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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

1978 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill

 Diamond Mountain more
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5/1/2024 - acyso wrote: 98 points

To Tony (La Grange Park, IL): From magnum. Mind-boggling how obnoxiously young this is. Served blind, I'd probably guess something like 1991 (though it's not as fruit-forward and ripe) or 1992 (probably a better guess). There's a bit of chocolate and cacao going on with this wine, but coupled with the way the fruit shows (secondary at best) and how youthful those big tannins are here, it all works in perfect balance. That this feels kind of chewy on the palate says all you need to know about the further ageability of this. I only hope I can cross paths with a bottle of this again in the future.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    5/2/2024 10:57:00 PM - What a finish to the most iconic Napa lineup I have seen anyone put together. All of the very top wines from the 70's are here. Only miss might be not having the 1973 Stags Leap SLV in there, but every other highly regarded wine is here. Bravo.
Red

2013 Abreu Madrona Ranch

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/21/2024 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 97 points

Brought blind to tonight's event by JimAronson. I forget what his airtime was for this bottle. Lighter magenta in color when poured. Has a def look of aging to it. By color in the glass alone, I guessed it was an '08 or '10.

Nose of dandelion (just a hint), red fruit and lavender florals.

Palate of red/black fruit with nice depth and complexity. A hint of iron and oak. The wine is very resolved and very well integrated. There's a softness to it. Again, I never would have pegged this as a '13. It's the only bottle of this vintage I've ever tasted so I can't say for sure whether this is its standard presentation in looking and drinking 5 years older, and advising everyone to start drinking up their bottles......or whether it's a one off unusual bottle and you should keep storing yours? But it is very good and very fun......thanks for bringing Jim!

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    3/23/2024 8:33:00 PM - The coferments that Brad does impart a different structure in these wines. Interesting observation about the accelerated age, as generally I have experienced his wines to go quite slowly on the cellar. I do know that by 2013 David was looking to dial in more elegance and refinement.
Red

2019 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Vocabulum

 Napa Valley more
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1/31/2024 - Jimaronson Likes this wine: 97 points

The wine is dense, full bodied, sweet blue and black fruit, silky, and a two minute finish. What a wine! The vineyard is one of my favorites and David Abreu did wonders with his version over the years. Now, it is being made by TRB under Maybach and that is just terrific. It is time to open one if you have a couple of bottles.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    2/1/2024 7:10:00 AM - Hi Jim, I am likely going to compare a few of these once the 2021 Vocabulum ships. I may also toss in the Impensata Merlot to look at that component. The real challenge is now the Bettinellis are selling the Ecotone fruit to many clients. It is getting spread out, and there are very few vineyard designates being made now. Accendo, Realm and others end up blending it.

    The new Abreu Thorevilos is on the old Arns site which is up Glass Mtn Rd from the old site higher on the same face of howell mtn.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    1/31/2024 9:50:00 PM - Does not sound like a flawed wine ...
Red

1996 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Anniversary Release

 Howell Mountain more
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1/1/2024 - Joealex Likes this wine: 97 points

Color is opaque black without of any sign of old wine fading.
Initally smell was shy and wine needed to be decanted 2 hours to open up buquet.
After 2 hs buquet became intense, sweet, fresh and was like smelling of fresh smashed blackberries, currants, cherries on palm completed with cigar tobacco, you immediately want to try the first sip.
There is sweet core of balck and red fruits which is unique seal/stamp for highest quality wines from Napa region. This sweet core is wrapped by a lot of silk like tannins. Amazing balance of sweet black/red friuts, silk tannins, accidity and structure. Simply WOW!
In aftertaste still there is "lion's claw" whis suggests that wine still remains in excellent condition a few more years.
Wine is concentrated, smooth like texture with silk like tannins, intense with long afterstate ( almost a minute). Elegant style as many top quality wines form legendary Napa period 1990-1997, not as heavy or clumsy or alcoholic as so many Napa caberntes form 2012 till present years.
This is true testament of greatness of Helen Turley winemaking from her prime career and legendary Napa period of 1990-1997.
One of the best wines of my life and probably the best wine of 2024 which has just started .

