March 10, 2018 - This was quite enjoyable, but has me planning to drink the other 06/07s I have on hand. Big nose of blue & black fruit, with some vanilla & sharpie beneath it. Big, round mouthfeel that puts sweet fruit & creamy oak to the forefront, with a touch of charcoal too. Delicious, but midpalate is a bit hollow & hot before transitioning to a nice finish centered on sweet oak. Enjoyable as a drink, but next to food (and the 01 Etude Rutherford) felt like more of a standalone drinker than anything else.
November 29, 2017 - My second bottle in the last few months. The first had signs of being past its prime (the fruit was replaced with mineral) but this bottle was very good. Not sure if it is bottle variation or storage issue.
November 16, 2016 - Similar tasting notes to last bottle in April. In the heart of its drinking window, will not require much decanting.
April 24, 2016 - Very good fruit, typical of a Mike Smith cab. Really like the Knefick fruit without regard to label. Holding its structure well enough but it did not require much decanting.
June 24, 2015 - Decanted and consumed over the next 90 min. Dark red color, Nose has slight fruit. Taste is very pleasant of black cherry. Very pleasant.
April 5, 2015 - A lot better day 3
April 4, 2015 - Fully opened, I am interested in getting more next release
April 2, 2015 - Coravin Day two tasting, opened up a lot more with a longer glass decant with 6 hours
April 1, 2015 - Blind tasting: This was decanted for 2 hours. very light nose with almost no cassis or bright fruit. A hint of brown throughout the red body. A heavy back bit and without decanting I assume it would have had some heat in the middle palate that would have been overpowering.
Heavy chocolate mixed with dark cherries and anise with olives. I believe this will be better with food and steak than with nothing as I am drinking it now. Heavily extracted and I did not believe it was pure cabernet as it seemed to display Franc and verdot finishes.
October 12, 2014 - Showing very nicely right now. Fruit is good but not overpowering, structure still exists but tannins receding nicely.