October 21, 2019 - Dark fruit with graphite, tobacco and lots of currant and plum and a long finish
July 31, 2019 - Took to the Realm tasting at Eric's on Lakewood Ave, delightful
October 2, 2017 - Realm: Earthy, ominous, and a bit gritty, the 2006 BTK was exhibiting a "Fistful of Dollars" profile of weathered, black soil, grating earth, and antique wood notes encompassing the mature, dark core fruit of black and red currant and black raspberry. The fruit flavors were decent, but the surrounding notes were just a bit abrasive and overly earth-driven for my preference. It had a somewhat old-world dinge to it.
The tannins on the back end were a little crunchy, with the cavernous, earthy black fruit subjected to a release of rocks and dirt on the finish. It drank "clean" with no actual sediment from what I could tell, but the overall display of the flavors came off gritty and laced with what seemed like the dregs of the wine. An interesting wine, but on the crusty side of pleasurable.
On the other side of the moon in terms of its life cycle. Drink now and over the next couple of years.
December 31, 2016 - Fantastic out of magnum! Needed decanting for its youth.
November 4, 2016 - At Auberge Napa with Alejandra. Nice nose of boysenberry, menthol, pine needles, some dark chocolate undercooked cake. Youthful still. Needs decant/ time in glass. Nice texture. Still tight!?
July 3, 2016 - Beautifully mature wine that has to be at its peak. This is the second 2006 vintage wine that has blown me away recently (the other was a Bressler cab). The combo of expressive red/black fruit, balance and layers was a treat. Needs a decent decant to soften and balance. Long finish that highlights tobacco and dark chocolate powder. Amazing
April 24, 2016 - Layers of fruit with cherries, currants, and berries. Finishes with a silky earthiness.
November 10, 2014 - Incredibly young still.
Intense and intoxicating nose. Blackberry, Blueberry, cinnamon, baking spice, anise, just layers of flavor.
Taste as good as it smells. paired beautifully with a rack of lamb.
Big but well balanced and plenty of structure. Tannins are a bit chalky still at the back end. I think this would benefit from 5+ years.
Enjoyed with Andrew, Amanda, Alan, Sophia, and Angel @ Cafe Juanita for my 35th.
June 2, 2014 - Still young. Wonderful on the back deck. Rich, balanced tannins
May 25, 2014 - Big, rich with deep, dark concentrated fruit. Wonderfully complex with notes of currant, dark chocolate and licorice. Believe this Cab has another 10-15 years in it and will only get better with more age.