We ended up decanting this, but not sure it needed it. Jovial fruit, titch of menthol, worn leather on the nose. Fruit much younger on the palate than I would have thought by the nose, with strong red and black fruit, unripe and ripe strawberries, and darker cherries predominating. Overall excellent showing
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One of my three favorites among about 20 premium wines at a party. Pretty amazing. Might have guessed it to be from 2010, not 2000. Fresh, balanced, and rich.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definitely over the hill. But after an hour of bottle decanting, this wine really did show some youthful exuberance for about 2 hours before it started to crash and burn. At first there was a lot of nitrogen and really strange smokiness and cigar ash. Thinking that this one was doomed for the locker room, I came back to it 30 minutes later to find a much changed wine that had proverbially turned back the clock! This wine drank the best 1 hour post-bottle decanting. Much more vibrant black cherrry and some aged shoe leather on the front and mid-palate. The middle of this wine showed full integration to the rear. Not much tannin is left to guard this wine. Probably checked out a couple of years ago. However, the chalkiness and the acidic limestone-ish kind of finish was very welcomed. This wine was ready to go. If the decision is to wait a year, you're probably going to be disappointed. I think this one is starting to head down the slope, and needs to be consumed by 2017.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Unbelievable wine. As much as I hate using terms like "best I ever had", this wine was certainly one of my best experiences with a wine ever. I expected it to be good, but what I got was spectacular - such a smooth and well put together wine. Though I suspect it has some years left in it, I see no reason to wait to open it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this waiting in the wings in case we ran out of the 2004 Spottswoode. Good thing we did, because the Etude just BLEW AWAY the Spottswoode. Absolutely no signs of age - this sucker should be kicking butt for years!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just like before, but better and more of everything. A stunningly good wine. With roasted prime rib (beef) at Aburdeen Barn in C’ville on special day with DDB & PMB. Recommended leaning toward Highly Recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Appearance: Clear, deep garnet with tinge of brown, pale rim, legs. Nose: Clean, pronounced and developing dark fruit -- plum, dark berries -- fresh tomatoe with touch of fresh herbs. Palate: Dry, moderate acidity, medium+ tannins, high alcohol on palate, full-bodied, medium+ flavor intensity oak, medicinal herbs following by disappearing black berries and a touch of plum. Very good quality. Drink now. Tannin/oak overly expressive with sleepy fruit. Needs decanting. Needs animal fat meal. Cork closure. 14.5% abv (D 8.5, F 4; Cent)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium red. Decanted for 1 hour. Muted fruit aromas, with menthol, leather, and a touch of coffee. Muted dark fruit in the mouth, nice acid balance. Worked well with a grilled tenderloin filet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An outstanding bottle, far better than my last. Extremely open nose of black currant, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, sandalwood, and cedar mulch. Excellent dryness on the palate with exceptional clarity. Medium bodied and long in the mouth with nice weight and undeniable elegance. Doesn't have the depth of the 2002, but perhaps shows a bit more polish.
