November 28, 2023 - In a really lovely place. Tons of tomato leaf and cedar, very silky. Has more time, but great drinking right now.
October 9, 2023 - Initial glass was a little disjointed...Cab Franc on the nose & finish, Merlot in the middle. After some air, and a few days later (pumped stopper) it was a bit more integrated. Dried herbs & some pyrazine/celery seed notes on the nose with a bit of dried dark red fruit notes underneath. Med palate weight, touch of plump darker fruit in the mid feels lively, then an integrated finish with great acid & more dried herbs in the finish. Went through some muddled moments but an interesting one to sip.
May 28, 2022 - Unfortunately, last bottle, and is consistent with previous notes. Tannins are fading.
December 18, 2021 - Surprisingly alive and beautiful. Popped and poured - at first the wine was a little disjointed (tannins were a bit dusty and not well integrated) but with time in the glass the wine came together with beautiful fruit (raspberry, plum), coffee, chocolate, and graphite notes. Overall felt like it was perfectly in the zone - the fruit was still present and wonderful, while still showing some pleasant tertiary components.
November 19, 2021 - Has that green cigar box note but in a good way. And then still with some gumption - fruit and tannin on the mid palate. Going strong, amazingly enough.
October 3, 2021 - Color/App: light/medium ruby core -> diffuse garnet/bricked rim. 6 years on from my last tasting note for this and I'm happy with how this has developed but there's no reason to wait on these any longer. Tobacco, earth, a little leather and a touch of barnyard ascendant now with a little rhubarb and cranberry lurking. Austere palate reminding me how much I've always thought this wine mimics many Bordeaux more than the vast majority of California Meritages. Perhaps it's the homage to Cheval Blanc in Cab Franc/Merlot components (if not name) that helps (67%/33%) though it seems much more Graves than St. Emilion in this vintage. The palate pretty much mirrors the bouquet here, not surprisingly. Medium-length finish that shows a touch of drying tannins. Need to drink that last bottle of mine within the year.
August 27, 2020 - Popped and poured. Virtually opaque garnet-red in the glass, also a bit cloudy. The nose, from the start, was an almost searingly intense mix of cocoa, tobacco, tar, plums, allspice, coffee, and iron. The intensity subsided after about 30 minutes but the complexity did not, in fact other aromas like cinnamon and peat came in too. The wine was quite silky on the palate with all of the tannins resolved yet with plenty of fruit still present. The depth and persistence on the palate didn't quite match the nose, though. I am stunned that this wine has remained this intense and cannot imagine it getting better. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since.
August 15, 2020 - This just keeps on going. Similar to 2012/2016 notes, just silkier!
March 28, 2020 - It is good with steak or other heavy meat. It needs decanting to bring out the best flavor
November 27, 2019 - Opened at the restaurant with my wine group. Drank really well, no flaws. Still kicking but way more mature that my last note (9 years will do that). Nice old world balance for a new world wine.