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    1/15/2024 8:38:00 PM - One of the great wines of the 90s. The La Jota Anniv Cabs are simply tremendous wines that will prove to be some of the best from this period. Some of Helen's best work in my book over the Colgins and Bryant's of the era.
Red

2013 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

 St. Helena more
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11/15/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 97 points

The complete Spottswoode package in its early maturity if you can say that about a 10 year old wine from this property. Huge nose of arrestingly beautiful fruit, tobacco, spice and herb de provence. Layer after layer of graphite, florals and dark fruit. Lovely.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    11/28/2023 8:33:00 PM - We decanted 4 hours on the 13 and it needed it. Excellent and will last many years
Red

2019 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

 Oakville more
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10/1/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 96 points

Beautiful wine from VHR that displays brilliant dark cherry, cassis, cocoa and graphite notes. Plush, elegant and classic cabernet with site expression in spades. Complex, layered and suave.

What separates VHR from other site in oakville for me is the deft balance of fruit, earth and graphite. Phillips family delivered another fantastic VHR that has it all.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    10/2/2023 7:25:00 AM - Decanted for 60-mins, consumed over about another 60-mins. This is a wine that could take quite a bit of air if you gave it the time. Evolved well in an hour + however.
Red

2009 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/12/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 93 points

Nose: Dark berries, black cherry, cedar and a touch of heat.

Palate: Sumptuous dark cherry, cassis and date notes with well integrated spice and graphite. A bit of heat on the palate here, but a very strong modern styled wine.

There was a large presence in this wine, and it did OK maintaining balance. Delicious, a jolly fellow.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/12/2023 2:04:00 PM - We poured this PNP and it evolved in glass over about 3-hours. This was done to keep a fairly even playing field for each 09/10 pair.
Red

2009 Château Pontet-Canet

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/12/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: NR

Nose: Cassis, black berry and some briney seaweed notes. Touches of heat, and prune at moments.

Palate: This was a slow slow evolution in glass, and by the end of the night you could see the wine coming into its own. Layered with sweet fruit, crushed rock, violet and cedar notes. Anise and warm licorice. Vibrant black cherry and vanilla emerging towards the end of the night.

Finish: Varied between closed and tannic, and offering dried berry characteristic.

A wine that was slightly cranky tonight. Needing some time in the cellar still or a lengthy decant. Likely exceptional after 6-8 hours in decanter I would expect.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/12/2023 2:01:00 PM - Quite. It is not closed, but definitely less accessible than the 2010 next to it. Brooding would be a good description.
Red

2019 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/10/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 97 points

Nose: Ripe plum, bruised strawberry, cedar, tobacco. There is a perfume of florals to this that suggests an airy sweet personality with a bit of burnt embers underneath.

Palate: Soft and suave with bright cherry, red plum and tobacco. An exceptional palate feel and elegance that suggests Pomerol

Just got a quick taste of this, but it sure made an impression. An outstanding CA merlot.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    6/11/2023 8:42:00 AM - Truely had the personality of Trotanoy from Napa. I loved this, and it was one of my highlights from two days tasting
Red

2018 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

 Oakville more
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6/10/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 97 points

Nose: Blackberry, dark cherry, sage, graphite, eucalyptus and crushed stone. There is a blue fruit element and floral nuance on the back end. Alc does poke through here a bit.

Palate: Big sweeping entry of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, graphite and crushed stone. A deep and brooding palate at the moment. Oak needs some added integration.

Finish: Goes on 90 seconds with blueberry, blackberry, cardamom, graphite and crushed tobacco. Very enjoyable as it lingers with a great inner mouth perfume.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    6/10/2023 6:34:00 PM - Tasted at Wheeler Farm. They decanted about an hour, and it opened in glass about 2 hours after that. Needed a lot of coaxing, but this was the best of the TOR lineup for me. Super expressive VHR
Red

1979 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve

 Napa Valley more
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5/14/2023 - boillatm Likes this wine: 97 points

A nice dinner with friends: Magnum bought at an auction last December (photo uploaded). Opened 30 minutes before serving.
Very beautiful dark crimson color, almost no bricking. The nose didn't give much, but the palate blew me away: stewed plums and many things I wasn't able to identify. The most striking part was the way the wine coated one's mouth at the end. Stunning.
It was so good that we started drinking the bottle at the apero and finished it with steaks.

