Medium ruby , garnet rim, touch of terracotta rim . Slightly dusty , animal touch , with leather , spicy and herbal , soy , iodine . On the palate quite strict , grafite , slightly more red fruit , cranberry , then blackcurrant and grafite . Slightly dusty dry tannins , balanced acidity . Slightly spicy , mineral , grafite tinged finish . This needs a bit of time to open but shows quite well , slightly herbal , and perhaps lacks a little charm , but is quite classic in style if not a great 1985. From now and over the next 10 years . On the night this was probably only ahead of the 1977 , and my least favourite of the 1980s vintages . — 18 days ago
Such a great way to finish the night — 3 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 “Date Night…” Sauvignon Blanc is made more in the Sancerre style than the Bordeaux Blanc style. It’s bursting with grapefruit and verbena; herbal and grassy. There is some lovely acid and minerals too. This is a very strong example of this style in a New World way. Drink now. — a month ago
Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. This was stunning and to my palate, on this night, seemed to show the best of the Napa flight. The 1992 shows classic Dunn Howell with ample dark and red fruits, tobacco, earth, leather and fine baking spices. Stout structure. Everything in beautiful balance. Drink now with unmitigated glee and through 2042 because just like Barry, this has Staying Power. — 15 days ago
Inky in color, jammy, big, plums, light no tannins. Not balanced but big. Steak tasting night at home — 3 months ago
Without doubt the greatest sticky I’ve ever tasted. I nosed it for 30 mins, it was so clear and bright with tropical fruit and light stony minerality. The apricot and mango were lifted over my palate by actual angels who may’ve swiped a taste on the brief journey. Wish I could’ve sat up with a last glass all night, thank you Lenny. 🙏🏼 — 10 days ago
My last bottle…
A few years back I bought 3 bottles. Now can’t find another 2017 on the inter-webs.
Soft mouth feel with a kick not from tannins, per se, but from a strong peppery finish. Just loved.
36% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 31 mourverdre…
After 2017 they jacked up the Grenache and it hasn’t been the same. Not sure the vineyard is even still around.
Was fun while it lasted…. — a month ago
First night open: 20 year old vintage— chocolate on the nose with a stone fruit finish. Tasted clean and complex with an almost immediate light evaporation in your mouth leaving you with the feeling of bubbles dissolving. Delicious. — 2 months ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2021 “Date Night…” Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby purple with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of black fruit: blackberries, black plum, black currants, purple flowers, some tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. While this is meant to be their workhorse wine, it’s got plenty of stuffing for aging and I think this vintage would appreciate some cellar time. Already tasty though. Drink now through 2036. — a month ago