Purchased three years or so ago at the tasting room in Calistoga
2003 On The Edge Winery Charbono (Frediani Vineyard).
My first Charbono. From Calistoga, this was a big, somewhat tannic wine three years ago. The tannins have now smoothed out. I am pretty brett sensitive, and there is a definite "old world funkyness" to this wine -which I enjoyed quite a bit (May be sensitive, but I like a little funk). Very fine grained tannins right now. This is not a fruit bomb at all, but there is lovely cherry fruit and a very distinctive "Italian-ish" bitter tobacco tone which made the wine very interesting and delicious. I was gratified by how many other people at the local wine bar enjoyed it! Awesome wine, and well worth holding onto for the three years or so.
2004 Sequoia Grove "Stagecoach Vineyard" Syrah. Another nice wine. Nose was very savory and meaty. Palate was more about the anise fruit, with a hint of the meatyness. I often find that I enjoy sniffing Syrah even more than drinking it. Weird, I know. There was an interesting tomato leaf note to the taste as well...something I've noticed in a couple of other favored Napa Syrahs (Havens, for one). A very nice wine, but the Charbono was what caught our attention this evening.