Aromas of dried cherries and vanilla. On the palate silk-smooth and beautifully integrated tannin with acidity lingering in the background. The finish is surprisingly short, yet satisfying. This wine has aged beautifully, gracefully, and it shows impeccable fruit. I would not aged this vintage for any longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The nose is intoxicating, the fruit, tannins and spices are perfectly balanced, and the delicious finish lasts forever. A wonderful wine, from beginning to end.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is aging so well. Still lots of nice dark fruit. Great aromas of plum as I decanted. Well integrated tannins. My last bottle of 2002, but I’d say it has some years left.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Holding strong. This was the best showing I've had so far. Decanted for two hours. Never really fell off over three hour drinking window. Shared with many friends over Christmas Eve. Everyone commented on how nuanced the flavors were. Delicious!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color just as pretty as years ago. Fresh nose of violets, blueberry, sage, and chocolate. Medium bodied, plums, black cherries, sweet spices, fully integrated tannins, a bit of tobacco, and a long, long finish. One of Cathy's better efforts, which is saying a lot.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Second bottle after first was flawed. Decanted, and poured after 15 mins. Nose was not nearly as expressive asthe ‘01, tasted alongside. Palate was single dimensional black fruit. Opened up a bit after an hour, but in my view closed down into a dumb phase...not near thenotes from my earlier bottles. Paired with rib eye and sauteed mushrooms.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
First of two opened tonight. Decanted, and obviously corked from the nose, with the decanted ‘01 to sniff alongside. (Cork broke, but only a bit saturated.)
Still Terrific!! What a winemaker! This 15 year old cab has held its black fruits well, with ample blackberry jam & menthol coming thru. Tannins have softened. A really smooth enjoyable wine that could age even a few more years in the right cellar conditions.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still going great. Decanted about an hour. Tasted along side a 2003. Both were very similar. Great nose. Dark fruits still strong on the palate with a nice finish. Just a great wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 3+ hours before tasting. Tasted at a friends home along with other wines that are a prelude to an upcoming trip to Napa and Sonoma where the wineries on the evening will be visited. Effusive floral and herbal nose with some vanilla and red/black fruit. Great balance and elegance in texture and flavor. Plenty of acidity give it a bright mouth feel that is great with a variety of food but especially good with smoked Boar/Pork Belly. Flavors evoked a fine Bordeaux with graphite, licorice, rosemary, black currant, plum, blackberry and tobacco. Long finish. My favorite red wine of the night.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ready to drink. Would not wait any longer. Thinned out after two hours. Delicious!....Update...Day two was signing. everything in balance and absolutely awesome. Upgrade to 94-95. You be the judge.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a fantastic cabernet which is probably at or near its peak. It is, imho, exactly what a great, aged Napa cab should be. Perfectly balanced. It's in that "smooth" phase which can only come from a good vintage which has been aged for many years. Can be paired with food or enjoyed on its own.
Every bit as good as the wines from other well known, top notch Napa producers. Corison and her staff know what they are doing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Plum and a touch of cocoa, but really it's the green pepper and herbal notes from prior notes has now transitioned to tobacco. Still plenty of fruit, but it could be a touch brighter. Nice dusty tannins are fairly supple. Not overly precise, but it's reach a gentle period were it is full bodied, pure and elegant, if not terribly delineated beyond that with a moderate finish. Certainly this is drinking well now. Drink now or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful stuff. Ready to go out of the bottle, although it did improve with air. Everything in balance. Nice concentration and the finish goes on and on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great dark ruby color with no sign of bricking. Oak, earth, blueberry, and leather nose. Medium bodied, blackberries, black cherries, well integrated tannins, a dash of pepper, sage, dark chocolate, and a long finish. What a terrific wine, good with food or on its own.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This has blossomed into a complete wine. The nose is pretty with rose petals, raspberries and orange peel. It is ripe but elegant. Tannins are softening and the finish is graceful. A wine of restraint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful expression of Corison wine that is drinking very well right now. I would say this is in its sweet spot and showing all kinds of dark fruit. The integration on this wine is wonderful with a fine graphite finish that is full round and excellent. Great wine! Drink now to 2017
