Clear garnet. Woodsy, black cherry, bit of overt ripeness. Cherry, cedar followed by ripe cranberry. Good depth and middle weight. Nice acid, good balance despite the marked 14% alcohol. No decline noticed here, but drinking well.
Bought this as a one off, and it must have been stored well, as it showed no signs of aging or decline. Generally a big fan of Phillips Hill and really like the recent releases (2013 onward) so was happy to grab an older vintage. Having tasted quite a few of the smoke-tainted wines from Mendo/AV 2008, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this did not come through in either the nose or the flavors. I've noted a wild strawberry thing from Oppenlander before that I don't get in this wine. Either way, this is a good sendoff to a few weeks of no wine! Had this with a Blanquette de veau. The wine showed better with the meal than after.
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I had stored this at about 65 degrees and it is now past its prime, exhibiting mostly notes of stewed cherry, with round tannins and a slight hint of smoke in the background. Seemed to have been marginally better after 30 minutes of air.
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1/10/2019 - CPSchoeff Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clear garnet. Woodsy, black cherry, bit of overt ripeness. Cherry, cedar followed by ripe cranberry. Good depth and middle weight. Nice acid, good balance despite the marked 14% alcohol. No decline noticed here, but drinking well.
Bought this as a one off, and it must have been stored well, as it showed no signs of aging or decline. Generally a big fan of Phillips Hill and really like the recent releases (2013 onward) so was happy to grab an older vintage. Having tasted quite a few of the smoke-tainted wines from Mendo/AV 2008, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this did not come through in either the nose or the flavors. I've noted a wild strawberry thing from Oppenlander before that I don't get in this wine. Either way, this is a good sendoff to a few weeks of no wine! Had this with a Blanquette de veau. The wine showed better with the meal than after.
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10/11/2018 - whudock Likes this wine: 89 Points
still has strong fruit and complexity
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3/19/2017 - IlonaN wrote: 88 Points
Held up well, showing good layered complexity on nose and palate with zesty spiciness on the finish.
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4/18/2015 - rhsphd7@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Last of the 08s with the smoke. Let it sit and open and really enjoyed
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7/26/2014 - joraesque wrote:
I had stored this at about 65 degrees and it is now past its prime, exhibiting mostly notes of stewed cherry, with round tannins and a slight hint of smoke in the background. Seemed to have been marginally better after 30 minutes of air.
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