Not what I was hoping for,
Gave it some air but not too much so that we didn’t lose the sweet spot. Didn’t touch the Shafer until this was finished. Just a typical older Bordeaux blend from Napa but very ordinary considering the price point. Secondary market purchase so who knows prior storage. — 2 years ago
Nice choice with filet or short rib fettuccine. — a month ago
Wonderfully plush and soft in the mouth - the tannins have sweetened and there is minimal fruit but lovely cola, leather and spices - opened up after a 30-45 minute decant. Highly recommend drinking now — 2 months ago
Rich, buttery and luscious. Barrel fermented. Oak is there but the right amount to balance the ripe fruit. Definitely a full bodied opulent Chardonnay - stone fruit and cashew. Low in acid. I think Jancis’s drinking window of 2021-2025 is about right. I wouldn’t want to be drinking this in 2028 or later. — 7 months ago
Buried deep inside the cellar. Didn’t like it much 20 years ago but it’s evolved into a very good one. Short decant. Fine sediment that most stuck to the side of the bottle. Black raspberry, floral notes, great color no brown edges even. Definitely California style but I was pleasantly surprised. — 4 months ago
Nose: raspberry, blackberry, cassis (?), dust. Subtle herbs, the kind you’d find in some kind of health food herbal tea for what ails you. A little leather.
Taste: absolutely delicious. Weighty, tastes as it smells, but bigger and juicier more red fruit than the nose - yet very balanced, with lots of mineral flavors besides. Not as complex as the very best I’ve had, but extremely tasty. A little more toasty coffee on the palate as you sip it. I may like this better than the Shafer I had recently. 94.
— 2 years ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2002 vintage. Last tasted 10.06.22 (9.4). Similar "gliding along" impressions with feminine characteristics. This bottle (nice fill, cork and decent sed) was a goody. Decanted and tasted after 5 mins, 30 mins and 2 hours. Bit more structure evident after two hours open as to be a different, yet fantastic, wine. Funny how some of these underwhelming, less than aggro wines can take on another life of their own, on their terms, by gently removing all doubt. Still another 5-7 years-easy. 11.21.24. — 10 days ago