January 1, 2024 - Gave this two hours of air and it opened up nicely.
Had a smokey essence, chocolate as well, not real plush, light in body but not off-putting.
Really enjoyed this after getting used to it.
Feels like it is getting closer to the end, like it may go flat, so recommend drinking sooner than later.
October 6, 2023 - Taste: jammy and smooth. Black berries and blue berries with a nice finish. Light tannins.
April 26, 2023 - My last bottle of Bressler. Sad to see it go, as we’ve enjoyed a good number of bottles across different vintages and always liked the style. Even had a nice visit with Bob Bressler at his house and backyard vineyard about a decade a go. Good memories.
November 15, 2022 - WIML92
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of violets, plums, currants, potpourri and soapstone. Flavors of plums, raspberries, cherries and plums. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
February 24, 2022 - Good not great tonight. The ‘12 and ‘14 are both showing better at the moment.
March 25, 2021 - In a up and down phase. One sip has an incredible nose but no flavor. Next sip has flavor but no nose. Next sip is a hot mess. Next sip is as close to glorious perfection a cab can be. Then the cycle rotates in some combination already mentioned.
I think this needs time and is just in a phase. It had moments of brilliance that I hope become more pronounced with time.
March 24, 2021 - Full body with ripe Cherry & Blackberry - touch of Oak & Coffee with soft ripe Tannins. Long fruity finish with a hint of Vanilla. A complex & sophisticated wine that paired well with Rib-Eye. Shame they are not making any more after the 2015.
January 21, 2021 - WIML94
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over two hours.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of violets, dark plums, black pepper, black currants and a hint of soapstone towards the finish. Flavors of black cherries, black boysenberries and plums. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
June 12, 2020 - I am really continuously impressed by these wines. Deep, dark, intense blackberry compote. This wine has a lot of spiciness up front, very good deep black fruit in the middle, spicy finish, stiff oak tannin. Quite a bit softer than I remember other bottles being, yet at the same time the stiff oak tannin are definitely here and definitely has a lot of growing to do. Even still, if you open one of these up now, you'll still be quite impressed. I think the best years of this wine are probably coming in 2024 or so, but there is nothing wrong with this young black-fruited wine at the moment.
February 24, 2020 - Rich and layered, drinkable now with steak with a decent decant, but tons of stuffing if you prefer Cabs with some age. Wish I had more.