November 23, 2023 - Surprisingly feisty on opening, this needed more than the quick double decant that I gave it on the way to Thanksgiving dinner. Aromatic wood notes of balsam and sandalwood dominated the nose, while the palate was quite different, showing bright, velvety red fruit, and continuing to add weight and sweetness until we finished the bottle. Based on this showing, this needs at least a two-hour decant to show its best now.
August 1, 2023 - Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Big and extroverted nose and palate, this was big and tannic from start-to-finish. It's not clear to me if age will be this wine's friend.
January 13, 2023 - very sadly, spoiled - I did not buy this en primeur and suspect the case was badly stored at some stage as several bottles have been in poor condition
January 4, 2023 - 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful, deep Garnet colour. It doesn' t show the age of the wine. I would guess Bordeaux left bank on a blind tasting. Graphite, earthiness and dark fruits. Notes of plums, licorice and menthol. Complex and multi-layered. I would never guess this is pre-2010. Mefium-bodied, fresh and vibrant. Round and concentrated. Medium to long finish.
December 25, 2022 - Double magnum. Two hour decant. Color still great. Honestly, looks young. Blueberry, plum, maybe some tobacco and earthy nose. More juicy dark berry on the finish. Very nice. A cut below the better years but drinking really well. Maybe bottle size helps but this one feels should have a decade of peak left.
December 14, 2022 - Powerhouse. Awesome juice.
September 22, 2022 - From Magnum. Not a big fan of Italian wines normally but this wine tonight was superb.
July 24, 2022 - Still excellent, doesn't really need a long decant at this point, lots of leather and darker, forest scents but still coupled with some nice fruit. Delicious!
May 2, 2022 - Ox has set in. Bretty Betty. Could be poor storage from previous owner as bought this secondary.
April 16, 2022 - 2 hour decant
Secondary and tertiary nose of wood, burnt embers, tobacco, smokey cedar, dark blue fruit and tapenade. Palate is youthful, plush, quite long w multiple dimensions that leads to an extraordinarily long finish with slightly unfurled tannins.
In the strike zone here bud still quite youthful; drink or hold for a few years with neither being a bad decision. Excellent