February 26, 2024 - Probably still needs time, very balanced wine but perhaps a tad boring right now. Came in 3rd out of 4 Washington Reds in a blind tasting. Recommend hold or long decant as the last sip was the best.
November 8, 2023 - Decanted 1.5 hours. An outstanding effort, highly extracted dark fruit with notes of black raspberry, cherry, strawberry, glycerin and graphite. This wine is very well balanced and has silky mouthfeel. Tannins are soft and well integrated with a long satisfying finish. Paired with venison osso bucco.
November 5, 2023 - Decanted for over 30 minutes before pouring at a local restaurant. Long finish, notes of blueberry, but not as much as I get in the younger Q.C. wines (such as the CVR), some spices and great nose. A real treat. How much better could the flagship Cabernet be?
November 2, 2023 - Delicious
May 29, 2023 - double decanted and it took a couple of hours to fully open up. Then is was singing.
January 1, 2023 - Decanted 3 hours. Maraschino cherry, nutmeg and a little licorice on the nose which isn't tight but is perhaps a little reticent. Fruit is so pure on the palate. Ripe black currants and baking spices are dominant. On a knifes edge of balance but manages to be with only a little alcohol showing through. Finishes extremely long with a little kirsch. Fine and flowing tannins well integrated at this stage with a vibrant carrying acidity. Probably has 15 or more years in it.
If the alcohol and the bit of kirsch were dialed back I'd give this 97 or 98.
December 25, 2022 - Decanted >2 hours. Paired on Xmas Eve with Beef Wellington. Reviewing my notes from 3 years ago, this wine is still on point and a classic Cab. Still kicking and many more years of life left.
Classic Cab Sauvignon. Decanted >1 hour. On the nose, everything you want from a top rated cab. Big black fruit, smoke, vanilla, cola, spice and pepper. I was surprised how much fruit there was in the mouth. Pepper and spice with mild tannins. Super long, delicious finish. One of the best cabs I have tasted. Outstanding wine.
December 7, 2022 - There is a bitterness dominating this wine which is unpleasant. Maybe this will go away with time, but right now this covers up the underlying flavors. Will try again in several days. Won't try another bottle for 5 years.
November 18, 2022 - World class cab. Checks all the right boxes. Pure and balanced. Just wow.
November 5, 2022 - The Nearly Annual Lyon 10 Year Retro Tasting #24, Wines of Washington (Lyon Again, Eugene, OR): My WOTN (thanks Kyla and Joe!), this bottle was both silky and dense, deep and dark, fruity and savory. Blackberry, cassis, stone, leather, cocoa and spice just go, go, go...tannins there but nicely hiding for Halloween. 96 on day 2. WOW! Now-2030.