December 9, 2023 - Cork disintegrated, don’t even try with a screw use a cork fork. Had to strain the wine, but it was beautiful and elegant, fruit had taken a back seat to earth and oak spice but was still present. Dry finish but fully resolved tannins. This wine sure does deliver!
March 20, 2023 - Allowed to breathe in glass 1 hour. Clear deep garnet color. Lovely bouquet of sweet, dusty dried blackberries, lavender, fennel, mocha, bourbon vanilla, sweet spicy oak. Similar on the palate, full body, seamless, balanced, velvet mouthfeel, lingering finish. Another example of a great wine in a difficult vintage from a legendary producer that was unjustly out of favor with the critics at the time.
February 11, 2023 - One-hour decant through a screened and aerating funnel. Some sediment in screen. During decant lovely (but not overpowering) aromas of dark fruit compote arose. After resting, nose was: blackberry, plums, and bing cherries. Some buttered toast as well. In the mouth, wine was a subtle mix of the above fruits; well balanced; an easy drink from the first sip to the last one which was quite long and pleasant. A great wine.
June 10, 2022 - 93+, flawless bottle. Could easily pop and pour at this stage but this did develop nicely after observing over 2+ hours of air time
November 15, 2021 - Classic aged cab with leather, plum and some mocha
October 30, 2020 - Stunning. Let it decant for ~60 minutes. Served with a very rich NY strip + starch / cheese sides. Amazing is the only thing I can say. In a wonderful drinking window now.
June 20, 2020 - Past its prime.
April 4, 2020 - Allowed to breathe in glass 2 hours. Clear deep dark garnet color. Lovely bouquet of sweet dusty blackberries, black cherries, blackcurrants and their liqueurs; fennel, forest floor, nutmeg, cardamom, bourbon vanilla, spicy oak, hints of eucalyptus and black olive tapenade. Similar on the palate, full body, seamless, beautiful balance, lingering finish. Improved with air. Classic Napa cabernet, now in its prime, where it will remain for years. 2000 was judged at the time to be a poor vintage for Napa cabernet and also a vintage in which BV was affected by TCA taint. Based on this bottle, neither of those concerns was warranted.
June 30, 2018 - Classic attractive mature cabernet nose of book leather and mint, still fresh and soft. Palate begins with fresh fruit and acidity for the age but there's surprisingly little fruit on the mid-palate and it finishes a bit short and green.
December 27, 2017 - This red wine had an earthy charm underlying the top-note of cherries and blackberries and a mature sprightliness to its character.