Lovely bottle. A vertical of Oracles from '02-'08 for New Years Eve and this was the WOTN. Subdued nose of blackberry, unsweetened dark chocolate and hints of smoke and menthol. Velvety tannins. Fading, but still pleasant acidity. No noticeable heat. Petit Verdot obvious on the palate. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blackberry and blueberry fruits on the palate. Long, drying finish with pleasant fruity undertones.
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This wine is marketed as a super premium California Cabernet. It is not. This is a decent wine, but at 12 years of age, there is no nose at all, minimal structure. Average fruit. Another Cali Cab that is over blown but under delivers.
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Looking at previous notes, the wine is continuing to get better and shine with time. Drank over 3 hours, paired with seared duck. Medium weight, high acid. Dusty tannins came out around the 2 hour mark but disappeared before the last glass was gone. Long finish. Nose was subdued, black cherry dominant, with dark chocolate showing up along with the tannins. Outstanding to drink now, but see absolutely no reason why not to wait longer. Plenty of acidity for another 5-10 years easy.
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Still an awesome wine and this vintage is still very much holding its own. Nose of cassis and eucalyptus. Never ending legs on the glass—incredible. Plenty of structure and still some tannins. On the taste, the fruit is barely visible but getting cherry cola on the front. There is a lot of mustiness, forest floor and green pepper on the back end. Being almost 13 years old I am surprised how much structure remains. My personal opinion is that the Miner wines of this era are much better than the more current releases. But we still like them. But this one we LOVE!!!!
I’m giving it a 93 but wife says 90. So we rate it 91.5.
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Such reliably good wine! On the nose some red fruit, salinity, mint. Plum, dark cherry and raspberry fruit with bright acidity. Touch of coffee grounds and cedar. Great with food.
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Short decant then drank over two nights. Rich blue and black fruit aromatics. Really attractive. Smooth texture and that same blue/black fruit, along with chocolate notes and a whiff of menthol. Good stuff and lively still.
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Last had a bottle of this vintage 7 years ago. Decanted 3 hours. Nice and mature, the edges are off and this is a well balanced wine. Big red fruit and a long finish. Slight hints of oak, spice and earth. A very dry wine. Drinking very well but cellared properly this still has a little more time.
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- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of mushroom, phenolic and black currant. It's unbalanced and has flavours of blackberry and black pepper with a medium/full body. Polished texture - Decanted and then ran through the aerator to open this unexpected find in the cellar.
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Decanted for about two hours. Ruby red color - on the nose red and black fruits and some earthiness. On the palate this exhibits blackberry and cassis with some dark cherry notes as well. It seems pretty mature, tannins are softer, still some acid holding it together, but you do get a bit of heat on the finish. Enjoyable and if you have these in your cellar - they are probably in a good drinking window now.
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Evolved and classic California nose of black fruits (Cassis, blackberry) , tobacco and lots of Vanilla.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and medium tannin. Very lush wine with lots of black fruit, vanilla and spice with a medium plus finish. Great full throttle Napa Cab.
I would drink up , but this could last another 10 years easily.
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Beautiful wine. It is drinking well right now but I think it will be drinking as good or better for at least the next 5 years. Great vintage, full bodied and elegant.
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Expected a lot more earthiness and dark fruit but was surprised by the fruit forward expression that never subsided. Probably driven by cab franc showing its dominance. Easy drinking right now
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Wonderfully balanced Bordeaux blend, enjoyed with Filet Mignon. Dark cherry nose that offered great mouth feel...medium/full body and a superb velvety finish. Decanted about 90 minutes before enjoying. Highly recommend!
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A wonderfully rich wine, very smooth drinking with great layers of flavors. The fruit was in great balance with the spices, leather, oak and integrated tannins. Continues to confirm that these Miner Oracles are best in the 8 to 10 years age range.
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Oracle seldom disappoints. The 2006 is a superb, medium weight, Napa blend. One hour decant - good to go. Consistent structure, nose and taste over five hours. A hint of pepper and mature fruit.
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Really in a good spot. Should drink really well from now and the next several years. Just slightly turning a corner and softening its tannic structure. Incredible nose, some black pepper, red and blue fruits. Mid-weight, nice finish. 92-93 pts
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1984 Napa Cabs/Blends (Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This had a dusty, cedar nose with red fruits that evolve to a pure black currant character with a touch of smoke and some savory character in addition to light florals and light wood notes. The palate is balanced, medium bodied, black currant, savory, framboise, a little herbal, soft tannins and a medium finish. This was drinking quite nicely. On the softer side. 91+pts.
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My notes were consistent with the previous review. The Oak and tannins very over whelming day one. By day 3 the fruit opened, dark berries and Chocolate prevailed and the tannins settled down. I won't by more.
