October 29, 2023 - Really starting to find its stride. I thought a year ago that this one was still a bit astringent but I think the year has done this one well. Nose of red licorice, brambleberry pie, herbs, wildflowers, and the palate mimics the nose. This has a medium+ body, a hint of walnut on the finish. Tannin has started to integrate and resolve itself on the finish with a walnut kind of mouthfeel on the back end. This wine honestly could still hold another 3-5 years, and I think what will happen during that time is the tannin will definitely soften and round out even more. Really nice wine in a very good spot and definitely one that is really ready to go with minimal decant.
January 13, 2022 - PnP 1/13/22. A little closed at the outset on day 1. Much better on 1/15 (didn’t try any 1/14). I agree with other statements on it being different than other GM7, likely due to the vintage overall. I respectfully disagree with the tasting window. Based on this bottle, should last to 2024+ with ease.
February 3, 2021 - not as full bodied as I was expecting although probably pretty good for 2011
April 19, 2020 - Not much has really changed since November 2019 with exception to the finish which is less astringent and more rhubarb and red fruit cola. Really a nice 92-93 pointer and definitely a different GM7 from other years on both sides. But this 11 was made with incredible structure from great fruit therefore this one will certainly hold another 10 years or so. I have actually managed to not freak out and drink these 11s too fast so I still have one left. Going to try to make it a couple of years before revisiting.
February 15, 2020 - Good california cab. Pretty well integrated with lots of big dark fruit and licorice but just not really my cup of tea.
November 25, 2019 - Having 3 of these I figured it would be a nice time to see how this one is doing. Well, I think that this one has probably reached the very front of the optimal drinking window. Took about 15 minutes of air. The nose was red fruit, mint, red licorice, raspberry and oak. Lossa lossa oak. Entry is a little acidic, minty, flinty, red fruit dominant. Middle of this wine tones down a bit and really finds a nice little groove. Finishes with a lot of astringency (say what?) for a 2011. Structure is what. Quality is what. And I think this one has the power to go another 15 years and be juuuust fine, which I'm not sure I could say about many 2011's from the Napa floor. Drink with 30 minute decant or hold for another 5-10 years.
February 9, 2019 - Checked in again on this one, mainly due to a fellow wino opening his. This wine has done a lot of growing in over 2 years but was told that this one was drinking much better on Day 2. Drink now with a LOOONG decant or better yet, hold for another 2-3 years.
March 10, 2018 - Triple aerated- a soirée on bottle poured through a vinturri down the side of a show decanter. No need to wait to drink. ( previous bottles needed about an hour, which was tough to make it to without drinking it all. So much more open with layers of flavor than previous tastings. Great color and nose, with a nice balance of fruit and tannins. Blueberries and leather with a hint of tobacco.
August 27, 2017 - Great bottle. Still young and tight but extraodinary fruit.
I had to areate it for 5 minutes on the Vino Volve areator and then let it sit for a couple hours. Really brought it to life.
May 12, 2017 - After about an hour and a half of being open, this was so incredibly supple. Dark purple and almost black in the glass. Blackberries and raspberries on the nose...faint hint of pepper. Absolutely perfectly balanced on the palate...blackberry pie, blackberry preserves, plum, red and black licorice on the palate. This is so delicious now, but in 3-4 years, this will be absolutely divine. Up there with Red Cap in best wines of 2011.