March 2, 2021 - This Cab reserve was very smooth and delicous.
September 30, 2020 - Still lively. Nose of red berries and crushed rock with a bit of oak. Some of the fruit falls off on the palate. Flavors are red and black berries with some tobacco and spice. Lots of tannins still present. Long finish.
August 3, 2020 - This bottle still had the glass cap instead of cork, which was a very pleasant surprise. I thought that 2006 was the last year of the glass tops. We have been consistently delighted with how the Whitehall glass top bottles drink after years of storage. We are convinced that wine ages better in those specific glass tops compared to cork, and can't understand why other quality wineries have not attempted different methods.
Anyhow, drank with a ribeye steak, and it was marvelous. Balanced, and smooth but with distinction.
Certainly no problem to keep for more years, but that is not necessary. It is drinking excellent right now.
April 25, 2020 - Dark purple color, no brown yet. Slight oak and musty on the nose. no tanin, well balanced palate. should keep 5 more years, but will not likely improve. Drank this wine blind opened 90min before tasting and it came in one point behind 2006 Far Niente.
October 12, 2019 - Not at all past prime, drinking quite nicely. Cellared since release. I also tasted the eucalyptus, but this is something I have never really liked in cabernet, and think it detracts. Take it away, and I would score this several,points higher. Nice balance and length.
January 21, 2018 - Very good with lamb. Hints of mint and eucalyptus. Tannins have reduced significantly.
October 28, 2017 - Pop and pour. In great shape and approachable but still tons of tannic grip/structure. Dark chocolate, chalky cassis, baked blackberry, and lead. Secondary notes of leather and eucalyptus just starting to emerge. Great wine but a little grainy and disjointed. Will drink great for the next 5 plus years.
November 5, 2016 - Perhaps another mistake for the night opening this one up. It still needs more time. Many Whitehall Reserves seem to do better at 12-15 years, at least in my humble opinion.
July 1, 2016 - A mouthful of juicy fruit, slightly sweet, deep purple, still young lengthy wine- drinking very well now.
March 23, 2016 - Dark purple, well integrated tannins, fruity, fleshy. Not thinking this goes long though given a slightly underwhelming back end