Drink now and over the next four years. 92 -JRS
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Club: Invading the South (Van Buren, OH): Decanted a half hour, some sediment. The nose on the is gorgeous - super-elegant Napa juice, with aged cedar box but still plenty of dark fruit. The palate falls kinda flat, though - quite ripe, with almost a residual sugar sweetness, and not enough tannic grip to support the richness. Good acidity, and still quite fruit-driven, though. Some slight green qualities hidden, but fairly big for the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank with porterhouse steak, an decanted for 1 1/2 hours before having, then continued to drink over the next 2-3 hours. Nose has pine and tar, not too much fruit, but hints of dark fruit. The taste continues with the pint, but definitley has some plum that comes through, as well has having a cocoa/chocolate feel. Very nice wine with a few different flavors, and not too much tannin - it seems to be in a good spot right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent with last bottle about eight months ago. Not a whole lot of fruit, but plenty of everything else - chocolate, coffee, spices, etc. Luxurious mouthfeel and a long, rich finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Three Blind Mice -- Etude Vertical Cab Tasting (Steve Starke's): Decanted for two hours before tasting vertical of 2000-2002 blind; nose has floral notes, lighter body than '01; menthol mixed in with berries and plum on the mouth; softer than the 2001, but more intriging than the 2000; improved as it sat in the glass
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good wine from a not-so-good vintage. Prominent nose with a little fruit and a lot of spice and coffee. Same fruit and spice on the palate, along with a touch of chocolate. Very rich, plush mouthfeel and a long, spicy finish. Seems to have a few years left, but it's hard to say - given the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(14.5% vol) Deep and rich ruby colour; eucalyptus and mint on the nose; smooth mouth-feel; on the finish there was mint, blackcurrant jam, and a dried herbal quality similar to bay leaves. There was also some heat on the finish. This was a very nice wine according to this Franophile; still had a ripe and round Californian nature but it had elegance and finesse and the wine went down VERY easily. In addition, the heat was well integrated, however, it was felt the next day. This wine was opened on the historic day of 5-Nov-2008.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow, I am really surprised how great this wine was. I had forgotten about these half bottles I had in my cellar but am very glad I found them. This wine was much better than the dry aged rib-eye I served it with. Beautiful fully ripe berry flavors with hints of leather. Unbelievable how good this fruit is eight years after bottling. Great streak of acid, which paired beautifully with beef. The tannins are sweet and refined. One of the best California Cabs I've had in a while; I wish I had about a dozen of these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Starting to gain some rough edges with age. Still massive with concentration of black cherry, menthol, and licorice...yet this bottle showed many signs of fatigue and dried fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big but smooth, and clearly mature, Napa cabernet. Full bodied, with currant, vanilla and ripe berry on the palate. Great chocolate silk finish. Open for business for another 3 to 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted an hour. Fragant complex nose of leather, tobacco, earth and dark fruit. Medium to full bodied with great balance. Supple. Super long finish. An OUTSTANDING wine. This wine is really singing now. Drinking one of these makes me regret all the infanticide I have committed over the years. Nothing like drinking wine at its absolute peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
January BYOB Event - January 20th, 2007 (Belo and Margaret Shelton's Home): This cabernet showed big, bold flavors of plums and black cherries with hints of cinnamon and vanilla in the finish. The oak played a huge role in the flavor profile in the beginning but with time in the glass gave way to the other flavors. Nice firm tannins. HS92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Best Cab I've had in ages. Can't imagine how much better it could be if I had waited. Velvety mouth feel, balanced cocoa and vanilla. Lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friday, September 09, 2005 When the Colonel comes to town you can bet on two things: cooking aromas to fill the house and great stories. ‘Wine,’ you say? ‘Why not wine as one of the two things?’ Well, that’s nothing to bet on; it simply IS. Just as wine is a given when speaking of Bob, compound that fact with the arrival of Michael Ross and your cup shall surely over floweth. The view of the room brightened mightily with the visage of both Adair Sigmon, Michael’s fianceé, and my spousal unit. Michael graciously took responsibility for note taking through most of the evening. I’ll try to do his handy work justice here. With Bob commanding the risotto, the spousal unit attending to other sides and overall kitchen logistics, I manned the rotissorie and we set out on a gastronomic mission with a foray into Cabernet Sauvignon (Old World and New World) and leg of lamb. My asides are in parentheses. The Whites - With assorted cheeses (we’re not talking yellow farm cheese), nuts and breads. E. Guigal ‘La Doriane’ Condrieu 2000 Deep golden color with a very focused nose of apricot followed by spice, peach and white fruits. Very full and expansive on the palate. A bit of oak shows, but certainly nothing overbearing. The finish is a little short, but the wine overall delivers loads of satisfaction. (This was my last bottle of this vintage and it did not disappoint. I don’t know of a more satisfying Viognier.) 13.5% alc. Haut Brion Blanc Graves 1982 With the knowledge of Michael’s affinity for this wine, the Colonel secured this bottle; no doubt sending in Special Forces to liberate it. Over the hours it was open, its color never varied from the deep yellow with a slight bricking on the rim. Oxidation, however slight, was apparent, yet the expansive nose invited you in time and time again. Hints of anise, green apple, walnuts, spice and pastry dough. Great mouthfeel, what with its full, luscious coating of the palate. Excellently long finish. Alc.: ‘11% to 14%’ per B&G added label. (Several hours later a couple of tastes are still to be found in the bottle. The color is the same, but the profile had morphed so that it now delivers up lanolin and bees wax more than anything else. The generosity of Bob to open this bottle was overwhelming.) With spit roasted leg of lamb, butternut squash risotto (courtesy of Bob’s hard labor), green beans with red pepper, mashed butternut squash and rosemary bread. Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac 1996 Somewhat muted nose but still showing good black fruits, licorice, cedar, rosemary and currant. Similar flavors on the palate. Texturally, it was excellent on the palate and full bodied. Surprisingly open. Very nice. (Now this is where so much of wine is about subjectivity. While I’d agree the wine was very nice, it was Michael’s preference between the two Pauillacs. 13% alc. (My take would be that this wine has soft, round tannins. I probably prefer wines with more grip. Nevertheless, this is one of Michael’s go to wines and I can certainly see why. Much to my surprise, it was the only bottle with a pourable amount left over. Bob commented on the noticeable Merlot in the blend of this wine. Indeed the Merlot is probably responsible for the soft, enjoyable roundness of the wine. Michael correctly pegged the Merlot at 25% with the balance being Cab. Sauv.) Pontet Canet Pauillac 1996 Also classic Pauillac; showing cedar, graphite, cassis, currant and blackberry. While Michael describes the wine as ‘harsher on the palate,’ I’d describe it as bigger with more structure than the GPL. We agree it is ‘very nice,’ although Michael found the finish ‘a little short.’ 13% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friday, September 09, 2005 The Reds - (I like firm, structured wines. While the Cab. Sauv. is only 68% in this wine, the Merlot is but 20%, and the balance is 20% Cab. Franc and 2% Malbec. That, I think, gives this wine a little more firmness and bite.) Paloma Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mtn. 2001 Now this is a horse of a very different color. While Michael and I are slurping Pauillac, Bob is joyously reaching for the Spring Mountain juice. Incredible nose of espresso, licorice and marscarpone. Michael wrote there is something else he can’t quite make out. (One descriptor I used was cinnamon, but I don’t know if that might have been to what Michael referred or not.) A deep inky color. Almost candied on the palate, but stops short of being so in an obnoxious way. Shorter finish than expected with some noticeable oak. 14.2% alc. (Bob never ceases to surprise us with some of the amazingly rare or unusual stuff he can produce. I don’t know how many cases of this were made, but suffice it to say it’s easier to find a ‘96 Pauillac than it is to find this wine. Thanks, Bob!) We finished the wines and still had food on our plates, or at least available to us on the dishes beckoning that we take additional helpings. We looked around and found .... Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2000 ....at which point Michael shoved the notepad my way. Straight from the bottle without any delay. The first descriptor thrown out by someone the crowd was ‘bridal shower.’ Now, I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it accurately reflects the nuptial nature of the evening’s conversation. At least it wasn’t ‘first nuptial night’ or any such other descriptors. Personally, I stuck with the safe descriptors of vanilla, coffee, red fruits and black cherry for the bouquet. Its nose was almost candied; it certainly gave off very sweet fruits. Vanilla, cinnamon, raspberry and cassis dominated the mouthfilling flavors. The finish, however, was disappointingly hot, yet delivered up distinct rosemary and an almond-like nuttiness. Overall, it was a deep, rich wine that still is tight and not yielding as much as it could with a little time. Maybe that’s what the bridal reference .... oh, never mind. 14.5% alc. NOTE: All of these reds should have been opened earlier and had amounts poured to allow the wines to breathe. Decanting the Cali Cabs would have even been better, but as the whites and conversation flowed, the reds and dinner slipped up on us. Of the wines, the Etude seemed to suffer the most from lack of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting at Etude (Carneros CA): Tasting at winery. Black cherry on nose with cedar hints. Same black cherr yon palate with some plum hints and background spice along with sweet tannins. Moderate length and intensity. Good balance. Give another year or two in cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/4/2021 - Peech Likes this wine: 90 Points
