Popped and poured, which was a mistake. This still needs serious air time. It was closed up tight upon opening and gave up very little on the nose or palate at first. Still a big wall of tannin hiding most everything. With about 30 minute of time in a glass, it began to open and the fruit started to show up. Lots of dark cherry flavors with some cocoa and spice. There is some serious backbone here that needs time to integrate and let the rest of the wine show up. I still have several more and won’t touch another for at least 2 years.
While I think this a well made wine with lots of staying power, I think that it is priced above its level of quality. Maybe that will change as the wine develops with more age, but I don’t think it will.
Good note Bruce. This was an early dissapointment that surely got better as they went. The 05 is said to be great. It could be found for $60ish. I am watching this one closely.
I saw a case of the '05 today for $65 a bottle and almost bit on one.
Bill,
I tried the '05 recently it’s good but it needs a miminum of a couple hours opened or a couple years at least. pretty tight right now.
I thought the '04 was probably better than the '05. I know Laube gave it (the '05) a high score, but I couldn’t agree.
Hewitt had many of their best blocks under contract the first several years. Now it is mostly all theirs. For me, starting in 2005 they hit their stride. The 07 is really good too.
This is good to know. I really like the Provenance wines made by the same winemaker, so I am glad that the Hewitt is showing better these days.