Aerated and decanted, tasted much better after opening up for a while. Paired well with a sirloin steak. This wine may be at the end of its drinking window.
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Drink now! Tannins are very soft to begin with that anymore age wouldn't do this justice. I bought this wine for wholesale cost and it's the best California value I can find. All their wines are so silky it will trick your palate into thinking you're not drinking a full bodied rich cab.
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Quite scrumptious. 2007 is known as a good year, which is why I put my secret santa gift card towards this bottle. I found the bouquet very pleasant, the body full but not overly so. The only real complaint, which is not a complaint, was that while I found this Cabernet to be a wonderful balance of flavor and tannin, I had trouble pinpointing any particular flavors. Part of this was is is due to my weakness in pinpointing flavors...and part of it is my desire to take a drink with every bite. Either way I liked it. As a side note, every bottle of Donati I have purchased, regardless of varietal tends to have a heavy sediment buildup in the neck of the bottle. The first time I thought it was because the wine had gone bad, but now I'm thinking it is a part of their charm...it certainly hasn't hurt either of their reds I've tried.
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Each bottle I've opened, I've gone down a little on the rating. Maybe starting to go downhill? This bottle had more tart than I expect & like. I have several left, so hoping they are better like a year or so ago.
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Another nice offering from this underappreciated producer (and AVA), which shows dark extraction, pretty aromas of smoky blackberries and cassis which carry to the palate with supportive tannic structure and some decent complexity, showing traces of mint and leather. Nicely crafted, and finishes medium-long.
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12/20/2020 - whudock Likes this wine: 91 Points
still drinking well. Strong fruit, refined tannin and nice earth notes.
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2/14/2017 - ramclain Likes this wine: 90 Points
Past it's prime at this point, still enjoyable, but was better earlier. My last bottle.
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10/16/2016 - tdskier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice cab Black currant, hint of licorice. Drink up as wont age more.
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9/27/2016 - ramclain Likes this wine: 90 Points
Aerated and decanted, tasted much better after opening up for a while. Paired well with a sirloin steak. This wine may be at the end of its drinking window.
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7/3/2016 - ramclain Likes this wine: 90 Points
Paired well with a steak dinner. Aged pretty well right now, it tasted better 6 months ago, but holding up well.
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6/4/2016 - ramclain Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very well aged right now, paired incredibly well with whole roasted beef tenderloin.
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8/9/2015 - ddingley Likes this wine: 89 Points
Excellent for the modest price, has a rich and varied palate expected from a Napa Bordeaux blend at twice the price
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1/4/2015 - Larahargrave wrote:
Drink now! Tannins are very soft to begin with that anymore age wouldn't do this justice. I bought this wine for wholesale cost and it's the best California value I can find. All their wines are so silky it will trick your palate into thinking you're not drinking a full bodied rich cab.
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10/27/2014 - ramclain Likes this wine: 96 Points
Aged to perfection right now! Unbelievable!
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4/2/2014 - Samacabral66 wrote: 90 Points
nuances of cedar, violets, leather. Smooth tannic edge.
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4/9/2013 - TGCRequiem Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite scrumptious. 2007 is known as a good year, which is why I put my secret santa gift card towards this bottle. I found the bouquet very pleasant, the body full but not overly so. The only real complaint, which is not a complaint, was that while I found this Cabernet to be a wonderful balance of flavor and tannin, I had trouble pinpointing any particular flavors. Part of this was is is due to my weakness in pinpointing flavors...and part of it is my desire to take a drink with every bite. Either way I liked it. As a side note, every bottle of Donati I have purchased, regardless of varietal tends to have a heavy sediment buildup in the neck of the bottle. The first time I thought it was because the wine had gone bad, but now I'm thinking it is a part of their charm...it certainly hasn't hurt either of their reds I've tried.
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8/5/2012 - Kweickert wrote: 84 Points
Each bottle I've opened, I've gone down a little on the rating. Maybe starting to go downhill? This bottle had more tart than I expect & like. I have several left, so hoping they are better like a year or so ago.
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7/20/2012 - Snoman wrote: 89 Points
Another nice offering from this underappreciated producer (and AVA), which shows dark extraction, pretty aromas of smoky blackberries and cassis which carry to the palate with supportive tannic structure and some decent complexity, showing traces of mint and leather. Nicely crafted, and finishes medium-long.
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7/20/2012 - whudock wrote: 91 Points
serious wine with lots of depth, decent fruit and a nice finish. A very nice surprise
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9/15/2011 - Richmart wrote: 88 Points
Blackberry fruit driven nose
Balanced palate of fruit acid and alcohol
Med finish. Enjoyed with cheese and olives.
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