May 26, 2014 - Drank from a magnum. Decanted for 1.5 hours and put back in bottle. Drank over 3 hour period. Very dark in color and much denser than I was expecting. Some fruit on front end and chalky dirt on finish. Really enjoyable. I would buy again in a heartbeat.
November 26, 2011 - Perfect bottle. Much more even in the mouth with no bitterness on the finish, mature, integrated fruit of tar, leather, deep plum and very slight attractive scorched flavor. Overall, lasting, satisfying, now or wait.
November 27, 2010 - Nice developed aroma and flavor with intermittent slight scorched fruit. Some astringency that also fades in and out as the wine changes temperature and reacts to different food textures. Similar to last experience although not quite as even in the mouth, beginning to end. Drink or hold short term.
November 25, 2010 - Great stuff, though much bigger than your typical Chianti. That's not surprising, given the vintage, just something to be aware of. Huge, deep flavors that would go well with steak or even lamb. Still plenty of life. We decanted for a couple hours, then enjoyed the wine over another hour with dinner. It was too big to pair perfectly with the stuffed turkey, but we managed. :)
March 2, 2009 - "Snowed In" in Maine (slave2thevine's house): This wine still needs time sideways. With that much said, it is still a beautiful wine. In the glass it is a lovely ruby color with scents of anise, earth, funk, and floral notes that are very intriguing. In the mouth there is medium+ tannins that are supported by an earthy component followed by flavors of sour cherry and wild strawberries with light mouth puckering acidity.
January 24, 2009 - Give this about 30 minutes in the decanter and keep it slightly cooler than ideal and it is fabulous. Similar to June '08 tasting note.
January 7, 2009 - Similar positive experience compared to June '08 tasting. However, after two hours '03 heat appeared as raisin/slight tire rubber character that I didn't notice previously. I'm drinking unless the next one is different.
December 12, 2008 - Cuddlemuffin!!!
June 22, 2008 - No previous notes on this and no memory. One hour decant. Medium dark garnet. Excellent integrated aroma with dominant road tar, dark plum and some background saddle leather. This gives the impression of very ripe grapes but the alcohol indicated is a very reasonable 13.5%. The flavor picks up subtle roasted complexity. Medium/full, ripe palate with power and length. I continue to be very impressed with the '03 CCs especially considering the mixed press. Now or will improve for a few years. Didn't buy enough.