Good. Not astounding. A cedar aftertaste distracted from the core fruit. Time in a decanter for an hour or two helped, but I'm not sure if this will ever really come into a place of real excitement…
Starting to show a little progress from 6 months ago when I last tried it, the Hossfeld Coliseum displayed some nice Merlot-driven curves and rounded (but a little reserved) richness. Similar to my…
High-pitched and almost undrinkable at first. Needed about an hour in the decanter before it was ready. Previous tasting notes apply. A 2012 Hartwell Cabernet totally destroyed this wine when served…
Similar to my notes from a year ago except that this only took about 30 minutes in the decanter to really fan out. The Syrah component was dominant (which wasn't a bad thing). Full of blackberry…
Overtly fruity and almost reminding me of a kid's juicebox. Not totally undrinkable, with some "red wine" characteristics, but just barely tolerable. Simplistic and a bit dead, like cran-grapejuice.…
Same as my specific flavor notes from May. Ideally, this shouldn't be opened for another year or two (shoot for 2018). We didn't intend on cracking the cork on this, but circumstances dictated…
Same as all my previous notes. Good enough. Not amazing. The Estate Cuvee is far superior. Decent QPR on the mailing list, but I'm becoming a little bored with the Optimus.
92 points this showing. A little short and clipped on the finish, with a thinner mid-palate. This wine was not decanted and was served out of the bottle at a restaurant; it could have used just a…
Performing as it has been over the course of the last year, the Estate Cuvee displayed its typical electric purple color; immediately accessible on the first sips. Notes of dark purple and black…
Same as all my other previous notes. Good stuff. No decant. Served at a cooler 54 degrees, which I preferred (an earlier pour made it to room temperature, but I found that a little too warm). The…
Certainly the fruitiest of the bunch, and unquestionably a Merlot-driven animal. Red and black cherry, cherry liqueur, cacao nibs, alcohol, and a tinge of alkaline. Understandably, this little guy…
Nearly identical to my notes on 8/23/2015. A little smoother and rounder than I remember from almost a year ago, especially after a two hour decant. Has notable finesse and depth that made me keep…
It has been a year since I last had this wine. The punchline here is HOLD for another year or two at least. Upon PnP, this wine felt both restrained and clumsy, with tight red and purple berry,…
Same notes as last month. Always a crowd pleaser, a great QPR, and ready to drink now. A little air always helps, but it's smooth and lush with a bit of swirling in the glass after a PnP.
Tasting event at 750 Wines in St. Helena with winemakers Russell Bevan, Aaron Pott, Benoit Touquette, Roy Piper, Helen Keplinger, Dan Petroski (Larkmead), Sam Kaplan (Memento Mori, Arkenstone, Nine…
Same as my CT notes from 12/10/2015. Really good QPR for what's in the bottle. Great crowd pleaser and WOTN. PnP with a little swirling in the glass worked fine. An hour slow O2 helped even more.
This has taken a total turn for the worse over the last six months. As noted on 11/02/2015 in my last CT entry on this wine, notes of stewed plum and black cherry, bologna, teriyaki sauce, saline,…
As others have mentioned, the Optimus is clearly not in the same league as the Estate Cuvée, but at only $45, the Optimus delivers way above its price point. What a great QPR!
PnP with initial notes of black and purple berry fruit. Blackberry, blueberry, black raspberry, red currant, cacao nibs, red licorice, and slate. The Syrah definitely filled in mid-palate, with what…
Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Fortuna, Weitz, and Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.
Same note as 3 days ago. Couldn't wait until after the holidays. Absolutely fantastic. Gave it even more time with air. Continued to improve. Slow O2 for two hours. Near-perfect all the way around!
PnP with explosive notes of blackberry liqueur, blueberry, black raspberry, charcoal, tar, and some baking spice. A total hedonistic and voluminous mouthfeel, with dark berries and cacao on the…
