Really glad I held onto a few of these. Better than when I tried this 6 years ago. Well integrated, mature cab. Still going - past peak but has some life left in it!
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This is an old bottle that has been kicking around my cellar for almost two decades. I decanted and removed the significant sediment. A good bit of barnyard on the nose that dispelled after about an hour.
On the nose there is old dry fruit, tar and dust.
More of the same on the pallet with black spice, and wet earth. A nice old cab that is on the downslide but still very enjoyable. Past it's prime I won't give an official rating but it would have been 88.
The community seems to still have a few dozen of these stored away. I would drink them now.
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Way better than expected. Dark red color, not a ton of fruit on the nose. More complex on the palate, blackberries and plums at medium intensity. No tannins. Very enjoyable but probably on the way down. Cork was in great shape. Worth drinking soon.
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Clear dark blood ruby-garnet color. Mature bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco, red plums, meat juice. Full-bodied, rustic tannins, a bit of alcoholic heat. Very nice. Improved with air.
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This was still quite good, but worth drinking soon. Cork crumbled some, but I was able to extract it. Very mellow and mature. Deep garnet color + amber at the edges. Not too complex, but a well integrated and mature cab.
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Nose was 100% strawberry, very unique. A little dusty on the palate, but pleasant. Like a handful of crushed red fruit eaten in a saddlery. Not blown away, but a pleasant old school Napa cab.
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Mature Midrange Cabs; 12/30/2010-12/31/2010 (Northwoods): Didn't show as well as the '94 also opened. Less fruit, more tired. Picked up on auction, this showed some signs of poor storage along the way, with slight hints of "cooked".
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Lots of sediment on decanting both coarse and fine. Hazy medium color. Faint nose of smoky plum with a touch of sweet spice. Tart and light on the palate with little varietal or regional character. Clearly disappointing. Drink up or better yet, cook with it.
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This wine is still deep, dark purple in color. At least in this bottle the age is apparent on the nose. The bouquet is pleasant, but I can not detect real fruit. Leather and Bulls blood, like all Hess Cabernets! I scored it a 90 because on the palate it's really pleasant. Too much tannin for a higher score, but a really pleasant taste. I've got 7 more but I'm not confident they will improve from here.
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Really thought this one would have gone south on us. Saved for too long. It had been stashed in the basement before we'd made a formal wine cellar, and it sort of got lost. The cork was in remarkable shape, with no sign of decay. Decanted through a strainer, as there was some sediment (surprise not!) Color was a rich brick red, with the tell-tale edge of amber. Nose still good, though not fruity. The taste showed that the bottle was past its prime drinking window (surprise not again!), but not bad in any way. Tannins were tamed to the point of almost non-existence. Red berries & red plum, but again only lightly. A bit of wood & slight earth. Divided four ways, the opinion was consistent that it was still great.
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The previous rating of 94 was definately an exception as I have had three other bottles with similar notes. Nose of chocolate, alcohol and fruit. On palate, thin, toast oak with grainy tannins and chalky fruit.
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Took about an hour to open up. Was overwhelming strawberry flavors at first taste, then it opened up into a complex mix of currants and blueberries. Hint of vanilla underneath. This can probably go a few more years.
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Very Good, a real suprise, expected it to be way over the hill for a split, especially since the a 95 split opened at the same time was corked. Found hidden in the back of the cellar. Dusty with tobacco & cedar tones. Wish I had some larger format bottles.
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This was a real suprise. This was 1 of the best California Cab's that I have tasted. I paid all of 32.00 for this bottle. It just proves that you do not have to have an expensive bottle of wine in order to taste great.
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I'm not a big cali cab guy but man old cabs such as this one make you realize how good a napa cab good be if it is made to fit the terrior instead of pleasing critics with high alcohol, oak and dramatic fruit bombs. What a pleasent suprise, loads of chocolate, dark fruit and crushed berries that in perfect balances as the tannins have melted away. Bravo
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Slash decanted. Right away the nose drew me in. Lots of cherry on the nose surrounded by some tobacco/leather notes. Wonderful mouthfeel, plenty of juicy dark fruits transition to a silky finish that leaves traces of fresh mint and basil. I wish they still made CA cab in this more “old world” reserved style. Very impressive.
