April 1, 2024 - I have not had this wine in 5 plus years. I was expecting overblown and flabby but was the opposite. Good structure with firm tannins. Dark fruit and ripe but actually some freshness. Probably at peak now.
February 8, 2024 - This was really outstanding. Held on to one bottle and wished I had held more. That's ok because the quality is consistent across vintages. I haven't splurged on any of the more expensive bottlings from Bevan but I may have to in the future.
December 18, 2023 - Held a bottle back to discover how it aged. It aged well! All the elements of a wonderful Ontogeny are there in spades with lots of vitality and depth.
October 29, 2023 - Popped and poured; siphoned roughly 50% of the bottle off into a 375ml for the following day. This is a deep red wine with some modest sediment at the end of the bottle. I would recommend decanting, both because of the sediment and because I thought this improved with air. On the fragrant nose, I get blackberry, fruitcake, coffee grounds, and a distinctive spicy and herbal note (almost a tad green, which I found odd for the vintage). In the mouth, this is rich and layered, displaying dark fruits combined with a soft, enjoyable texture. The finish is smooth and chewy, with a raw-chocolate-like top note. Overall, this was a pleasurable wine, one that is somewhat reminiscent of a quality Margaux from a warmer vintage. It opened nicely on day two, so one could hold for several more years or give it a few hours in a decanter before enjoying. At $95, the quality of the wine exceeds the pricing relative to most Napa reds from non-conglomerate producers. 92 points.
September 29, 2023 - Perfection right now
August 20, 2023 - Big red, dark purple, spirited acid, hot. Definitely not a PNP. Took more thanthree hours of air/decanting to begin enjoying this wine. Don't think I will open another bottle for at least 2 years. 91 now with potential for higher down the road
October 21, 2022 - Dark purple color turning violet at the rim with a reflective edge. The nose is intriguingly ripe but age has definitely changed the profile to suggest Old World character with smoky blackberry, mushrooms and wet garage. The palate is full-bodied with spicy blackberry, dark cherry notes, cinnamon, nutmeg and dark chocolate. Thereās vibrant acidity but the alcohol is quite elevated that thereās a burning sensation that stretches all the way to the back of the throat. Finishes long and elevated with hints of vanilla bean and espresso on the toasted oak. Drink now with a 30-minute decant until 2033.
March 8, 2022 - Pop and pour but improved with a little air. This is a spectacular showing of Bevan's entry-level cuvee with chewy tannins, mature red and black fruit integrated with ripe acid, full palate.
November 14, 2021 - Dinner with friends and everybody loved this wine
Personally fin it a bit much and overdoneā¦..more for everybody else
July 25, 2021 - Dark red needed good 2 hour decant
Definitely needs food to accompany
Rest of bottles can wait a few years