5/15/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Medium bodied, fresh red fruits with good acidity. Best with a little air. 91 points

5/13/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP from magnum. Raspberry, Cherry and spice on the nose. Plush, medium bodied wine with red fruit and spicecake. Still a good amount of acids and tannin to carry this for several years. Better than expected. 93 points today.

5/10/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Scents of lemon/lime and a little bit flinty. Good acidity and almost Chablis like character as others have noted. Still young. 90 points

4/26/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 3 hours ahead. Very nice bouquet of dark fruits, tobacco and cedar. Medium bodied, with a good balance of tannin and acid and a core of blackberry fruit. Very elegant with good length. Purchased as futures and stored at 55 degrees. I believe this is in its prime drinking window and I'll drink mine over the next 8-10 years. 92 Points

5/7/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP, drank over 3 hours. Beautiful nose of black fruits and earth. Medium body with good tannins and beautiful acidity. Plush cassis and plum with notes of wet earth and a line of minerality. Nice finish. This improved over time and clearly exceeded expectations. Solid 92 points

4/25/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Purchased at the winery on release and stored at 55 degrees. Apple, honey and some warm spices on the nose. Ripe apple, honey tones and bright minerality on the palate. Nice balance but as others have noted less intense than expected. 92 points

4/25/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Served at a dinner with friends that included a 2007 Sassacaia, 1998 Pavie, 2006 Pavots, 1987 Mondavi Reserve, 2004 Hillside Select, 2010 Pegau, 2008 Lewelling Wight and 2002 Huet 1ère Trie Le Mont. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 2 hours ahead. Black fruit, leather and a touch of Eucalyptus on the nose. Old school Napa cab - medium bodied with smooth tannins framing black fruits, earth and spice. Blind, most thought older left bank Bordeaux. Fully mature. 92 points

4/25/2024 - sastewart wrote:

A star at a dinner with friends that included a 2007 Sassacaia, 2002 Dunn Napa, 2006 Pavots, 1987 Mondavi Reserve, 2004 Hillside Select, 2010 Pegau, 2008 Lewelling Wight, 2002 Huet 1ère Trie Le Mont.
Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 6 hours ahead. Silky and opulent with black cherry, cedar and crushed rock on the palate. Full bodied and dense with black cherry, current and spice. Great balance and terrific finish. This has at least 15 years ahead of it. Fabulous! 96 points

4/28/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Red fruits, earth and spice on the nose. Medium plus body with good balance manages the alcohol well. Cherry and spice with a little meatiness. Very nice. Solid 90 points.

4/24/2024 - sastewart wrote:

The nose is a bit subdued but with time some dark fruits, cherry and baking spices come out. Medium bodied with decent tannins dark cherries and spice. Fully mature with good balance. I was hoping for a little more. 90 points.

4/13/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Futures purchase, stored at 55 degrees and decanted 2 hours ahead alongside a 2000 Calon Segur. Nose of black, brambly fruits, tobacco and cigar box. Medium to medium plus body, lower acid and silky tannins framing a core of black fruits - beautiful balance. I liked this better than the 2000 we poured alongside. In a great place, ready but no rush. 93 points.

4/5/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Decanted 3 hours ahead. Black and blue fruit along with a beautiful touch of minerality on the nose. Medium bodied with beautiful acidity and good tannins for structure. Raspberry and black fruits along with limestone and secondary notes of tobacco and spice. Classic style. First of 6 purchased as futures and stored at 55 degrees. In a good place, I'll drink mine over the next 7-10 years. 93 points

3/23/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP, could have used a short decant. Spice, green apples and citrus on the nose. Great cut of acidity. Green apples citrus with a long mineral finish. I really liked this. No rush to drink. Solid 92 points

3/20/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 1 hour ahead. Dark red fruits, green pepper, earth and leather on the nose. Feminine style, medium bodied with racy red fruits tobacco and earth. Approaching maturity? Solid 91 points

3/24/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Purchased from the winery and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 30 minutes ahead, would have benefitted from a short decant. Poured blind, this looked and tasted far younger. Nose of pretty flowers, blackberries and just touch of alcohol that disappeared over time. Full bodied with plenty of structure and fruit to last another 5-10 years. Rich blackberry with some licorice. I don't drink many wines like this anymore but this was one of the best I've had. Solid 93 points

2/8/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP into decanter. Needed more time in the decanter than we gave it. Black fruits, flowers, cedar and graphite on the nose. Concentrated dark fruits and some earth with plenty of tannins and a slightly dry finish. I will give the next bottle at least a 2 hour decant. Still young. 92 points

