Purchased from a cellar clearance sale for $40. Tried this last night with some Panko-Potato-Crusted Beef Tenderloin. Bottle was opened (but not decanted) for one hour before drinking.

Ebony dark purple color - still very youthful-looking. Explosive and room-filling nose of juicy dark berries and juniper. More ripe berry fruit cascading on the palate, framed by plush and sturdy tannins. Intense, yet expansive. This is an outstanding wine. Can probably age another 3-5 years, but delicious now. I agree with RP's 93P rating.

Despite all of the berry descriptors in my TN, I would stop short of calling this a "fruit bomb". Everything seems under control and balanced. The oak is noticeable but contributory to a sum that is greater than its parts.

This is the second Rockford B/P from a so-called "Off-vintage" that has bowled me over. The other being the 2000.

Cheers,

Otis

Otis, I loved the '00. I would buy the Rockford Basket Press regardless of vintage. The winemaking philosophy is very sound. Glad to hear that they age well.

jb

and the wine maker, of course, is the master - Chris Ringland. Otis, thanks for the notes, I'm going to open one this week!

Had the '99 at a tasting the other day. I had never had this before. Very, very good. His (Rockford's) '00 Riesling, Eden Valley, was my #1 "interesting" white.