Super dark ruby in the glass. Cassis on the nose. Super smooth on the palate, bursting with black fruit, a little chalky. This was extremely delicious and drinking well – beyond expectation!
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I found 12 half-bottles lurking in my cellar. Had no expectations but have to admit it was really really good. Plums, black licorice, spice box, a bit of tar. I would have believed this was St. Emilion if tasted blind. No sign of pruniness, still good balance. Such a treat!
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Dark fruit still fully evident, but the wine has reach full maturity. In fact, it may just be starting to head over the hill. Rich mouth feel, fully integrated tannins, and smooth as can be. Very long finish that just lingers. Sorry that I only have two left. (drank from a 375, so 750's may not be quite as advanced, YMMV)
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Tight and closed on the palate. Black fruit with red fruit to a lesser degree, graphite. Medium finely grained tannins that are very well integrated. Brighter acidity than I expected. This is a California Cab that's identifiably non-Napa. It's good and feels like it's made with intention and precision.
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From 375, consumed by Marianne. Very aromatic upon opening. Texture improved after 30 minutes. Silky well integrated tannins - leather, anise, spice, dark fruit, earth. Long finish.
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I have this wine in half bottles, and unfortunately they are borderline over the hill. The nose is stewed tomatos and over-ripe plums, although it still tastes ok (but just ok). Maybe the 750’s are better, but to me this is a classic example of a fruit bomb that just didn’t age well.
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The jammy ripeness noted in 2015 is gone now--it was sleeping, apparently (when will I learn?). It has firmed up and is nicely middle aged--the youthful primary fruit still apparent but now broadened with interesting secondary development. The 'drink latest' date of 2016, which I may contributed to, is clearly wrong. Looking at 2020 or beyond, easily.
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A nicely developed Meritage wine. Very sun dried tomato and oak. Nice acid balance, low tannins and soft in the finish. Not classic claret but it speaks of the Central Coast with the ripe vegetative flavors.
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This perfectly cellared and nicely aged Bordeaux blend was a real treat to taste. All of the fruit and non fruit components have softened and integrated into a soft and luscious beverage. There is still a little fight left in this wine. The structure and backbone has not totally given in to the passage of time. The color, and the nose are showing some nice maturity. The fruit is also definitely mature with red fruit, especially raspberry leading into a soft black cherry and blackberry preserves. Some secondary flavors of cedar, leather and a hint of mint in the background. Very well integrated with still some oak, acid and tannin holding back for maybe another year in the bottle. The finish is a mouth coating barrage of spicy mature mostly red fruit that has been pampered with some now mature oak.
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I'm starting to think this wine is just bad - this is the third bottle in a row of bad quality (thought the first two were corked) but it was well stored. Be careful with this one.
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Ummm. This is a difficult one.... A well made wine, and for the money paid, I can't complain. It is made in the style of a bordeaux blend, and frankly, it comes really close. A nice nose which has sweet overtones, alongside blackcurrants and a hint of leather. On the palette, a touch of white pepper and heat from alcohol. The wine has a big frame (read tannins into the previous sentence). The mouth is a pleasant surprise, although the finish is a little compressed. Would be interesting to leave this for another one to two years in the hope that the heat and tannins relax. For the money paid, no complaints. My score maybe a little stingy.
:0)
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Drank late night after dinner on 9-1-12. Could also pair well with a spicy dish. Smooth with soft fruit flavors, but would not wait much longer. Ready to drink now.
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As before, I liked the '05 more. Pop 'n pour. Earthy red fruit aromas. Mineral/iodine flavors, berries and plums, and menthol/mint. Wood/oak not integrated. Quality stuff. A satisfying pairing with mixed salted nuts and Julian Velard's Nitetime.
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What a bargain! I've had the '05 and I'll give the slight nod to that vintage but.... this delivers. Old world profile ala '05. Just the slightest hint of funk along with sweet cherry menthol. Big cherry/berry flavors along with a solid earthy note. Overall a touch hot but that is being picky. Looking forward to visiting this property on my next trip to Laguna Seca.
