September 11, 2020 - ACU
September 16, 2017 - There's still life in this wine, and perhaps I was at the point of palate fatigue when we got around to tasting this one, but I was underwhelmed this time around with this wine. It might have shown better as a standalone wine than as part of a tasting.
November 5, 2016 - Still kicking, initial nose of leather and some dusty black fruit, evolving into more eucalyptus and redder fruit. I hadn't tasted it when it was young but there's still considerable fruit on the palate, boysenberry and cedar, cocoa powder and cassis, medium plus bodied with a pipe tobacco and prune finish that goes on for quite a while. Still a bit of tannin and decent acid to keep it feeling lively. I'd say this has at least a few more years in it with a nice blend of youthful character with some nice secondary flavors creeping in.
May 6, 2016 - Drink in a magnum bottle drinking awesome. Sweet raspberry dark blueberry. Prunes and summer hey with a hint of current Beautiful garnet with nice little legs.
December 8, 2014 - I certainly hope this is what aged Stags Leap Cabernet is supposed to taste like because I love it. Deep plum, blackberry, cedar and a long, long finish. So balanced now. I have loved this wine for a long time and believe it has gotten to a very happy place. Enjoy!
October 26, 2014 - Surprisingly good.
January 18, 2014 - Look, I'm lucky to be drinking this. You should be so lucky. Well integrated fruit and smooth graphite. Some tannins. Not at its peak? I love this but my wife prefers the long shadows sequel, but what does she know. Ok it caused me to drop cheese on Andreas hair, but it's a great bottle.
August 5, 2013 - Could be fading a bit, so good, down from great. A bit of Napa oak barrel and not quite as smooth as past bottles. Could be palate/pairing issues, but we always want to point at the bottle, right? :)
November 20, 2011 - disappointing, unfortunately it followed a very good bottle and this one just did not stack up. Half the bottle did not make it over night, ended up down the drain. Would not buy this wine again, second disappointing wine from Hartwell.
June 29, 2011 - Nice grape juice.