April 19, 2024 - Similar to prior notes after a 2 hour double decant, still no bicking on the rim; outstanding & likely at peak, drink or hold, no rush
January 22, 2024 - Double decanted 1 hr prior. Dense maroon and ruby color. Light cedar, tiny amount of BO, linen, and hint of raspberry on nose. Watermelon, cherry, hint of pepper, cedar, raspberry on the palate with lengthy 45-50 sec finish. Extremely smooth, and a great representation of aged classic Napa, although I suspect it is past its peak.
December 25, 2023 - Similar to 2003 but a bit more tannic (not surprising). Balanced and restrained if that’s what you want out of Napa. Shows well and is enjoyable but lacks the mid palate I find in Cabs I enjoy more,
October 24, 2023 - Dinner at Obica (NYC) with Paolo. This bottle purchased at release, in my cellar since. Decanted, open for 45 minutes prior to drinking. paired with some charcuterie and small bites.
Dark garnet/cherry color, some browning. Nose was showing dark fruits, plum, spice. Palate shows blackberry, plum, red currant, graphite and cedar. Full body, long finish.
Rich and expressive but not overdone. Luxurious texture, persistence of the palate is notable. Just a great showing on this evening. Glad i bought these and forgot about them for a while...age has done this well. As noted, this was a well stored bottle, the showing suggestes 10+ years ahead of it
October 22, 2023 - Method: Pop and pour; Cab glass; cellar temp; drank in a social setting and my notes aren't as detailed as usual
Nose: blackberry; black cherry; dry soil; forest floor
Palate: black cherry, graphite, pencil shavings; high- tannin; medium acidity
Overall thoughts: As usual, this has a good balance between an expressive modern/hedonistic wine and a more serious wine. It's drink well right now but has plenty of life left. Really great wine. At least 93 points.
March 23, 2023 - Very dark red, with rich browning. Earthy on the nose, with dark plums and blackberries and winters spices. The tannins are beautifully blended and silky smooth and perfectly balanced. Medium to full bodied. Not a fruit bomb, but a little on the sickly side of sweet, with long luscious legs. This wine is drinking well now, it I think easily has another 5-6 years or more and might even improve a little. Very very enjoyable. Tried after 30 min decant, but I am thinking I should have given it at least an hour.
February 14, 2023 - On PnP, this is sex in a glass. And not just any sex, but epic sex. I've had this wine many times, and each time, it's mind blowing, sensual, OMG am I glad I have 7 more bottles stuff. Medium to full-bodied, with cedar, currants, lead pencil, spice and astoundingly lovely juicy fruits and balanced, resolved tannins. The nose is something that wants you to just sniff and be reluctant to drink because you have to move your nose. Just so deep, with rich, dark fruits. HOLY SHIT. Long, long finish. Enough acid left to keep it real, but this wine is mature. But at least 10 years left, or more. Lots, and I mean lots, of sediment. Enough to clog the bottle insert filter during the decant. But NONE of the bitterness typically present with that much muck.
When I open wine like this after preserving it in pristine condition since release, I know this is why I collect great wine.
Going to have this with rack of lamb, crusted with panko, mustard, rosemary, thyme and lots of garlic.
If you don't have some of this, you really want to find some and put aside an evening to kvell over it (look it up for the Yiddish challenged). Trust me. Really.
Wow, just wow.
45 mins later, this is even better. More integrated, with the fruits and a sweetness predominant now. Silky tannins, long. long finish. Hard to stay out of the decanter.
December 4, 2022 - Beautiful wine drinking very well here we did a slow ox, but this really needs decanting. Was showing especially well at 45 minutes. Big fruit still persists fruit tannins are quite well structured and pronounced but oak tannins are relaxed. There is still good youth and vibrancy to the wine.
November 24, 2022 - This is evolving nicely with still a decade or more to go. Riper than expected.
November 12, 2022 - One of the most complex wines when it comes to aromas on the nose and palate. I pulled this at the end of the night during WW4 so I could see the lightbulbs going off.
I had this earlier in the year from a Magnum and that had a good bit more fruit left.
Great window to enjoy. Plenty of life left in Larger Format.
For me this is an Ah ha wine.