April 4, 2024 - Popped and poured. Prune aroma with herbal notes. Smooth flavors of black fruits which gain intensity mid palate. Surprisingly light cherry vanilla finish. Mellow, evolved, firm backbone, complex, great staying power. If there are any signs of decline, they are subtle. Excellent.
December 1, 2023 - Almost 9 years since our last bottle and the last of 6. Dark earthy fruits, cured meats, iron and iodine. Tannins are integrated and one gets a sense this is on a downward trend. It's been a graceful ride.
May 9, 2023 - Berserker day purchase. Clearly aged on appearance. Aroma of dark chocolate and licorice with some subtle soil. On palate, a velvety texture suggestive of bordeaux blend. Very dark chocolate heavy. Acid and to some more limited extent tannin dominate. The fruit has receded and it is clearly over the hill. Still quite delicious.
August 21, 2021 - Pruney and stewed. Given other wines of similar age were not over the hill, I am assuming this is a flaw.
August 18, 2021 - Outstanding. Liquorous maraschino cherry, black pepper, beef jerky, slightly lifted nose. Supple leathery tannin, brilliant acid, sweet dark fruit, library, savory woody-caramel undercurrent, tons of life. I believe this is a Syrah-dominated wine but it tastes to me a lot like a half-Bordeaux - perhaps some Merlot/Cab in the blend? Good to go on pop-and-pour but best 2 hours after opening. This particular bottle was probably best a couple of years ago, but delicious now. Still, drink up. Picked up for a song on WineBid, and plenty 10-15-year-old stuff still available direct from the producer. This does have a slightly unpolished rusticity to it, which I rather like. $20, 13.8%
May 16, 2021 - Still quite fleshy and young seeming. Not primary though. Some BBQ meats and wood. Still plenty of flesh on the bones but I'm not sure there is room for improvement. No rush still. Tasty.
April 7, 2021 - n: Beef jerky, cedar
p: sirloin steak w white pepper on top. Surprising tannin+ bite on this after 1 hr decant. Fruit is fading with the umami tradeoff
March 13, 2021 - Drank over two days. Best on day one after about 30mins of air. Started a little hot. Fruit was very expressive and beautiful. Hints of meatiness and savory in the side seat. Still had plenty of life left. Planning to give the 08’s a few more years before opening.
November 15, 2018 - Nose: A- Palate: B+/B++
July 14, 2017 - Dark violet color. Nose big/hot with strong marzipan/almond notes. Palate with dark fruits and initial peppery bite, still fresh/some brightness, caramel flavors, ashy/grippy finish. Body is a little thin and overall lacks some complexity but satisfying and enjoyable with food (chili). On day 2, surprisingly strong hint of oak on palate, still has dark fruits. 88 pts