November 1, 2020 - Checking back in on this one after nearly 11 years. The aromas and flavors are consistent with my note from March 2009. Drinking very well right now, with still a bit of youthfulness.
December 3, 2014 - I really like this - a bit raucous, unrestrained and reckless, surely very tightly wound in its youth, but now showing so well. This is vibrant, energetic and everything is in the right place. I tend to like the '05 vintage generally. Purchased at the winery, following an amazing, enjoyable and enlightening wine tour that I highly recommend.
January 14, 2013 - The wine is sort of like a reverse cepage of Bordeaux blends with Petit Verdot taking the lion share in this meritage. (BTW, while PV usually constitutes less than 5% of the cepage in Bordeaux, this is not something totally new. PV is quite commonly found in the marshland near Gironde. Chateau Bolaire, for example, uses high portion of PV.) On the nose, mostly black fruits and dried fruits, with a hint of red fruits (high acidity from PV?), cinnamon, touch of oak and leather. Medium (+) acidity and unyielding tannins (decanted first to remove the sediment and left on the counter for couple hours, a portion tasted the day after) Good concentration. Medium drying finish. An interesting concept, but I am not sold.
October 3, 2011 - lots of sediment, harsh, big tannins, not a typical hendry. going to let it breathe for a day or two.
September 4, 2011 - Decanted. Nose of dark fruit, vanilla, cedar. Full bodied, smooth, balanced, good lingering finish. There was a fair amount of sediment in this bottle. Enjoyable none the less. 50,4,13,15,6=88
July 20, 2011 - tasty, but VERY high alcohol content! also, sediment is almost overwhelming...probably at/just past peak
July 1, 2011 - Dark fruit, cassis, black pepper, smokey oak. B wine.
March 21, 2011 - This is a blend of 30% Petit Verdot (Block 15), 26% Malbec (Block 14), 16% Cabernet Sauvignon (Block 8), 14% Cabernet Franc (Block 26) and 14% Merlot (Block 13). Black currant and black pepper with mild clove and oak. Interesting.
January 9, 2011 - Decanted for over an hour. Color was dark deep purple. Nose of blueberry, cedar, vanilla. Palate was full bodied and balanced. I did not get anything that stode out or a memorible finish. Hoping for more in the next bottle. 50,5,12,15,6=88
October 16, 2010 - Very nice. My Wire and I liked IT