August 21, 2017 - Crimson red with distinct bricking at the rim. Impressive legs.
Intense nose suggesting very extracted black/blue fruit and oak, interesting and quite welcoming.
First impression is its still incredibly tannic for a 15 year old wine; the tannin together with strong acidity suggests this will need food to be enjoyable. There's still plenty of fruit there, wrapped up in all that structure.
After an hour in the decanter the wine is more approachable and open textured but bears the hallmarks of a Rolland wine, with heavily extracted fruit and tannin. It's quite drinkable but better with food to offset that tannin. Decent length.
Overall this isn't really my favourite style of wine but it's holding together and could well continue to evolve for a few years.
August 18, 2014 - I had a difficult time rating this wine. It is more than just a sum of its parts. Cellar time has done wonders to this bottling. Through the first 30 minutes of aeration the wine rollercoasters through- barnyard, chilean green herbaceousness and Brettanomyces; however it settles into dark dusty rich cherries, vanilla, chocolate & overall pleasant nose reminiscent of a right bank bordeaux (a la Pomerol). The theme continues on the palate- violet, plum, dark cherries- all well integrated with wonderful acidity. Cigarbox and earthtones share the palate with mellow fruit. The reason you cellar wine. Probably will last longer, but won't get better
June 14, 2010 - Color and nose very appropiate for Merlot. PLeasant taste of mised fruit. Ligh finish
December 9, 2009 - GF says 95 for a merlot - wow! Big body. Raisins, chocolate, anise. Nice
January 31, 2009 - big nose with cassis, berry and chocolate that is full, rich and nicely integrated... almost explodes at the end with a cocoa aftertaste. really nice
August 18, 2007 - Very deep ruby to purple color. Extremely extracted flavors of red and black berries that almost explode in the mouth. Touch of chocolate runs throughout. Well grained tannins through the palate that turn a bit jagged at the very end.
May 18, 2005 - ABS SP Mondovino (ABS-SP): Another Michel Rolland trademark. Very intense, deep rubi-purple color. This wine is about concentration and smootheness. It's still very young but absolutely ready to drink, very pleasant, but drinking it will not give you anything new. More of the same from Michel's new world.
April 26, 2005 - Monthly Tasting Group HWS #001; The founding of the HWS (@ My place): Almost black. In the bouquet steak, black berries, pepper. On the palate a mouth full. A lot of sweetness. Some heat in the finish.
March 31, 2005 - Wine Education Service - Chile: Very vibrant blue red.
Scent of very ripe red fruit, spice, black fruit, black pepper.
Fruit, chocolate, spice, smooth, soft tannins, medium length.