August 26, 2023 - Still such a powerful wine even after 15 years in bottle. We thoroughly enjoyed this wine, gorgeous strong fruit, nice layers and balance, and with such a long life ahead of it still. It bowed to the 2009 Hillside Select, but was an extremely worthy opening act. W-Katie and Tim.
May 10, 2022 - Excellent modern style Tuscan wine, superb concentration, ripe fruit, good balance. Nicole done.
December 6, 2021 - Similar to the bottle I had at the end of last year but a little more vibrant. Opened for two hours but did not decant. It was consumed over two nights. Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, plum, hints of chocolate and oak. The finish brought out earth tones.
November 8, 2021 - valadorna and arcanum drank together with pasta w/ pancetta and sausage - both delicious, valadorna a touch more "grapey" came across as slightly sweeter, with a hint of brett vs the arcanum which was more cabernet like. both excellent - 94
December 28, 2020 - Opened for two hours but did not decant. Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, plum, hints of chocolate and oak. The finish brought out earth tones. I really liked it. My wife not so much.
September 27, 2019 - Mostly cab franc (77%), ripe rich dark fruits, concentrated and medium to full body, paired well with red meat sauce ricotta gnocchi. Short decant.
June 30, 2019 - An excellent Super Tuscan/Bordeaux blend. The 67% cab franc shines through. Mildly fruit forward, little to no earthiness.
October 13, 2018 - Really nice depth, fruit, and length. Quality wine that still needs another year or two to really come together. Recommend hold.
February 8, 2018 - Complex rich aromas of dark chocolate, cherries, raspberries, minerals, and some oak. rich, big tannins, concentrated and ripe. The pallet has flavors of cherry and raspberry with puckering acidity and moderate tannins. Finish has a slightly salty mineral tone with continued flavors of red fruit. Beautiful multi-act completely integrated performance without any flat or sharp notes.
November 15, 2017 - Big rustic wine w searing tannins and touch of heat. Didn’t decant but should have. Did not pair well w lasagna and truffle gnocchi. Try again in 3 yrs or w decant, and w heartier food.