double-decanted 1 hour prior to serving. Some smoke and leather in the nose, kinda muted, with some sweetness on the palate. Improved over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2021 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
We ended up decanting this, but not sure it needed it. Jovial fruit, titch of menthol, worn leather on the nose. Fruit much younger on the palate than I would have thought by the nose, with strong red and black fruit, unripe and ripe strawberries, and darker cherries predominating. Overall excellent showing
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2019 - Night Train Likes this wine: 92 Points
One of my three favorites among about 20 premium wines at a party. Pretty amazing. Might have guessed it to be from 2010, not 2000. Fresh, balanced, and rich.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2019 - garagewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still youthful, with cherry notes but deep smooth structure. This wine still has 6-10 years to age beautifully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2017 - nmoreilly Likes this wine: 92 Points
Peaked - drink me if you got em
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2016 - buckeye76 wrote: 93 Points
RICH BERRY FRUITS IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACKBERRIES, BLACK RASPBERRIES, CURRANTS AND PLUMS. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2016 - mflesh wrote:
Definitely over the hill. But after an hour of bottle decanting, this wine really did show some youthful exuberance for about 2 hours before it started to crash and burn. At first there was a lot of nitrogen and really strange smokiness and cigar ash. Thinking that this one was doomed for the locker room, I came back to it 30 minutes later to find a much changed wine that had proverbially turned back the clock! This wine drank the best 1 hour post-bottle decanting. Much more vibrant black cherrry and some aged shoe leather on the front and mid-palate. The middle of this wine showed full integration to the rear. Not much tannin is left to guard this wine. Probably checked out a couple of years ago. However, the chalkiness and the acidic limestone-ish kind of finish was very welcomed. This wine was ready to go. If the decision is to wait a year, you're probably going to be disappointed. I think this one is starting to head down the slope, and needs to be consumed by 2017.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2016 - The Grape North Likes this wine: 98 Points
Unbelievable wine. As much as I hate using terms like "best I ever had", this wine was certainly one of my best experiences with a wine ever. I expected it to be good, but what I got was spectacular - such a smooth and well put together wine. Though I suspect it has some years left in it, I see no reason to wait to open it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2015 - Canuckgiver Likes this wine: 89 Points
while still flavoursome with NY Strip Steaks, this bottle was in decline.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2015 - shaffej wrote: 96 Points
Drinking beautifully!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2014 - ronte bello Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet black cherry with some tartness and some overripe fruit. Complex. Still young. Happy I have more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2014 - nmoreilly wrote: 93 Points
Wow. No visual sign of age that I could tell, really well integrated and still has a few years left I think
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2013 - Night Train Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had this waiting in the wings in case we ran out of the 2004 Spottswoode. Good thing we did, because the Etude just BLEW AWAY the Spottswoode. Absolutely no signs of age - this sucker should be kicking butt for years!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2012 - timewithwine wrote:
Just like before, but better and more of everything. A stunningly good wine. With roasted prime rib (beef) at Aburdeen Barn in C’ville on special day with DDB & PMB. Recommended leaning toward Highly Recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2012 - nubbin wrote: 90 Points
Appearance: Clear, deep garnet with tinge of brown, pale rim, legs.
Nose: Clean, pronounced and developing dark fruit -- plum, dark berries -- fresh tomatoe with touch of fresh herbs.
Palate: Dry, moderate acidity, medium+ tannins, high alcohol on palate, full-bodied, medium+ flavor intensity oak, medicinal herbs following by disappearing black berries and a touch of plum.
