July 11, 2020 - Delicious golden flavours of burnt toffee and butterscotch. The oak is starting to get nicely integrated and whilst it is very much there, it is not overwhelming. Slight creamy aftertaste which is very moreish.
December 14, 2019 - Sunfish Cellars Napa Valley Extravaganza (Sunfish Cellars/I Nonni Minneapolis, MN): Big style. Carmel, oak, vanilla, orange peel, apple and spices. Picks up some floral notes on the finish. Long, concentrated finish.
October 16, 2018 - Medium yellow. A booming and clamorous nose offers aromas of roasted pineapple, cantaloupe syrup, baked apple, banana leaf, brown butter and lots of toast and oak spice. Full bodied on the palate, quite lush with high alcohol, diminished acidity and forceful fruit and oak flavors. There's no subtlety here, but this is a style that some appreciate.
September 29, 2018 - Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 3 *shared* IMPRESSIVE reds] from 09/28/18] (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Attractive butter with undertones of lemons; Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish OAK/frt firmed by VERY slightly astringent acidity which quite loses the majority of its punch by the LONG, VERY slightly tangy, very, VERY slightly bitter finish. May still improve through Spring '19, then drink into, probably through, '21. My EXC- in an oak dominant style. 92 pts WS. [This vendor's $43.95 is $3 < wine-searcher's next lowest listing.]
August 20, 2018 - Better than the last bottle but still not blowing me away. A bit one dimensional. Heavy oak classic California chard. Not bad, just think there is better for around the same price point (eg Pahlmeyer).
February 3, 2018 - Winebar [2 Whts & 8 Reds] from 2/2/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Fragrant butter/vanilla melding with distinct notes of lemons
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt met by some firming, SLIGHTLY bitterish astringency which does PRETTY much mitiate by the LONG, ult tangy/swt finish with the swtness ascending over time. Poss still coming together, I'd give this until mid '18, then drink it into early '21. A solid buy IF one is seeking an oak-driven style. My VG+/EXC-; 92 pts WS. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 5 sources from $55-$60].
Addendum: Also tasted on 9/29/18