December 19, 2023 - PnP for a glass and then 10 min decant in the v spin. Upon pnp it is predominantly high toned and bright red fruit. A bit astringent with very strong acidity but also very pretty reminiscent of santa cruz mountains. After the decant, it is almost unrecognizable and the smoked meat and olive notes takeover but they are pretty light. I liked the post decant better than the pnp but it still drank very young and would wait at least 5 years before opening another.
December 13, 2023 - Pop and pour. Seems to have lost a step from the last showing. Cork showing penetration almost 2/3 of the way through. On the nose: classic blackberry, bacon fat, lavender cola. On the palate: acidity seems a touch attenuated and comes off somewhat thin. Soft tannin on the finish. This btl showed somewhat on the downslope.
November 24, 2023 - Really good. Still tannic, but in a way that adds rather than detracts, nicely balanced, tasting of meat and black pepper, very structured and long. This was drinkable from the moment we pulled the cork, but the lingering tannin suggests that it will last quite a while longer.
November 6, 2023 - This is truly remarkable and lovely. If you didn’t know this was California Syrah you would guess a riper year in Cote Rôtie. Which doesn’t mean this shows ripe. It doesn’t. Blackberry, rose, black olive, earth, black pepper and faint tobacco. Intoxicating aromatics. This is still young, but opening up and very drinkable now. I expect this will improve more. Impressive. I remember having this at the Rhys pickup party way back when and being so impressed I bought as much as I could get. 10 bottles.
September 21, 2023 - French and American Wine Tasting Dinner (USA): Double decanted in late morning and brought to a tasting dinner. Dark garnet color. Huge expressive nose out of the gate with a melange of dark berries and ripe black plum, as well as olive and earthy notes galore. Bright acidity and plenty of black pepper and olive as well as boysenberry, floral and light chocolate hints. Finish is amazingly long, Just doesn’t quit. Wonderful New World Syrah with an Old World sensibility. Decades of life left properly cellared.
Served blind to a group of 12 next to 2013 Dom. Jamet Côte-Rôtie. This was a shade lighter in color and a bit spicier. Group had a hard time showing a clear preference.
July 4, 2023 - Drinking great. Dark fruit, pepper, intensity without being overwhelming.
May 12, 2023 - First time with this pretty well known producer and I’m impressed. Dead ringer for northern Syrah here. Blueberries, bacon, olives and some florals on the nose. Really silky across the mid palate, tannins soft, acid noticeable. A pleasant “bite” on the finish that builds and builds, then comes down gently. Great stuff
April 7, 2023 - Delicious blackberry, floral, and pepper notes on the nose and silky palate with juicy tannins on the long finish.
March 17, 2023 - Strong aromatics of black olive, black pepper, and wild blueberries. It is rich and dense, and has enough acidity to keep it from feeling heavy. Herbaceous and meaty, with olive brine and black plums. The surprising taste of whiskey on the long finish. A Northern Rhône ringer, and quite good with our Hungarian goulash.
February 2, 2023 - Impressive and powerful nose of bay leaf wrapped plums. Really that’s my favorite part, could just keep smelling forever. Enough acid to keep it from feeling heavy and a moderately long finish with more intense herbs. Would never not think this was from Cali but has a clear thru line to the Rhône. Unique.