July 3, 2022 - Agree on the pepper with fruit and still a bit tight. I think it was too hot and humid out, and the food didn't do it favors, so while I thought it was pretty well made I couldn't get into it much. Will give my second bottle a better chance.
February 4, 2020 - Peppery, bright purple/blue fruit, relatively tight and wound up still, and quite tasty.
December 27, 2019 - Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, white pepper, potpourri, minerality. Medium body & acidity. Fragrant. Medium-plus acidity.
June 6, 2019 - Aging nicely though still on the young side. Notes unchanged from 2017.
November 3, 2018 - Raspberry, strawberry, dried herbs, minerality, spice, white pepper, potpourri. Medium body & acidity. Medium-long finish. Ready now, but no rush. Went well with pork tenderloin & squash.
December 8, 2017 - Very interesting and approachable wine. Some sweet herbs and bright fruit in the nose. Body is medium; silky mouthfeel with nice tannins. Very lingering finish. Have driven through the Yorkville Highlands on 128 for many years but this is worth a stop.
November 25, 2017 - Drank from magnum. Dark ruby color. Nose of ripe red fruits, baking spice, black pepper and a touch of cedar. Similar flavors on the palate with ripe and spicy red fruit flavors dominating. Medium acid, tannin and body. Not overly complex but an enjoyable wine to sit and sip or drink with food.
March 12, 2017 - Enjoyable already with a wide mix of red/blue/black fruits and a bit woodsy. Smooth mouthfeel from the grenache but structured. I look forward to watching it age.
March 7, 2017 - Firing on all cylinders right now... So good! Blueberries, violets, a high note of black and green pepper. Silky smooth texture, with a long finish. Enveloping. Delicious. Great.
August 14, 2016 - More red than blue in color. Bright tart nose—some earthiness. Initial impression belies the nose. Candied berry fruit on the tip of the tongue—cherry. As the wine passes back under the palate I get more earthiness and tartness, and the wine acquires sophistication and complexity. It does seem a bit hot, and I’m OK with that. As my taste buds are anesthetized by alcohol the annoying fruit syrup characteristic that I first noticed diminishes to the point that the wine becomes enjoyable, but still not my favorite Esquisto.