April 29, 2015 - Opened with ravioli rustica w/meatballs. Inky, dark bloodred. Deep plum spices, grape core of blacks and squid ink, marmalade, braised blackberry. Smooth silk, deft sweetness and weight, well integrated. Quite nice. Final thoughts after two days under vac-u-vin, jammy plum sauce, still holding some nice fruit. Not overly complex.
December 15, 2012 - Showing age
November 24, 2012 - 4th Saturday Group brown bagger (Mike & Cyndi's): Inky crimson color with aromas of sour black fruit, herbs and raspberry liqueur. This has softened a bit; flavors of black fruit, boysenberry and plum. Develops an odd sour citrus quality.
October 22, 2011 - 4th Saturday Group brown bagger (Mike's & LA's): Dark inky red color. Aromas of blackberry and dark fruit with meaty undertones. Tannins are integrating nicely; blackberry and dark fruit flavors dominant. Long finish.
April 2, 2011 - Fruit and alcohol still dominate the nose, quite dry, tannins fully integrated. Can't help thinking this would have been a 95 plus wine if it had been made with slightly less ripe fruit and 13% alcohol instead of nearly 15%... Still, quite good.
August 19, 2009 - Deep Dark Plum with undertones of pepper and fruit and spice. Little heavy on Tannins. I should have decanted before serving..
August 22, 2008 - Dark color. Fabulous powerful nose. Seemed rather hard and tannic at first but became much smoother with some air time. Very enjoyable.
August 16, 2008 - Wow ... did we enjoy this bottle! We FINALLY had a night to ourselves and were planning on having beef fillets. I decanted this about an hour before we ate and put it in the frig for about 20 mins to cool it down a little. The wine was absolutely smashing with the beef! It had great fruit, balanced tannis and a long finish. This is turn your lips blue, stain you teeth petite sirah. I'll be looking for some more!!
May 24, 2008 - pop and pour. Over the top - is this petite syrah or Aussie Shiraz? all fruit with a tiny bit of black pepper on the back end of the nose. lots of aged oak but pretty nicely integrated and with a little curry powder on the nose. tannins are still gripping but not so much as to be off putting. lots of life left in this big boy. and for 20 bucks? insane QPR
September 11, 2007 - Still great. I does need some air as it gets better after about an hour. Strong and powerful, needs the right meal, but can also stand on it's own.