February 1, 2024 - Nose is dominated by blackberry, but sensed tar and alcohol as well. Dark red color, almost opaque. Palate has a core of blue dark fruit and oak, tannins were stiff after 90 minutes. A lot going on here. Has several good years ahead
November 19, 2023 - So much better than a year ago. I highly recommend this one
August 6, 2023 - Dark red, Red fruit nose and taste, very little tannin. Starting to drink now, but can hold for at least five or more.
June 9, 2023 - Getting much better. Oak is strong on the nose, black cherry, gravel. Needs about 30 minutes of air to really open up. Drink or hold.
January 14, 2023 - This wine needed a decent. But after 60-90 mins, the cab franc came out. Some barnyard funk on the nose, red fruit, espresso. Wine was tannic and tight, some red fruit and green bell pepper. Likely could have used 2-3 more years in bottle.
December 23, 2022 - V-spin for 5 minutes based on these tasting notes, and although still somewhat grippy after being open for an hour, the 2016 Firebelle was delicious with pasta in a tomato meat sauce. Seems as though it will continue to improve each year.
June 18, 2022 - Already showing nice secondary flavors at this young age. Promising.
May 17, 2022 - Red fruit and eucalyptus on the nose. I know it may not match, but I get more blackberry and blueberry on the palate. The finish is medium with plenty of tannins. I’ll try the next bottle in 6 months. I got this bottle on the open market for half the price I paid directly to the winery. The QPR is solid at that price point.
January 15, 2022 - Solid, decent but not all the way home for this price point.
I am still working on Day 2 of the bottle as I write but had been expecting more. Definitely softened up on Day 2 but still quite one dimensional with almost no nose to speak of
I am not well versed in Merlot but observe that other offerings (e.g., Duckhorn's standard bottling) are just as good at half the price.
I want to like this more and rate this higher but just can't right now.
More bottles await ....
December 14, 2021 - Pop n pour. Just so so. Resealed and will try again on day #2