December 17, 2020 - Lots of fruit, still vibrant, but ultimately a little underwhelming with little complexity.
October 22, 2020 - Just opened, this 15 year old wine had a see-through redish color, and a taste dominated by the 15.5% alcohol. Blends 65% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Merlot, which normally would have a highly fruity and complex taste. Thankfully, the wine tasted much better by the next day, and was especially good with a bloody steak, rice, and small potatoes.
November 20, 2019 - This still had lots of life. Softened over the years. I think the shraz is giving way to the cab and merlot. Decanted and opened for about six hours helped open up the red fruit.
November 17, 2019 - I stand by my earlier note from a couple years ago. Where is this 2012 drink by date coming from? While maybe this is no longer at a peak, it's still doing great. Good balance on the flavors, lacking in a little complexity, but not at all like a wine 7 years past its prime.
June 30, 2019 - Tasting great after 14 years. Shiraz is there, but it is a key component and not overwhelming.
February 11, 2018 - Great Table wines
November 16, 2017 - I don't know where this 2012 end date is coming from. This is still going strong, and perhaps better than ever. Heavy, syrupy, licoricy overtones more in sync/balance now. This was good drinking over three nights. I have one more bottle. Drink anytime, but not over the hill by any means.
July 2, 2017 - Prunes and tobacco. Very dark and intense almost too much of a good thing. A lot of flavour for a low price - good value.
November 7, 2016 - Very dark with a slightly brick edge along with a supremely dense and lush texture, cocoa and vanilla aromas, and a rich fruit mix of blackberry, black cherry, and boysenberry. However, the wine also is heavy, flabby, and suffers throughout with a hot alcoholic taste. Overall, a good example of how being big and concentrated is not enough to make a wine outstanding. However, superb with black beans.
January 29, 2016 - Still huge, syrupy, licorice. Not sure if I tired of this profile or if it's over the hill, but never really seemed to get in balance for a mid-90 score.