TNs from the June 9th Offline @ Meadowood...

Significant brown, a brick orange-red color, with a delightful mature nose of mushrooms, truffles, graphite, sweet cherries, and strawberries. Medium bodied, with velvety tannins, finishing fairly short but pleasant. 92 points.

We had this at a Florida offline a little over three months ago, courtesy of gary44. Everybody raved about it, but I thought it was a little over-the-hill. From your descrition, am I to take it you share that opinion?

Hmm, over the hill? Or fully mature? Really depends on how you like your wines on the aging curve, I loved it but it is surely on the down side of the bell curve.

I do feel this was over the hill, but as Eric points out some may not think so. The fruit that was showing was washed out by acid and wood.

Which brings up another question. It was very genrous of gary44 to supply this wine. Everybody else was raving about it, and while I felt it was good, I thought it was declining, but felt hesitant to say so. Ever temper or withhold your opinions in a situation like this?

It is hard to give true reviews sometimes, but if one wishes to have their opinion on wine trusted, being honest is the only choice. This goes for many other things as well. Withholding opinions is the other choice which falls under tactfullness......a life skill.

Thank God the Bressler was good!

Seek, what diplomacy! I quite agree on both honesty and tact. For me, when a wine exhibits significant browning, it is no longer a sensual pleasure, but that's just my predisposition.

While the 61 was not beyond enjoyment, it was on the downward slope.

I can say it since I brought it.