April 22, 2024 - Extremely impressive wine. Tasting notes from previous reviewers are spot-on. I think this is at it's peak now, but has a solid 2-3 years remaining before the fruit starts to fade.
January 10, 2023 - Remarkable Reserve with easy 3 years b4 peak. Round, forward dark fruits in a compexity that us incredible.
March 5, 2022 - Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Breathtaking nose of red fruits, leather, scorched earth and cigar box. Rich, concentrated and powerful. Perfect balance of fruit and tannins. Currants, cassis liqueur, plums and tobacco on the palate. Impressive length on the finish. Brilliant wine that is shining at twenty years of age. This will drink well for years to come and I'll open my last bottle in 2027.
October 22, 2021 - Decanted for 1.5-2 hours. Still drinking great and bright ripe fruit. Great juice and still has 3-5+ years left if cellared properly.
February 9, 2021 - 2002 Leonetti Cellar Reserve Walla Walla Valley (Washington)
This deep ruby blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 17% Petit Verdot wafts walls of cherry, cedar, toffee and tar. Major black cherry and cassis on the taste with mounds of mocha and vanilla. Good wood too (in the winemaking sense, not as in a certain segment of the film industry). An absolute monster on a slackline, massive yet exceptionally balanced. A force of elegance. Warm and wonderful despite the 14.5% alcohol. Lingers longer than a door-to-door canvasser. Dare I say spiritually special (thank you John for this very special gift).
December 24, 2020 - Exquisite older bdx blend. No signs of fading
August 1, 2020 - 1 hour decant. Flat and unrepresentative of what the Reserve typically offers. Perhaps off bottle? 2001 and 2003 still drinking very well.
March 30, 2019 - Dark red with little fade at the rim. The aromas took some time to unfurl but when they did they showed gorgeous black cherry, blackberry, baking spice and a touch of menthol. Medium+ body this wine has a terrific mouthfeel that is rich and plush and defined by the barely noticeable ripe tannins. A total sexy beast! www.advinetures.ca
July 29, 2018 - This seemed slightly off compared to previous bottles, so will not rate it.
May 26, 2018 - Decanted and served. Beautifully aged Washington Bordeaux blend with deep black fruit and a hint of candied kumquat on the palate. This is singing and the "+" that both Rovani and Tanzer gave this wine on release has definitely come to fruition. If those of you who own the 1189 bottles of this in your cellars don't like it please send over a few. Otherwise what are you waiting for?