January 21, 2024 - This was a good wine - much better on day 2.
Pop and poured this on day 1 - felt like I was going to be disappointed. It felt hot on the nose, too much oak and alcohol on the nose. It was predominating. The mouthfeel was full bodied but a bit out of balance.
Put the cork back in and let it sit for 24 hours at room temperature. Lot better on the second day. The nose softened, lots of blackberries, dark chocolate, and a hint of pencil shavings. It is full bodied, much more balanced on the second day. Lots of fruit, tannins are in a good place. The finish was good, long, and smooth. The alcohol was present but very well integrated.Overall was really much more pleasant the second day. Really good wine.
March 11, 2023 - Sweet, silky, luscious deliciousness. Sappy cedar, Red Hots, cassis, and graphite. Slightly hot, otherwise a higher score.
May 26, 2022 - delicious
March 6, 2022 - Relieved and excited! Had first of 3 in 2018... Didn't know if it was flawed, or if I really disliked. It was flawed! Finally came back to it and really enjoyed this bottle. Drinking well now, and is of the caliber of a $100+ bottle as described.
September 27, 2021 - - Brick color and aromas of black currant and strawberry and has flavours of dusty, chocolate, cherry, strawberry and black currant with a full body with a medium finish.
April 30, 2020 - Unimpressed
April 22, 2020 - Nice nose, zingy tannins predominant over oak and dusky fruit. A bit hot though.
April 20, 2019 - Agree with others that it's drinking well now. Perfect with a NY strip tonight. Medium ruby color. Aromas of dark and dark red fruits, clove, cinnamon, wet slate, red hot candies, licorice, and walnuts. Medium body and acid, long finish, and flavors of dark and dark red fruits, cinnamon, blueberry, vanilla, clove, and dried spices. I'm enjoying it.
December 7, 2018 - Fruit forward with moderate oak , acid , and tannins. Very easy drinking.
November 23, 2018 - Very dark purple on the pour with aromas of blackberry - sweet. Viscous. Smooth. Definitely notes of oak and sweet fruit. And wow, the alcohol is there. Says 15.2% -- I am sure there is that and then some - and there is just no need for it. Honestly, it diminishes the luxuriousness of the wine. Past that, you can taste cinnamon, clove and other baking spices along with stewed fruit. Very drinkable now. EXTRA NOTE:. On day 2 the wine held up fairly well. By day 3, not so much. Very metallic at this point.