April 24, 2021 - Five years ago this was a little clunky, but I thought all the elements were there to come together with age. It has done that, very good spot now with secondary flavors and still some primary hanging in there. Is what it will be IMO, a good solid if straightforward cab.
December 1, 2020 - Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈1 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; NO visible sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1.
N: Slightly closed; Tough to parse, but pyrazines VERY slightly atop berries & choc?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S., or is it glycerol from the alcohol?) met by a counterbalancing astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with a VERY slight bitterness & an attractive tangy/swtness to the minimal, VERY mild tannins. Went quite well with the night's revisited Rack of Lamb (Herb Crusted), Baked Potatoes, & Creamed Spinach. Likely @ its zenith, so further cellaring pointless, though I can see it holding through '24. 15.5% ABV; My EXC (92,93/100 using that metric) for this delightful wine. 🙂
// Day 2: Even tougher to parse aromatically, though a floral element (violets?) that I didn't notice Day 1. P showing a BIT > firmness & glimpses of heat from time to time, but not outside the realm of expectations, particularly when paired with tonight's Chx Adobado Burrito.
// ∑: Sticking with the "score"/time frame of Day 1. [As of mid Dec '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources @ $66 & $70].
May 30, 2020 - Pretty good. I don’t normally go for cabs outside of Napa. But this was very good.
I didn’t find it over Oakes at all like others.
Would buy again. And this is no where near past peak. I would argue has not even hit drinking window. Parker has drinking range out to 2030.
March 10, 2020 - Thin and overoaked. It was much better when it was young. Aged very disappointingly.
October 3, 2019 - Sweet fruit but is a bit hollow on the mid palate. Over oaked.
July 7, 2019 - Pair w chicken parm. Delicious
September 24, 2017 - At Epicurean Palette (Grounds for Sculpture Outdoor Tasting Event): It was a tough environment to taste these big red wines -- with 90+ degree heat (which makes the wines fall apart) -- but I really liked the wine and thought it had a lot of potential. I had 2 tastes of it: the first was much too warm. the second bottle had been iced and drank much better. (Our friend Gina had it only from the warm bottle, and wasn't a fan). Jen liked it from the 2nd bottle.
I got notes of cherry, blackberry, hints of chocolate and some licorice as it opened in the glass -- plus LOTS of tight tannins. This wine needs a long decant and/or 5-10 years to show well -- plus a good, grilled steak!
The retail is $75. I guessed over $100 (maybe $125).
March 27, 2017 - Served at 56 deg. With prime rib. Berry and tobacco on nose smooth on palate with soft oak. Drinks quite well. A little overpowered by meal.
January 18, 2017 - Time has been kind to this bottle. Opened at Anvil with surf and turf. Decanted at least an hour prior to dinner. Consistent notes as prior bottle, but did not seem overripe tonight. No hurry here.
January 18, 2017 - Opened and decanted by tlv. Notes of chocolate-covered cherries, ripe black fruit and vanilla. Tannins are well-knit and not at all obtrusive. Cassis and chocolate flavors with a mocha/hazelnut/vanilla International Coffee kind of thing going on...I like it. Enjoyable enough on its own, but better when paired with the turf portion of the entrees, and it definitely needs an hour or two in a decanter.