1/28/2023 - bigdomer wrote:

Opened a magnum tonight fearing it was past peak. Wrong. No signs of bricking, tons of fruit. This wine is holding up very well (at least in large format). I do not think it will get better, so drink up.

10/31/2021 - bigdomer wrote:

Past prime. Drink up! Can’t believe I forgot about this three pack in my cellar.

8/17/2018 - bigdomer wrote:

Half of the fruit has faded. Still balanced but I bet I waited too long.

5/5/2018 - bigdomer wrote:

Overoaked

12/3/2017 - bigdomer wrote:

great qpr

11/22/2017 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Great qpr

10/22/2017 - bigdomer wrote:

This has really improved. Very, very impressed.

9/16/2017 - bigdomer wrote:

Outstanding right now.

9/1/2017 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Lots of bricking but the fruit held out better than expected. For a 20 year old Napa bottling, I was impressed.

8/11/2017 - bigdomer wrote:

Fruit is gone. This was from
Magnum. What a great wine that is unfortunately past peak.

4/18/2017 - bigdomer Does not like this wine:

Too earthy.

2/3/2017 - bigdomer Does not like this wine:

Past prime.

8/25/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

Very sweet.

8/6/2016 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Excellent qpr. A little more fruit forward than I would prefer.

8/3/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

Tons of vanilla. Tastes like a cheap Caymus. Likely wouldn't buy again.

5/13/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

I thought this was terrible. Perhaps suffered some heat damage in transit, but the cork did not indicate any seepage. Tried two bottles side by side and concluded that there is no structure, little fruit and not much to be excited about. Gave the rest away.

3/7/2016 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Hard to say where this is going due to the oak. Strong tannins as well.

2/19/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

14 hour slow-ox at 55 degrees. Stewed prunes on the nose and front palate. Soft tannins as expected from DP. Lacks the bright red and blue fruits that i expected from the vintage. I agree with Cristal2000's review below.

2/3/2016 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Great qpr

2/2/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

Disappointed. Weak nose. Very weird mid palate and finish. Oversold to me by wine store. Way overpriced at $20.

1/18/2016 - bigdomer wrote:

Great blend. Did not show as much Howell Mountain characteristics as I expected, but I enjoyed it very much.

12/20/2015 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Not bad. A little thin and on the lighter side. Good everyday drinker at the price.

12/11/2015 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Drinking perfectly right now.

11/27/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

well balanced blend

11/27/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

lots of mineral notes

11/23/2015 - bigdomer Does not like this wine:

Too much green earth.

10/2/2015 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Way overpriced

9/29/2015 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Lots of oak. Good value.

9/28/2015 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Not bad at the price point when on sale. Light oak. Slightly sweeter than lot 448

8/11/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

super, super young. Hard to rate at this stage. Hold til at least 2020.

7/21/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Top wine of the 2013 Carter line-up IMHO. No formal notes as I rushed through a tasting at Envy.

6/21/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Wow did this change after a double decant via Vinturi. Initially closed without much fruit, but then blossomed into a wonderful blend.

5/30/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Still going strong. Agree with Yamadori that this is in the perfect drinking window right now and certainly has some time left. From 750ml.

5/29/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Exceptional

5/24/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

No detailed notes, but I was impressed with how well this was showing at 22 years.

5/15/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Disappointed. I expected a smooth new world blend mellowed by the franc. This wine hits you in the face like a 100% Rutherford cab. Not what I was expecting from Russell who is supposed to be a franc-master. Color is beautiful, though. Super dark blackberry.

3/28/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

fruit forward, but well balanced

2/21/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Agree with previous tasting notes that this is one of the top three cabernets I have tasted from the 2011 vintage. Only a tiny hint of green instead of it being overpowering like most other Napa cabs from '11.

2/8/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Lots of oak - almost as much as Silver Oak. However, it is better balanced. Not a bad effort at the price.

1/25/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Past prime. Drink up.

1/2/2015 - bigdomer wrote:

Disappointed. Typically love wines from this vineyard. This was thin and astringent. Color was deep purple. Nose was slightly vegetal.

12/29/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

More approachable than I expected this young. Pop and pour.

12/25/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

Cork crumbled on me on one of two bottles opened for Christmas dinner, but the wine seems fine. Very good in fact. Slight bricking. Tannin balance is very good. I think that this is just slightly past peak. I agree with other notes that it is time to drink up.

12/6/2014 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Awesome. Super soft tannins and perfect expression of 04 Napa cab

11/21/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

Very good, but slightly past peak. Drink up.

11/21/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

Past prime...crumbled cork. Drink now or prepare to dump.

11/16/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

Good at this price point. Slightly earthy. A little thin. Less tannic than I expected for being Diamond Mtn.

11/14/2014 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Excellent Expression of Howell mountain. Shocked at how integrated the tannins are at such a young age. Lots of blueberry. Reminds me of some of the best 04 vintage cabs from Napa.

11/8/2014 - bigdomer Likes this wine:

Awesome blend. Great for a second label. Mostly franc for this vintage, which I prefer. Velvety tannins and a great blueberry profile. Slightly thin, but it only slightly detracts from the overall profile. Nose is absolutely fantastic.

11/1/2014 - bigdomer wrote:

I don't care for the nose. However, the mid palate and finish are awesome at this price point.