March 6, 2024 - Just picked multiple vintages up from a private party sale and had extra on the ‘01s so I pobega’d it. Fill was perfect on this bottle and the capsule spun with ease. Sank my corkscrew in and slowly pulled the cork up til, snap, the last 3/8” stayed in the neck because the worm wasn’t long enough. Grabbed the Durand worm and extracted the remainder which seriously only had 1/8” of wine stain in it. At 22 years in the bottle.
Pours a cloudy crimson. Let sit in the glass for an hour or more before enjoying with dinner. Afterdinner pour, black currant, anise and cedar greet the nose along with a hint of dusty dirt road. Fruit is mellow cassis, black currant and raspberry that glides weightlessly across the palate. I just can’t get over the color that shows minimal if any bricking. Nice bright acid pushed through the finish which could use a touch more structure but the oak and tannins have resolved leaving just the slightest grip in the finish. Super showing from one of Sonoma County’s great producers.
December 31, 2011 - This was an interesting cabernet - so different than many others from California. Despite being 10 years old, it seemed quite youthful except that tannins were nearly nonexistent. The key characteristic was balance - fruit balanced against structure, and the engaging currant fruit nose balanced against the spicy finish. This may not be for those who likely the large size, plush early drinking Napa Cabs, but what a lovely experience and a ggod food wine. Certainly ready to drink now, and will likely keep for many years.
April 24, 2010 - My goodness this as aged elegantly. After a little bit of air time it showed a great cab profile of black fruits and earthy herbal elements with a very nicely balanced frame of acidity and tannin. Lovely.
December 24, 2009 - This was very nice, but a touch less impressive than a bottle consumed a few months ago. Elegant cab with well balanced alcohol, acidity, and tannins...nothing out of place. A great style emphasizing finesse over flash.
September 25, 2009 - This wine was outstanding. Talk about an under-appreciated (or perhaps just under the radar) producer! I bought and enjoyed several of his Zins back in the day; have had one of these before; and, have more recently read of his deft hand with Pinot (which I've yet but can't wait to try). Different than my oh-so-loved, recognizable Alexander Valley aromatics, this one really rolled gracefully; both in the aromatics and across the palate. Impecably balanced and well integrated. Round, full, rich and balanced. A stellar example of a well made, well aged California Cabernet; regardless of locale. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and claim that, should anyone be so inclined to do a Napa vs. Sonoma Tasting, few wines would be as worthy a Sonoma representative, as this.
June 27, 2009 - Sonoma-Napa Trip Day 2 and 3; 6/27/2009-6/28/2009 (Sonoma): Bottle sweet nose of cedar and currant. Rich caramel. Tasty. Harmonized. Somewhat difficult to tease out all the nuances. Bottle evidences a lot of sediment. This has age nicely.