January 1, 2022 - Big smokey dry body. Leather, cigar, big tannins. Silky dry finish.
May 28, 2020 - had this along side the 2012 Reserve this was showing much better
deep color big fruity nose
nice jammy flavor
March 5, 2018 - Another disappointment from Napa, nothing good going on here for $50.
Weak and thin, flat.
Leave it in your cellar, it might make a slight improvement if your lucky.
Would not re buy.
November 13, 2016 - I had the 2013 recently at a wine bar and it was quite good. The 2012 to me tastes watered down and lifeless.
October 10, 2016 - I want to like this wine because it has many of the elements of a well crafted Cabernet but things are still a bit muted. I am midway through the bottle, decanted for 2 hours, paired with grilled filet mignon and now as I am writing this note it is really coming around with notes of cassis, cedar, dark red fruits and caramel. Initially the tannins were harsh so the decanting definitely helped but I've been trying to find that killer $50 Napa Cab and this one falls a bit short. Wish I had another bottle in the cellar to evaluate in a couple of years.
September 19, 2016 - Perfumed blackcurrant fruit on the nose. Elegant, fresh, blackcurrant fruit on the palate. A touch of minty freshness. Very elegant.
August 28, 2016 - On 2nd day the wine is nicely integrated. This is a bright, balanced wine with bright ruby color. Finish is medium with a nice oaky tannin note. A step above a good everyday cab.
July 6, 2016 - from a .375 popped and poured. nice cherrylike nose with a hint of wood. soft with a dry finish. this would age well.
February 12, 2016 - Open for 2h before tasting but deserved longer. Very deep colour. Delicious sweet, soft blackcurrant fruit with gentle but slightly grainy tannins. Very good, already seductive and drinkable but too young, as implied by substantial development in the glass over another hour. Oak: 58 French 34 American 8 Hungarian.
Tasted with Simon Woods at Grand Union Wine Society.
November 12, 2015 - Ripe nose of black currants, cassis and bitter chocolate. Thickly-textured with ripe blackberry fruit along with notes of bitter chocolate and dark spices. The fruit is quite ripe here but I like the structure of the wine with firm and crunchy tannins and good underlying acidity. This is delicious Napa Cab made in a bit more traditional style which is a big plus in my book.