Pitch black and brooding color with purple/magenta tinged edges. The nose is all black fruits. Nice. The palate reveals some sweet black fruits of cassis, black cherries with some cola and dusty chewy tannins. A wonderfully balanced cab with lots of full fledged cab stuffing. Very full bodied and plush mouths feel, this had a long elegant finish. Very nice wine albeit slightly four square and a bit clumsy this time around the edges. A few years will tame but surely enjoyable now.
I look forward to meeting the winemaker Mike Hirby when he visits and has dinner with my tasting group CLONYC later this year.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
1995 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Sonoma County)
Dark blackish edges with just the slightest sign of age. The nose began as as habit to say 'old wine', which anyone who knows me, knows I’m not thrilled. But then this did an amazing transformation within 30 minutes. It was super pure and elegant and a truly memorable bottle of 14 year old cab.Admirable amounts of fruits: black currants, black cherry cola with some kirsch royal and a touch of crème de cassis. There was a touch of cedar, and tobacco notes with some tat and soy. Everything was hitting at all the right levels. A 45 second finish. Glad we did not judge this on first impressions. 93/100
2001 Pax Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch (USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)
Decanted 45 minutes after cork broke and had to do a ‘push in’. What a beautiful expression of a PAX wine in what I think is its golden window. Some great deep purpled tinged magenta color. The nose is violets, blackberries, pomegranate and love. The palate had some great black berries, blue berries, and Bing cherries. There was a hint of white pepper with some tarry notes. Some amazing depth with an unbelievable balance that really did the high wire act. Smooth and fleshed out tannins with just the right touch of acidity, but not too much. As a matter of fact this drank better before food hit the table. A long elegant finish really made this an enjoyable wine. I have always been a fan of this bottling and will continue to look for more. 93/100
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