October 2, 2021 - Fragrant nose of cherry and dark fruits, maybe a touch too much alcohol on the nose. On the palate it’s got a great middle, vibrant. Quite enjoyable. Price jumped a lot after 2014 which is a bit tough to swallow.
February 10, 2021 - Presentation: a little over the top: the vintage is inscribed on a white medal of sorts that is glued and tied around the bottle. A bottle which is in typical big-dick Californian style, big. The idea being with these wines, that bigger is better. ... (see what Jancis Robinson has to say about this, its funny). And then the dog motif.... Who doesn't like dogs, etc, etc...
Well, behind all this very self conscious gimmickry lies a weighty, substantial wine. The nose is immediately present, as though someone rang a bell! The sound is a smell and it says "fruit!" Red fruit but also hints of banana, it is enveloping, comforting. The mouthfeel is substantial, viscous, coating. A finish that lasts very long, and there it is, a wine behind all the makeup! Like a one night stand that actually seems like it may turn out to be more...
The bottles I got were covered in dust in my local shop, potential customers turned off by the little red cord and the "medal" and so on... so I got the rest, but now the 14 is out and the 15 and 16 are nearly double the price. One night stand after all then.
November 22, 2020 - Consumed about ten years too early. This was excellent upon opening, great three hours later, and will be fantastic in 2030.
July 20, 2020 - Cigar box, currant, black olive, bay leaf, and raspberry give this a tightly wound Oakville feel that almost wants to open up full throttle but remains restrained through the long finish.
April 10, 2020 - Full bodied. Tannins need time to relax. Age.
March 25, 2020 - Easy to drink. Really enjoyed this wine
January 12, 2020 - Modest nose of red fruit, with graphite, tobacco and green pepper. Tastes of currant, cherry, cedar, leather and tobacco. Good balance and drinking well now.
January 29, 2019 - Another year in the cellar made quite a difference....very tame tannins...beautiful mouthful of grapes
December 8, 2018 - Full bodied; raspberries move into tar and pipe tobacco. Amazing. Tannins are still gripping. Absolutely buy.
October 21, 2018 - This wine is easy drinking, soft tannins and mild acidity. If you like a big, robust cab, then you won't like this. Bought at Costco for $29. Won't buy again