2012 Sloan Estate Asterisk
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Tasting notes
During my visit, I was able to taste two 2012s from this great estate. Starting with the 2012 Asterisk, it has a complex, layered, medium to full-bodied style that's drinking brilliantly today. Red and black currants, iron, tapenade, and truffly notes define the aromatics, and it's flawlessly balanced and elegant.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Asterisk leaps from the glass with warm red and black plums with touches of redcurrant jelly, Black Forest cake and incense with nuances of camphor, forest floor, dried sage and tapenade. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, the muscular red and black fruit flavors have a rock-solid, grainy texture and seamless freshness supporting the intense flavors through the long, savory finish.
A wine of pure sensuality, the 2012 once again shows just how well suited this vintage is to winemaker Martha McClellan's style. Plush and voluptuous to the core, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Dark red stone fruit, chocolate, menthol and spice overtones fill in the layers nicely. This is a fabulous Asterisk.
The 2012 Asterisk is plump, juicy and super-expressive, with racy red cherry, plum, spice, mint and new leather. A beautiful example of the vintage, the 2012 Asterisk will drink well for a number of years. Today, it is absolutely delicious. With time in the glass, the 2012 turns dark and more mysterious. This sensual, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend is a terrific example of 2012 at its best.