February 19, 2024 - Decanted for an hour and a half. Mellow and balanced. Past its peak but still an enjoyable bottle.
February 14, 2015 - Appearance cloudy but intense, garnet color, some sediment visible.
Nose was clean, medium intensity with aromas of resin, vanilla and asparagus
Medium acidity and tannin
Medium to full body
Long finish with cinnamon and black pepper
Flavor remarkably good for a wine that should have been consumed at least three or four years ago.
December 30, 2014 - This bottle definitely held up better than some of the other bottles I opened earlier this year, which was pleasant surprise. Still past its prime, however. Full bodied Napa Bordeaux style blend, dominated by Cabernet, softened with Merlot. Medium body, medium finish. Some sediment. Wish I hadn't misplaced this behind other bottles, as I know this would have been perfect about five years ago.
April 26, 2014 - Drink up... this one was still pretty good but definitely on the outer edge of the drinking window. Strong notes of cassis somewhat overcome by alcohol to create almost a medicinal flavor. At least I remember what this wine was like at its peak.
March 13, 2014 - Incredibly dark, deep red color. Classic Cabernet nose, with slight hints of pepper. Quite dry, with tannins that are still a bit immature and awkward. Black berries and black plums are the predominant fruit, backed by pepper and spice. A big Napa cab with characteristic Stags Leap qualities.
October 19, 2013 - I was nervous about this one, as it was one of several that had hidden away in the depths of my cellar, but fear no more. Dark cherry and blackberry notes, this is a jammy, big Napa red. The lingering finish shows the age but overall, this has held up quite well.
August 6, 2013 - We just got back from a trip to Napa, and we tasted heavily in the Stags Leap District. Personally, I think the best cabs come out of Stags Leap. This particular "claret" has come back around quite nicely. Great clarity, with a deep purple color characteristic of a wine four years younger. The nose is big, filled with plums and black cherries. Huge in the mouth, with firm tannins that are going to carry this wine another seven years forward at least. The plums and cherries carry through in the mouth, along with a hearty dose of black licorice and a hint of dark chocolate. Lingers on the finish, making me wish I was back on the Silverado Trail. Very nice grape juice.
April 7, 2012 - very good
September 17, 2011 - Nice cab for the price. Good fruit.
June 24, 2011 - This wine has aged well, and the former window ending 2011 just isn't right. Should drink in a window of goodness till at least 2015; has lots of fruit left and openly immature tannins - years from flabby.
Has an emphasis on a cabernet franc quality - rich, peppered and still smooth. Good complexity, excellent balance as always with CLV.