March 31, 2021 - Happily, this bottle was much fresher than the 4/24/20 wine and more similar to the 5/4/13 bottle in character and maturity.
March 19, 2021 - Intricate, earthy yet sophisticated bouquet of dark fruit, potting soil, tar, cured meat, pencil shavings, cedar and thyme, superbly balanced palate of black cherry sauce and cassis with secondary notes of dark chocolate, mocha powder, vanilla bean and pipe tobacco, soothing, round tannins, lengthy finish. Showing wonderfully after 20 years in bottle.
April 24, 2020 - Similar to the 5/4/13 bottle And still delicious but more mature as it was a little tired in the mid-palate and less fresh overall.
October 22, 2019 - The wine has completely mellowed into a delicious mouthful of licorice, hints of dark fruit, and tobacco. The longer you wait for these big cabs to age, the better they get.
April 20, 2018 - I will say it again: if you are patient with CA cabs, you will be rewarded.
And, "reward" is exactly what the 2001 Egelhoff did.
It was a dark - almost black in color. It was balanced, mouth coating, rich, exhibited dark fruit (with just that right hint of sweetness) and had a lovely finish. However, the nose was really muted.
Considering its age, it was very enjoyable!
November 25, 2014 - A bit chewy, juicy, and this bottle was not showing anything secondary, and unsure this will transform into anything great, but a very decent wine at this point. No problem with the tannins and structure, just nothing unique, nothing to stop the conversation
September 10, 2014 - Wonderful wine; aged beautifully. Round, smooth fruit with a subtle leather backbone -- tannins had blended nicely so that the overall effect was balanced and delicious.
May 27, 2013 - Academically speaking this could be a great wine, it certainly is interesting enough. However it's just not my kind of juice. Nose lost of mint and moss. In the mouth eucalyptus dominates, cigar to follow, and end with dried spices. Tannins are still very firm so this wine can age another 5-7 years. Unfortunately I like a lot more fruit than this wine has to offer. Some offerings from Nickel and Nickel have similar spice profile with a lot more fruit to my liking.
May 4, 2013 - Deep, cloudy red color with a slight browning rim. Complex aromas of black fruits, blueberries, bacon fat, leather and spices. Ripe, plush fruit in the mouth with great depth, well-integrated tannins and a long, thick, sweet finish. Very suave and complex. A delicious and very classy California Cab at its peak.
October 15, 2012 - rich, deep ruby. still tanic. great fruit...berry. love this wine.