January 7, 2024 - gave this an hour in the decanter, and drank with roast chicken dinner. dense black and red fruits -dark cherry stands out. well balanced with integrated tannins, forest floor, mocha, hint of anise, decent finish
This is my second of three bottles, and it is probably drinking near its peak for me.
January 6, 2024 - PnP and hit its stride in 30 min. Not in a position to take notes but a great way to close out the evening.
December 17, 2023 - Showing well. A bit of pyrazines among lots of fruit and concentrated yet balanced flavors
October 31, 2023 - Head to head with the O'Shaughnessy 2014 Howell Mountain. Critics say the Howell is better than the Mt. Veeder until the 10 year point, and they were right, although by a narrow margin: 6/5 tasters favored the Howell over the Mt. Veeder
August 21, 2023 - Produced the same experience as two bottles earlier this year. Drinking very well right now. Was open for an hour and a half with no decant.
June 14, 2023 - This is the second bottle of this wine that I have consumed.....both for special occasion dinners at restaurants. In both cases it was a big hit. It is drinking very well right now. I doubt it will improve from here. So, pull a bottle whenever an appropriate occasion arises.
June 2, 2023 - This wine has evolved to a great drinking spot. The bottle was open with no decant for a little over an hour in a restaurant. It was terrific from the first sip.
May 8, 2023 - PNP for leftover sphaghetti/meatballs tonight. Ready to go right from the open. No decant needed. It's deep purple in the glass with a beautiful dark fruit nose, a little brown herbs and cassis. The HMCs thought there was a chemical component on the nose, we did not. The palate was pure, silky dark red fruit and a cola component as GT says in his review. Perfectly balanced acidity and well integrated and polished tannins. Certainly wish I had more of this one......95 is my minimum score for this one, still mulling over a 96-97 only because it was so well put together and perfectly aged at an in between point for the Cali cab drinker. Just barely hinting at the edge of a secondary phase starting. All the harshness of the alc and baby fat has melted away to reveal a really balanced beauty. Moderate sediment in the bottle, so pour carefully.
April 24, 2023 - Gave this an hour of air and it hit on all cylinders. All the hallmarks of Veeder, dark cherry, red berries, forest floor, cola, nice tannic structure giving way to a long finish. I absolutely loved this wine and these are so consistent year on year. My WOTN, the group had this 2 of 3.
March 20, 2023 - Continues to shine at it matures. Improved with about an hour of air and kept singing from there. No rush to open. Great QPR