May 28, 2017 - Cork also disintegrated, but was able to cajole it out. Nose was fruity and body was surprisingly fresh. Short finish but was drinking beautifully.
April 5, 2017 - Cork desinegrated, tried to drink it anyways but not enjoyable anymore.
March 21, 2014 - Cork disintegrated. Flawed
April 2, 2011 - Opened for Christmas. All 3 bottles had disintegrated corks and all were undrinkable. I reported to the winery and they were very gracious and replaced w/ 3 bottles from a more recent vintage. This time I will drink them a little sooner.
May 22, 2010 - Brickish garnet hue. Fully mature, evolved bouquet of tobacco, iodine, rust, leather, but with mellow plum and cherry in there as well. Elegant and full-bodied on the palate. Likely at the end of its window.
May 22, 2010 - From memory, Cork was wet at business end with some sediment showing, still dark red with little bricking noted at edges. A bit secondary on the nose, mushrooms, some earth with minimal dark fruits noted. Palate was still alive and well. Dark fruits noted with consistent midpalate and nice finish. Tannins resolved nicely.
December 25, 2008 - The last of a 3 bottle case. Elegant and refined with hints of stone fruit and deep cherry and strawberry. Full round tannins with a fabulous finish. Sorry there is no more, guess we'll have to start on the '96.
December 5, 2008 - The last bottle. Initally worried as the rabbit tore through the cork and it partially disintegrated, but was able to extract it cleanly with the 50 cent hand cranker. Cork was clean so that was good. Initial mild barny nose blew off quickly, leaving mostly neutral aromatics of leather, dusty cherry, prune and alcohol. Nice red color still, not showing as much age as I would have thought. Glyceric legs. Flavor bright and acidic through the mid-palate and finish, with sweetness still pumping through. Initially more neutral, opening more sweetness. Cherry notes, and red fruit roll-up. Good bottle, will have to see how it tastes ove the next day or two. Still life here, the Spectator drinking window was too short.
Had final glass on 12/26 (3 weeks after opening) under vacuvin seal, notes of balsamic vinegar, earth, leather, acidic, fruit gone, astringent. Not very enjoyable.
January 7, 2004 - A bit tight, but opened up very well. Aromas of cherry, currnant, wonderfully smooth, nice finish, ripe red berries, leather, currant, this is good….and only 13%, I would have guessed more.