May 3, 2024 - Gorgeously impenetrable blue/black color, amazingly concentrated blue and black fruit aromas, with an ethereal bouquet of Bordeaux cigar box, dried tobacco, and graphite
The silky, fully integrated sweet blueberry and blackberry flavors persist throughout the entire palate, with a finish that does not finish. The medium-heavy mouthfeel is luxurious and elegant, resplendent with a sophisticated yet easily approachable and fully extracted, almost lugubrious delivery of heady fruit compote in silvery liquid form. This high altitude Sonoma Mayacamas Mountain beauty is easily worthy of a two to theee times price point inflation.
May 27, 2022 - This wine is an illustration of just why I deeply love vineyards from high-altitude and volcanic slopes. While still full-bodied and intense like a Napa Cab, the acidity and concentration of the grapes adds another facet, while the smoky minerality adds yet another. I gave this about 1.5h air, but I doubt that was necessary. Deep ruby color. Note of dark plum and black cherry, crushed gravel, white pepper and sandalwood. Creamy and rich, the palate offers deep dark fruit, framed by chalky tannins and a hint of truffle in the lingering finish. Seductive and mature, but I suspect this has at least 4-5 years left in it.
May 15, 2020 - Minerals and smoke. Hint of vanilla.
December 24, 2019 - Enough structure here to make it high quality but really missing some fruit. Chalky consistency with musty blackberry, graphite, cassis, and damp earth. Has time but thinking to drink this in the next couple years.
December 6, 2018 - Has the stuff to age for sure. Grainy tannins, graphite/lead, spice and black fruit, although not as much fruit up front as I would like. Should setttle into itself in a few more years and improve.
August 24, 2018 - Spicy at end. Cherry flavor at the beginning.
June 24, 2018 - deep color, good mouthfeel, very smooth. dak cherry, good structure, fruit lingers then vanilla on the back.
great value,
June 10, 2018 - BlackBerry, dark cherry, nutmeg, strong graphite element, tar, barbecue sauce component which I like. Smooth mouth feel and high tannin. This was one dimensional and entirely fruit driven for the first 2 or 3 hours of being open and then developed the complexity. Almost a completely different wine after some air. Don’t judge it too sone and decant for a few hours before drinking.
April 22, 2018 - Longdecant and drank as before Very nice wine.
April 3, 2018 - 2nd bottle out of three I bought. I originally tried it at a tasting and was vainly impressed. My first bottle was just fair and I was mightily disappointed. I opened this bottle last night and just had one glass. Again disappointed as it did not live up to what I first tasted. But tonight.
, 24 hrs later, this has blossomed into a really good typical Cali cab. Extremely dark in the glass and a nose that shows graphite, charcoal sweet plumbs and a touch of berries. In the mouth a nice dose of acidity frames the the fruit in a very balanced way. I get dark red fruits, heavy graphite and some oak. Maybe this is just young or needs a long decant. Best showing yet. Have to reconsider buying again.