Library Tasting Notes
Periodically we taste bottles of past vintages and our library wines to determine when they’re at their peak. We’ve listed several library wines below that are no longer available to the public for purchase but may exist in your own personal wine cellar or collection. The aging recommendations for each wine are based upon several factors including whether the wine was initially made to be drunk young or to have aging potential. Also, having optimal cellar conditions (55-60 degrees / 70%+ humidity) is critical if the wines are to age properly.
2005 Syrah – Radar Ridge Vineyard
updated 2/23/12
Still hanging in there and drinking very nice. Tannins are softening nicely. Prominent eucalyptus in the nose, sage, rosemary, fig and a hint of caramel and cinnamon on the palate. Drink now or hold for another 2-3 years.
2005 Signature Reserve Syrah
updated 2/23/12
Very drinkable now, but the fruit is fading a little. Fat and rich in the mouth with a slight raisiny undertone. Will hold for another year if stored properly, but is peaking now. Decant for an hour.
2005 Meritage
updated 2/23/12
Very drinkable now. Tannins are nice and round, soft and supple. Showing quite a bit of age with the fruit falling off a little in lieu of notes of white chocolate, cedar and hint of nuttiness. Best to decant this wine and let it breath for a few hours before serving. Drink now.
2005 Zinfandel
updated 2/23/12
Very earthy, smokey and leathery, rich and complex. Definitely peaking right now. Decanting is a must for a few hours prior to serving. Drink now.
2006 Syrah – Radar Ridge Vineyard
updated 2/23/12
Smokiness becoming a bit less dominant moving more toward earthiness, tannins are soft, and the wine is picking up a bit of ripeness and age in the palate. Nice fruit and soft, silky mouthfeel. Best to decant this wine as it is throwing some tartrate crystals in the bottle. Drink now or hold for another 1 1/2 – 2 years.
2006 Zinfandel
updated 2/23/12
Very ripe and packed with fruit this wine is very drinkable now as the tannins have softened and the fruit has really come forward. Zins are not typically long aging wines, so drink now or hold for another 1 – 1 1/2 years maximum.
2006 Synthesis
updated 2/23/12
Really coming into it’s own and is still gaining complexity. Nose is briary and ripe with notes of black raspberry, rose petals and mint. A slight smokiness is evident in the palate and the fruit is still holding up nicely. Tannins are soft and supple. Drink now or hold for 2 – 3 years.
2007 Syrah – Radar Ridge Vineyard
updated 2/23/12
Aging gracefully but is very drinkable now, but has lots of aging potential. Still a bit angular in the palate, but the fruit is holding up very well. Drink now or hold for another 3 years.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
updated 2/23/12
Very tight when opened and needs to be decanted for a few hours prior to serving. Notes of green olive, black pepper and spice in the nose. Rustic and toasty aromas with hints of black cherry and vanilla in the palate. Peaking. Drink now.
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
updated 2/23/12
Dark rich fruit and a firm structure make this wine very drinkable now, but one that can up to several additional years of bottling aging. Although the fruit is still fresh and aromatic, the tannins are still a bit coarse. Drink now or hold for another 3-4 years to allow the tannins to soften.
2008 Exotica
updated 2/23/12
Fat and juicy, this wine is very drinkable now and will hold for a little while longer. Merlot is often not as age-worthy as Cabernet Sauvignon, and this one is no exception. Although tasting beautifully now, it is recommended that this wine be consumed now or held for no more than 1-2 years with proper cellaring.
2008 Zinfandel
updated 2/23/12
Rich and juicy with loads of ripe, dark fruit. Licorice, fresh cut tobacco and cedar on the nose with luscious dark cherry, boysenberry and black currant on the palate. Drink now or hold 2-3 years.
Five.Six.Seven
updated 2/23/12
Rich, earthy and a hint of eucalyptus in the nose followed by luscious dark, ripe fruit in the palate. Notes of strawberry, cherry and black raspberry with a soft silky palate. The wine is very plump and ripe and will continue to develop over the next 2-3 years.
Six.Seven.Eight
updated 2/23/12
As the Malbec and Mourvedre components continue to push forward the wine is becoming more meaty and smoky with dark, brooding fruit elements, hints of dried fig, black tea and anise. Drink now or hold for another 1 1/2-2 years.
Seven.Eight.Nine
updated 2/23/12
The Cab Franc element of this wine seems to come to the foreground offering up notes of exotic spice, bell pepper and clove. Hints of blueberry, bright red cherry, and white pepper. A slight gamey, smokiness is evident in the palate. Decant for an hour to allow the wine open completely. Drink now or hold for another 2-4 years.