July 14, 2012 - tasted blind in a flight of 1994 california cabs
nose - volatile acidity, chocolate syrup
mouth - sweet, overripe, overbearing, i guessed it to be a zin. i bet it would have drunk better a decade prior.
Also being sandwiched by some elegant cabs didnt help it out either.
March 13, 2012 - Licoirce, spicy cherries, kirsch, jam and earth scents led to a big, dense, powerful wine filled with ripe and over ripe, jammy black and red berries. Served double blind, I was shocked to discover it was Zinfandel. From vines planted back in 1887 on a steep hillside, this was an interesting wine to taste.
March 5, 2010 - A good showing for what was undeniably a great wine in its youth. Good fruit still present, and certainly doesn't seem 16 years old. Mistaken for CA cab by some. A bit of heat starting to show on the finish. An interesting data point, but time to drink up any remaining bottles.
December 23, 2008 - Xmas party at Johnson's. Wow! My last bottle of this and what a home run. Hit of the night. So seamless. Almost Quintarelli Amarone like. Luscious in the mouth with that usual raisiny note on the nose. Long finish and a joy to experience.
December 5, 1999 - intense, rich, cotton candy, kept changing, great fruit, awesome
May 7, 1997 - Blockbuster wine. very concentrated, but very alcoholic, but the alcohol was almost hidden. Lots of rustic black fruits, but it did not mellow with breathing... very stuborn.