Very good quality. Drink now. Tannin/oak overly expressive with sleepy fruit. Needs decanting. Needs animal fat meal.
Cork closure. 14.5% abv (D 8.5, F 4; Cent)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2012 - bin905 wrote: 93 Points
Elegant dark berry and spice flavors. Focused, with solid structure and ample ripe tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2011 - squiddo wrote: 90 Points
peaked in 2010, on the decline yet still delicious
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2010 - ctjared wrote:
Fantastic nose on the open, velvety tanins shortly thereafter, but not long lived in the glass. Seemed to fade somewhat faster then hoped.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2010 - CdP in NYC wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with 9/15 note. Such an exceptional wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2010 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
Medium red. Decanted for 1 hour. Muted fruit aromas, with menthol, leather, and a touch of coffee. Muted dark fruit in the mouth, nice acid balance. Worked well with a grilled tenderloin filet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2010 - CdP in NYC wrote: 92 Points
An outstanding bottle, far better than my last. Extremely open nose of black currant, blackberries, cherries, chocolate, sandalwood, and cedar mulch. Excellent dryness on the palate with exceptional clarity. Medium bodied and long in the mouth with nice weight and undeniable elegance. Doesn't have the depth of the 2002, but perhaps shows a bit more polish.
Drink now and over the next four years. 92 -JRS
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2010 - joshwoodward wrote: 90 Points
Wine Club: Invading the South (Van Buren, OH): Decanted a half hour, some sediment. The nose on the is gorgeous - super-elegant Napa juice, with aged cedar box but still plenty of dark fruit. The palate falls kinda flat, though - quite ripe, with almost a residual sugar sweetness, and not enough tannic grip to support the richness. Good acidity, and still quite fruit-driven, though. Some slight green qualities hidden, but fairly big for the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2010 - Wine Sparty wrote: 91 Points
Drank with porterhouse steak, an decanted for 1 1/2 hours before having, then continued to drink over the next 2-3 hours. Nose has pine and tar, not too much fruit, but hints of dark fruit. The taste continues with the pint, but definitley has some plum that comes through, as well has having a cocoa/chocolate feel. Very nice wine with a few different flavors, and not too much tannin - it seems to be in a good spot right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2010 - Night Train wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with last bottle about eight months ago. Not a whole lot of fruit, but plenty of everything else - chocolate, coffee, spices, etc. Luxurious mouthfeel and a long, rich finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2010 - windypinot wrote: 89 Points
Three Blind Mice -- Etude Vertical Cab Tasting (Steve Starke's): Decanted for two hours before tasting vertical of 2000-2002 blind; nose has floral notes, lighter body than '01; menthol mixed in with berries and plum on the mouth; softer than the 2001, but more intriging than the 2000; improved as it sat in the glass
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2009 - Night Train wrote: 91 Points
Good wine from a not-so-good vintage. Prominent nose with a little fruit and a lot of spice and coffee. Same fruit and spice on the palate, along with a touch of chocolate. Very rich, plush mouthfeel and a long, spicy finish. Seems to have a few years left, but it's hard to say - given the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2009 - CdP in NYC wrote: 91 Points
Same tasting notes as the '02 but not quite as full and lush. Certainly an outstanding effort for the vintage.