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First night, I was a little disappointed, it was good but, was dominated by oak and tannins. The wine was completely different the second day. Much more dark fruit flavors and everything was better integrated. It was beautiful on day two! I'd recommend decanting for at least 4 hours and possibly longer.
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This wine really demonstrated to me about differences in one's taste. This wine is too "bubble gum" for me. Has no depth. But I can get why many would like this wine. It is well made and very drinkable. Should be a crowd pleaser. Drank alongside a 2007 Halo and the Halo was so much more sophisticated. Wine scores really can depend on one's taste and style preferences. If you love fruit bombs, then this is a wine you will like. I can like fruit bombs too, but this one is just too one dimensional to me to crow about and especially at this price point. ~Update. After 7 hours in the glass the wine became much better. Much better integration of fruit, tannins. Perhaps I just opened it too soon for my tastes.
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Great wine! Enjoyed this on Christmas (standing rib-roast) with the Flynn Family. It went head-to-head with the 07 Rubissow Cab Reserve ... I chose this as the winner.
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Decanted and then poured. Merlot and Cab are dominant in profile. well balanced tannins,dark fruit and mid to long finish. Nose is very berry with a hint of cassis and leather.
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Showing like a Bordeaux as it matures, having shed any excess fruit and expressing itself with nuanced secondary flavors of pine needle, a bit of tar, with a tannic grip n
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A wonderful wine, delicious and satisfying, and another great example of the ?07 vintage in Napa. Made of the five classic Bordeaux varieties, it?s full-bodied, dry and richly tannic. The flavors are enormously complex, suggesting blackberries, cassis, olive tapenade and cedar, with a long, sweet finish. Already throwing some sediment, it should age well for the next ten years.
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- Medium forming legs. It's unbalanced with a light body. Angular texture with a short finish - I was very excited to open this bottle till I find crystallization on the cork. I chose this bottle for a nice Christmas eve dinner. There was no nose on this wine. I tasted this wine 6 months ago at the winery And loved it. I stored it in a 56 degree temperature with my other wines. If I score this, then I feel I would not be fair due to a flawed bottle in my opinion.
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Awesome - wicked good. Very smooth texture with great balance of fruit forward with dark fruits. Layers of flavored with a really nice finish. Decanted an hour before tasting
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Pruney and tannic. The high amount of cab Franc is evident. The nose is sublime. Fantastic wine. Tastes a lot like Legacy , perhaps a Sonoma cousin. Great wine.
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A little bit green but there is also 20% franc in there. So restrined is the idea. And that shows. Well made, structured, very fleshy and toothsome. They are 100% solar powered.
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Third bottle of the night and exceeded expectations. Deep, dark fruit overcame a somewhat medicinal smell on the nose (almost thought it was peppermint). Decanted only about 30 minutes and opened quickly. Very smooth finish.
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Wine Festival Tasting Room, quick notes. Huge rich nose of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and a touch of mint. Tons of spice on the palate, as well as dark berried, cherry, and dark plum. Extremely dry with a long+ finish, ending with notes of cherry. Very good.
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12/31/2023 - Delund Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely bottle. A vertical of Oracles from '02-'08 for New Years Eve and this was the WOTN. Subdued nose of blackberry, unsweetened dark chocolate and hints of smoke and menthol. Velvety tannins. Fading, but still pleasant acidity. No noticeable heat. Petit Verdot obvious on the palate. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blackberry and blueberry fruits on the palate. Long, drying finish with pleasant fruity undertones.
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11/28/2020 - The Wine Write Likes this wine:
Still going strong. Smooth, silky drink.
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5/21/2020 - SparkyMI wrote: 89 Points
This wine is marketed as a super premium California Cabernet.
It is not.
This is a decent wine, but at 12 years of age, there is no nose at all, minimal structure. Average fruit.
Another Cali Cab that is over blown but under delivers.
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4/21/2020 - cblinstrub Likes this wine: 95 Points
Looking at previous notes, the wine is continuing to get better and shine with time. Drank over 3 hours, paired with seared duck. Medium weight, high acid. Dusty tannins came out around the 2 hour mark but disappeared before the last glass was gone. Long finish. Nose was subdued, black cherry dominant, with dark chocolate showing up along with the tannins. Outstanding to drink now, but see absolutely no reason why not to wait longer. Plenty of acidity for another 5-10 years easy.
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4/12/2020 - Sheldog wrote: 92 Points
Still an awesome wine and this vintage is still very much holding its own. Nose of cassis and eucalyptus. Never ending legs on the glass—incredible. Plenty of structure and still some tannins. On the taste, the fruit is barely visible but getting cherry cola on the front. There is a lot of mustiness, forest floor and green pepper on the back end. Being almost 13 years old I am surprised how much structure remains. My personal opinion is that the Miner wines of this era are much better than the more current releases. But we still like them. But this one we LOVE!!!!
