2020 opened March 2024. I previously reviewed the 2018 — which was a fantastic wine which I gave a 9.8! Unfortunately the 2020 is not nearly as interesting. After decanting, it opened up quickly and faded. Still, it’s not a bad wine. It’s just not as great as its predecessor was. Mint and licorice on the nose. Candied cherries and sage on the front of the pallet. It has a medium body, but the tannic structure is kind of wooly — Feels like I’m tasting a cotton ball. But it has a long finish with strong mineral notes that remind me of volcanics soils. There’s a faint, creosote aftertaste on the finish , though. don’t get me wrong, it’s very drinkable — but it would need a big rare juicy steak to cover up that annoying creosote finish, and I don’t have one available at the moment. — a month ago
Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a somewhat translucent (fine sediment), near opaque core fading out to a garnet with a slightly watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with pretty significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of plums, cassis, dark cherries tobacco, some leather, some faint pyrazines, dried purple flowers, clay-like earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and luxurious with soft and attractive texture. Initial conclusions is this could be a Merlot, or Bordeaux-based blend from France, USA or Italy but since I seem to get more non-fruit characteristics, I’m calling this a Merlot-based blend from France, Bordeaux, Right-bank, St. Émilion, 2000 vintage. Whoa! 2005 Togni! Dang…this baby has some real Bordeaux sensibilities. Delicious stuff that is drinking very well right now. Apparently, this bottle had been opened the night before so it had plenty of time to breathe. I would expect well cellared examples should drink well through 2035. — a month ago
Still holding strong after a decade — a month ago
Whew. Total spiced dark chocolate. Deep and delicious. — a day ago
Smooth, full-bodied, less spicy yet flavorful Malbec. Really enjoyed. — 21 days ago
dark plum/ deep reddish brown, sulfites, berry and complex full body wine with a little sharpness towards the end. fruit forward in the beginning, very nice — 2 months ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I haven’t really enjoyed this producer due to how much ABV it shows, This was the first time it didn’t burn the back of my throat. Still big and dark. It’s a 30 plus year wine. — 18 days ago