Initially disappointed by the 2013 Elivette for the reasons mentioned above, but just received over 10 cases of Elivette today so I had to test to see if it was just a vintage that was not ready.
I opened a 375ml of the 2009 and 2005. Both were excellent. I preferred the 2009 as the fruit was stronger and more pronounced but the 2005 was still excellent. Like others have said, when this wine is ready, its really good/excellent. I don’t want to touch any vintage past 2013 for at least a few years.
I’m right around ten cases. A combination of two orders from original SMV sale, orders from all of the last bottle marathon and elivette days, and separate ordering with last bottle as well. I had to create a file to tally what I had and had coming.
Bring her to any Singita property during great migration or Southern Ocean and Antarctic expedition on kodiaks this winter and tell her I buy discounted wine so I can take you on these exotic trips .
I had 22 cases delivered last week and 6 today. All Elivette. That said some cases were mags and 375ml which they still packed as a case of 12. I also had a smaller order come in a while ago.
I bought it for my consumption and the occasional gift. After I finished the last of my Conn Valley cab deal, which was $30 a bottle, I told myself I was going to stock up when I saw a great offer on Napa cab. I bought all I needed when they had the LB sale, but then I got on the slippery slope when I saw they had additional vintages and 375ml. So far I don’t regret this and I’ve had about 8 vintages, all of which were excellent. I bought from '00-'19.
Just received my shipment from last bottle. Ended up purchasing a 2011, 2 x 2013 and 2 x 2016. Since the 2013 is still available online right now and its been getting some rather polarizing reviews, I figured I would POBEGA a bottle for science.
Pop n pour (I will report back if any major changes take place over the next 2 days or so)
Cork looks pretty perfect (I did pull it with a durand)
The color is super saturated ruby, very pretty!
On the nose the fist impressions are dark cherry and some tertiary aromas that to me are always like olive, leather and old books. To me, this looks younger than its age, but smells older than its age. (Color vs. Nose)
On the palate its very smooth with very fine tannin and those tertiary aromas are coming though, however the fruit is definitely on the shy side, which I think other people have noted as well.
I left it in the glass for about 20 minutes and its starting to show more youthful! A more full dark cherry fruit is showing on the nose and palate, just a hint of cocoa and citrus rind and the tertiary elements are definitely on the back burner now. That little bit of time helped a lot!
This is a solid wine right now especially at $35.
I’ll sleep on it to see about pulling the trigger on anymore.
UPDATE: After a full day of air I am getting this very bitter finish. A comment on cellartracker told me this is probably tannin although it doesn’t feel grippy. Anyway, I have decided not to buy anymore bottles.
The concern about the '13 I had was that “especially at $35”. If I paid the published retail price, I would feel very differently. But easily worth the LB price.
Second 2012 tonight. Drinking in St. Helena. This is tasting spectacular. Up there with the ‘09 and ‘10. After trying many vintages, I do think that ‘09-‘12 range is tasting the best, such that 13-16 years is a good range for optimal aging. (I previously said 15 years.)
Just received my 10 cases+ and tried the 05, 07. 09, 13 and 19. I like the 09 the best. 09 was a 375 and it was more ready to drink than the 1.5L 2007. Outside of the 13, the rest really drinking great especially the 09 which was really excellent. I will have to try the 2012 tomorrow night.
I’ve been reading through this thread, trying to decide whether to get more 2013s. I have 6 but god only knows when they will finally show up. But since they are still available on the LB website right now and I have a 10% off, I’m tempted.
From what I can gather, the 2013s are good for the current price but inferior to other older vintages. What I’m less sure about if the expectation is that they just need more time or they just aren’t as good. Some of the comments make me think it’s the latter. Tannins are already mellow and there is little fruit left. It’s just odd that a reliable producer messes up in what should be good year.
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