2014 J. Bookwalter Protagonist

Community Tasting Notes (17) Avg Score: 90.9 points

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  11/24/2021 - Joelene wrote: 92 Points

  Really nice. Blueberry vanilla pie, big wine expanding finish… in 5 years this will be a knock out!

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  11/25/2020 - Angies Husband Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Nose a bit closed, underling spice tones. Still full bodied, some bitter dark chocolate with subdued tannins. Nice long finish. Better after 90min decant or so.

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  10/26/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  ≈80 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed. NO sediment visible; Private Preserve after Day 1
  
  N: Closed, but seems ripe with hints of choc & pyrazines
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG finish with a BITTER/swtness (65:35) to the otherwise unoffensively firming, very, VERY slightly dusty tannins. I thought it marginally worked with our Moroccan Lamb Shanks Tagine, the relatives being > pleased with it than I. Suspecting this is on the decline™, & should be consumed by mid '21.
  // Day 2: Aromatically now only slightly closed, the choc > obvious than on Day 1. P very ≈, the bitterness down a bit, but now showing a bit of heat? Better by itself than with the night's Beef Stroganoff MRE, which exacerbated the bitterness at least somewhat. Not at all sure where this is headed, but probably best to consume 'fore '21 expires.™ 14.9% ABV; My VG+, poss EXC- for the QPR of the heavily discounted $29.99 pd for it in mid '18. [As of early Nov '20, wine-searcher now shows 1 source @ $36].
  
  Note: Previously tasted on 6/2 & 9/8/18, + 1/14/ & 5/11/20.
  ™Also, since this bottle had < "ideal" storage, it could well have matured > rapidly than might otherwise have been expected.

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  5/11/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

  ≈100 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed. NO sediment visible!
  
  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  N: Earthiness slightly atop leather with notes of pyrazines, ripe berries coming forward with addt'l swirling
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it fairly seamlessly evolves into a very LONG finish with a bitter/swtness (45:55) to the fairly unoffensive, yet still firming, dusty tannins. IMO the swtness of the BBQ sauce with the night's Smoked BBQ Pk Ribs & Pulled Pork Butt brought out the wine's bitterness, though the relatives did NOT feel that way, + I suppose it could be argued the bitterness served as a palate cleanser. [Put a bit differently, for me better by itself than with the night's BBQ entrées, & the "villain" would appear to be the swtness of the BBQ sauce.] Nonetheless, clearly my EXC-, arguably EXC for the QPR of the $29.99 purchase price in mid '18, & poss even a notch > *if* with the proper entrée: perhaps a thick cut of meat or a rich stew? [As of mid May '20, wine-searcher shows no sources for this vintage].
  
  Note: Previously tasted on 6/2 & 9/8/18, + 1/14/20. Also, since this bottle had < "ideal" storage, it MAY have matured a *tad* > rapidly than might otherwise have been expected.

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  1/14/2020 - srh Likes this wine:

  ≈80 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed.
  
  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  N: Ripe berries slightly atop pyrazines with a distinct savory aspect & notes of spice
  
  P: Me, poss LM, body; NICE, fairly intense, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy finish with a bitter/SWT (40:60) choc veneer to the firming, yet fairly innocuous, dusty tannins. An engagingly *lovely* wine that is DEFINITELY in its "window"™, & while I'd not necessarily expect further improvement, I can see it making its 10th. My EXC, & *very* arguably EXC+ based upon the QPR of the heavily discounted $29.99 I pd for it in mid '18. [As of late Feb '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $36].
  
  Note: Previously tasted on 6/2 & 9/8/18. ™Also, since this bottle had < "ideal" storage, it MAY have matured a *tad* > rapidly than might otherwise have been expected.

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