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Love this wine. Consistent with notes from 2011, 2012, and August '13. Opened last night (popped and poured as guests lingered), but this wine has plenty of punch after the 'last glass' sat in the bottle 24hrs just with cork.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An expertly crafted Cab! Decanted for 4 hours and was Bang right out of the bottle. Beautifully balanced, multi-layered lusciousness that lingers on the palate like a cat in a sun beam. This hits all the right spots on the tongue and nose. As others have described.....this is a fun wine to consume.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very consistent with earlier notes. Deep violet color; medium-full bodied. Blackberry and cassis, with a hint of cedar and of violets. Blackberry and plum on the palate, with violets maybe. Seamlessly elegant. This was the first bottle of my second case. Notes are from third night, and from the 'first half' of the bottle which I poured off into half decanter (i.e., virtually no air, except for the pour.) I see no reason for any panic to consume the rest right now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really beautiful. Aromas of currants, red/black fruits, a bit of earth, some herbs. Palate follows. Mouthfeel is elegant with a really nice acidity that lifts and complements the flavors. Nice long finish. Went so well with buffalo rib-eye steaks.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 30ish minutes prior to drinkinig but I could tell by the nose of blackberry and dark cherry that this was going to be good. This had extremely smooth tannins and just a great wine to enjoy. A great expression of Corison wines. Drink up as I feel like they are spot on right now!!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely introduction to the wines of Corison. Lots of layered tarter, softer, integrated elements, a bit more of the soft tart underbelly. A wine that is just plain fun to drink, changed quite a bit over the 4 hours I paid attention. Did well with some grilled top sirloin with roasted potatoes, but, frankly, the wine is both so intellectually interesting yet approachable that I probably enjoyed it more after my meal, than I did with. Finely textured cabernet that's a pleasure to drink.
Decanted for nearly three hours. Very dark color, and same blackberry and cassis nose. Magnificent harmonious balance on the palate. Perfect with the roast pheasant.
Drank with a Burns Night dinner of beef filet in a blackberry gastrique sauce. Restrained nose of dark fruit and cassis with cinnamon, cardamon and vanilla notes. Wonderful, elegant mouth feel to this wine. Fully flavored without being in your face at all. Silky tannins, good acid and a nice long finish. Very good wine and a great pairing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I opened this bottle and let it sit in the bottle for nearly 90 minutes while preparing dinner. The nose had a load of blackberry and plum. This was a perfect match with my NY strip. This was a perfect example of how Cathy Corsion is making great Cabs that may not be exactly what you would expect from Napa. Just the right amount of smooth tannins to make this wine wonderful. Truely a wonderful wine!! Drink now and over the next 2 years!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful restrained nose. Nothing on a straight sniff but give the glass a swirl and it lights up with loads of fruit. The wine showed its 10 years of age by being extremely smooth and complemented a NY Steak perfectly. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Dark red fruit, cassis and mint on the nose. Similar flavors on the palate with nice upfront fruit, medium+ acid and a bit of tartness on the back end. Tannins present but in a good place and the wine showed a nice, clean finish. Sorry to see my last bottle go.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Evaluating for Christmas dinner. Very dark ruby color. Blackberry and cassis, along with some bitter baker's chocolate on the nose. HR also gets cardamom. Dark berries on the beautifully balanced palate. Subtle and refined.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not sure if this is "2 points" better than the 2003, but the dark fruit (plum, maybe fig?) is perfectly understated. A pleasure to drink with rare beef filet. Should have bought far more of this during the recession.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank over two days. Blackberry, raspberry, leather, vanilla, hemp, with the slightest hint of green olive and burnt caramel. Red currant, blackberry, mint, roasted thyme, and vanilla palate. Great balance and smooth, fine tannins. Really opened up on the second day. Agree with the recs to let this breathe for a bit before drinking. Still has a few years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Agree with others in that this is a softer style Napa Cab that needs time to breathe...the longer the better. A wonderful dinner wine, but also very enjoyable without food. Smooth, well balanced, moderate tannins. Special occasion wine. Glad I have 3 more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped, corked, fridge, day 2 notes. Give corison wines a slow ox for a day or so, always. classic corison nose - dry red berries, dill, tea, tobacco leaf, cocoa. Restrained and I'm loving it. Raz, cherry, blackberries, with no jaminess. Power but not full bodied and definitely staying softer. a tad hot on the tail end, another touch of carmel, with a dry lingering , but subtle finish.
Clear and deep crimson. Spice and cigar box nose, with a touch of floral accent. Medium bodied, an amazing amount of elegant black and red fruit on top of well-aged tannins, tobacco, good acid, and a medium to long finish. Super wine.