Drink now. 91 -JRS
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2009 - Daddybush wrote: 94 Points
amazing would describe this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2008 - Griffin wrote:
(14.5% vol)
Deep and rich ruby colour; eucalyptus and mint on the nose; smooth mouth-feel; on the finish there was mint, blackcurrant jam, and a dried herbal quality similar to bay leaves. There was also some heat on the finish. This was a very nice wine according to this Franophile; still had a ripe and round Californian nature but it had elegance and finesse and the wine went down VERY easily. In addition, the heat was well integrated, however, it was felt the next day. This wine was opened on the historic day of 5-Nov-2008.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2008 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2008 - brucejones wrote: 94 Points
Wow, I am really surprised how great this wine was. I had forgotten about these half bottles I had in my cellar but am very glad I found them. This wine was much better than the dry aged rib-eye I served it with. Beautiful fully ripe berry flavors with hints of leather. Unbelievable how good this fruit is eight years after bottling. Great streak of acid, which paired beautifully with beef. The tannins are sweet and refined. One of the best California Cabs I've had in a while; I wish I had about a dozen of these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2008 - napaJ6 wrote: 90 Points
Starting to gain some rough edges with age. Still massive with concentration of black cherry, menthol, and licorice...yet this bottle showed many signs of fatigue and dried fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2007 - Grinder wrote: 93 Points
Big but smooth, and clearly mature, Napa cabernet. Full bodied, with currant, vanilla and ripe berry on the palate. Great chocolate silk finish. Open for business for another 3 to 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2007 - pitt71 wrote: 95 Points
Decanted an hour. Fragant complex nose of leather, tobacco, earth and dark fruit. Medium to full bodied with great balance. Supple. Super long finish. An OUTSTANDING wine. This wine is really singing now. Drinking one of these makes me regret all the infanticide I have committed over the years. Nothing like drinking wine at its absolute peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2007 - sinebubble wrote:
Excellent effort that fell just a bit short of the Lewis it was consumed with.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/20/2007 - HurrahSyrah wrote: 92 Points
January BYOB Event - January 20th, 2007 (Belo and Margaret Shelton's Home): This cabernet showed big, bold flavors of plums and black cherries with hints of cinnamon and vanilla in the finish. The oak played a huge role in the flavor profile in the beginning but with time in the glass gave way to the other flavors. Nice firm tannins. HS92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2006 - stevenp22 wrote: 93 Points
Great, very smooth and well balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2006 - redsauced wrote: 95 Points
Best Cab I've had in ages. Can't imagine how much better it could be if I had waited. Velvety mouth feel, balanced cocoa and vanilla. Lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2005 - timewithwine wrote:
Friday, September 09, 2005 When the Colonel comes to town you can bet on two things: cooking aromas to fill the house and great stories. ‘Wine,’ you say? ‘Why not wine as one of the two things?’ Well, that’s nothing to bet on; it simply IS. Just as wine is a given when speaking of Bob, compound that fact with the arrival of Michael Ross and your cup shall surely over floweth. The view of the room brightened mightily with the visage of both Adair Sigmon, Michael’s fianceé, and my spousal unit. Michael graciously took responsibility for note taking through most of the evening. I’ll try to do his handy work justice here. With Bob commanding the risotto, the spousal unit attending to other sides and overall kitchen logistics, I manned the rotissorie and we set out on a gastronomic mission with a foray into Cabernet Sauvignon (Old World and New World) and leg of lamb. My asides are in parentheses. The Whites - With assorted cheeses (we’re not talking yellow farm cheese), nuts and breads. E. Guigal ‘La Doriane’ Condrieu 2000 Deep golden color with a very focused nose of apricot followed by spice, peach and white fruits. Very full and expansive on the palate. A bit of oak shows, but certainly nothing overbearing. The finish is a little short, but the wine overall delivers loads of satisfaction. (This was my last bottle of this vintage and it did not disappoint. I don’t know of a more satisfying Viognier.) 