February 13, 2023 - Blackberry and something earthy on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, blackberry, currant, and notes of leather, anise, and vanilla, with light tannins and well-balanced acidity on the long finish. The Cellartracker drinking window is too short; this is in its drinking window, and although it probably won't improve, it doesn't seem to be at risk of fading any time soon. It's too bad this isn't being made any more.
April 29, 2019 - Decanted for 2 hours. Initially closed and it needed the time. Still had a shy nose that got better with time. Cherry, anise, tobacco, cassis and a touch of oak on the nose. Medium body, well balanced. Cherry, tobacco, licorice and black currant flavors. Silky smooth tannins inthe long finish. Starting to dry out a little in the finish. Still in a really good place, but would drink up in the next 5 years.
July 7, 2018 - Decanted and let breathe for 2 hours. Heavy sediment in the bottle. Good fruit flavor. A little bit flat on the tongue. Very deep color. Finish struck me as short. A good, solid wine.
May 30, 2018 - Although my bottles have been stored in optimal cellar conditions, I feel this wine was just passing its best drinkability.
April 6, 2018 - A very nice wine that for its age is still drinking well. No rush to drink my last bottle.
September 18, 2017 - 2 hour decant.
December 6, 2015 - EWG 10 Years On Tasting at Conrad's: This was sort of a typical fruit driven Napa Cab that was well made, but with not much dimension to it IMHO. Black fruits, short on character, a bit sweet ripe fruits. Not my style, and it got blown away by the Montelena Estate and Araujo in my opinion. 90-91. EWG 10 years on tasting.
July 10, 2015 - Impression only, drank this a couple days ago and just now getting to a note so ... Anyway, has shed its babyfat and is now quite interesting. Needs some air - I decanted for about an hour and a half. While it at first comes across as tight, later on the palate is very nice and deep. The nose is a touch restrained but has deep cedar and dark chocolate notes, then a nice palate that has become more complex with time.
TL;DR = I really liked it but it's not an instant crowd pleaser
October 10, 2013 - Nice fruit; Slight flat profile
October 4, 2013 - A 2 hour decant was no where near enough time in the decanter. Drinking very young for an 8 year old wine. Lots of tannin and fruit left in this wine so it should age for at least another 10 years. I know I'm not drinking my next bottle for at least another 4 years.