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Pop and pour paired with grilled rib eye. Plenty of life left ... tannins have smoothed out to a nice velvety silky mouthfeel. Ruby red color, with no discoloration on the edges. Dark stewed fruit notes. Fairly short finish. Excellent offering!
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Tannins are there but moderate. Wine still looks dark red with no signs of oxidation on the margins. Nose of fir needles and freshly fermented grape. There is a little heat in the wine with some greenish notes. A sort of brambley, berry flavor with maybe a hint of oak. The wine is probably slight past its peak but will last a couple more years. This is my last bottle but I would drink up if I had more.
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Garnet color with no real bricking. This has shed its baby fat but still retains a decent amount of fruit. Mature with a bit of astringeny poking through. Typical Mount Veeder cabernet with a bit of sour cheery and underbrush but lacking greater complexity from age. More reminiscent of a Tuscan IGT rather than a fleshy modern Napa cab. A good complement to food without being overpowering. Drinking well now but should keep for another few years.
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Ruby red color looking very healthy. Medium nose of bright fruit and touch of acidity. Medium mouthfeel. Balanced taste of bright skinned fruit and barnyard dust - fruit is still healthy and showing - tannins are tame. 10 year-old Mt. Veeder wine is showing remarkable life - drink within 12 months.
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Big and bold, very good, with mountain fruit, earth, and mild taste of green peppers. Still has a few years before it starts to decline. Enjoy before 2010.
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Drank this at the end of the day in Napa at Hurleys with Elk Medallions. It was very good, with young, structured tannins for a wine already 10 years old. The finish was long, and the characteristic earthiness of Mt. Veeder gave way to blackberry, Cassis, and oak and leather. A fine wine, and a nice reward to a hard day of work.
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Burnt sour cheery with an astringent note throughout. Nose of crushed dry leaves. While the nose is pleasant, in the mouth it just doesn’t come together and finishes harsh and acidic. It’s time has past.
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NICE FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES & BLACKBERRIES. ALSO LEATHER IN THE NOSE. NICE COMPLEXITY, IMPROVED OVER THE LENGTH OF THE MEAL. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
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3/18/2022 - Bill_Raleigh Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine has aged very well. Not a strong nose but good fresh berry smell. Smooth on the palate as the tannins have been reduced.
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3/17/2018 - spv Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really glad I held onto a few of these. Better than when I tried this 6 years ago. Well integrated, mature cab. Still going - past peak but has some life left in it!
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1/21/2015 - Nike-Raider Likes this wine:
This is an old bottle that has been kicking around my cellar for almost two decades. I decanted and removed the significant sediment. A good bit of barnyard on the nose that dispelled after about an hour.
On the nose there is old dry fruit, tar and dust.
More of the same on the pallet with black spice, and wet earth. A nice old cab that is on the downslide but still very enjoyable. Past it's prime I won't give an official rating but it would have been 88.
The community seems to still have a few dozen of these stored away. I would drink them now.
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11/23/2012 - spv wrote: 91 Points
Way better than expected. Dark red color, not a ton of fruit on the nose. More complex on the palate, blackberries and plums at medium intensity. No tannins. Very enjoyable but probably on the way down. Cork was in great shape. Worth drinking soon.
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10/30/2012 - Javachip wrote: 87 Points
Clear dark blood ruby-garnet color. Mature bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco, red plums, meat juice. Full-bodied, rustic tannins, a bit of alcoholic heat. Very nice. Improved with air.
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2/25/2012 - spv wrote: 90 Points
This was still quite good, but worth drinking soon. Cork crumbled some, but I was able to extract it. Very mellow and mature. Deep garnet color + amber at the edges. Not too complex, but a well integrated and mature cab.
