A bit of a letdown. Fruit seems to be fading some, as the tannins the more dominant feature. The lovely texture this had last time I opened one also seems to be gone. Still, a decent bottle, but I’m not going to let my last two sit any longer. Similar result as the 2005 Alta Mesa I opened up this week. Only difference here is the alcohol was not at the forefront. 88pts.
McPrice Myers Alta Mesa Vineyard
Another letdown, maybe more so since I was in the mood for a hedonistic GSM. The fruit has also faded quite a bit, but the alcohol is more of the dominant feature here. The Mourvedre component seems to be the most prominent fruit component. Usually alcohol isn’t a problem for me with Grenache (GSM) blends when there is enough fruit. Here it was a detractor for me. Only have one left and will drink that one up soon. 87pts.
Tim - thank you for the notes. I experienced much of what you did with these wines. When I first received them, I was quite pleased with them - vibrant fruit, good mouthfeel, fairly balanced (for a young, high abv CA wine, anyway). A year later, they were completely different - I did not like them whatsoever, for many of the reasons you mentioned in your notes.
FWIW I have the same assessment on their 05 Larner Syrah. LOVED it on release and it’s followed the same path as these two. Last one I opened not too long ago made me wonder where that fantastic syrah went.
I’m very surprised that these have not aged better - Mac makes some tasty wines that seem to have the stuffing to go the long haul . . . He does push it a bit with ETOH from time to time, and I wonder if that has come into play here?!?!?! Just wondering . . .
I’m just pleased to see that I wasn’t the only one believing it. They were fresh, vibrant, and enjoyable (big) wines at the get-go, and many had proclaimed the winery as the next great CA winery. I stopped buying after only one vintage once I saw how terribly they aged…
You guys aren’t the only ones, I couldn’t even drink the '05 Cuvee Kristina a couple months ago. I held these wines way too long as they were just too big for me on release and I thought the fruit should settle down with some time, but now all I get is heat. I have 2 cases 0f '05 and '06’s
Good to know. I had some of his current releases in my offsite locker, but looks like I’ll be bringing them home for short term consumption. Oddly enough, I always scratched my head at Parker’s early drinking windows for Mac. Guess he gets it right sometimes
Exactly the same thing for me. Loved the 05’s on release and then each bottle I opened since then has gotten worse. Way too hot for my taste, at least where they are now.
had this a few nights ago, and will be curious to see what you thought. i haven’t entered my TN into CT yet, hence it’s absence from this board and others.
confusing wine., the nose is pretty nice with a some garigue/ earth tones. But this falls apart quickly for me. Dark fruit seems to evaporate quickly, leaving me with a sour/tart note and some grippy tannins on the finish. Nothing like the wine I tasted a year ago that make me turn around and order more.
[confusing wine., the nose is pretty nice with a some garigue/ earth tones. But this falls apart quickly for me. Dark fruit seems to evaporate quickly, leaving me with a sour/tart note and some grippy tannins on the finish. Nothing like the wine I tasted a year ago that make me turn around and order more.
15.8% alcohol?[/quote]
Decant or pop and pour? I took a few bottles of 07 home to open this weekend. Will report back.
Interesting stuff. I don’t cellar any but have picked some up on occasion along with Barrel 27 (I think there is a connection). My impression has always been very tasty Santa Barbara fruit, drink now, pop and pour.
