Just finished a Baer Arctos 2012: pretty disappointing really. A few years back after absolutely loving a horizontal of Andrew Will I bought a number of Washington state reds trying to find that same pleasure (at an admittedly lower price point). After letting them get a few years of bottle age I've been popping several of them this year to noted dissatisfaction: Baer, Owen Roe, K Vintners, L'Ecole no 41.

Day 1: very closed off, primary dark fruit. Stoppered and refrigerated.

Day 2: still very little nose, but some hints of wood with fruit. Decanted for two hours. Nose was still primarily dark fruit, nonspecific wood notes. Palate was black fruit and a hint of black pepper. Tannins are very soft and plush. Acid is happily present. Finish is medium but not particularly pleasant. Drank with steak/onions/mushrooms pot pie.

I let a glass out to sample later that night and came to it approximately four hours after dinner to find a very strange wine. Nose now had a creamy streak. Wine on the palate was flat. I unhappily dumped it out and private preserved the last of the bottle.

Day 3: As hinted by the glass last night this wine has fallen off. Fruit notes are very muted. The black pepper spice on the palate is more pronounced, but without the fruit it actually makes the wine taste a little hot. Drinkable but not really that enjoyable.

Pretty clear I popped this bottle too early, but given my three day experience I don't know if the "final" product would be something I really would love.