Older vintages from this wine are no so often available on the market in Switzerland but I have an opportunity I will jump on it. I am also considering buying some more recent vintages although I don't know if the wine-making is at the same level now.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/24/2023 1:33:00 PM - I am sure finding these 60's-70's BV in Switzerland is like finding pristine 50's Bordeaux in the USA (very difficult). Although they are beautiful masterpieces in many cases.

    That said, the winery transitioned winemaking away from Andre T. in the early 80's and by 1985 a new winemaker had taken over, and the style of wine began to go through some changes. By 1990 they had transitioned to French Oak, and the vineyard management had lost its way a bit.

    Farming changes in the 2010's started paying dividends, and a new winemaker named Trevor Durling is making some wines that should wine up among the classics from the BV estate. I highly recommend seeking out the current releases.
Red

1983 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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4/16/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 92 points

Green pepper, red berries, cherry gastrique, graphite, sweet vanilla oak and cedar. Still has strong tanin at 40 yrs, but it is true to the PLL profile. Nice mouthfeel and just a touch of rusticity.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    4/29/2023 7:10:00 PM - Start drinking them, but you should save 1-2 for its 50th.
Red

1951 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve

 Napa Valley more
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4/7/2023 - BradE wrote: NR

California Dreamin' and a Pair of Inaugural Corton Charlemagne: This beautiful wine stood out initially and for me remained red WOTN. Absolute class in the glass and it simply had no flaws. From the Singleton Cellar.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/27/2023 9:04:00 AM - Completely amazing that a 12-bottle case was sold at the Singleton Auction in 2000, and even more incredible that these are being enjoyed 23-years later.

    What a special case, and way to showcase these wines. On my bucket list if I can ever find a good bottle.
Red

2012 Ovid Red Wine

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/27/2023 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: NR

Second of three from an auction lot about 3 and a half years ago. The first, enjoyed with CT friends csimm (the first time I met him), his partner, and CT friend WBW (the second time I met him) on the eve of the world shutting down just over 3 years ago. I was bowled over by this and have thought about it often since, particularly as I’ve bumped up my wine spend, wondering if I’d find this as transcendent as the earlier bottle; I did. Overall, a very similar tasting experience, with the wine roaring out of the bottle, yet not undrinkably so, with the fruit, tannins and acidity all jostling but more or less balanced, but after about 2 hours, this became absolutely stunning, swapping just a bit of intensity for depth, suppleness, balance and elegance. Other than not quaffing this at a Michelin starred restaurant, although it was just as awesome with my loin lamb chops as the fare at Aziza, the main difference was that I was able to enjoy this over 3 nights in a leisurely way at my house rather than at a 2 hour restaurant meal, and the wine held up immaculately, making me think that this is early peak drinking window at most, and is more likely to improve than decline over the next several years, then easily last a decade going strong thereafter (I’m extending my drinking window by 7 years). I had the ‘08, which was wonderful but just a step below this, a couple of years ago, and have since purchased a ‘10 and several ‘14s (and I may be about to purchase a ‘05 as well); if they’re close to as good, I’ll feel richly rewarded. This is sure to be a welcome guest at any setting, even one with wines far dearer. Great job, Andy Erickson. How apropos that this is my 700th TN. 99 if scoring.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    3/30/2023 7:29:00 AM - Andy and Austin have made some incredible wines up there. Th 2009 is not to be missed. Might be my favorite site on Prichard Hill in all honesty.
Red

2018 Di Costanzo Cabernet Sauvignon DI CO

 Napa Valley more
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2/18/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 91 points

A great Napa cab that has an old school approach. Blue and black fruites, but not afraid of the greener leathery side of cabernet fruit, and has a sensibly measured level of oak. Best on day 2, so I recommend a long decant if drinking now.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    2/22/2023 5:49:00 AM - The point here is that this is a wine that sits in the old Napa / new Napa middle and is built for the long haul. There is structure and tannin density that is akin to Dunn with some of the flesh of the more modern styled wines from Melka.

