This wine is in a good place right now. Plenty of dark fruit very soft tannins. Sultry, wraps your tongue in a warm blanket of fruity chocolate and a touch of earthy menthol.
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Pop and pour that sat for two additional hours in the bottle. Definitely extracted and borderline syrupy but somehow maintains freshness. Ready to drink with structure still intact but all elements fully integrated. Sticky raspberry, cola, cool minerality, cassis, and dark chocolate. In prime drinking now and likely for another year.
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Very nice, very easy to drink, smooth. Nicely combines a ripe, fruit-driven style with some stem, pencil led, and dried herbs. Some sweetness from the oak, but not overdone there. Contains its 14.8% abv very well. Fairly modern style and not notably complex. Drank after decanting about an hour. This is sturdy and could lay down for years more, unsure of further development.
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PnP with decant and drank over 60 min. Tasted like a baby Merus. Whooped ass vs a 2005 Meteor reserve. Perfume nose with blue and blackberry liqueur notes. Faint tannins. This was a good wine.
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Heavy earthy notes on open after a soft crumbling cork. Wines was intact and ready to roll after 60 min decant. Heavy blackberry notes without being jammy, think sugar free jam. Graphite and pencil shavings with a medium finish that just halted and didn't linger.
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Napa Visit 2016; 7/10/2016-7/13/2016: PnP, could use some air, but was fantastic out of bottle. Good mix of tannins, oak, and red fruit, along with black plum liqueur, all mixed without being overdone. A lovely wine. Great nose of floral, fruit and perfume. Well integrated across the board. Can definitely see the tie to Merus. 93 pts
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Soft and jammy. The top of the cork was def rotted, but the wine side was intact. Extracted with an Ah-So prong opener. Nose is so very lush but time has subdued any overt sharp edges. The fruit is both fresh and jammy, red dominant with cherry and raspberry. There is some cassis texture and a character of fine grained tannin integrated with a hint of good acidity. Still structural but the huge sediment has left the wine with transparency. Graphite and just a touch of cola. The finish is long, still good enough for steak, but a note of bricking with a nuance of reductive character and a mild oxidation leads me to advise against further aging. This beast is as good as its going to get, get it down your neck! 93-94 solid, a big, overblown, textbook Napa, hedonistic and on its way to pasture.
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As has been noted, the cork was dry rotted, but the wine was not spoiled with a good amount of sediment. Decent dark purple color with a slight hint of bricking. Dark ripe fruit, raisin, stewed prunes, and cassis. A good cab that may be near or borderline peaking. I have been drinking Cabs that have been showing big with good extraction, the 2013 Napa Cabs in particular and I hope that I'm not getting spoiled, but this one is a little thin by comparison. None the less a good wine.
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Fantastic - amazing, off-the-charts aromatics - full-bodied and flavorful, agree with other tasting notes. Left about 1/3 of the bottle for the next night, but it fell apart - so time to drink up ...
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Last bottle from my cellar. 6th tasting with consistent notes. As with other bottles, cork was dry rotted, but the wine was not spoiled. Large amount of small to fine sediment. Dark, rich fruit flavors, nice smokiness. Excellent example of the 2007 vintage and a truly awesome wine at the price point. Sorry to see it go. Buy it if you see it.
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Multiple tastings with consistent notes. Unlike my previous bottles, the cork was sound. Moderate amount of medium sediment. Spent about an hour in the decanter, then drank over the next 24. Strong fruit flavors, plums. Big aromatics, tar, smoked meat. This is an impressive wine at this price point.
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Oh man I love this wine. Silky smooth, elegant tannins. Rich, velvety mouthfeel. Just lush and beuatiful. What an amazing wine. This could cellar for another decade easily but it is so so so right now.
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We had my last bottle last night with NY strips and sauteed mushrooms. Boy was it good!!! Smooth and silky and 100% ready to drink. I need to find some more of this.
