November 17, 2023 - Decanted for about 40 minutes & to remove some light sediment. Nose layered and nuanced: cherries, plums, cassis, cedar, baking spice, peppercorn, eucalyptus. Similar palate with the eucalyptus and herbal tones coming forth. Taunt balance between acidity and fine tannins. Like the unruly Lost Boys this wine screams BANGARANG!
September 12, 2023 - Decanted for sediment. Dark crimson color. Fruit forward nose of ripe black cherry, black plum, a bit of cassis to go along with some light eucalyptus notes and some cedar. Very attractive nose but still mostly primary. Similar flavors on the palate with ripe, yet very fresh black fruits and a nice blend of herbs and oak mixed in. Medium+ acid and tannin. Balanced abv. Long finish. Great vintage of this wine and looking forward to trying my last bottle with a bit more age on it.
March 28, 2023 - Took about three hours to come around and then, once it didn't it wasn't particularly showy, just good.
August 12, 2021 - Truly outstanding balance of fruit, acid, tannins and alcohol. So many flavors there. As others have mentioned here, hard to pick them all out. Result is delicious though.
June 25, 2021 - enjoyed thoroughly as usual. extremely well balanced, well structured cab blend that hints of place (California) in a style that doesn't scream (which might be why I say it hints at place... so many CA cabs have the volume at 11).
May 28, 2021 - A softened savory side of things. A bit green, just opened.
March 14, 2021 - Fun and maddening. One of those wines where I’m smelling something but can’t place it. Some herb, some flower, some... something. But setting that aside, it’s delicious as always. Impeccable balance, great depth of flavor... outstanding.
September 27, 2020 - This is drinking perfectly now. Great nose, lots of ripe fruit, and a smooth finish. I'm glad I have a lot more.
March 30, 2020 - Lovely back note of anise, delicious savory fruit on the palate with sweet depth and an elegant acid frame. On the nose, emerging aromas of forest fungus, spicy redwood, with an invitation of fruit and flowers underneath and a top note of chocolate. A wine of both charm and depth, clarity and complexity.
August 19, 2019 - 50 merlot, 40 cab and then the other grape varieties. Apparently this grew out of making home wine for 10 years. And after that Steve tasted the best merlot that he ever had and it was from this vineyard.
On day two and quite pronounced on the nose. Rocky, low yielding soil for the merlot which makes it very low yielding so then its got the really big texture to it as well.
Eric Asimov list of wine words used not used. Look that up Ben.