Decanted for 5 hours before the first taste. 9 hours after the decanting it was still opening up.
This is a dark, tannic, glycerin rich wine that has lots of spice. There are strawberries, blackberries, a bit of menthol, and pepper. It’s weak point is its finish, which has some heat (not from the alcohol, but from the oak). Overall a very nice wine that needs at least a decade to come together.
Utterly not worth the price, but a pleasure to drink nonetheless. 94+ points.
Great note Curtis.
Mike and I had this at the Ghost Horse duel, and it was very disappointing on that evening as well.
Curtis - I had the 2003 two weeks ago with similar results: an excellent wine but not worth the price.
I have an 03 Harlan, and since I have not been happy with anything from that vintage, I was considering trading it away. Hearing notes like yours makes me think that I would prefer to trade it, actually.
Had the wine at Flannery Fest II out of magnum. It was hectic and I don’t remember much from that night…but it was a better than average wine for the vintage.