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1/11/2012 - flagbob wrote: 92 Points
Quite good with nice fruit and an old wine maturity
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3/27/2011 - shk5157 wrote: 89 Points
touch of a moldy smell and finish, which otherwise prevented the wine from being stellar
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2/20/2011 - mlawren1 wrote: 90 Points
stone fruit core with a bit of cedar and chocolate on the finish. Nice smooth wine.
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2/4/2011 - spacewrangler wrote: 88 Points
Nice 13% Cali Cab, mid-weight with nice acidic punch. Would be a nice food wine.
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2/2/2011 - j3w wrote:
Nose was 100% strawberry, very unique. A little dusty on the palate, but pleasant. Like a handful of crushed red fruit eaten in a saddlery. Not blown away, but a pleasant old school Napa cab.
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12/31/2010 - vanpe003 wrote:
Mature Midrange Cabs; 12/30/2010-12/31/2010 (Northwoods): Didn't show as well as the '94 also opened. Less fruit, more tired. Picked up on auction, this showed some signs of poor storage along the way, with slight hints of "cooked".
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7/18/2010 - rhodyjoe wrote: flawed
Corked... Arrrgh! Oh well... Opened the '96 Joseph Phelps Cabernet, which aged well!!
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5/28/2010 - mlawren1 wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine just not over the top. nice fruit and structure but just no pop to it.
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4/5/2010 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
old style Napa cabernet sauvignon, 13% alcohol! Restrained fruit, complex midpalate..leather and cedar, like an old bordeaux
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2/21/2010 - jfagan wrote: 85 Points
Lots of sediment on decanting both coarse and fine. Hazy medium color. Faint nose of smoky plum with a touch of sweet spice. Tart and light on the palate with little varietal or regional character. Clearly disappointing. Drink up or better yet, cook with it.
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1/30/2010 - Jkwapis wrote: 91 Points
What a enjoyable bottle of wine. The smell and long lasting taste. Wow! Probably the end of the peek. Too much longer in the cellar will not improve.
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10/10/2009 - mjerome wrote: 90 Points
This wine is still deep, dark purple in color. At least in this bottle the age is apparent on the nose. The bouquet is pleasant, but I can not detect real fruit. Leather and Bulls blood, like all Hess Cabernets! I scored it a 90 because on the palate it's really pleasant. Too much tannin for a higher score, but a really pleasant taste. I've got 7 more but I'm not confident they will improve from here.
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9/13/2009 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 90 Points
Amazingly good for its age
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9/4/2009 - wadcorp wrote:
Really thought this one would have gone south on us. Saved for too long. It had been stashed in the basement before we'd made a formal wine cellar, and it sort of got lost. The cork was in remarkable shape, with no sign of decay. Decanted through a strainer, as there was some sediment (surprise not!) Color was a rich brick red, with the tell-tale edge of amber. Nose still good, though not fruity. The taste showed that the bottle was past its prime drinking window (surprise not again!), but not bad in any way. Tannins were tamed to the point of almost non-existence. Red berries & red plum, but again only lightly. A bit of wood & slight earth. Divided four ways, the opinion was consistent that it was still great.
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5/23/2009 - G Kapoor wrote: 89 Points
The previous rating of 94 was definately an exception as I have had three other bottles with similar notes. Nose of chocolate, alcohol and fruit. On palate, thin, toast oak with grainy tannins and chalky fruit.
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5/18/2009 - mlawren1 wrote: 91 Points
Took about an hour to open up. Was overwhelming strawberry flavors at first taste, then it opened up into a complex mix of currants and blueberries. Hint of vanilla underneath. This can probably go a few more years.
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4/7/2009 - Winechef82 wrote: 91 Points
Leather and brass with burnt wood. Great drink for 35 to 45 minutes. Great meaty flavor.
