgin Master Class (Grand Hotel Dolder, Zurich): Evolved crimson red. Beautiful and lush nose of dark fruit, sweet spices. This has more blue fruit in the nose than the 1995. The palate is similar with lots of savory umami. Alcohol is in check too, so the wine does not feel too sweet despite the fruit. Having tasted pretty much all high-end Napa reds in the past 3 months, for me Colgin makes the best Napa red as they keep their wines fresh and enough perfumey.