April 5, 2023 - Wines Before / At / After a Passover Seder (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Black cherry, meaty spice, hints of mushroom and leather faintly emerging. Clearly not ripe, but nothing green, either, this is charming and balanced with medium+ weight. Very good now.
January 20, 2021 - Alongside the 2010. This has been so charming and balanced since release, and continues to be so enjoyable. Black cherry, leather, woodsy spice combine with good+ weight and even better balance. Better for now vs 2010, and maybe the rare 2011 that will continue to be better, but it will be close.
March 14, 2020 - Red and black cherry aromas and flavors with hints of black licorice and animale. Good weight, very good balance. Perhaps still some slight upside, but so charming and friendly right now.
November 27, 2018 - Lots of red cherry with roasted meat and earth. Good+ weight and length with tannins still a little assertive, but very close to very good harmony. This still has upside from here. Great value wine.
July 18, 2015 - All red fruit with lots of sauvage and braised meat character. Still slightly firm, albeit softer than a year ago. I like the direction where this is evolving.
August 14, 2014 - Popped and poured, then consumed over several hours. Bright red fruit with hints of animale with good acidity and minerality. Tasty on its own, much better with food. Good now, better in a few more years.
April 6, 2014 - Knightsbridge 2011 Burgundy Tasting and Sale (Northbrook, IL): Tasting, brief note. My brief tasting note was simply "Tasty!" but this wine had lots of bright red fruit with good mineral notes and acidity to provide real nuance and interesting textures. An exceptional value wine, and a highlight of the tasting based on value.
February 13, 2014 - Camille Giroud Dinner with David Croix (The Stafford, St James's, London): Fresh and pretty, with a gentle tug of tannin at the end
January 17, 2014 - Full bodied, a bit earthy, though a little too much acidity on the back end.