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5/22/2008 - JWA wrote: 88 Points
Very Good, a real suprise, expected it to be way over the hill for a split, especially since the a 95 split opened at the same time was corked. Found hidden in the back of the cellar. Dusty with tobacco & cedar tones. Wish I had some larger format bottles.
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5/4/2008 - Marc S wrote: 97 Points
This was a real suprise. This was 1 of the best California Cab's that I have tasted. I paid all of 32.00 for this bottle. It just proves that you do not have to have an expensive bottle of wine in order to taste great.
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11/11/2007 - G Kapoor wrote: 94 Points
I'm not a big cali cab guy but man old cabs such as this one make you realize how good a napa cab good be if it is made to fit the terrior instead of pleasing critics with high alcohol, oak and dramatic fruit bombs. What a pleasent suprise, loads of chocolate, dark fruit and crushed berries that in perfect balances as the tannins have melted away. Bravo
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11/10/2007 - keelegl wrote: 93 Points
Slash decanted. Right away the nose drew me in. Lots of cherry on the nose surrounded by some tobacco/leather notes. Wonderful mouthfeel, plenty of juicy dark fruits transition to a silky finish that leaves traces of fresh mint and basil. I wish they still made CA cab in this more “old world” reserved style. Very impressive.
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8/15/2007 - Big_Al wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour paired with grilled rib eye. Plenty of life left ... tannins have smoothed out to a nice velvety silky mouthfeel. Ruby red color, with no discoloration on the edges. Dark stewed fruit notes. Fairly short finish. Excellent offering!
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12/18/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
See previous notes.
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11/13/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
Soft, well made, mountain fruit, earth, still some mild tannins, but the fruit is vibrant, nd the finish moderately persistent. Nice wine.
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10/6/2006 - wanderer wrote:
Quite good, full bodied, good wine.
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9/19/2006 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
Tannins are there but moderate. Wine still looks dark red with no signs of oxidation on the margins. Nose of fir needles and freshly fermented grape. There is a little heat in the wine with some greenish notes. A sort of brambley, berry flavor with maybe a hint of oak. The wine is probably slight past its peak but will last a couple more years. This is my last bottle but I would drink up if I had more.
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8/1/2006 - Chateaunewf wrote: 90 Points
Garnet color with no real bricking. This has shed its baby fat but still retains a decent amount of fruit. Mature with a bit of astringeny poking through. Typical Mount Veeder cabernet with a bit of sour cheery and underbrush but lacking greater complexity from age. More reminiscent of a Tuscan IGT rather than a fleshy modern Napa cab. A good complement to food without being overpowering. Drinking well now but should keep for another few years.
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6/9/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
Excellent, see previous notes.
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5/22/2006 - Big_Al wrote: 90 Points
Ruby red color looking very healthy. Medium nose of bright fruit and touch of acidity. Medium mouthfeel. Balanced taste of bright skinned fruit and barnyard dust - fruit is still healthy and showing - tannins are tame. 10 year-old Mt. Veeder wine is showing remarkable life - drink within 12 months.
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4/16/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
excellent. Peaking now, I think.
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3/13/2006 - mmyette wrote: 91 Points
Big and bold, very good, with mountain fruit, earth, and mild taste of green peppers. Still has a few years before it starts to decline. Enjoy before 2010.
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1/21/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
Drank this at the end of the day in Napa at Hurleys with Elk Medallions. It was very good, with young, structured tannins for a wine already 10 years old. The finish was long, and the characteristic earthiness of Mt. Veeder gave way to blackberry, Cassis, and oak and leather. A fine wine, and a nice reward to a hard day of work.
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1/6/2006 - Mark wrote: 84 Points
Burnt sour cheery with an astringent note throughout. Nose of crushed dry leaves. While the nose is pleasant, in the mouth it just doesn’t come together and finishes harsh and acidic. It’s time has past.
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3/16/2001 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
NICE FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES & BLACKBERRIES. ALSO LEATHER IN THE NOSE. NICE COMPLEXITY, IMPROVED OVER THE LENGTH OF THE MEAL. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
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