Yes, the one that GMT has been raving about, purchased from Grape Tray for $27.00:

Beautiful clear, dark dark red color and long thin legs. The nose is not shy, yet elegant showing light cassis, blackberry, clove, and mineral notes. On the palate the wine is in harmony, gracefully keeping one exploring it’s nuances and seeking descriptors. Fine grained, ripe tannins, perfect balance, and a fine, beguiling finish that goes on and on. Drinking very well now, I think this may age deceptively well, it will be interesting to watch this one develop.

I cannot compare this to the wines GMT did, as I have not had those. However, this is very fine indeed, and at $27-$35 it's a buy.

Eric,

This sounds like a back-the-truck-up-and-load-it kind of deal. Thanks for keeping this in the forefront. I've accumulated a few cases and look forward to enjoying them with friends.

Yes. Thank You, Eric. I also asked you for the TNs.

These are the Wines that he mentioned:("better than Araujo, Dalla Valle, Harlan, and SE from 97" - this from GMT? How could I say no?)

And, I posted that he may be exaggerating a bit. Well, I will definitely keep an eye out. Like you stated, @ this price, why Not?

Pyang also compared this to the 1997 Lewis Cuvee L and put this one on top. I however cannot agree, the Lewis blows the socks off this wine, it's not even a competition. Another recent comparision for me is the 1997 Rafanelli Cab, which to my taste also came out on top of the Cooper. I will be interested to put this blindly in a lineup of higher end cabs in the future.

Of course, as LCC states, at this price there is no question it is a screaming QPR.

thanks for the TN....I also saw the original post over on WS and ordered a 3 pack from the winery online....Can't wait to try but I don't think I will crack open the Bryant 97 for a comparison...then again....

Six bottles arrived here yesterday. Trying to decide when to open the first. Any opinions on how much breathing time it needs now?

It doesn't need much. An hour should do the trick. If you don't mind me asking, with shipping considered what did you pay per bottle?

Board-O - I agree with Winebrat. The one bottle I have opened so far was decanted for about an hour prior to drinking, and it showed very well over a couple of hours.. I would suggest minimal decanting time, and enjoying the wine as it develops over time.

Thanks to my 'connection' I have 2 bottles that I am dying to try. Probably this weekend...

I normally taste a wine as soon as decanted, but I like to have an idea when it will be ready so I can plan the food accompaniment to be ready at that time. When I'm not sure, I often go with cheese so I can delay the food until the wine is ready. Either that or I open an additional bottle.

For the six bottles, I paid $242.33 including tax and shipping. Before tax and shipping, it was $35 per bottle.

Have had two bottles now. The first was shared and not decanted. The second was decanted for approximately an hour. Found it to be much better than the first as it continued to improve throughout the drinking processl.
The undecanted bottle developed nicely but was gone too quickl -- within 90 minutes.

i had this wine at a restaurant here in fresno & was happy to find it on their list for $45, since the only local wine shop that carried it was wiped out by one eric white before i could get over there to secure any . i tend to agree with eric's assessment of this wine. i haven't had any of the cult cabs to which some have compared this, but i would put the '97 merryvale profile & the '97 bv gdl ahead of this wine & there may be others if i thought long & hard about it. it was good though.

We're taking a bottle of this on vacation to share with Rothko, so I'll try the hour that's been recommended. Thanks for the advice.

Board -O,

This is a strange wine. I have had at least 6 bottles and I can tell you that although it is good from the gett-go, it is better after many hours. I would say 4-6 hours is perfect. It isn't that there are tannins to shed, but rather, it just really opens up! Especially by the next day!

Hmmmm. Now how long should it sit in a decanter before drinking? I'm uncertain.

Vista,

I just had a bottle of this over the weekend and my experience was consistent with my first six bottles -- it never seems to gain anything over time, at least to my tastes.

I suggested to Board-O, on his "poll", to open the bottle up to two hours in advance but to NOT use a decanter. Are your experiences different?

Apparently so. That's why I tried to create a poll.

I had problems when I first tried to set up a poll, too, Board-o, so don't feel bad. I think I figured it out eventually, but I forget how.

I'm so ashamed.

Board-O,
You may not be able to construct a poll worth a damn,
but you may well be the best rope-jumper I've ever seen.
There are days when I watch you for HOURS and you just
never miss! How do you do it?