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The wine looks Ruby colored. It smells like Oak, Vanilla, and Cherry. It tastes like Vanilla, Oak, and Cherry. The body is Light/Medium. The wine finishes Short.
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Rich blackberry and creme de cassis liquer on the nose. On the palate, blackberry, cassis, cedar. RIch, concentrated and bold. Tons of ripe blackberry fruit on this wine! Tasty and nice.
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(A-) Sweet red berries, vanilla, cedar, and a bit of boysenberry. Tannins are still prominent, and hide a bit of pencil lead that come sour with vigorous aeration. Drinks well now, if not a bit tight.
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6/13/2021 - Central Coast Sharon Likes this wine:
Super dark ruby in the glass. Cassis on the nose. Super smooth on the palate, bursting with black fruit, a little chalky. This was extremely delicious and drinking well – beyond expectation!
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6/12/2021 - eudora Likes this wine: 92 Points
I found 12 half-bottles lurking in my cellar. Had no expectations but have to admit it was really really good. Plums, black licorice, spice box, a bit of tar. I would have believed this was St. Emilion if tasted blind. No sign of pruniness, still good balance. Such a treat!
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10/18/2019 - pdicorpo Likes this wine: 88 Points
Unlike the 200, this one was probably a bit too far gone to be truly enjoyable
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6/29/2019 - HandH Cellar wrote: 90 Points
Great bouquet, taste and finish. Has another year before it is over.
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3/21/2019 - RedRedMoreRed Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruit still fully evident, but the wine has reach full maturity. In fact, it may just be starting to head over the hill. Rich mouth feel, fully integrated tannins, and smooth as can be. Very long finish that just lingers. Sorry that I only have two left. (drank from a 375, so 750's may not be quite as advanced, YMMV)
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12/27/2018 - OaktownRush Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tight and closed on the palate. Black fruit with red fruit to a lesser degree, graphite. Medium finely grained tannins that are very well integrated. Brighter acidity than I expected. This is a California Cab that's identifiably non-Napa. It's good and feels like it's made with intention and precision.
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12/2/2018 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consumed by Marianne, from 375.
Well balanced. Red fruit, plum, spice, licorice, integrated tannins. Easy drinking.
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11/30/2018 - cgoumas wrote: 92 Points
Drank at Matt and Yu Lyn's house. Excellant.
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8/4/2018 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 90 Points
From 375, consumed by Marianne.
Very aromatic upon opening. Texture improved after 30 minutes. Silky well integrated tannins - leather, anise, spice, dark fruit, earth. Long finish.
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3/8/2018 - Ranjack Does not like this wine: 80 Points
I have this wine in half bottles, and unfortunately they are borderline over the hill. The nose is stewed tomatos and over-ripe plums, although it still tastes ok (but just ok). Maybe the 750’s are better, but to me this is a classic example of a fruit bomb that just didn’t age well.
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7/2/2017 - Neecies Likes this wine:
The jammy ripeness noted in 2015 is gone now--it was sleeping, apparently (when will I learn?). It has firmed up and is nicely middle aged--the youthful primary fruit still apparent but now broadened with interesting secondary development. The 'drink latest' date of 2016, which I may contributed to, is clearly wrong. Looking at 2020 or beyond, easily.
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11/13/2015 - Neecies wrote:
Big and strong, but as the tannins have relaxed it shows more overtly ripe and sweet than it has in the past--too much for this girl's taste.
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9/27/2014 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 89 Points
A nicely developed Meritage wine. Very sun dried tomato and oak. Nice acid balance, low tannins and soft in the finish. Not classic claret but it speaks of the Central Coast with the ripe vegetative flavors.
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3/20/2014 - CP4 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Solid, well integrated with nice medium finish.
