April 28, 2024 - I've experienced this wine many times since the first time it crossed my path about 12 years ago. Today in 2024, I can say it has likely reached its absolute peak. Although it shows no signs of slowing down. There is definitely no hurry to open this but at the same time everything has really come together and it's singing in its full harmonic potential.
The first whiff off the top made me say green olives and blackberry syrup. And intriguing blend of aromatic delights for sure.
As the wine continues to open it reveals layers of black currant, sweet pinewood, fresh moist tobacco, a little bit of herbes de Provence, In just a little tiny streak of graphite and iron but in the most perfectly integrated way not sticking out like a tired wine..
When you drink it, it seems to crescendo on the palate like a cymabal wash. It leaves this scintillating feeling of sparkly acid and tannins on the back end of your palate.
All the flavor intensity you could ever want is there, All the aromatic intensity. The layers of complexity. The utterly integrated texture and structure. I'm really struggling to come up with anything about this wine that I don't like. It is nearly perfect.
December 21, 2023 - Definitely at peak age. Drink em if you got em...
January 16, 2023 - Still very nice, but starting its descent. Drink up if you have any.
November 19, 2022 - Served blind. Very complex; full bodied. Definitely some Cab Franc showing in this blend. Dark fruited, with unusual but not unappealing cruciferous, mushroom and bell pepper notes. Upon reveal, I thought "who does MV blends in California?"
July 28, 2022 - Delicious mature red blend. Complex and balanced acidity, Drink or hold
December 19, 2021 - Gorgeous, well made wine. Dark fruited, balanced, moderate tannins. Somehow manages to be complex and remarkably smooth at the same time.
One of the best Napa cabs I've ever had. And I have one more to go!
November 1, 2021 - Had at dinner at Toma in Santa Barbara. Beautiful cab still drinking very well.
January 19, 2021 - This wine needs a few hours of air to be at its best. Nice fruit with graphite and other secondary flavors. Drink or hold.
January 3, 2021 - Beautifully balanced wine. No excess anywhere; nothing overpowers the nose or taste; not a "fruit bomb" or jammy or overly ripe or sweetish. "Subdued" is very descriptive, but doesn't convey all the elements of the wine that make it so enjoyable. Nothing particularly stands out to detract from the other elements, but still interesting enough to keep you sticking your nose in the glass and tasting. I've no real experience with this wine, but don't think I would hold it much longer.
October 11, 2020 - A well crafted finale, indeed. Nose of blackberry, leather, cream soda, and, at times, licorice. In the mouth, blackberry and pomegranate dominate, with cranberry notes and milk chocolate in the background. The wine finishes short, with medium tannins and an echo of fresh raspberry.