May 7, 2019 - Day 2 same wine
Left open and refrigerated overnight, the wine, is much more resolved tonight. Acidity has mellowed and allowed aged blackberry, some raisin, prune and cherry to emerge in a melancholy feel of a potpourri of aged juice.
Not great but good, unique and enjoyable.
May 6, 2019 - Let me start by saying that I love old wine. I love it's unique and undeniable aroma and flavor.
That said this one has really gained depth from the age. Aromas of burnt orange, blackberry, some asphalt, and cherry. On the palette a slightly unbalanced mouthfeel where acidity dominates. The tannins are very much resolved but the acidity suggests that more life is left here.
Don't look for fresh juice and don't judge it that way. It is wonderful unique and an ok 20 year old. Doubt it gets much better but years are left.
September 5, 2017 - From Art's cellar. Having consumed all the Reserves (and 1 Landslide Vineyard bottle) he gave me, I have moved on to the more risky business of drinking the regular bottlings. On opening, nose was deep black fruit, but only for a minute or so. Some sand on the bottom of the cork which was not close to being saturated. After the initial burst of fruit described above, the nose hinted that the wine was too old. Burnt and sharp cherry fruit with watercress. After an hour, that too had softened somewhat but the impression of burnt fruit remained. Wine was not cloudy but the bowl had darkened to a dense garnet, progressing to an amber rim. In the mouth, the fruit had started to go bitter, but with food (steaks at Ruth's Chris) the wine was softer and licorice-like in the finish. Without food, the finish was harsher, akin to fruit pits and herbs. Obviously we missed the boat on this particular bottle by 5 years or so, but with the food, the wine was certainly palatable and a good teaching lesson.
November 8, 2016 - Surprising that this is still fairly young with very little bricking. Black berry, black cherry, graphite, smooth(but lasting 30+ seconds) tannin with good amount of acidity and well balanced. Cork was almost perfect at the age 17. Never appreciated this wine in younger age. 1 hour after opening with aerating, it completely opens up. Probably stored in a perfect condition but shows that it may age beautifully for close to 20 years under perfect storage condition.
November 14, 2013 - Still hanging in there with some fruit although the cork broke up into pieces. Near the end, but enjoyable.
February 21, 2013 - Opened with Chinese take out. I placed this on the drink soon list seeing recent TN indicating an over the hill state. Opened with a saturated cork, dark oxblood to brick on the edges. Some heat on the nose, with dusty, earthy cedar, dried cherry and wood. I agree this is definitely mature, but there is plenty here to enjoy.....it is actually classically refreshing in that nothing is overdone or out of balance. There are traces of dusky fruit on a somewhat lean, but well balanced structure. Smooth refined tannins and nice acidity. I can see how improperly stored bottles could render this impotent. On day two under vac-u-vin the last glass and a half was rather acrid, acidic, bitter and not what it was on day one. Drink in one setting for sure.
February 15, 2013 - Almost done....
February 11, 2013 - Definitely past its prime.
January 3, 2013 - A little past prime, but still okay. Nothing special.
December 25, 2012 - Very nice wine, probably at or a bit past its peak. Very nice pairing with filet of beef for Christmas dinner.