July 11, 2014 - Served side-by-side with the '01. The '02 had held up better, bit more of a purple fruit core. Still, past peak as the wine was not very integrated. Drink now.
December 29, 2013 - Last bottle of the 02, consistent with prior notes. This bottle was opened and drank over about 3 hours. Started to fade after 2 hours - hard to say if it was just this bottle, others were consumed faster.
Drink now
December 1, 2013 - Consistent with prior notes, still drinking well. Cloudy and a bit of sediment. With the remnants of an awesome Thanksgiving - nothing better... not the ideal paring but still good...
Black cherry, cedar, blackberry, plum. Still drinking well, mellowed and pleasant. Drink now.
January 6, 2013 - Pop & pour, paired with roast chicken and squash. Great, mature Bordeaux blend from Walla Walla. Black cherry pie, just a touch of sweetness, and quite complex. Cedar, earth, and asian spice showing through. Still has some time left too...
August 18, 2012 - This bottle had more life than I expected, nice surprise. Last bottle was a few years ago, this wine had been neglected in my cellar. Probably past it's peak but still very nice.
Dark purple color, a little cloudy. Floral nose, some anise. Alcohol blew off in about 15 minutes. Dark fruits, blackberry, chocolate, some spice, and plum. Medium finish, some Smoke and cedar on the finish.
Still great wine, especially for the price I paid at the time
October 8, 2011 - Paste its prime and not drinking well. Drink now if you have any.
July 25, 2010 - Huge surprise this wine is still good, going strong. Slight hints of age on the nose, much like a 10 year old CA cab. But really just stellar. Dark purple, can't see through it with an inch in the glass. Stone fruit, plum, lots of floral on the nose. Very smooth and rich rich rich dark cherry flavor that goes on and on. Finishes very nicely, elegant, but I wouldn't say polished. Hints of spice and smoke on the finish, probably the cab franc. Proof that this wine can shine with a lot of time in the cellar. Absolute steal if you can hang onto it this long.
August 30, 2008 - Great minerality, spice and earthiness. Old world taste with modest fruit and moderate texture.
June 21, 2006 - Not great, expected more for the $$. Decent structure but the fruit was pretty straight forward.