Aka Batchelor’s Button, 300 cases made. Dense to opaque purple-red. Oak and a hint of eucalyptus on the nose initially. Red fruit - raspberry, cherry - followed by seed tannins on finish. Needs time to open. Black currant and black cherry flavors strengthen after 90 minutes, seed tannins settle, less muddy. — 5 months ago
300 cases made. Ruby red, very good clarity, moderate to heavy pigment extraction. Rich flavor profile, slightly oily with black currant, cherry, raspberry notes in mouth. Light mouth coating tannins on finish. Mint and herb aftertaste. Nice complexity though fruit intensity seems lighter than tannin and alcohol levels. I like the acidity, not too low or high. Still highly ageable overall. After one hour, fruit expression intensifies, so decant at least that long — 5 months ago
200 cases produced. Assessing… Purple, very good clarity, moderate pigment extraction. Black currant aroma and flavor with depth, butter, wood in mouth with moderate but medium-grained skin astringency on the finish. Some seed bitterness in aftertaste. After an hour, blackberry and pomegranate flavors emerge while tannins soften up. After 90 minutes, spearmint and herbal notes come out in the finish. Decant at least 90 minutes. Well crafted, really nice version of this varietal. — 2 months ago
Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Sulfites on nose initially. Stone fruit and lemony-citrus flavors with white flowers on finish, lightly crisp and fruity. Ok with food, even better perhaps for sipping. Great moderation of the floral character here in the varietal. — 4 months ago
Horse Heaven Hills, 400 cases made. Ruby red, moderate pigment extraction, very good clarity. Raspberry aroma, plum, cola, raspberry and sweet cherry flavors with white pepper on finish. Fine seed tannins. Well balanced, dry but fruity, slightly syrupy impression though it’s not mouthfeel or viscosity. Tasty stuff here — 5 months ago
David Shaw
My last bottle of the vintage — 23 days ago