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Multiple tastings with consistent notes. As with my previous bottles, the cork was dry rotted and fell apart, so I have to suspect improper storage. Even so, tasting nicely with little signs of oxidation or spoilage. Slow to open up, but after 24 hours in the decanter, it was quite outstanding. . Large amount of medium to large sediment. Very strong fruit flavors, plums. Big aromatics, tar, smoked meat. This is an impressive wine especially at this price point. Is this just a fluke of 2007? I haven't tasted any other vintages. If you run across this wine at a similar price point, I'd strongly recommend it. I'm going to drink up my last 2 bottles, these rotten corks will ultimately lead to spoilage. Probably stored upright in a warehouse for too long.
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One of my favorites. I think I honestly like it more than its big brother Merus. Very approachable and right in its window. This was fantastic and truly a big wine. Big fruit forward, yet silky refined tannins, with a touch of acidity and a long lingering finish.
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Multiple tasting with consistent notes. Corks have been on the drdy side, perhaps due to improper storage, but fortunately, the wine has been unaffected. Luscious, dark fruit flavors. Nice depth. Really quite stunning at this price point, wish I had more.
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I really like the Altus (yes Altus not Altvs...the V is from the font they use). Great structure and depth. Black cherry, currant, fig and licorice intertwined with some bell pepper and black soil. Lots of fruit up front and just delicious. The tannins are perfect and mouthcoating but not overpowering. Mouthwatering acidity which is nicely integrated. This is the type of fruit forward california cabernet that I love. Great long lasting finish.
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Cork had dry rotted at the top and broke in two, but the bottom of the work was wet and the wine was saved. Required considerable decant time to open up. Second tasting with consistent notes. Luscious, dark fruit flavors, nice aromatic balance, chewy tannins. Drinking very nicely right now. Really, an excellent napa cab at this price point.
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Excellent. Full bodied, dark crimson. Big, bold, and juicy with a classic Napa flavor profile. Long finish. Raved about by everyone at the dinner party.
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Big, bold Napa Cab! Deep dark color with plum, dark cherry and a crisp purity of fruit on the nose. There is also classic Cab characteristics of mint, slight green pepper, cocoa, saddle leather and cigar box on the palate. The body is robust and weighty, tannins still a bit firm but softened up over 2 hours in the decanter. Great wine for a ribeye steak.
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blind. super lush, powerful, fruity nose that suggests sweetness. plum, blackberry and oak also. the palate is extra smooth with a dense mouthfeel. fruity and powerful, but well-balanced with oak and acidity on the back, nothing out of whack. nice to sit back with and enjoy the ripe fruit and excellent winemaking.
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Blackberry and black currant flavors with a hint of anise. Excellent and got better with time. Tight on opening. Would benefit with 2-3 hours decanting
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It's great. Loads of the good Cabernet stuff, soft and rich like a fur coat. The wine is hitting on all cylinders right now. We popped and poured at lunch and were a happy bunch. Exceeded expectation. I agree with the other recent tasters on CT.
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Big black fruit. Blackberry up front with a touch of Cedar & plum. Just stick your nose in the plum. That would be a better descriptor. Complex well integrated tannins. Perfect acidity & lingering mouthwatering finish. In fact the finish has been going on for almost a minute. Initially I get a burst of kiwi & banana peel as well but just so well balanced. Perfect wine.
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It was an excellent show, though undoubtedly young. We drank it at a BYOB restaurant (don't worry, it is a place with excellent cuisine deserving of the wine), but they did not have an available decanter so we were drinking the wine with only the benefit of an aerator. Still, it showed well initially and developed quickly. After half an hour it showed a great balance of dark red fruit and young, but not intrusive tannins. I expect that this wine will cellar well, though probably shouldn't be waited on for too long. I would be less afraid to drink this one young and more afraid to hold it too long. At least you probably have a minimum of 5-10 years before having to make a tough decision. We absolutely enjoyed it.
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12/24/2021 - LMWS Jimmy and Rocio Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is in a good place right now. Plenty of dark fruit very soft tannins. Sultry, wraps your tongue in a warm blanket of fruity chocolate and a touch of earthy menthol.
