September 11, 2013 - Mildly corked. Shows some cocoa and red fruit aromas underneath the taint. Too bad.
October 9, 2012 - Hanging with dontime and pdhall (Sophia, Houston): Popped and poured. This is in its prime, deep rich nose of mocha, plums, tobacco, herbs. On the palate rich and full with black cherry, plum, dark chocolate, earth, leather, tobacco. Long finish with great grip. WOTN by a whisker over some pretty stiff competition.
September 24, 2012 - Held up well..
February 20, 2011 - Consistent with my previous note
October 19, 2009 - 13.5% alcohol. Third time we've had this and still showing beautifully. Excellent nose of herb-infused black fruit, with a delicate and compelling leafy tobacco note, as well as hints of chocolate. In the mouth, beautiful texture, just dancing across the palate with plenty of fruit and complexity. Lovely finish that isn't harsh at all, just pure and smooth. A-
July 1, 2007 - This is a merlot with medium/heavy body and alcohol at a pleasing 13.5% It showed no signs of browning yet, the color is a dark ruby red. When first opened it gave off aromas of earth, white flowers and berry fruit. After about two hours, the nose changed to earth, spice, dried fruits and some herbal notes. The flavors at opening were of berries, cassis and pomegrante. After two hours it really changed to earth, tobacco, dark fruits and chocolate. It is really smooth and balanced right now. I am not sure if it will continue to develop more, but this wine should hold up until 2010, maybe longer.
May 24, 2007 - Tasted at the winery. Still very good, but on it's last leg. Although inferior, showed very well when tasted next to the '93 Hillside Select.
June 17, 2001 - Good colour, fruity, slightly liqourice nose with refined blackcurrants and mocha flavours. Hints of green wood or pistachios. Lovely elegant, slightly jammy palatte, good fruit, elegant new world, slight hints ofoak. Altogether fruitier feel than claret without a bouset new world feel. Good.