February 12, 2024 - This was a solid bottle. Less pruney than the '09 but not as shiny as the '15.
January 16, 2024 - See previous notes. Best showing to date. Garnet in glass. Medium plus intensity on the notes. Balsam, cedar, rhubarb and ash. Medium plus acidity and high tannins. Crunchy and layered. Decanting recommended due to sediments. Lovely. Paired with braised short ribs, beans and Swiss chard.
December 27, 2022 - This was so great - 3-4 hours of air in decanter before drinking. Tannins still a bit intense, so pair with something fatty. Amazingly dark in color, on the verge or black from red, but without getting the purple color some cabs get.
Flavor is dark fruit, with a distinct savory bent and a mentholy/green herby flavor at the end.
Will be fascinating to see if tannins soften significantly with time. If so, this could become truly special.
December 25, 2022 - Initially served to me double-blind from a decanter. In the glass, the wine appeared a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core. There was significant sediment but other than that, there were no other potential indications of age since the color was so ruddy. There was moderate staining and viscosity was medium+/high. The nose was fascinating: bright, ripe cherries, plums, dark chocolate, old leather-bound books, earth, anise, exotics spices and tobacco. The leather, color and sediment had me leaning pretty towards a Right Bank Bordeaux from an excellent producer, showing 15-20 age. But I wasn’t yet convinced and then, the palate told a different story. It was fresh and full-bodied. Absolutely packed with fruit and spices. It was bone dry with monumental tannin and acid was easily in the medium+ category. The wine was impeccably balance with elevated alcohol and a forever finish. I was now leaning towards Italy...but where? This was not from Piemonte and I couldn’t think of a wine in Tuscany that would be made quite like this. I was stumped…all I knew is that I was in love whatever this was. Then my buddy said it wasn’t fair because the wine wasn’t technically testable…so he revealed the bottle. Of course it’s “Pagliaro” from Paolo Bea. Swoon! This wine has so 👏🏽 much 👏🏽 soul 👏🏽. My first time enjoying the 2012 in many years and this is in a beautiful spot. A wow wine that will continue to deliver well last 2032. Paired with Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers and bolognese. Bottle No. 3512/9971.
February 20, 2022 - Pretty tannic and fierce at the moment- this packs a whallop. Probably best to give this some time to integrate as it is a bit overwhelming right now.
February 7, 2022 - See previous notes. Medium plus intensity on the nose. Iodine, blood, and iron. High tannins. Complex with plenty of secondary and tertiary notes. Long finish.
December 12, 2021 - Drinking well. Noticed right when opening it is a good bottle. See how this develops. On the palette hay, raisins and some aggressive tannins. Overall pleasant.
*3rd night opens fruit forward and hay. Not barnyard but actual hay. Drinks better as well.
December 11, 2021 - In a really crowded field of wonderful wines this was, well, the last one finished.
December 3, 2021 - Dustu and tar but good power. Super interesting. Les notes throat ripping tannins.
April 1, 2021 - Tightly wound even after being decanted for 4 hours. I kind of figured this would be the case. There's some black fruit there. Tannins are gigantic and basically ripping my mouth apart. Hold.
Second day - the fruit is there and there's some herbal/earthy notes that emerged; but it's still super tight and hard to get past these tannins.