I’m giving it a 93 but wife says 90. So we rate it 91.5.
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12/11/2019 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted >2 hours. Fruitful and full bodied. A delicious bottle n a good drinking window.
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7/20/2019 - tdurst Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice wine; demands decanting; rich and powerful and very much a player in the big red wine world.
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2/23/2019 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Such reliably good wine! On the nose some red fruit, salinity, mint. Plum, dark cherry and raspberry fruit with bright acidity. Touch of coffee grounds and cedar. Great with food.
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12/18/2018 - The Wine Write Likes this wine:
Short decant then drank over two nights. Rich blue and black fruit aromatics. Really attractive. Smooth texture and that same blue/black fruit, along with chocolate notes and a whiff of menthol. Good stuff and lively still.
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9/7/2018 - cblinstrub Likes this wine: 94 Points
Seamless. Loads of chocolate. Love it. Still has years left looking at acidity.
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7/22/2018 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last had a bottle of this vintage 7 years ago. Decanted 3 hours. Nice and mature, the edges are off and this is a well balanced wine. Big red fruit and a long finish. Slight hints of oak, spice and earth. A very dry wine. Drinking very well but cellared properly this still has a little more time.
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4/29/2018 - deepend wrote: 90 Points
- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of mushroom, phenolic and black currant. It's unbalanced and has flavours of blackberry and black pepper with a medium/full body. Polished texture - Decanted and then ran through the aerator to open this unexpected find in the cellar.
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1/19/2018 - retired_and_roving wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for about two hours. Ruby red color - on the nose red and black fruits and some earthiness. On the palate this exhibits blackberry and cassis with some dark cherry notes as well. It seems pretty mature, tannins are softer, still some acid holding it together, but you do get a bit of heat on the finish. Enjoyable and if you have these in your cellar - they are probably in a good drinking window now.
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2/15/2017 - Vancouver wrote: 93 Points
Deep ruby appearance .
Evolved and classic California nose of black fruits (Cassis, blackberry) , tobacco and lots of Vanilla.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and medium tannin. Very lush wine with lots of black fruit, vanilla and spice with a medium plus finish. Great full throttle Napa Cab.
I would drink up , but this could last another 10 years easily.
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9/28/2016 - Sheldog Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine. It is drinking well right now but I think it will be drinking as good or better for at least the next 5 years. Great vintage, full bodied and elegant.
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8/28/2016 - Jordan7T wrote: 90 Points
Expected a lot more earthiness and dark fruit but was surprised by the fruit forward expression that never subsided. Probably driven by cab franc showing its dominance. Easy drinking right now
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7/17/2016 - Wino Laurie Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderfully balanced Bordeaux blend, enjoyed with Filet Mignon. Dark cherry nose that offered great mouth feel...medium/full body and a superb velvety finish. Decanted about 90 minutes before enjoying. Highly recommend!
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3/24/2016 - MRarden Likes this wine: 95 Points
Awesome. Others capture the nuances of the flavor, I remember this as making my mouth sing.
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11/21/2015 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 92 Points
A wonderfully rich wine, very smooth drinking with great layers of flavors. The fruit was in great balance with the spices, leather, oak and integrated tannins. Continues to confirm that these Miner Oracles are best in the 8 to 10 years age range.
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5/14/2015 - mdp.blue Likes this wine: 90 Points
Oracle seldom disappoints. The 2006 is a superb, medium weight, Napa blend. One hour decant - good to go. Consistent structure, nose and taste over five hours. A hint of pepper and mature fruit.
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5/2/2015 - Mrp2008 wrote: 93 Points
Really in a good spot. Should drink really well from now and the next several years. Just slightly turning a corner and softening its tannic structure. Incredible nose, some black pepper, red and blue fruits. Mid-weight, nice finish. 92-93 pts
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12/14/2014 - eluebchow wrote:
I just didn't give this enough time; Very closed off when i first opened it, with tannins and oak overpowering the palate;
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10/8/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
1984 Napa Cabs/Blends (Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This had a dusty, cedar nose with red fruits that evolve to a pure black currant character with a touch of smoke and some savory character in addition to light florals and light wood notes. The palate is balanced, medium bodied, black currant, savory, framboise, a little herbal, soft tannins and a medium finish. This was drinking quite nicely. On the softer side. 91+pts.
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6/3/2014 - mytjoe Likes this wine:
Best wine I've ever tasted!
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4/29/2014 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 89 Points
My notes were consistent with the previous review. The Oak and tannins very over whelming day one. By day 3 the fruit opened, dark berries and Chocolate prevailed and the tannins settled down. I won't by more.
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4/2/2014 - StageOneRacing Likes this wine: 89 Points
First night, I was a little disappointed, it was good but, was dominated by oak and tannins. The wine was completely different the second day. Much more dark fruit flavors and everything was better integrated. It was beautiful on day two! I'd recommend decanting for at least 4 hours and possibly longer.