Not your typical fruit forward Cali Cab. This is an elegant wine, much more in the Bordeaux style. A very well crafted wine of balance and sophistication.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rather tart at first but calmed down with air. Dark elegant fruit, bordeaux notes of earth tobacco. The acidity stayed and one who enjoys pure ripeness may not like it, but it added to the juicy finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Crumbly cork on opening. Questionable storage on this bottle, bought off the shelf at a local shop. Shy but expressive nose of creme de cassis, espresso, and leather. Palate is smooth and round with fine tannins. Seems rather mature for an '02 with leather notes, but pure cassis on the palate and a lovely delicate finish with cedar spice mixed in with the red fruits. Maybe a little simple for this price cab, but well balanced and restrained, and notable for its pure fruit. I appreciate the style. The early maturity of this bottle may reflect poor storage conditions.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is really drinking beautifully now and avoids that chocolaty, overripe, alcohol thing I get from all too many Napa cabs these days. Perfectly mature with lovely and bright blackberry and cassis flavors and a fine, elegant texture. Finshes lean with a subtle spicy complexity making this wine very representative of Napa cab presented in a balanced and sleek package. 91
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A beautiful wine. I've yet to be disappointed by any vintage of Corison's standard level (i.e. not Kronos) cabs.
Color: Dark red, with some purple splashes (note - was observed in a dim restaurant, so take it for what it's worth). Nice legs too!
Nose: Some blackberries, pepper, and violets. A hint of anise, I think. Really nicely balanced.
Taste: Starts pretty closed off - not really tannic, just muted. After 30 minutes in the glass, though, this turns into a phenomenal wine. Lots of fruit - more than I'm used to from Corison - plum and blackberries are very big here. Maybe a hint of cherries? There's some spice here too - almost a nutmeg, but very muted. Small bit of oak. Some chocolate as well, though still very, very dry. Great long finish.
All in all, a great bottle of wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Layered. Very very nice, lighter on the tongue, with multiple flavors coming through at different time. Initially a little apple, along with darker fruit, then a hint of chocolate. Smooth finish. A great wine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Blackberry, and Black Pepper. It tastes like and Blackberry. The body is Medium. The wine is textured Satin-like. The wine finishes Medium.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well, an interesting fell-off-a-truck kind of pedigree here, a back vintage of a favorite and reliably classy, subdued cab suddenly appearing for $45. The suggestion was to decant for a half hour, and a judicious move that is, but the wine is dominated by resiny, minty notes that speak to a touch of under-ripeness. In point of fact, it reminds more of a Super Tuscan than a California wine, which isn't a bad thing if you go for the olive-edged, earthy profile vs. fruit-forward style of most cabs. You really need to drink it to find the fruit, which is a pleasing though teasing blackberry vein lurking beneath the vegetal overhang, with a moderate coffee streak. Finish is soft and almost a caress. There's a wine of sophistication and class here, but I can't quite adjust to the aggressively secondary characteristics that obscure the fruit. Why that would trouble me here but potentially not in an Old World wine is a matter for me and my wine shrink(s).
Pound for pound, some of the best cabs in Napa. Bright red fruits and red licorice on the nose along with some savory. Lots of juicy cherry and plum flavors on the palate with mouth watering acid. Tannins and oak influence are in check and the wine just has a very clean mouthfeel and finish. I also love the lower alcohol (at least compared to most Napa cabs) and think the wine works well with food or on its own. Glad I have another bottle and wish I would have bought a few more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought to restaurant. Beautiful red-laced purple color. Subtle nose of blueberry, spice, and leather. Medium bodied, velvety layers of dark fruit, herbs, cassis, and sweet tannins, leading to a medium to long finish that fades away gracefully. Structured, complex, and wonderful.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely, no question, a phenomenal, subtle wine. Unlike most Cabernet Sauvignons, but given the ridiculous high-tannin overextraction of most CabSav, that's not even remotely a problem. One of the finest wines you can lay hands on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tight nose, seems between primary fruit and bottle aromas perhaps. Shows mostly dried currant, anise and menthol. Sweet dark fruit upfront on the palate, very fruit forward. Anise and fig on the finish with a dusting of oaky tannin as well. Structure pretty well resolved, though this likely has many more years to go given intensity of fruit. No heat from alcohol.
