September 17, 2023 - give it some air...first half of bottle not as good as second half. healthy amount of acidity, so I recommend some food with this. Cheers!
February 20, 2022 - First sip was a little bit odd, a little off. But then it settled down and was enjoyable all the way through the bottle. Cheers!
September 26, 2021 - Drank over two days. On day one, the nose is classic right bank bordeaux. Ripe plum, cassis, and black cherry. The merlot fruit is front and forward, but after there is some complexing cab franc character. It feels like the (prominent) pyrazines are right on the cusp of transitioning from young herbs/bell peppers to a more cedar/cigar box phase. The overall effect is a little odd: it tastes like the merlot half of the wine was much riper than the cab franc part. On the palate, it's medium bodied, with just a bit of heat on the finish. The tannins are fully resolved; the acid is just hanging on. After a few hours, the fruit on the palate had a more tawny character than when I first opened the bottle.
On day two the merlot and cab franc characters are more in balance. The fruit has calmed down a little and the pyrazines have settled down into a more cedar-y state. I actually taste a little more acid on day two, which balances out the fruit and the body. Still some heat on the finish.
Overall, the improvement between day one and day 2 suggests that there's not a huge rush to open these. The cork was also in great shape.
August 2, 2021 - Nice and smooth.. I was expecting more full body from the cab franc. The wine was still fruity with some complexity
March 15, 2017 - VERY good: warm berry fruit and iron-rich minerality enhanced by the leathery nuances of bottle age. In a great place right now, no decanting required.
January 8, 2016 - I like this wine. At this point, no decanting needed. Nice nose, still some tannins left and smooth.
September 21, 2013 - Decanted this wine over a 4 hour period. Viscous in appearance and an initial smell of acidity with some fruit. It got a lot better after hour 2 and 3. The acidity moved into the background and the fruit came more forward. Not too much wood and generally In a good spot if you have the time to decant. I think this wine can last longer in the cellar so it can be held.
June 2, 2012 - Really gorgeous wine. Several different flavors come through. As good as the last bottle
January 27, 2012 - This had a wonderful nose and flavors galore. Really enjoyable
August 12, 2011 - Was anxious to open this New World bordeaux (right bank) blend. Decanted and did not give it much time before tasting. Beautiful nose of rose petals and dark fruit, not much oak but a touch of leather showing up as a result of the 5 years of maturity. On the palate, medium to full bodied, still very fresh, bright acidity, a tad off balance feeling a bit of the 14.2% alcohol and some tannins providing grip. Seems like it can go for 5 more years. Improved through the night, more mellow and balanced at 2 hrs, but lost fruit and rose petals nose, gained some smokiness but not much more complexity, hence the 89 score. I have a feeling this would have been better with pan seared duck breast (magret) and wine/fruit sauce.
My wife did not like it. Felt it was out of balance.