Upon opening the bottle, the nose was to say the least muted, almost void of any distinguishing aroma. There was no detectable fruit. Just a hint of floral scents that were virtually indistinguishable. The alcohol was up-front, and it masked the aromas that might otherwise be present.
The color of the wine was a dark garnet. It was opaque and appeared to be browning a bit. There was a nice clear watery edge. When swirled, the wine spread evenly around the inside perimeter of the glass and it resulted in many substantive legs that were almost uniform in appearance. Although the bouquet was disjointed and disappointing the wine had substance and nice viscosity.
First taste from the glass confirmed that my nose had accurately assessed the wine. The taste revealed a lack of fruit and no notable aroma distinctions. Tannins were medium plus, a bit chewy yet smooth. The finish was amazing long, but it was also unfriendly.
I decanted the wine for 2.5 hours which resulted in a notable transformation. Although the fruit was still missing, there was an abundance of aromas that would baffle the most experienced sommelier. There seemed to be traces of eucalyptus, mocha, chocolate, soft saddle leather. I got hints of mint, sage and juniper bush. As I continued to smell trying to discern what my nose was trying to tell me I got hints of baker’s yeast and a notable but slight sweetness like candied apple. Then I started getting some vegetal components like celery and green peppers. I could not call this wine complex. I would have to say it was “complicated”. The alcohol continued its up-front persistence. Yet it was never offensive. Although it was hard to distinguish aromas and taste, the texture was full bodied and the tannin were smooth, the acidity was calm. This was not a harmonious wine, yet it held together in an unusual way. It was like meeting an old friend that you have not seen in many years. As you talk and try to catch up on life, you realize that you do not recall the things that you had in common that made you such good friends’ years earlier. Although the nuances of this wine worked out, it was disjointed.
After 3.5 hours of decanting, the fruit tried to peak out. I got some red fruit like Bing cherry and raspberry. The fruit wanted to come forward, but it was shy and stayed in the background. After trying to figure this wine out, I realized that it was the 9% Malbec that was dominant. The 83% Cabernet Sauvignon could not find its way clear of the Malbec’s influence. Had there been less Malbec in this blend, the chances are that it would have resulted in a more harmonious, well balanced wine.
Because I was perplexed by this wine, I cannot say whether I liked it or disliked it. However, I did drink it and considered it a bit of an adventure.
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PnP around 1 pm, muted with very little to show; put in the cellar; came back at 6:30 pm, and it is beginning to sing; beautiful nose of dark red and black fruits, unsweet chocolate, cigar, fig, minerals... more Old World than Napa style... thick wine and still heavily tannic; needs some fat to pair for sure; years of life left, and should improve with more age
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Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age. Creamy, some cassis, concentrated cherries, subtle oak. Smooth, old world plums and cherries, integrated oak, moderate tannins and acid, good length with a little pyrazine. Drinking well now, good balance between new and old world.
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Very pleased with this wine. It opened up after 15 mins. Medium body with hints of cherry, blackberry long smooth finish. I think this will continue to improve for the next couple years.
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A big and wonderful Cab! I opened a 2009 Reserve last year and it was just way too young. I thought this 2007 might still be a bit primary as well, but much to my surprise it was already accessible. Now we did throw it up against a huge chunk of fatty meat, so that certainly helped to tackle the tannins, but even on its own it was an enjoyable experience. It just smelled sooooo good, too. There is still plenty of life left in it, but I may not wait as long as originally planned to open the other two. Yum!
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First bottle was corked. Second bottle ok. Decanted for two hours. Harsh tannins at first. Opened up after another hour. Long finish. Pleasant and complex wine. Definitely recommend decanting for at least three hours.
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Smoky, peppery and leather dominate with black cherry and plum notes. The alcohol is a little too readily apparent but the tannins are smooth and long-lasting.
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Agree with comments. Not much of a nose and muted stewed fruit flavors, still quite tannic. Cab and malbec mostly. Tried too soon I think. Nothing special at this stage, a disappointment at $40. Much different/less big fruit than other 2007 Napa Cab blends tried.
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Not a lot going on here, which is surprising given the vintage. Maybe it's shut down? Mostly just tannins, with hints of rich CA fruit but nothing like most other 07s. More classic in style, but without the fruit to hold it together what is it going to age into? I'm sure it will improve for the next 5-10, but beyond that all bets are off.
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Fairly light bodied for a bordeaux blend. Not much on the nose. Stewed fruit flavors. Enough tannins to let you know that they are there with a medium/long finish.
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6/10/2023 - Halfeel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still drinking quite well.
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7/30/2022 - SCosgrove Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent
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12/24/2021 - John O' Likes this wine:
decanted 4 hours, paired with prime rib. Old world
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8/22/2020 - Yondan wrote: 86 Points
Upon opening the bottle, the nose was to say the least muted, almost void of any distinguishing aroma. There was no detectable fruit. Just a hint of floral scents that were virtually indistinguishable. The alcohol was up-front, and it masked the aromas that might otherwise be present.
The color of the wine was a dark garnet. It was opaque and appeared to be browning a bit. There was a nice clear watery edge. When swirled, the wine spread evenly around the inside perimeter of the glass and it resulted in many substantive legs that were almost uniform in appearance. Although the bouquet was disjointed and disappointing the wine had substance and nice viscosity.
First taste from the glass confirmed that my nose had accurately assessed the wine. The taste revealed a lack of fruit and no notable aroma distinctions. Tannins were medium plus, a bit chewy yet smooth. The finish was amazing long, but it was also unfriendly.
