January 2, 2022 - Not something that is commonly consumed and noted on this platform, which is a pity. Mostly Merlot (I guess) with some Sangiovese. Clearly aged, both in color (amber with a black core) and nose (dry wood, coffee, some barnyard, camphor, only hints of black berries). Still very pleasing if you like old, mature wines. Medium bodied, the tannins dominates the mouth as the fruit has dried out. Still, there is a fascinating tone of dried fruit and blackberries at the end, although the aftertaste is dry and somewhat astringent. Clearly over the top, but this has aged beautifully. For those of us admiring older wines, this is a treasure. But in more professional evaluation, this is a bit too old.
November 12, 2021 - Very surprising as we did not really know what to expect - drinking superbly well right now, great QPR wine, definitely recommend this and although not youthful at this point any longer it is solidly in it's prime and in no way tired or over the hill. Sangiovese and merlot blend. Paired beautifully with pasta bolognese. Aired in bottle for about an hour w/out a formal decant and would definitely benefit from a short 30-60 minute decant. Initially nose very muted but opened up with dark stone fruit and earth. Dark purple, some peripheral bricking present, very well balanced, soft mouth feel, medium bodied, medium long aftertaste and totally integrated with oak and tannins pretty much all gone so even with proper cellaring conditions this will likely start to degrade a bit over the next 2-3 years. Dark flavor profile - dark cherry, plum, blueberry and also earthy terroir and some tar on the aftertaste. Unfortunately a single bottle we acquired as part of a much larger cellar contents purchase, would love to have at least 2-3 more.
February 11, 2020 - This is just an experiment; a Sangiovese (with some Merlot) should not keep so long. And, well, it holds up amazingly nice, thank you. Dark core with a clear amber rim. The primary fruit is all gone, but there is a lot of tertiary aromas like raisins, dried black berries, some chocolate, dry wood, and a hint of barnyard. Full bodied, smooth attack, sweet fruit in the mouth, still fine acidity and rounded tannins. Finishes quite dry and woody, but still a very pleasant surprise. Drink up with some white meat or a light pasta course with mushrooms. Was probably at it's apex ten years ago, but it is good now, and will probably die slowly but graciously over the next five years.
October 21, 2019 - In Magnum. Still young but very approachable. No one was able to find out that it was Merlot. Open and refined nose; fine tanins. Quite long and elegant on the palate. The bottom of the magnum was drunk the following day, the nose was much wilder (almost chateauneuf like). Overall a very nice wine. No hurry.
February 20, 2016 - Celui-ci était en excellente condition! À son meilleur maintenant
April 14, 2015 - notes d'oxydation et de cave humide... bouteille défectueuse?
February 16, 2013 - This wine was suprisingly full of life. I thought it may have been past its prime. We were very pleasantly surprised. The somm decanted and poured after 10 min. The wine was silky smooth with a good amount of black fruits showing. The wine had good structure with pleasant
hints of its early tannic structure.
September 24, 2012 - Decanted, tasted over 3 hrs
-dark ruby core, browning at edges
-almost explosive nose, jammy plum, tobacco, some secondary characteristics
-med- acidity, med weight/conc, some dusty tannins on moderately long finish, some oak spice, picks up caramel component with air, initially good complexity then degenerates by 3 hrs
-very pleasant, modern styled but not over the top, in a good place where fading fruit is balanced with some secondary development, probably at or just past peak and starting its decline though would anticipate a few more years of pleasant drinking, consistent with other late '90s Casalferros, WIN
December 15, 2011 - Bought this at auction 6 years ago for $20. Another 'Tre Bicchieri' award winner from Gambero Rosso magazine. 3rd time I have had this wine with one of the previous bottles being flawed. This had the most body and tannins of the 1996, 1997 and 1999 vertical. As with the other bottles, this is more of an elegant style rather than a big powerhouse (even in their youth). Sweet red fruit notes with floral nuances (a common theme in all these wines). Ready to drink now and probably at its peak. 90-91 points.
December 2, 2011 - past its best