May 2, 2013 - Very dark red; by all appearances a five y/o wine. Aroma somewhat compromised, and is compressed by wet paper smell (TCA). On entry, much soft, drying tannin remains; the wine lays flat in the mouth. Drying, little sensation of fruit. Short and tannic finish. Drinkable, but without giving much pleasure. Effects of sitting open overnight: increased tannin, with no improvement in aroma, flavor or finish.
November 26, 2012 - 1992 Guess the Red (Rich & Peggy's House, Los Altos, CA): Darker red than the other wines in the lineup. Fantactic nose with a good concentration of fruits and herbs. Refreshing palate. Tannic. Still feels like a young wine. Tasted blind. Correctly guessed as a Petite Sirah.
My #2, Group's #1
February 16, 2010 - Clear dark garnet-black. Bouquet was initially not good -- cooked meat, prunes, and sweatsocks. After an hour, the bouquet began to improve slightly. After 12 hours under a vacuum stopper, the bouquet was wonderful -- intense aromas of berry jam, wood, smoke, and spice. Full-bodied, extracted, and assertive on the palate. Tannins still formidable but balanced by equally vigorous fruit.
July 22, 2008 - agree with Nanda's notes-- leathery, red fruits, briary chalk, complexity over power, still tannic, refined as far as Petite Sirah usually runs... and still young
October 12, 2007 - Consistent with my other notes. Still shows quite tannic and needs some hearty fare to tame the mouthfeel.
July 6, 2007 - Mature and developed showing evolved flavors of dusty dark fruit, leather, smoke, herbs and tar. Very nuanced and layered. Tannins are integrated into the mature, soft fruit. A medium-bodied Petite Sirah that features complexity over power. Very enjoyable.
May 20, 2007 - Wines with Barbecue (Dennis'): Full deep coffee red color. Full red fruit with some briar chalk and hints of green pepper and pencil. Big black round fruit with firm structure and a hint of green pepper and spice on the finish.
May 20, 2007 - Dark ruby with an interesting nose of subdued dark fruits, leather, green pepper and iodine. Palate has dense, leathery dark fruits. Fine tannins still have bite on the mid palate. Herbs offer complexity in the finish. Quite nice.