July 1, 2023 - Similar to prior notes after double decanting for 2 hrs; outstanding, it has entered prime drinking, drink or hold, no rush. Had it with the 09 Shafer HS & although both were equally outstanding, they were different on both nose & palate
December 25, 2022 - The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; popped, poured and consumed over the following hour with dinner. Medium purple core, turning towards deep garnet at the rim. Notes of blackberry liquor, cassis, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Medium to full bodied, with a lush texture, ripe and chewy tannins, and a long and heady finish.
June 12, 2022 - Surprisingly ripe for 2010. Tons of black fruits with good acidity and ripe tannins. Some raisin aromas mixed in but quite youthful overall. Check back in 5 years
April 3, 2022 - continuing to improve, lush and yummy. I'll give it another 6-12 months and it should continue to improve.
December 25, 2021 - An elegant wine, smooth but simple. Decanted for 2 hours and consumed over the next two. On the sweet side, with some cinnamon notes. I had a bottle of the 2009 within the last year and this does not compare.
June 13, 2021 - I’m not rating this bottle because I have the suspicious it was negatively affected by a decanter with some chlorine in it. My previous bottle got 99 and was one of the best wines I have ever had. That was my expectations today and it felt short.
The body was medium to medium plus, when it warmed up a bit it felt more fuller. The complexity and endless finish weren’t there.
April 10, 2021 - 3 Hour Decant.
On the nose, this delivered a wonderful bouquet of aromas consisting of red licorice and plum, blackberry, violet, cocoa pod and the slightest touch of fresh leather.
On the palate, I was greeted by such delicate and fine tannins giving way to the perfect amount of plush, soft fruit. More red plum but the darker brambleberry notes taking more front stage vs. the nose. Vanilla, raspberry, menthol and cola subtleties remind you that this is not a one trick pony and the lengthy finished seemed to go on for minutes. Really can't stress how pleasant this one was to drink. Was it the most complex? Perhaps not. But no question, what IS there is very delicate and polished and extremely well-integrated and I cannot complain one bit. Could go for another few years for sure but I think it is drinking in a beautiful place right now. 92 points.
February 13, 2021 - Opened for about 2 hours and it was ready to go, the nose is one of the most beautiful and sensual experience in my wine journey… The body is medium+, closer to a BIG-Body, very dark, smokes, berries, roses, a super multidimensional masterpiece with a VERY LONG FINISH!
Placed in the decanter for the remaining of the dinner and it stay at the magnificent stage for over one hour. Clearly at its peak but should continue drinking well for another 3-5 years….
January 15, 2021 - Double decanted for 2.5 hrs, deep ruby, black cherries with some vanilla, med. tannins, long finish; outstanding, drink or preferably hold
December 25, 2020 - Much better than the last one I drank. Lush and full bodied.