January 25, 2021 - Terrific surprise. Thought it might be well past peak-- I was wrong. Dark inky hue. Dark berry, slight cedar, rich nose. Full bodied, dark fruit, blueberries, plum, leather, smooth and silky, little spice. This has aged wonderfully. Out of Richland WA, nice 14.7 alc that has evolved. Glad we held onto this one.
July 10, 2015 - nice mature cab blend. In a good place now no flaws. Seems to have life left. Varietally correct. Soft but appreciable tannins. Drink or hold for short term.
October 8, 2011 - - Garnet color and aromas of tobacco, black currant and violet. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of black currant and artichoke with a medium body. Linear texture with a short finish.
February 21, 2011 - I'm very impressed with this wine, getting much more than I expected from it and worth every point of the 93 that Speculator gave it. This is a Washington state Cab that competes right up there with some really nice Cali's at significantly less cost on a QPR basis.
A dense purple color sets the stage and althought the nose is a bit muted, the pallet is definitely not. Full bodied with heavy, dark fruits that are great today but will be even better once they totally integrate with the cedary oak that's admittedly a bit dominant today, but clearly in bottle with all of the necessary fruits, tannins and acidity needed to bring it all together over a what will be a long and lovely life.
Smooth tannins grip nicely but never overpower and never a hint of harshness or bitterness. The acidity makes you salivate during a full 45 second finish and want for more. Great structure sends a layered attack on the pallet that changes with time in the glass. It was good on day one but great on day two .. more testament to a likely longevity.
Excellent today, I would not hesitate to open another at any time, but this big boy will be even better given another 2 to 3 years to mature.
September 21, 2010 - Excellent tobacco notes, leather, and deep, rich plum notes make this an enticing, masculine, WA Cabernet; it's super silky, with some toasty oak, some licorice, and a touch of ripe cherry on the finish. It's big, not massive though, but carries itself well with great balance. A strong Washington red wine, and another reason I think Washington "gets it" more often than many winemakers do here in CA.
October 7, 2009 - A Night of Classic Cabernet (9/23/2009) (Wine Discount Center Barrington): Too much vanilla.
January 23, 2009 - Young, young, young.......and this is comin from a baby killer!
Nice nose of mint, coco, currents, and as my 8yr old son said some chocolate covered raspberry candy! Lil acid orange rind thing goin on 2.
On the palate its a lil angular and again showing it youth but still outstanding! Some tangy red fruits, spicy wood, a lil wheat or hay action and a huge finish.
Give this @ least another couple of years and it will be singing!
Went great with a nice seared T-bone and some veggies!
January 11, 2009 - Not over the top but very solid. Excellent value.
August 5, 2008 - Woodsy jammy cough syrup on the nose. The palate is sweet and gamey before a clean tannin free finish. Too sweet and not enough tannin to give it a decent backbone. Tasted at vineyard.