January 14, 2023 - Drinking very very well now
October 20, 2022 - Nathan’s Brittany Kamal Nancy bday at Classic dls
September 15, 2022 - Flash decant was all that was necessary. Ready to go right off of the bat. Long smooth finish, tannins are rounded but still there. Just a fantastic wine entering its prime.
September 1, 2021 - 8 hour slow ox. Same notes as previous bottle last April. Wonderfully crafted wine. Deep rich flavor, tannins resolved. Well into its drinking window.
July 13, 2021 - This wine has picked up more fullness and intensity in the almost-three years since I tasted it last (9/18 - 93-94 points). More round and welcoming than it was a few years ago, the wine still has some tannic bite (2013 + Howell Mountain, say no more). That said, it has filled out in admirable fashion - broadening fruit, integrating oak (no cedar notes this time), and making me think the best is still yet to come.
Dark red in color and full in body, the wine offers intriguing aromas of boysenberry (seeds and all), peppercorn, dried rosemary, crushed gravel, and dried thyme. The flavors are more forward, with notes of blueberry, pomegranate, graphite, espresso, and anise, followed by a silky finish that still has some prickly tannin. Blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and the remaining 11% Malbec and Merlot. 14.5% alcohol. 94-95 at the moment, but I'd wait until 2023 for the fireworks to really start.
March 25, 2021 - 1hour decant. Hitting on all cylinders. Coffee, black licorice, cassis, plum, and Mediterranean herbs. Tannins have largely resolved. This has plenty of life left but is drinking well right now.
September 15, 2020 - Two-hour decant. Round, palate-filling Howell Mountain Cabernet with red and black fruit, licorice, mocha, long finish. It kept evolving and really started singing after a total of three hours in the wide-bottom decanter. Not a complex wine but the flavors are pure, concentrated, and fabulous.
April 25, 2020 - 8 hour slow ox. Deep dark purple; alcohol had blown off; no heat; smoothed out tannins. Superb! Drink or hold.
April 18, 2020 - Clear deep purple with bug extracted legs; clean medium plus nose of jammy cassis, dark brambly fruit, cocoa, leather, graphite, baking spices and inky goodness; dry; high acidity; medium plus tannins; high alcohol; medium plus body; pronounced flavour intensity; pfn with addition of black licorice; long finish; drink now or in another 10 years; absolutely stunning wine - wish we had bought more; big and powerful while remaining elegant
April 14, 2020 - Deep ruby red. Dark nose with dark spices, herbs, bramble berries, cocoa, vanilla beans and black currants. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) with a full body. A bit of powdered chocolate on the palate with anise, volcanic soil, black cherries and even a little floral. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2040.