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12/17/2017 - UMhemePA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Firm tannins, hearty mouth feel, dark chocolate, cassis, slight mint on finish. Amazing bottle.
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9/23/2017 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour that sat for two additional hours in the bottle. Definitely extracted and borderline syrupy but somehow maintains freshness. Ready to drink with structure still intact but all elements fully integrated. Sticky raspberry, cola, cool minerality, cassis, and dark chocolate. In prime drinking now and likely for another year.
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3/11/2017 - tward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice, very easy to drink, smooth. Nicely combines a ripe, fruit-driven style with some stem, pencil led, and dried herbs. Some sweetness from the oak, but not overdone there. Contains its 14.8% abv very well. Fairly modern style and not notably complex. Drank after decanting about an hour. This is sturdy and could lay down for years more, unsure of further development.
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12/11/2016 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP with decant and drank over 60 min. Tasted like a baby Merus. Whooped ass vs a 2005 Meteor reserve. Perfume nose with blue and blackberry liqueur notes. Faint tannins. This was a good wine.
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11/17/2016 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Heavy earthy notes on open after a soft crumbling cork. Wines was intact and ready to roll after 60 min decant. Heavy blackberry notes without being jammy, think sugar free jam. Graphite and pencil shavings with a medium finish that just halted and didn't linger.
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7/11/2016 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 93 Points
Napa Visit 2016; 7/10/2016-7/13/2016: PnP, could use some air, but was fantastic out of bottle. Good mix of tannins, oak, and red fruit, along with black plum liqueur, all mixed without being overdone. A lovely wine. Great nose of floral, fruit and perfume. Well integrated across the board. Can definitely see the tie to Merus. 93 pts
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5/10/2016 - Mezz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Soft and jammy. The top of the cork was def rotted, but the wine side was intact. Extracted with an Ah-So prong opener. Nose is so very lush but time has subdued any overt sharp edges. The fruit is both fresh and jammy, red dominant with cherry and raspberry. There is some cassis texture and a character of fine grained tannin integrated with a hint of good acidity. Still structural but the huge sediment has left the wine with transparency. Graphite and just a touch of cola. The finish is long, still good enough for steak, but a note of bricking with a nuance of reductive character and a mild oxidation leads me to advise against further aging. This beast is as good as its going to get, get it down your neck! 93-94 solid, a big, overblown, textbook Napa, hedonistic and on its way to pasture.
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2/13/2016 - Yack Man wrote: 91 Points
As has been noted, the cork was dry rotted, but the wine was not spoiled with a good amount of sediment. Decent dark purple color with a slight hint of bricking. Dark ripe fruit, raisin, stewed prunes, and cassis. A good cab that may be near or borderline peaking. I have been drinking Cabs that have been showing big with good extraction, the 2013 Napa Cabs in particular and I hope that I'm not getting spoiled, but this one is a little thin by comparison. None the less a good wine.
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11/24/2015 - AngryPrez Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic - amazing, off-the-charts aromatics - full-bodied and flavorful, agree with other tasting notes. Left about 1/3 of the bottle for the next night, but it fell apart - so time to drink up ...
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8/22/2015 - webbaker Likes this wine: 96 Points
Last bottle from my cellar. 6th tasting with consistent notes. As with other bottles, cork was dry rotted, but the wine was not spoiled. Large amount of small to fine sediment. Dark, rich fruit flavors, nice smokiness. Excellent example of the 2007 vintage and a truly awesome wine at the price point. Sorry to see it go. Buy it if you see it.
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5/8/2015 - webbaker Likes this wine: 95 Points
Multiple tastings with consistent notes. Unlike my previous bottles, the cork was sound. Moderate amount of medium sediment. Spent about an hour in the decanter, then drank over the next 24. Strong fruit flavors, plums. Big aromatics, tar, smoked meat. This is an impressive wine at this price point.
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5/4/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 97 Points
Last bottle. Notes consistent with last time. Right on the money. I wanted to wait to open this but couldn't.
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5/4/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 96 Points
Oh man I love this wine. Silky smooth, elegant tannins. Rich, velvety mouthfeel. Just lush and beuatiful. What an amazing wine. This could cellar for another decade easily but it is so so so right now.
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2/7/2015 - johnbhamrick wrote: 94 Points
We had my last bottle last night with NY strips and sauteed mushrooms. Boy was it good!!! Smooth and silky and 100% ready to drink. I need to find some more of this.
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1/12/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 93 Points
So good. This is firing on all cylinders right now. Big and juicy with ripe tannins. Just delicious. Rounded with silky tannins and a long finish.
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9/11/2014 - webbaker Likes this wine: 96 Points
Multiple tastings with consistent notes. As with my previous bottles, the cork was dry rotted and fell apart, so I have to suspect improper storage. Even so, tasting nicely with little signs of oxidation or spoilage. Slow to open up, but after 24 hours in the decanter, it was quite outstanding. . Large amount of medium to large sediment. Very strong fruit flavors, plums. Big aromatics, tar, smoked meat. This is an impressive wine especially at this price point. Is this just a fluke of 2007? I haven't tasted any other vintages. If you run across this wine at a similar price point, I'd strongly recommend it. I'm going to drink up my last 2 bottles, these rotten corks will ultimately lead to spoilage. Probably stored upright in a warehouse for too long.
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8/22/2014 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decent bottle. A little high on the price point for this cab. Do not know if i would buy again. but still enjoyable.
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7/22/2014 - maitredgreg2 wrote: 98 Points
97+
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6/22/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 94 Points
One of my favorites. I think I honestly like it more than its big brother Merus. Very approachable and right in its window. This was fantastic and truly a big wine. Big fruit forward, yet silky refined tannins, with a touch of acidity and a long lingering finish.
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5/27/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 96 Points
Wow. This is hitting it stride right now. Just hitting on all cylinders. Fruit forward, big, rich dense & possesses depth. Great finish & a knockout.
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5/26/2014 - johnbhamrick wrote: 94 Points
As good as ever!!! Sorry I only have 1 bottle left. Completely developed and ready to go. A true treasure with the Filet and Baked Potatoes.
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5/6/2014 - webbaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
Multiple tasting with consistent notes. Corks have been on the drdy side, perhaps due to improper storage, but fortunately, the wine has been unaffected. Luscious, dark fruit flavors. Nice depth. Really quite stunning at this price point, wish I had more.
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3/23/2014 - johnbhamrick wrote: 94 Points
What a great wine in every way this has come!!! Couldn't ask for more!!!
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3/16/2014 - richone wrote: 94 Points
We enjoyed this wine with friends & everyone considered it to be one very fine Cab! I would definitely purchase this again!
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12/18/2013 - webbaker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Second tasting with consistent notes. Moderate amount of sediment. Luscious, dark fruit flavors. Drinking very nicely.
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11/23/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 94 Points
I really like the Altus (yes Altus not Altvs...the V is from the font they use). Great structure and depth. Black cherry, currant, fig and licorice intertwined with some bell pepper and black soil. Lots of fruit up front and just delicious. The tannins are perfect and mouthcoating but not overpowering. Mouthwatering acidity which is nicely integrated. This is the type of fruit forward california cabernet that I love. Great long lasting finish.
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10/4/2013 - webbaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cork had dry rotted at the top and broke in two, but the bottom of the work was wet and the wine was saved. Required considerable decant time to open up. Second tasting with consistent notes. Luscious, dark fruit flavors, nice aromatic balance, chewy tannins. Drinking very nicely right now. Really, an excellent napa cab at this price point.
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8/15/2013 - Yack Man wrote: 90 Points
Full bodied, rich lush dark fruit. Very nice and I think it will get even better. 90+
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8/11/2013 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
We are always very privalaged to enjoy good wine at our friends house.