    14.1 ABV too, so this is not going to have the supple appeal of many $50 Napa cabs that hit the sweet spot for immediate enjoyment.
Red

2019 Wine Access Cabernet Sauvignon Yesterday

 Napa Valley more
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12/30/2022 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 95 points

Great value wine. PNP first glass tight lots of tannin. Put in fridge overnight and genie came out of bottle. Oak and dark fruit especially raspberry. Saline and beautiful finish. Well done.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    1/14/2023 7:51:00 PM - Agree 100% on the overnight opening. Slow oxed my most recent bottle 24 hrs and it really shines with a lot of air. Great flavor delineation.
Red

2018 Wine Access Cabernet Sauvignon Yesterday Howell Mountain

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12/7/2022 - Quiller wrote: 87 points

Opened, poured an dlet sit about 45 min. Then: Not much on the nose. Initial taste is maybe some red fruit, but low-key, not over-ripe; acidity OK; tannins OK, but maybe a little grip on the finish; softish mouthfeel; OK finish. Towards the end of the glass (about 45 min from 1st sip) the taste is a bit more reddish fruit, even sweetish, particularly on the finish. Unfortunately, the astringency has ramped up on the finish as well. Not what I was expecting based on other notes. Hard to tell where this is going or how it will end.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    12/8/2022 8:20:00 AM - Agreed. The evolution of this wine has been a bit perplexing. Early going it was super sharp and vividly terroir driven, however the astringency is worrisome.

    Others are speculating that this wine may actually be smoke tainted. Wine Access came out on a recent podcast to say that they test for smoke, but this particular release is a curious case. Interested to see where it goes.
Red

1987 Ravenswood Pickberry

 Sonoma Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend more
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11/6/2022 - Aparritz Likes this wine: 94 points

35 years young and still singing. The age was well defined but the color was somehow miraculously light purple — no major bricking or signs of fading. Good depth of flavor, savory and fruity, with a long finish. This bottle lasted for at least two hours, not fading fast like some other older bottles. Superb.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    11/6/2022 9:11:00 PM - These old Ravenswood Pickberry wines (esp. the 86, 87, 91, 92 and 95) remain huge bargains at auction. Definitely a site that put cabernet on the map in the mountains of Sonoma.
Red

1994 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Anniversary Release

 Howell Mountain more
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8/31/2022 - Mr T wrote: NR

drank at a belated Anniversary dinner with my bride who unfortunately was having a terrible GI evening. The wine remains remarkably dark and intense after all these years but still well balanced and more than adequate fruit. Some of the vibrancy is reduced but still deep and rich if slightly acidic. I thought it better and more beautiful the second night

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    8/31/2022 7:26:00 AM - Gosh, I have had this dinner in the reverse scenario. It was our first date night in a long time (post COVID), and my GI was killing me. I toughed it out and got through dinner and a glass of wine nonetheless.

    Glad you got to enjoy this beauty. The longevity of these 90's La Jota wines is impressive, and to me they are right behind Dunn in the 90's on HM as the standout producers of the era in that appellation.
Red

2019 Phillips Family Farming Cabernet Sauvignon Baker & Hamilton

 Oakville more
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8/7/2022 - RockinCabs wrote: 93 points

Stunning aromatics of pencil, cherries, blueberry, sandalwood, florals and a bit of baking spices. Beautiful after an hour in the decanter with a seamless palate and direct delivery of layer after layer of fruit, graphite and crushed flowers.

As second wines go this is awesome. An easy deterrent to prevent me from popping VHR too young.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    8/7/2022 6:09:00 PM - This is a wine that is worth keeping in the cellar, and potentially worth holding a bottle or two for the very long haul. As I understand it this is young vine stock that is not "ready" for the VHR bottling, and in some cases closer to the flat parts of the vineyard.

    That said, some great wines that have been made from exceptionally young vines ... 2001 Forman (first vintage after replant took), 1974 Clos du Val (second harvest), 1992 Bryant (second harvest), 1969 Chappellet ...

    There is a long list of these out there. The only reason we know is because there are people who kept some of the wine in a dark cool corner of the cellar.