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3/22/2014 - happytom wrote: 89 Points
This wine really demonstrated to me about differences in one's taste. This wine is too "bubble gum" for me. Has no depth. But I can get why many would like this wine. It is well made and very drinkable. Should be a crowd pleaser. Drank alongside a 2007 Halo and the Halo was so much more sophisticated. Wine scores really can depend on one's taste and style preferences. If you love fruit bombs, then this is a wine you will like. I can like fruit bombs too, but this one is just too one dimensional to me to crow about and especially at this price point.
~Update. After 7 hours in the glass the wine became much better. Much better integration of fruit, tannins. Perhaps I just opened it too soon for my tastes.
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1/26/2014 - johnny1206 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good. Nice mouthfeel and wonderful aromas. Just the right amount of tannins.
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1/3/2014 - Flappas Cellars Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine! Enjoyed this on Christmas (standing rib-roast) with the Flynn Family. It went head-to-head with the 07 Rubissow Cab Reserve ... I chose this as the winner.
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10/21/2013 - johnny1206 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good blend. Great full body wine. Nice finish
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9/29/2013 - magic2coop Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love this vintage. Great time to drink. Good balance, nice finish. Best of 05-06-07 vertical.
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9/11/2013 - mardan899 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted and then poured. Merlot and Cab are dominant in profile. well balanced tannins,dark fruit and mid to long finish. Nose is very berry with a hint of cassis and leather.
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7/17/2013 - johnny1206 Likes this wine: 90 Points
very smooth, dark fruit flavors, nice tannins and great finish.
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6/29/2013 - Jgallup wrote: 85 Points
Crystalized cork - missed expectations
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6/27/2013 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very reminiscent of a 2005 St-Emilion. Rich dark fruit, tannic with a med to full body. Quite terrior driven.
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3/18/2013 - Colima74 wrote: 92 Points
Showing like a Bordeaux as it matures, having shed any excess fruit and expressing itself with nuanced secondary flavors of pine needle, a bit of tar, with a tannic grip n
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2/25/2013 - johnny1206 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice aroma. Dry and tannic. Full body and nice long finish. I'm glad I have 5 more bottles to drink.
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2/11/2013 - Cuellar's Cellar wrote: 90 Points
A wonderful wine, delicious and satisfying, and another great example of the ?07 vintage in Napa. Made of the five classic Bordeaux varieties, it?s full-bodied, dry and richly tannic. The flavors are enormously complex, suggesting blackberries, cassis, olive tapenade and cedar, with a long, sweet finish. Already throwing some sediment, it should age well for the next ten years.
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2/4/2013 - ddsolomon2000 wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful wine. Perfectly balanced.
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12/28/2012 - Cuellar's Cellar wrote: flawed
- Medium forming legs. It's unbalanced with a light body. Angular texture with a short finish - I was very excited to open this bottle till I find crystallization on the cork. I chose this bottle for a nice Christmas eve dinner. There was no nose on this wine. I tasted this wine 6 months ago at the winery And loved it. I stored it in a 56 degree temperature with my other wines. If I score this, then I feel I would not be fair due to a flawed bottle in my opinion.
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12/5/2012 - Glenb wrote: 93 Points
Awesome - wicked good. Very smooth texture with great balance of fruit forward with dark fruits. Layers of flavored with a really nice finish. Decanted an hour before tasting
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9/25/2012 - sbtoby wrote: 93 Points
Pruney and tannic. The high amount of cab Franc is evident. The nose is sublime. Fantastic wine. Tastes a lot like Legacy , perhaps a Sonoma cousin. Great wine.
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9/10/2012 - The Wine Write wrote: 91 Points
Popped, aerated and drank over 2 nights. Rich black fruit with a lush mouthfeel. Smooth finish. Nice bottle.
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5/8/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
A little bit green but there is also 20% franc in there. So restrined is the idea. And that shows. Well made, structured, very fleshy and toothsome. They are 100% solar powered.
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2/24/2012 - Jcbortolini wrote: 95 Points
Smell: dark sweet cherries, dark berry jam.
Taste: smooth - Did not need time to breathe. Almost steak like taste. Rich
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11/20/2011 - krhaugh wrote: 92 Points
Third bottle of the night and exceeded expectations. Deep, dark fruit overcame a somewhat medicinal smell on the nose (almost thought it was peppermint). Decanted only about 30 minutes and opened quickly. Very smooth finish.
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3/31/2011 - MattTM wrote:
Wine Festival Tasting Room, quick notes. Huge rich nose of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and a touch of mint. Tons of spice on the palate, as well as dark berried, cherry, and dark plum. Extremely dry with a long+ finish, ending with notes of cherry. Very good.
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