October 3, 2022 - Nice nose with black fruit but a bit hot (blew off). Sharp tannins that linger as dry covering, good fruit if hinting at jam. Maybe it will mellow with more time open... a little rough now
February 12, 2022 - Wish I had more to drink right now, tastes robust. I get a slightly smokey and leathery flavor. Color had become muted.
October 14, 2020 - Still going strong from my cellar (professional storage, though). Lovely wine and a great QPR. Held up well for >24 hours corked, but I wouldn't wait too long on these.
September 25, 2019 - Past it’s prime. If you have it, drink up.
January 31, 2018 - Final of six from the now-defunct winery. Hot blue, cola, pepper, sage and underbrush notes. Blue fruit, earth and ash in the nose. Time to drink
November 19, 2016 - This wine is beautiful---color, nose and palate. I was unimpressed at first, after decanting and waiting a few hours. Was tight. So gave it another day. Wow. What a difference. Complexity, balance, mouth feel, long finish---it's all there. Glad I have another bottle---this will be my New Years Eve wine.
March 6, 2016 - Inky dark purple, nose of cedar and plums. Dry, bold fruit and body, really getting the Cab Franc vegetative green pepper notes and soft Merlot. Aged very well into a nicely balanced not over the top fruit forward wine. My last bottle, but could go many years. One of those $18 winners from Garagiste which only got better with age. Per usual with these wines, some air helps immensely. Only ope a couple hours and marked improvement. the third night is usually the best and they have gone a week with the last glass the best.
February 11, 2016 - Dark ruby red with dusty cherry nose. Dry tart tannins with a couple hours open time. Medium fruit and body, has shown some restraint with 10 yeas age and developed nicely and well balanced with a slight acid focus followed by nicely integrated chewy tannins. Some earthy notes, leather to enhance the cherry fruit. Needs a goood BBQ steak or roast duck to make whole.
November 30, 2015 - Washington fruit but felt a bit fading. Drink 1-2 years
November 28, 2015 - Dark ruby with magenta rim, cedar nose. Dry and bold fruit, bing cherries, loganberries, some tartness and heavy oak on opening with slight bitter tannins on the finish. A bit much for my present palate, but it usually settles in over a couple of days. Strong appeal for those liking a bold, oaky red. This should last for ages. A night later and it has lost some of the fruit and taken on more acid. While I would not call it restrained, it is coming more into balance and the oak has slipped into the background.