Purchased at the winery upon release. Stored in a cool/cold cellar ever since. Ullage was quite good and the cork, though getting old, was in fine form and removed in one piece.
The color is quite nice for an 13 year old wine and still appears in its prime: i.e., younger in color than anticipated with nice moderate red tones.
The nose and palate, are at first, pretty rich, but that changed over time as the wine was expose to more air. At about 10 minutes or so, the red fruit berries, turned more tertiary with more spice, apricot skins, leather, and acid. Now it is showing its age. And with more time the acids become even more obvious. Fortunately, the wine is not fragile like wines with advance age, but it will not get better unless you own larger formats.
Bottom line: fun to try, but a bit bit past its prime.
Rated 90 points as the wine is still interesting at 13 years, but this score won't remain. Drink up.
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Relatively dark for Willamette PN. Deep, dark aroma. Smooth, silky mouth feel. Relatively subdued fruit. Dark flavors. Seems to be gaining weight. Fairly long but monotonal dark, acidic finish.
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6/11/2023 - Jshire Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened for 1/2 hour. Deep ruby. Luxardo cherry, baking spice, and grape leaf. Well structured and drinking amazingly well.
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1/1/2023 - John Dunlap Likes this wine: 90 Points
Purchased at the winery upon release. Stored in a cool/cold cellar ever since. Ullage was quite good and the cork, though getting old, was in fine form and removed in one piece.
The color is quite nice for an 13 year old wine and still appears in its prime: i.e., younger in color than anticipated with nice moderate red tones.
The nose and palate, are at first, pretty rich, but that changed over time as the wine was expose to more air. At about 10 minutes or so, the red fruit berries, turned more tertiary with more spice, apricot skins, leather, and acid. Now it is showing its age. And with more time the acids become even more obvious. Fortunately, the wine is not fragile like wines with advance age, but it will not get better unless you own larger formats.
Bottom line: fun to try, but a bit bit past its prime.
Rated 90 points as the wine is still interesting at 13 years, but this score won't remain. Drink up.
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5/18/2020 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 89 Points
Probably a little past it’s prime. Still very nice but a little thin.
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12/28/2019 - Sourdough Likes this wine: 91 Points
Relatively dark for Willamette PN. Deep, dark aroma. Smooth, silky mouth feel. Relatively subdued fruit. Dark flavors. Seems to be gaining weight. Fairly long but monotonal dark, acidic finish.
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3/28/2017 - 12marshall wrote: 92 Points
Well balanced and lovely. Not as much oak as two barns but not quite the fruit either. Still great.
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