March 9, 2024 - Decanted a couple hours before tasting with dinner of grilled steaks and venison medallions. Surprisingly youthful appearance with no bricking or signs of age. Still rather primary fruited with blackberry, plum and cassis. Nose and palate show moderately heavy new oak aging. Reasonably good depth, complexity, and balance. Minerals/graphite. Chewy texture. Nice package though not assertively compelling. Probably ageable longer still in a cool cellar, by no means near the end of its life. Much better today than its early scores would indicate.
January 14, 2018 - This was a nice surprise... In my cellar since release. It was decanted at 5:30pm and tasted through 9pm when it was gone. The nose is lightly fragrant with a mix of floral, oaky and fruit notes. The color is medium to dark garnet with no sign of age. It has a very elegant and feminine style about it with balanced fruit, acidity and alcohol and just a hint of mostly integrated tannin. It is light on the tongue and dances with layers of red and black fruit, earthy herbal notes, mocha and graphite. Well balanced and old world in nature with a nice long finish and a hint off black tea. This was simply a joy to drink with a grilled prime strip steak. Probably as good as it will get but by no means tired.
August 31, 2017 - I was very happy to see this wine hold up really well - thought maybe window was closing - think not. Decanted for an hour silky smooth with plum, cocoa and cinnamon. Full body and spicy oak on the nose. YUM!! Maybe 5 more years....Really Good Cally Cab!!
October 30, 2016 - Opened, aerated and decanted. Deep dark purple with no evidence of aging on the rim, Raspberries and blackberries with black pepper, spice and green pepper on the nose. Silky smooth with rich raspberry, plum and cocoa, cinnamon flavors. Moderate tannins remain. Medium to full body. Long finish. Should continue to drink well for another 5 years.
September 6, 2013 - Ok
August 17, 2013 - Smooth tannins and nice berry notes. This needs to be opened now since it will not last much longer.
December 25, 2012 - on the edge per se aging, but great with my filet for Christmas. nice balance of old fruit and soft tannins but will not last another year, even at 55 degrees. drink it now and enjoy.
November 25, 2012 - Deep garnet color. There is some bottle sediment. Dark red fruit aromas filled the space when opened. The mouthfeel is smooth, round, and I still noticed the subdued tannins.
Lots of complexity and some enjoyably rich flavors. It’s a flavor-rama of black cherry, currants, caramel, and espresso.
This wine doesn’t have any more secrets to reveal, every thing this wine is going to be is delivered in the glass. I appreciated that on its last lap of the race, this wine still delivers.
October 22, 2011 - shared this wine with pat at selkirk manor. this bottle was a gift from laura. legs on the glass wall bring to mind kahlil gibran-tears and laughter. such sweet sorrow. the wine is better than ever. color still somewhat youthful. fully integrated rich fruit with sweet tannins holding everything together. very slight sedimentation does not interfere with enjoying the wine down to the last drop in the last glass. still has a lingering finish. great california cab. wish i had more. can easily go at least another year if not longer.
February 8, 2011 - Sexy, seductive cassis and mature cherry on the palate. Firm backbone and rustic tannins. Full bodied and nice mouth feel. Entry is a bit rough but the finish is just shy of smooth. An interesting wine at this stage.