3/1/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP - Would have benefitted from a one hour decant. Cherry, cranberry and a touch of tea on the nose. Medium bodied with crisp acidity. Cherry, strawberry and a nice streak of minerality on the finish. This opened nicely over 2 hours. Still on the young side should improve in the short term. 92+ points

2/29/2024 - sastewart wrote:

I agree with Mark1npt's note of 2/9/2024. I would only add that I purchased these as futures and stored at 55 degrees until it's trip to Naples. I think these are drinking very well and still have years to go. 95 Points

2/28/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Some matchstick on the nose upon opening. Needed 30 minutes to open. Medium weight, loaded with minerality, pear, apple and a touch of lemon/lime on the palate. Plenty of acid to carry this a long way. Still quite young, would benefit from a short decant. 93 points

2/28/2024 - sastewart wrote:

PNP - Great nose of cherry and spices. Lighter color with a touch of cloudiness. Crisp raspberry and cherry flavors meld with a touch of oak and a nice mineral streak. Great acidity and silky tannins lead to a long finish. I thought this was a bit more complex than a 2018 Hamilton Russel Pinot from Oregon served alongside. In a great place 92 points.

1/27/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Great bottle, fully mature with beautiful fruit and some nice secondary flavors.. 93 points.

1/27/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 3 hours ahead, decanted 1 hour. 3 of 6 purchased as futures and stored at 55 degrees. Earth, cedar, spicebox and dark fruit on the nose. Full bodied but a little less fruit forward than my previous bottles. Beautiful layers of cassis, tobacco and earth. This wine is in a great drinking window for me now. 95 points.

1/27/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 3 hours ahead. On the nose black fruits, spice box and a hint of cedar. Medium bodied, broader texture than my previous bottles. pure cassis, earth with a good finish. Very nice bottle - Poured alongside a 2003 LB this was a bit more linear but held its own. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. 93 points.

2/24/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Purchased at auction PNP. Slightly browning at the rim. At first this drank a bit old but seemed to improve after 15 minutes in the glass. Dark fruits, herbs and a touch of oak on the nose. Medium plus body, lower acid wine with dark fruits, spice and herb notes. This was fully mature with some interesting secondary flavors coming out over time. 90 points

2/24/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 3 hours ahead, decanted 1 hour. Improved further over the next hour or two. Very elegant nose of flowers, cherry and licorice. Medium bodied with high toned cherry, strawberry and spice notes. Great acidity and refined tannins hold on for a long, smooth finish. Still young. 92 points.

2/23/2024 - sastewart wrote:

From a bottle purchased around 2002-2003. Dark color, Great floral nose with orange blossom and a hint of sweetness. Medium bodied, sweet but not cloying. Peach and orange marmalade with enough acid to balance the sweetness and keep the alcohol in balance. Flavors carry through on the finish. Served cool, this bottle seemed a little more balanced than some I remember from a decade ago. Stored at 55 degrees, I wouldn't be surprised if these are still good in a decade. 91 points.

2/23/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Pretty sweet fruit on the nose along with tobacco and a bit of smoke. Medium bodied, red fruits, earth. Good balance. 89 points.

2/22/2024 - sastewart wrote:

From a half bottle. Crazy volatile acidity with plenty of off putting flavors and aromas. Undrinkable.

2/18/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 3+ hours ahead. Great bottle in its drinking window. Great structure and beautiful fruit. 93 points.

1/18/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Classic left bank bordeaux. beautiful tobacco, earth, and red fruits on the nose. Medium bodied with great structure, reaching maturity with secondary flavors melding tobacco, leather and cassis. Still time but really in a good place now. Solid 93 points

1/18/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Dark berries and a hint of spice on the nose. Mediuim plus body with focused dark fruits, flowers and a core of minerality on the finish. The wine still has considerable tannins, especially compared to a Kosta Brown we had alongside. 92 points

1/16/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Decanted 1+ hour. Black fruit, violets and cedar on the nose. Medium bodied with good acidity and firm tannins that receded over time. Really started to shine after 2 hours in the decanter. Cassis, tobacco and spice with a hint of earth followed by a nice finish. I think this is just now starting to come into its own and should drink well for another 5-10 years. Purchased as futures and stored at 55 degrees. 91 points with possible upside.

