December 21, 2021 - Tasted blind next to the 2001 Laurel. While the Laurel is cool and collected, this is supercharged. Sweet, spicy fruit, sour cherry, thickly textured, very intense. Feels more Grenache-driven and red fruited than the Laurel too. Energetic and wears its concentration very well but today I like the Laurel a touch more.
December 17, 2021 - Beautiful at this moment, showing incredible poise and balance.
August 11, 2019 - Some burnt overripe plum nose, sweet wine, nice, smooth, small unresolved tannins. Alcohol taste seemed big. Good, not much more.
November 30, 2018 - Super minerals, dark fruit and bold acidity. Density and power, but graceful at the same time. Still showing great structure but drinking so smooth right now. Should hold at this peak for years.
December 30, 2016 - I'm not sure how I felt about this. Still so young, and for me, less attractive than others thought. Good, but will reserve judgement for another decade.
December 24, 2016 - Served blind. Intensely spicy, spice drawer, especially clove, licorice, cherry, raspberry, so much sweet fruit bolstered by ample but contained oak. Big, utterly seamless, textural, expansive wine with red vines, cocoa, sour cherry, silk. This is masterfully made, though the elevated alcohol and emphasis on fruit won't appeal to everyone. I know this wine - guessed a '99 Erasmus and surprised the 2001 has opened so much. In the zone now.
December 17, 2016 - Tasted blind. The nose is saturated in delicious fall spices, rich cherries, and white pepper. The texture is so silky and open, sensuous even. Rich cherry ice cream palate. Cinnamon, Old Spice, lovely red fruit. Long finish of cinnamon and cherry ice cream. Festive and harmonious. Drinking wonderfully, and doesn't necessarily need any more time. I wish I could drink stuff like this all the time.
December 17, 2016 - Even better than the last bottle about a year and a half ago, this one was totally seamless. Super sweet, succulent fruit, buttressed with sharp acidity, profound minerals and suave tannins. Thrilling juice at its apogee now.
May 4, 2015 - Harmonious and balanced wine. Spicy, licorice and smoke on the palate. Extracted and succulent, near maturity with sharp acidity and gentle tannins. Great aromatic intensity, with oak only a minor component. Profundity of flavor and depth, and awesomely enjoyable wine.
August 22, 2014 - RUSSK. Aviv's WW tasting. A disappointment.