This showed much better than the bottle enjoyed in late 2019. The 25% Syrah still makes a huge imprint and statement in the aromatic and flavor profile: black licorice, smoked meats, blackberry liqueur, and black dry earth; the Cabernet lends mixed currant, some greenery, structure, spice, and black coffee accents. This bottle was much livelier and showed more structure. Wonderful balance, big finish, focused intensity, and layered complexity. Seems mature, but also seems like it could cellar for a few more years. I did not decant this bottle like the previous one, so that might have impacted my impression. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fully mature, with the aromatic and flavor profile dominated by the 25% Syrah in the blend. Very complex flavor profile of smoked, cooked and stewed black plums, cherries, currant, and blackberries, along with black coffee grounds, dried purple flowers, dried licorice, herbal mint, and wet, charred black earth. Structure is well integrated but starting to fade; lacks the power I remember from seven years ago. Medium finish. Enjoyed with roasted rib roast. Recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Lots of sediment and sludge in the bottom of the decanter along with 1-2 ounces left in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decent, but past its prime now, unfortunately. Should have opened some earlier. I'll see how it does over several hours after decanting. If it gets better I will update this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
10/23/2021 - wmccone54 wrote:
This showed much better than the bottle enjoyed in late 2019. The 25% Syrah still makes a huge imprint and statement in the aromatic and flavor profile: black licorice, smoked meats, blackberry liqueur, and black dry earth; the Cabernet lends mixed currant, some greenery, structure, spice, and black coffee accents. This bottle was much livelier and showed more structure. Wonderful balance, big finish, focused intensity, and layered complexity. Seems mature, but also seems like it could cellar for a few more years. I did not decant this bottle like the previous one, so that might have impacted my impression. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2020 - sstoloff wrote: 92 Points
Smoke and black fruits, cherry, currant, bramble, coffee; very polished.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2019 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
Fully mature, with the aromatic and flavor profile dominated by the 25% Syrah in the blend. Very complex flavor profile of smoked, cooked and stewed black plums, cherries, currant, and blackberries, along with black coffee grounds, dried purple flowers, dried licorice, herbal mint, and wet, charred black earth. Structure is well integrated but starting to fade; lacks the power I remember from seven years ago. Medium finish. Enjoyed with roasted rib roast. Recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Lots of sediment and sludge in the bottom of the decanter along with 1-2 ounces left in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/14/2019 - bablues wrote: 92 Points
9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2019 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decent, but past its prime now, unfortunately. Should have opened some earlier. I'll see how it does over several hours after decanting. If it gets better I will update this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment