June 21, 2023 - Despite the broken cork, the wine was medium-full bodied with dark fruit and smooth tannins. Twas my last bottle. :-(
June 1, 2022 - 81% CS/13% PV/6% Malbec. Definitely a big wine still after 14 years of age. Black cherry and blackberry fruit with notes of dark chocolate, black licorice, and spice with subtle tobacco and cedar. Layers of flavor here and great texture to this wine. Velvety tannins and wonderful long finish. Great now but no rush...love this vintage.
July 9, 2021 - In OCNJ, PnP drank over 2 hours.
Prior bottle was a year ago and really shined, this one showed a lot of heat/alcohol coming through. I thought it might blow off, never quite came around. Wine is getting older, this one may have just faded faster. One bottle left, will not score this one, may be some bottle variation
April 29, 2020 - Opened for a Zoom happy hour with Craig, been a few years since visiting this wine. Splash decant, drank over 3.5 hours
From notes in 2017:"Dark garnet color, mild separation. Nose of dark berries, smoke. Rich palate of blackberry, dark cherry, chocolate, spices. Rich texture through mid palate, long and incredibly layered finish. Tannins well integrated and sweet."
Mostly consistent with those notes. From memory, fruit is (obviously) a bit more softened with age, texture rich and elegant. Finish not as big as I recall...all in this is in a great spot. Would drink in next couple years...08 vintage showing great
September 19, 2019 - Outstanding wine - short decant - blackberry notes - hint of tobacco and leather - wonderful wine
January 26, 2019 - Drink up. Ready to go with minimal decanting. Rich dark fruit with a velvety mouthfeel. Fine silky tannins and some acidity show up on a medium finish. Still rather bright. Not much of a nose. Very fun and flavorful.
December 25, 2018 - No detailed notes, but very good to outstanding.
November 15, 2018 - Big California wine but not overblown or out of balance. No other notes.
August 21, 2018 - Still outstanding. No evidence of aging at all. Remains a big wine with great texture.
May 5, 2018 - Decanted and consumed over 1.5 hours, got better on each successive glass, changing and evolving on every sip. Reminiscent to the '92 and '94 Beringer Private Reserve from a few years back. Notes of cassis, licorice and spice box. Rich and full-bodied with fine grainy tannins, medium-light acidity and a long finish. Quite tasty.