I decanted the wine for 2.5 hours which resulted in a notable transformation. Although the fruit was still missing, there was an abundance of aromas that would baffle the most experienced sommelier. There seemed to be traces of eucalyptus, mocha, chocolate, soft saddle leather. I got hints of mint, sage and juniper bush. As I continued to smell trying to discern what my nose was trying to tell me I got hints of baker’s yeast and a notable but slight sweetness like candied apple. Then I started getting some vegetal components like celery and green peppers. I could not call this wine complex. I would have to say it was “complicated”. The alcohol continued its up-front persistence. Yet it was never offensive. Although it was hard to distinguish aromas and taste, the texture was full bodied and the tannin were smooth, the acidity was calm. This was not a harmonious wine, yet it held together in an unusual way. It was like meeting an old friend that you have not seen in many years. As you talk and try to catch up on life, you realize that you do not recall the things that you had in common that made you such good friends’ years earlier. Although the nuances of this wine worked out, it was disjointed.
After 3.5 hours of decanting, the fruit tried to peak out. I got some red fruit like Bing cherry and raspberry. The fruit wanted to come forward, but it was shy and stayed in the background. After trying to figure this wine out, I realized that it was the 9% Malbec that was dominant. The 83% Cabernet Sauvignon could not find its way clear of the Malbec’s influence. Had there been less Malbec in this blend, the chances are that it would have resulted in a more harmonious, well balanced wine.
Because I was perplexed by this wine, I cannot say whether I liked it or disliked it. However, I did drink it and considered it a bit of an adventure.
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10/28/2018 - cupoverflowing1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP around 1 pm, muted with very little to show; put in the cellar; came back at 6:30 pm, and it is beginning to sing; beautiful nose of dark red and black fruits, unsweet chocolate, cigar, fig, minerals... more Old World than Napa style... thick wine and still heavily tannic; needs some fat to pair for sure; years of life left, and should improve with more age
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9/9/2018 - carlsport Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still solid but the fruit is nearly gone. Drink soon.
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10/23/2016 - SCosgrove wrote: 91 Points
A little hot, some big bold flavor, but maybe needs more time.
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2/12/2016 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age.
Creamy, some cassis, concentrated cherries, subtle oak.
Smooth, old world plums and cherries, integrated oak, moderate tannins and acid, good length with a little pyrazine.
Drinking well now, good balance between new and old world.
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5/4/2015 - fredfromny wrote: 90 Points
Very nice integration of fruit and tannins as in a good Bourdeaux.
At its peak and ready to go.
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1/23/2015 - dmccann3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very pleased with this wine. It opened up after 15 mins. Medium body with hints of cherry, blackberry long smooth finish. I think this will continue to improve for the next couple years.
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12/25/2014 - Dan L Likes this wine: 91 Points
A big and wonderful Cab! I opened a 2009 Reserve last year and it was just way too young. I thought this 2007 might still be a bit primary as well, but much to my surprise it was already accessible. Now we did throw it up against a huge chunk of fatty meat, so that certainly helped to tackle the tannins, but even on its own it was an enjoyable experience. It just smelled sooooo good, too. There is still plenty of life left in it, but I may not wait as long as originally planned to open the other two. Yum!
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11/15/2014 - IN Likes this wine: 89 Points
First bottle was corked. Second bottle ok. Decanted for two hours. Harsh tannins at first. Opened up after another hour. Long finish. Pleasant and complex wine. Definitely recommend decanting for at least three hours.
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5/10/2014 - wiscgrad wrote: 90 Points
Decent cab. Was hoping for more from this producer/vintage.
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12/8/2013 - johnbhamrick wrote: 90 Points
A decent wine but still not right for the $40 per bottle I paid.
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7/28/2013 - johnbhamrick wrote: 90 Points
Nice tasting wine for the money, but I wouldn't go overboard on it.
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6/5/2013 - MillenialWineGuy Likes this wine: 89 Points
Smoky, peppery and leather dominate with black cherry and plum notes. The alcohol is a little too readily apparent but the tannins are smooth and long-lasting.
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5/18/2013 - BrianPA wrote: 88 Points
Agree with comments. Not much of a nose and muted stewed fruit flavors, still quite tannic. Cab and malbec mostly. Tried too soon I think. Nothing special at this stage, a disappointment at $40. Much different/less big fruit than other 2007 Napa Cab blends tried.
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4/21/2013 - IconeWino wrote: 90 Points
The Malbec really comes out - smokey, tannins, medium finish
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4/4/2013 - jrkennedy37 wrote: 89 Points
Fairly typical Napa BDX blend. Best advice is to hold it and hope more develops.
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4/3/2013 - mtaczak wrote: 90 Points
Not a lot going on here, which is surprising given the vintage. Maybe it's shut down? Mostly just tannins, with hints of rich CA fruit but nothing like most other 07s. More classic in style, but without the fruit to hold it together what is it going to age into? I'm sure it will improve for the next 5-10, but beyond that all bets are off.
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6/17/2012 - n2wine wrote: 88 Points
Fairly light bodied for a bordeaux blend. Not much on the nose. Stewed fruit flavors. Enough tannins to let you know that they are there with a medium/long finish.
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6/17/2012 - n2wine wrote: 88 Points
Very light bodied for a blend. Not much on the nose. Stewed fruit flavors. Mild tannins are present with a long finish.
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