13.5% alc. Haut Brion Blanc Graves 1982 With the knowledge of Michael’s affinity for this wine, the Colonel secured this bottle; no doubt sending in Special Forces to liberate it. Over the hours it was open, its color never varied from the deep yellow with a slight bricking on the rim. Oxidation, however slight, was apparent, yet the expansive nose invited you in time and time again. Hints of anise, green apple, walnuts, spice and pastry dough. Great mouthfeel, what with its full, luscious coating of the palate. Excellently long finish. Alc.: ‘11% to 14%’ per B&G added label. (Several hours later a couple of tastes are still to be found in the bottle. The color is the same, but the profile had morphed so that it now delivers up lanolin and bees wax more than anything else. The generosity of Bob to open this bottle was overwhelming.) With spit roasted leg of lamb, butternut squash risotto (courtesy of Bob’s hard labor), green beans with red pepper, mashed butternut squash and rosemary bread. Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac 1996 Somewhat muted nose but still showing good black fruits, licorice, cedar, rosemary and currant. Similar flavors on the palate. Texturally, it was excellent on the palate and full bodied. Surprisingly open. Very nice. (Now this is where so much of wine is about subjectivity. While I’d agree the wine was very nice, it was Michael’s preference between the two Pauillacs. 13% alc. (My take would be that this wine has soft, round tannins. I probably prefer wines with more grip. Nevertheless, this is one of Michael’s go to wines and I can certainly see why. Much to my surprise, it was the only bottle with a pourable amount left over. Bob commented on the noticeable Merlot in the blend of this wine. Indeed the Merlot is probably responsible for the soft, enjoyable roundness of the wine. Michael correctly pegged the Merlot at 25% with the balance being Cab. Sauv.) Pontet Canet Pauillac 1996 Also classic Pauillac; showing cedar, graphite, cassis, currant and blackberry. While Michael describes the wine as ‘harsher on the palate,’ I’d describe it as bigger with more structure than the GPL. We agree it is ‘very nice,’ although Michael found the finish ‘a little short.’ 13% alc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2005 - timewithwine wrote:
Friday, September 09, 2005 The Reds - (I like firm, structured wines. While the Cab. Sauv. is only 68% in this wine, the Merlot is but 20%, and the balance is 20% Cab. Franc and 2% Malbec. That, I think, gives this wine a little more firmness and bite.) Paloma Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mtn. 2001 Now this is a horse of a very different color. While Michael and I are slurping Pauillac, Bob is joyously reaching for the Spring Mountain juice. Incredible nose of espresso, licorice and marscarpone. Michael wrote there is something else he can’t quite make out. (One descriptor I used was cinnamon, but I don’t know if that might have been to what Michael referred or not.) A deep inky color. Almost candied on the palate, but stops short of being so in an obnoxious way. Shorter finish than expected with some noticeable oak. 14.2% alc. (Bob never ceases to surprise us with some of the amazingly rare or unusual stuff he can produce. I don’t know how many cases of this were made, but suffice it to say it’s easier to find a ‘96 Pauillac than it is to find this wine. Thanks, Bob!) We finished the wines and still had food on our plates, or at least available to us on the dishes beckoning that we take additional helpings. We looked around and found .... Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2000 ....at which point Michael shoved the notepad my way. Straight from the bottle without any delay. The first descriptor thrown out by someone the crowd was ‘bridal shower.’ Now, I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it accurately reflects the nuptial nature of the evening’s conversation. At least it wasn’t ‘first nuptial night’ or any such other descriptors. Personally, I stuck with the safe descriptors of vanilla, coffee, red fruits and black cherry for the bouquet. Its nose was almost candied; it certainly gave off very sweet fruits. Vanilla, cinnamon, raspberry and cassis dominated the mouthfilling flavors. The finish, however, was disappointingly hot, yet delivered up distinct rosemary and an almond-like nuttiness. Overall, it was a deep, rich wine that still is tight and not yielding as much as it could with a little time. Maybe that’s what the bridal reference .... oh, never mind. 14.5% alc. NOTE: All of these reds should have been opened earlier and had amounts poured to allow the wines to breathe. Decanting the Cali Cabs would have even been better, but as the whites and conversation flowed, the reds and dinner slipped up on us. Of the wines, the Etude seemed to suffer the most from lack of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2004 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Tasting at Etude (Carneros CA): Tasting at winery. Black cherry on nose with cedar hints. Same black cherr yon palate with some plum hints and background spice along with sweet tannins. Moderate length and intensity. Good balance. Give another year or two in cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
The best 2000 Cab at this tasting. Rich and full bodied. Notes of vanilla, oak and red berry. Firm tannins. 93+.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2003 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Red Carpet: Little blueb., swt leath., swt mth, nice bol, med. t’s, nice a’s, & t’s, very bal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment