September 22, 2023 - This was pure pleasure tonight! It has aged so well yet I would never guess the vintage just by the taste. Big and luscious but also round with no hard edges and a strong finish. Not long, but not short. Tannins are relatively soft. Acid is moderate. I couldn't sense the 16% alcohol, though after 2 glasses I'm a little more buzzed than I should be.
All in all I find this a very impressive wine for what it is from when it is. Naysayers said this would never hold up and would fall apart after a few years. They were wrong.
September 16, 2023 - Tasted/reviewed blind (and drunk). A stupid smelling wine of oaky chocolate and vanilla. Stupid and low class New World winemaking. Overripe fruit with no acidity. Tastes like overripe syrah with plenty of black pepper. Stupid and New World. Idiot winemaking. Sorry to be blunt but get this shit out of here. My guess: California syrah. Rating: 85.
March 20, 2021 - Still drinks amazing. This was my last bottle of that vintage and this still remains one of my favorite wines ever.
January 24, 2020 - My last battle of this vintage, still drinking well. Consumed over three days. Black cherry fruit is still showing over a decade in the bottle.
September 29, 2019 - Delicious and I do not taste the high alcohol. Seemed perfectly balanced.
September 15, 2019 - Is in good shape and well made but 16 pc not my bag
July 25, 2019 - Black and blue berry chocolate cordial. Medium acidity with low tannin. Salty, asphalt finish that is a little sweet-tart. Not bad. Drink up or use in your favorite wine cocktail. It definitely packs a punch.
Sorry for the pun =(
July 17, 2019 - My last battle of this and I stand by all my recent notes; while on the downswing, definitely not over the hill (assuming good cellaring). Thick, licorice and cough syrup accents, but in balance and tasting good. Drank over three nights (under pump) and held up.
February 26, 2019 - Definitely on the downswing, but still quite drinkable. In fact, was probably best third night under pump. Sorry I waited though. Great value.
October 6, 2018 - tasted this originally in 2007 at a tasting and all these years