December 26, 2020 - [Magnum] Decanted for two hours before approaching and still took longer yet for the nose to develop. Typical primary Napa black fruit but does what that Oakville high breed about it as well as some more developed leathery and smoky notes. Palate was much nicer than I expected as well, integrated, mostly resolved, and not offensively hot or intense. Still lots of oak and vanilla, but I apprreacited that this wine seemed a little more restrained.
November 19, 2020 - My last tasting note was 2014 and I commented that I wasn’t sure it would last until 2020. We’ll here we are in the double depths of the COVID nuclear winter and....I WAS RIGHT! Well sort of. I wasn’t sure but it definitely did make it to 2020 and I expect to see 22 or 3. This juice is still strong of nose, taste, structure, no week knees. Lots of dark fruit and a hint of raspberry says Ms. Maximus. Enjoying the while thing and will be revisiting in a shorter window to report back. P.S. The cork blew up even with the Ah-so but that’s why strainers were invented. Tally-Ho Maynard this is still Good Stuff.
July 25, 2020 - One of the best wines I've had in a while. Still going very strong. Ruby red, extremely smooth. Good on its own and obviously paired very well with a steak. Certainly ready to drink now, probably still has a few good years left.
October 9, 2019 - Poured a glass using a Coravin so to save remaining wine for the coming days. Dark ruby color. No real sign of aging, even when I looked for bricking around the meniscus. A delicate nose of light oak, red fruit, florals. The palate is ablaze with fruit; raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, floral notes, a touch of oak. The tannins still provide a soft backbone complemented by decent acidity. CT is showing that, based on the opinions of 20 people, the average end drinking year is 2017. Whoever said that or earlier, I dare you to find a bottle and try it. I double dog dare you. This wine still has cellar time in its future - not too long, but it's there. CT also shows that of the 1,826 bottles purchased, more than 1,000 still remain in people's cellars. Smart.
February 6, 2019 - AMANA Skiers: PnP, no decant. Clear, purple color, Good from get go. Ideal drinking window. Well integrated/balanced, med body, med fruit intensity, resolved tannin's but no over the top. Easy and pleasant drinking. Nothing off. Gift.
November 22, 2018 - Drinking beautifully now. Gorgeous purple color. Smooth and balance. Long finish.
December 24, 2016 - Decanted for two hours and it was excellent. Paired with steak and tuna
December 24, 2016 - All red fruit, cassis. Nice - my only complaint would be that this was little thin on the back end. Had alongside an 06 O'Shaughnessy HM that was preferred by everyone. No reason to wait on these, they are not going to get better imo.
May 16, 2016 - Decanted and showing beautifully.
The nose retains fruit; Cherry, fig, plum and blackberry with cassis that mixes with notes of herbs, cedar, earth, tobacco, and light hints of leather and mocha.
Still very much alive on the palate and still drinking in its prime!
juicy, vibrant medium-plus acidity with plush, velvety, fine grained moderate tannins. Plum and fig flavors blend with blackberry dark cherry, vanilla, cassis, mocha, suede, sweet pipe tobacco, herbs, toasty oak and light spice. impeccably balanced and long through the finish.
February 14, 2016 - Drank amazingly well. This wine is ready to go, drink up!