Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark purple/black color. Aromas of cooked black fruit, violets and Asian spices. Blackberry compote, huckleberry, blueberry jam and black plum fruit flavors along with notes of chocolate, black licorice, basil, tobacco, coffee and vanilla. Hint of saline on the long and drawn out finish. High, but not obvious, alcohol (16%). Velvety texture and tannin structure. Plush, bold and powerful. Thanks for sharing, James W. — 4 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Always great stuff. Cherry cordial. Rye Manhattan. — 8 months ago

Devin B

9.6

Lighter tannins, and softer. But boy does it pack a nose! Dark cherries, figs, leather and wood. Nice long fruity finish. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly dark fruits: plums, black cherry, dark brambles, purple flowers, sweet tobacco, anise, leather, vanilla and baking spices. I believe this wine sees some new, small format oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is smooth and luxurious. Alcohol is medium+. The wine is fairly well balanced.

Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot or a Merlot-based blend, Cabernet Franc (or based blend), Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec or Carménère from the United States, France, Spain or Argentina. From my experience, I didn’t think it was purple or single-toned enough for Malbec. There wasn’t any rotondun or reductive qualities I usually get from Syrah; so I eliminated that as well. There weren’t enough pyrazines for Cab Franc. It left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and since this was lavishly oaked (I felt most new French oak), I veered towards Merlot and since it was leaning pretty heavily towards its fruit and the ABV was elevated, I was going New World instead of Right Bank. Final conclusion: Merlot or Merlot-based blend from the United States, from California, Napa Valley from 2015. Gosh dammit. I forgot about the possibility of Tempranillo from Toro. I totally get it but don’t hate my analysis or call. I’ve had Termes and Numanthia countless times but this was the first time trying Termanthia. It’s a big boy…but pretty well balanced considering the power. Drink now through 2032+. — 2 months ago

DAL 9000

8.9

Poured translucent Ruby. Light dusty nose of cherries with a dark sour Cherry burst of flavor in the middle. With other red and dark fruits. Mouthfeel of Sangiovese — 10 months ago

John Pavlovich

9.7

It showed great tonight, one of the best Syrahs in a long time. So complex, so complete, so full of flavour and life, so enjoyable. With many more years ahead of it. Boy, was Jay Miller ever right about this wine. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of bazooka bubblegum, cherry and hint of sage. Very tasty cab blend- interesting aromas and full of red fruit on the palate. — 6 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.2

Great stuff — 6 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.6

Eight years in my cellar. Big boy wine. Needs 90 minutes in the decanter. Inky. World class wine. 15.5% but no problem, wears it well. Complexity off the charts. Every sip was different. Coffee, smoke, blueberry, Peppercorns, gorgeous acid. Fine tannins. Youthful at 12 years. — 8 months ago

Adam Deshpande

9.6

Almost no breathing required. Very light on the palette and refreshing. — 3 years ago