    Enjoy now, but you may be shocked by what you get by cellaring this.
Red

1996 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch

 Napa Valley more
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7/28/2022 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 95 points

Guys Night Out - California Dreaming! (Joe's House): Splash double decant - Abreu is always a welcome treat! IMO, Brad Grimes (winemaker) is a master at his craft (even though he didn't craft these wines...which I recently learned!). This wine is drinking quite well! A very nice balance between fruit and tertiary flavors. As Galewskj noted, this wine got even better with some air, which tells me it should hold at this level for a while, so drink now or save for that special occasion in the not-to-distant future. Nose was floral, with dark fruit, tobacco and old leather. Palate showed plenty dark and red fruit, but with an equal amount of tertiary goodness consisting of a mixture of earth, bramble, tar and tobacco, and hints of blood/iodine. Truly a pleasure to drink! 95+ for me, and my number 2 wine of the night!

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/29/2022 9:26:00 PM - The first vintage that Brad made solo were the 2001's.

    He made the 2000 vintage with Ric's oversight, and that was the first vintage of Thorevilos. Madrona from the late 80's and 90's was made by Ric. There is an interview where Ric discusses aging the first vintages of Abreu in his bedroom!

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/29/2022 9:03:00 PM - 100% agreed on the talents of Brad Grimes, but the 1996 was made by Ric Forman. The mid-90's wines that he made in the early days for David are stellar and have longevity that only the top tier in CA have.
Red

1995 Viader

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/12/2022 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 95 points

In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth; [people speak the truth when they are drunk]), a “milestone” bottle from my cellar sacrifices. It turns out, this was a very bittersweet sacrifice as it was the last bottle of Viader I have from the previous century. ☹️🍷 It was a 1995, which would make it about 27 years old, but it only drank like it was 10. This is definitely a tribute to Delia Viader, and her son, Alan Viader, who at the time, was probably just a snot-nosed kid (kidding Alan)! I feel very lucky to have tasted many of these wines over the years and will remember them fondly!

Since this is likely my last posting of theirs from the 19xx, it is worth repeating their story if you have never heard it. They are a really unique family and she is a really unique person!

Delia Viader was born in Argentina, but spent lots of time in France. She graduated with a PhD from Sarbonne (wow!) and moved to California as the single mother of four. She asked her dad for a loan to buy the land. He thought she was crazy because he had already paid for her degree and now she wanted to be a “farmer”! Anyway, she did buy the land and started a winery and went on to develop many firsts in Napa, with growing vertically instead of horizontally, mixing Cab Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon, and too many to list. She is respectfully known as the “Mother of Wine”. Her son, Alan, who helps her produce Viader, has also recently introduced his own label called Intentus, another fine winery that is worth getting on their mailing list!

As I said, bittersweet, but I will likely save this empty bottle to put on my wall when the tasting room is finished. Thanks Delia and Alan for making such memorable bottles of wine!!!🍷🍷🍷🍷👍👍👍👍 #wine #winelover #winelovers #redblend #redblendwine #viaderwinery #viader #alanviader #deliaviader #cabernetsauvignon #cabernetfranc #napawine #napa #napavalley #napacab

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    7/12/2022 8:35:00 PM - I too am down to a small handful of these bottles, and the wine has never been less than spectacular. The lengthy aging has only opened new gateways in this wine, and I believe that this site and others in the lower foothills of Howell Mountain represent some of the very best terroir in Napa Valley. Watching the fog burn off from Viader is truely special.
Red

2012 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

 Oakville more
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6/27/2022 - RockinCabs wrote: 96 points

Nose: Blueberry, Cassis, Cedar, Florals and a bit of sandalwood and spice. Deep perfumed nose that you can smell all around the table. As it opens more red notes begin to poke out and compliment the rich black fruit.

Palate: Dark berries, cedar, light wood smoke, cassis, and a dense earthy loom element. Texture is dense yet has an expansive breadth that allows this to fan out beautifully on the palate.

Finsih: Lengthy dark berry, cocoa, cedar and spice. A wonderful 50+ sec finish that is resonant. A beauty.

  • Comment posted by RockinCabs:

    6/28/2022 9:41:00 AM - I decanted 1 hour.

    Personally, I would say that there is quite a bit of life here. If you love the fruit out front this will be excellent for at least another 4-5 years. For more tertiary development I think 25 yrs will be a breeze for this.

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