9/26/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Decanted 1 hour ahead. Still quite primary with plenty of acid and crunchy tannin. Great with food but austere on its own. Room for improvement. 92+ points

1/4/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Raspberry and herbs on the nose. Lighter body than I expected. Pretty red fruits and spice and herb note on the finish. 89 points

1/4/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 2 hours ahead and decanted 1. Pretty nose florals and black fruit. Initially a bit drying on the palate with less overt fruit than other bottles (4 of 6) of the 06 that I have had. Focused blackberries, cedar and licorice. Not sure where this is going but it did improve after several hours in the decanter. 90 points

12/23/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Opened and followed over 5 hours. Great nose, layers of black fruit, tobacco, leather and spice. More medium bodied and generous than previous bottles of this wine but still has a great core of silky tannins and acid for a great future. Flavors of black fruits, a little plum, tobacco and earth. Shared this blind with Bordeauxboy and others - easily identified as Bordeaux and one of the tasters correctly identified this as Pontet Canet. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. 95 points.

1/1/2024 - sastewart wrote:

NYE dinner with friends. Similar to my last note in 2022. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 3 hours ahead. Beautiful nose of cassis, a touch of cedar and flowers. Very plush and silky, but with just enough tannins to maintain freshness. Medium plus bodied with plenty of dark, ripe fruit and a great finish. On a nice drinking plateau but this was slightly softer than a bottle consumed 18 months ago. My last bottle - Probably no upside from here. 95 points

1/1/2024 - sastewart wrote:

Yellow fruit and some brioche on the nose. Full bodied with good minerality, and a nice acidic spine. Fine bubbles and a long finish. 93 points today

12/23/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Followed for 5 hours. Cigar box and black fruit on the nose. Firm and focused with good balance of acid and tannins. Cassis, earth, tobacco and some minerality on the palate. Nice long finish. This is in a good window but no rush. 93 points today.

12/18/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 2 hours ahead. Dark fruits and earth on the nose. Medium bodied with good acid tannin core. Dusty dark fruits, earth and nice acidity running through it. Ready to drink but not fading. 92 points.

12/18/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 30 minutes ahead (a short decant would have been better). Beautiful Red and blue fruit along with spice notes on the nose. More focused red and blue fruits on the palate. Whole cluster complexity brings out some earth and spice. This drank significantly younger and more focused than a 2017 Stoller Reserve drank alongside. 93 points.

12/18/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Opened 1 hour ahead. Dark fruits, earth and some floral aromatics on the nose. Medium bodied with cassis, cedar and nice minerality. Very much pure mountain focused fruit. Firm but fine tannins and a great finish. This is still young and will probably improve a bit as the tannins fade and more secondary flavors come out. I have one left and will probably hold on to it for several years. 92+ points.

12/7/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Decanted 1 hour ahead. Reticent nose with black fruits, cedar and a touch of graphite on the nose. Medium-bodied wine with smooth tannins. Pretty classic if understated Pauillac profile. Smooth, balanced finish. My first of 10 bottles purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. I think this is at the beginning of its drinking window and should remain there for another 10 years. 92 points

12/13/2023 - sastewart wrote:

PNP. Had this with a 2018 Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve. This was quite floral with some forest floor on the nose. Light to medium bodied and still a bit high pitched opens with air. Bright cherry and forest floor, a bit lighter with more high toned fruit fruit than the Oregon wine. Nice finish. This is in its drinking window but still has time. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. 92 points

12/13/2023 - sastewart wrote:

PNP. Had this along with a 2015 Bachey-Legros Santenay 1er Cru Clos Rousseau Vieilles Vignes. Pretty spice and floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied and till a bit tight but opens with air. Cherry and forest floor, a bit darker, bigger fruit than the Burgundy. Nice finish. This is still young - I'll keep my last 2 bottles a few years. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. 91+ points

12/13/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Decanted 90 minutes ahead. The decant mellowed this nicely and took off the excess oak on the nose. Not too complex but a nicely balanced fruit forward cab. In its drinking window. I will drink my last bottle in the next year or two. 91 points.

12/7/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Very good. PNP. Cherry and tobacco on the nose. Some woody astringency at first but after 15 minutes Bright cherry and some plum with some earthy notes mixed in. Plenty of tannins/acidity but I think I'd drink these sooner rather than later. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Solid 90 points.

12/1/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Dinner at Josephine's with Bill and Susan. PNP. Nice earth, red fruit and tobacco on the nose. Fully mature with perfect balance. Red fruits, earth and some secondary notes on the palate. Great bottle. 9th of 12 purchased as futures and stored at 55 degrees - I will drink my remaining bottles over the next year or two. 93 points

11/28/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Plenty of brett and funk on the nose. Light bodied, pretty red fruit on the palate. Good acid. would have much better if the Brett were under control. 87 points

10/29/2023 - sastewart wrote:

Flowers and pretty dark fruits on the nose. Plush Blackberry, some tar and nice spice on the palate. Great balance good acidity and fine tannins follow through for a great finish. This is drinking very well now. Solid 92 points