October 12, 2015 - Still ok
July 25, 2015 - Holy moly, this bottle was singing tonight! Best one yet, and since it was the last one I had, I guess that's all I can ask for (last drank in 2012 I guess). Anyway, slightly disjointed and a little heat showing on the pop, but came together with only 20 min. of air in glass and non-decanted bottle (there was a little sediment, but I worked around it, partially via minimal pours into the big-ass Bdx glass). Fantastic nose of dark fruits, tar, smoke, earth, violets, mushrooms, and minerals. Medium body and acid, long finish, and flavors of cherry and black fruits, an earthy mushroom note, dried spices, and minerals. Awesome showing tonight with a grilled steak. 92-93
July 13, 2014 - Might be a bit past its prime,
September 27, 2013 - Very dark purple, starting to show a little brick. Plumbs, cherry, chocolate and little blackberry on the nose. Agree with others that this is showing its age and probably a bit over the hill. It's a bit disjointed. Cherries and jam on the attack with bitter dark chocolate finish, but in between those two there's a bit of a sharp medicinal note. Drank alone probably better washing down a steak. Tried vinturi on a glass and wine was a bit more smooth, but also became flat.
June 13, 2013 - Another excellent bottle, though this one showed fruit that is beginning to fade a little, and the finish showed imbalance with a little more alcohol and a medicinal note a little reminiscent of cherry Nyquil. No signs of bricking in color. Big nose showing more signs of age than last year, with leather and some meatiness more prominent amid dark fruits. On taste the fruit is still in a great place with lots of rich plum and blackberry sauce along with coffee, soil, and leather. Excellent pairing with roasted pork tenderloin with fresh blackberry mustard sauce and roasted EVO brussel sprouts. Wish I had at least one more bottle to consume this year. This could be approaching end of peak window, so drink up.
September 2, 2012 - - Violet color with medium forming legs. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Round texture with a medium finish - Another very nice wine from Catena. A lot off alcohol in the beginning, and if you don't want to decanted, just leave for a while in the glass. Not that much fruit flavor as in the common syrah, very strong and powerfull.
June 21, 2012 - Very dark color. Dark red fruits like black cherry, black raspberry, and plum on the nose and palate. This is a fairly big wine, but the oak and alcohol are integrated well. Fairly long finish. Enjoyable. Man, that's a heavy bottle.
June 3, 2012 - Same flavor profile as previous note, but ten months has made a very noticeable difference, where the tannins have softened to give it more velvety texture. Big and bold with a lengthy finish. Served blind to spouse and she loved it, was grumbling her last pour was not bigger. Outstanding, drinking extremely well now. Great value at 14 and wish I had bought a case. And the bottle can double as a door stopper.
February 1, 2012 - Outstanding bottle, singing with syrah character. Drinking blind, spouse commented how much she loved it. Big nose of black plums, blackberries, and lots of earth. Great flavors of dark fruit, earth, and some leather and coffee reflecting mild evolution. Lengthy finish stretching into red cherry fruit tones lifted by minerals. Beautifully softened tannins giving velvety texture while still having good structure. Ridiculous value; drank like a $50-60, cost only 14. Shame I only have one bottle left.
November 8, 2011 - tannins fully resolved, noting a little more oxidative characteristics then my last bottle... think its getting a bit over the hill