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12/21/2013 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 89 Points
This perfectly cellared and nicely aged Bordeaux blend was a real treat to taste. All of the fruit and non fruit components have softened and integrated into a soft and luscious beverage. There is still a little fight left in this wine. The structure and backbone has not totally given in to the passage of time. The color, and the nose are showing some nice maturity. The fruit is also definitely mature with red fruit, especially raspberry leading into a soft black cherry and blackberry preserves. Some secondary flavors of cedar, leather and a hint of mint in the background. Very well integrated with still some oak, acid and tannin holding back for maybe another year in the bottle. The finish is a mouth coating barrage of spicy mature mostly red fruit that has been pampered with some now mature oak.
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7/30/2013 - MichielV wrote: 89 Points
Good solid cab. This was much better than I expected. Good fruit, good body and decent finish.
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7/1/2013 - sjdcellar wrote: 71 Points
I'm starting to think this wine is just bad - this is the third bottle in a row of bad quality (thought the first two were corked) but it was well stored. Be careful with this one.
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6/30/2013 - jlouderb wrote: flawed
corked
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5/27/2013 - Garfield wrote: 89 Points
- Ruby color with medium forming legs. Linear texture.
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11/2/2012 - John O' wrote: 89 Points
very well made bordeaux blend
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10/23/2012 - TheDarkPrince wrote: 89 Points
Ummm. This is a difficult one.... A well made wine, and for the money paid, I can't complain. It is made in the style of a bordeaux blend, and frankly, it comes really close. A nice nose which has sweet overtones, alongside blackcurrants and a hint of leather. On the palette, a touch of white pepper and heat from alcohol. The wine has a big frame (read tannins into the previous sentence). The mouth is a pleasant surprise, although the finish is a little compressed. Would be interesting to leave this for another one to two years in the hope that the heat and tannins relax. For the money paid, no complaints. My score maybe a little stingy.
:0)
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9/3/2012 - NLambros wrote:
Drank late night after dinner on 9-1-12. Could also pair well with a spicy dish. Smooth with soft fruit flavors, but would not wait much longer. Ready to drink now.
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5/18/2012 - Racer117 wrote: 89 Points
As before, I liked the '05 more. Pop 'n pour. Earthy red fruit aromas. Mineral/iodine flavors, berries and plums, and menthol/mint. Wood/oak not integrated. Quality stuff. A satisfying pairing with mixed salted nuts and Julian Velard's Nitetime.
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5/3/2012 - Racer117 wrote: 90 Points
What a bargain! I've had the '05 and I'll give the slight nod to that vintage but.... this delivers. Old world profile ala '05. Just the slightest hint of funk along with sweet cherry menthol. Big cherry/berry flavors along with a solid earthy note. Overall a touch hot but that is being picky. Looking forward to visiting this property on my next trip to Laguna Seca.
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4/25/2012 - georgia/hugh wrote: 88 Points
The wine looks Ruby colored. It smells like Oak, Vanilla, and Cherry. It tastes like Vanilla, Oak, and Cherry. The body is Light/Medium. The wine finishes Short.
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2/4/2012 - vegasoenophile wrote: 89 Points
Rich blackberry and creme de cassis liquer on the nose. On the palate, blackberry, cassis, cedar. RIch, concentrated and bold. Tons of ripe blackberry fruit on this wine! Tasty and nice.
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11/13/2011 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 89 Points
(A-) Sweet red berries, vanilla, cedar, and a bit of boysenberry. Tannins are still prominent, and hide a bit of pencil lead that come sour with vigorous aeration. Drinks well now, if not a bit tight.
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2/20/2011 - temchugh wrote: 86 Points
Prominent vanilla notes. Less tanic than earlier vintages. Good now but unlikey to improve with age.
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1/17/2011 - LenV wrote: 89 Points
Nice blend. Dark color, Smooth, not much tannin or acid. Fruit forward, smooooth finish. Just a great wine with dinner.
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