Tonights wine was again exceptionally good and we enjoyed it a lot.
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7/14/2013 - johnbhamrick wrote: 95 Points
This bottle has done nothing but improve since drinking the last one in February. 3 down and 3 to go!!! Wish I had more.
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7/4/2013 - wmccone54 wrote: 93 Points
Excellent. Full bodied, dark crimson. Big, bold, and juicy with a classic Napa flavor profile. Long finish. Raved about by everyone at the dinner party.
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6/16/2013 - carstenf wrote: 93 Points
As said by others : Big and Bold. Thats true but not bad meant. Realy nice US Napa wine and with all the good thinks.
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5/31/2013 - Piccolopaulo wrote: 92 Points
Big, bold Napa Cab! Deep dark color with plum, dark cherry and a crisp purity of fruit on the nose. There is also classic Cab characteristics of mint, slight green pepper, cocoa, saddle leather and cigar box on the palate. The body is robust and weighty, tannins still a bit firm but softened up over 2 hours in the decanter. Great wine for a ribeye steak.
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2/26/2013 - jasonbolton Likes this wine: 92 Points
blind. super lush, powerful, fruity nose that suggests sweetness. plum, blackberry and oak also. the palate is extra smooth with a dense mouthfeel. fruity and powerful, but well-balanced with oak and acidity on the back, nothing out of whack. nice to sit back with and enjoy the ripe fruit and excellent winemaking.
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2/21/2013 - phillyboyP wrote: 93 Points
This was smoking tonight. Firing on all cylinders. Drink or hold, no worries. WPS ---- 93+
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2/3/2013 - kirschke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice Napa cab - fruit, tannins and acidity all proportionately balanced...
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2/3/2013 - johnbhamrick wrote: 94 Points
A great tasting and drink wine. Wish that I had bought more than 6 bottles. A bargain at the price ($70) I believe.
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1/25/2013 - gossba wrote: flawed
Flawed. Bought on LB
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12/23/2012 - gossba Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth with blackberry upfront and chocolate on back
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12/22/2012 - csimmons Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blackberry and black currant flavors with a hint of anise. Excellent and got better with time. Tight on opening. Would benefit with 2-3 hours decanting
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12/21/2012 - Plunge the Worm wrote: 93 Points
It's great. Loads of the good Cabernet stuff, soft and rich like a fur coat. The wine is hitting on all cylinders right now. We popped and poured at lunch and were a happy bunch. Exceeded expectation. I agree with the other recent tasters on CT.
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12/2/2012 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 95 Points
Just ridiculous how great this wine is. For the price I wish I had a case.
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11/30/2012 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 95 Points
Big black fruit. Blackberry up front with a touch of Cedar & plum. Just stick your nose in the plum. That would be a better descriptor. Complex well integrated tannins. Perfect acidity & lingering mouthwatering finish. In fact the finish has been going on for almost a minute. Initially I get a burst of kiwi & banana peel as well but just so well balanced. Perfect wine.
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9/17/2012 - JJB007 wrote: 98 Points
this was really really good
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12/4/2011 - East of Napa wrote: 91 Points
Drank at holiday gathering
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10/27/2011 - mikecoxtx Likes this wine: 94 Points
It was an excellent show, though undoubtedly young. We drank it at a BYOB restaurant (don't worry, it is a place with excellent cuisine deserving of the wine), but they did not have an available decanter so we were drinking the wine with only the benefit of an aerator. Still, it showed well initially and developed quickly. After half an hour it showed a great balance of dark red fruit and young, but not intrusive tannins. I expect that this wine will cellar well, though probably shouldn't be waited on for too long. I would be less afraid to drink this one young and more afraid to hold it too long. At least you probably have a minimum of 5-10 years before having to make a tough decision. We absolutely enjoyed it.
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7/26/2011 - claramc3 wrote:
Abit heavy to start with but is a must to decant. Then very balanced cab
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2/13/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 98 Points
wow
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