Candied red apple. Needs some time to mellow out. Dark and fruity for a Pinot. Interesting but a departure from varietal expectation. — 11 years ago
First off. You have heard about decanting.... This is a great example. Open and it tastes flat, give it time to breath and the flavors come out. The nose has a nice oak, smokey texture. Taste has a predominant black cherry flavor with nice ripe fruit flavors. Oak remains throughout the taste from start to finish with american oak flavors. An almost cigar smokiness hits immediately with a slight spice....not sure where to compare this to because it's not like a Zinfandel pepper, but more like an allspice. The overall feel is medium bodied with rich cherry flavors and well balanced for a smooth feel. This is a great introduction to Stags Leap without spending $150. — 11 years ago
Wow 1997 Howell Mtn Dunn out of a Magnum brought by Dave N! Thanks Big time. Getting a chance to drink 18 plus year old wine! What a treat. Tannins have mellowed, fruit is still kicking! Great mouthfeel. Awesome Experience! Monday Night Wine Group Dinner — 11 years ago
Fresh out of the bottle - funky spice aromas. On the palate - bone dry and incredibly tight. Decanted for three hours. I can't tell you how much it opened up in that time. This wine is phenomenal. Incredibly smooth, smokey, surprisingly juicy. Just gorgeous. Must try! — 12 years ago
2001 vintage lovely dense plumbs, currants, violets and spice on the nose. Rich and warm, headily inviting, with the perfume jumping out of the glass capturing and demanding attention. Tightly packed mouthful as well, surprisingly medium bodied, good fruit and tannin, but closed and needing time. Good aftertaste, probably needs 3 to 5 years before opening up to its best. — 11 years ago
Needs some time but should turn out very nice — 11 years ago
We went 2/2 tonight. This bottle was a testament to perfect storage. Cork was perfect, and the wine was dark ruby with ever so slight bricking at the rim. Awesome. More approachable than the 90 and makes you wanna curl up with it for a long time. Better than the bottle I had at the Montrose vertical a month ago. Blind I would guess 10 yrs newer. For this price point and quality it's a must add. Edged out the Margaux. — 11 years ago
I mean I'm not going to spit it out or anything.... Just messing around. Special wine when it is time to celebrate! — 12 years ago
Jared O'Connell
What a wonderful wine. Really shines after some time out of the bottle. Saving the last glass of this for tomorrow night. How are there so many reviews for newer vintages on here. Are they errors? Or tasted at the winery? Isn't 2003 the current release? — 11 years ago