July 3, 2022 - After reading the notes on this, I wasn't expecting too much. I decanted it after getting the cork out (which broke in two) and there was marked sediment stain in the bottle from where it had been lying for many years. It wasn't offering up much from the decanter. At 2.5 hours it was okay, with some tannin telling me it certainly wasn't dead. At about 3-4 hours out got better and better. With dinner I was getting liquorice, black fruits, prune, cinnamon and cedar on the nose. Palate was pleasing with black cherry and was able to tame some fairly spicy burritos. I was pleasantly surprised and wish I had another bottle. On to the next vintages!
April 26, 2022 - Molto Bene Nota Bene! (Vino Loco & Lolo's Seaside Tasting Lodge): Part of an eight vintage vertical tasting. Bit of funk and oxidation on the nose. Not corked but definitely old world-like with the fruit taking a back seat to the evolving tertiary aromas and flavours. At first, there was a barnyard, saddle, chemistry-set nose of funk and severity. This blew off a bit over the two hours but it was a mature, savoury fruit nose of brandied plums and currants with tobacco and dried sage. Medium-plus body held up a stewed mix of red fruits. Oak and alcohol in cheque. Tannins were still a little firm. Not sure this will get better in the cellar. This was #6 across the group. Open now, decant, have with roasted rack of lamb.
September 10, 2021 - Guy took home
August 5, 2021 - Interesting but I would have never guessed Nota Bene in a blind tasting. More expressive/complex than a year ago, but no “magic”. Aromas of leather, MLF (dairy products), with notes of sage and spices. Unfortunately, not worth the entry price tonight. Drink now, but still has potential to improve for another 2-3 years.
January 19, 2021 - Still drinking well. As always, excellent balance in this wine. Some vintages may be better than others but this wine is consistently good.
December 6, 2020 - Holy blueberries. Good not great. Heavy blue fruit flavors, not showing any tertiary. Well balanced, with decent acid & tanin to spare. Will try the last bottle in another 2 years.
August 15, 2020 - Another 2012 NB that was not super exciting. The wine is good, but it doesn't bring the excitement I usually get from NB. I believe it has a lower acidity than other vintages and lacks this little freshness and intensity I crave for in this wine. Drink now or hold for a few more years.
March 25, 2020 - Excellent wine from Canada. This Bordeaux blend has firm tannins and acidity with black plum, violet and cedar on the nose. This had a nice long finish and paired well with a ribeye.
February 24, 2020 - Drank over 4 days. Lovely each time. Deep fruit becoming plummy on day four. Great balance w integrated tannins.
April 26, 2019 - Meaty and smoky characteristics. Paired beautifully with rib-eye steaks.