I guess this just isn't quite my style as it's not especially earthy or fresh. Not as oxidized or raisiny as most CA wines its age, but not as austere or earthy as I like. Maybe I just like slightly under-ripe, angular, younger wines. Will try 2nd bottle in 3-5 years to see what happens.
popped and poured, a bit astringent on the nose at first pour, but quickly blows off to reveal fresh dark fruit (maybe slightly aromatically challenged, for a Napa Cab, but I like it). Palate of dark fruit, mixed fresh, baked, and dried, and a nice long finish, ending in chive (for me). This is going to be an EASY bottle to finish in one setting. After drinking many cabs rated 92.5+ on CT scores, I'm surprised this is so low. I've enjoyed this much more than many of the more expensive single vineyard Napa Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful color, not much on the nose with this bottle, but it more than makes up for it in your mouth. Classic Cali cab with intense berry flavors and a long finish. medium tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: Big nose. Lots of berries. I get blackberry and raspberry and maybe some currant. Taste: Blackberry and currant on the approach shifts to a bit more earth on the back palate and finish. The finish is just a little bitter. You can taste some oak but it is in balance. Very smooth mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful color - deep, rich red violet. Aroma was very hot at first but this alcohol blew off over time leaving cherry and fruit with an undercurrent of earthiness that was very pleasant. Drinking was very enjoyable. Easy to drink by itself, but I can see how just about any red meat would complement this wine nicely. Bursting with fruit and herbs and a little oak. The tannins were very smooth and reading the earlier notes from 2006, this has clearly mellowed and maybe improved with age. Finish was very nice. (4+12+17+7)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark red; dusty, deeply fruited nose; integrated cranberry, blueberry, cherry, velvety soft tannins, long red finish. Outstanding, especially for a "regular" bottling.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
While it started as a very lush fruit forward wine, after about 20 minutes it balanced out. Showed such evened out and balanced flavors which I have come to expect from Corison cabs. Nothing is overwhelming or stands out and everything is in harmony.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Previous tasters have this nailed. Classic Napa Cab ... drinking well now but will definitely continue to get better. Tight on opening, it really starts to shine after an hour in the decanter.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pepper, plum, deep cherry. Drank well with lamb rubbed with parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Could use a little more time in the cellar. Look forward to drinking the rest of the bottles!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very pretty nose of black cherries, roasted meat and herbs. More cherries on the palate with the addition of rose petals. Tannins are soft and the midpalate is rich and beautiful, but the finish fades a little too quickly. Still, it is a lovely wine that was enjoyed with a wedge of iceberg lettuce and a killer blue cheese and bacon dressing, followed by thick, rare steaks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full bodied and lavishly flavored as expected from the 02 Napa vintage, but beyond just a big boy party wine, Cathy Corison has crafted a wine that causes pause for thought as well. Aromas of a bowl of berries burst from the glass but those flavors are well in balance on the palate accompanied by black cherry, dark chocolate, and cinnamon with secondaries of clove and mellow sweet oak. It's a little early for this wine: it's lovely now with and hour of air, but will be awesome in 2012 and wonderful for years to come.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium Nose of cherry, on the palate damp floor, dark cherry,bark and earthy,spice box, light fruity finish. I had this wine over a period time, from right out of the bottle to sitting in the decanter for an hour. I had a few bites of smelly cheese, it made the cheese more intense, and smellier. Good meat wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
a lovely effort all the way around. The nose gives you a strong sense of the pleasures to come. The color is deep ruby and you get a full blast of cassis and blackberry on the nose. The mid-palate feel is full, without being overly heavy. almost delicate, but with a edge. mint, rose, and charcolae notes are well integrated. A lovely long finish lingers as you look forward to the next sip....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
$40-60 Napa Cabs that Drink Like It (Inside): This is a delicate wine through and through. The nose was initially shy and surprisingly red fruited with sweet cherry, herbs and loam. I also picked up a hint of camphor or mint. The fruit is very soft in the mouth where it darkens to cassis. My only complaint was the chalky tannins that interfere with the delicate balance on the finish. Air certainly benefited this wine as did food. Not quite seamless, but a well-structured, polished effort.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas/flavors of violet, bitter dark chocolate, dark cherry, mint and leather. Firm, but refined tannin structure. Good depth and complexity. Long, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/30/2023 - Healdsburg82 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aromas of dried cherries and vanilla. On the palate silk-smooth and beautifully integrated tannin with acidity lingering in the background. The finish is surprisingly short, yet satisfying. This wine has aged beautifully, gracefully, and it shows impeccable fruit. I would not aged this vintage for any longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2023 - Cabfrancophile wrote: flawed
Corked. 13 years of cellaring down the drain, such is wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2022 - merryberry Likes this wine: 95 Points
The nose is intoxicating, the fruit, tannins and spices are perfectly balanced, and the delicious finish lasts forever. A wonderful wine, from beginning to end.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2021 - Reimer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Soft tannins, good fruit plum prune stone fruit.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2021 - PolarBear22 wrote: 92 Points
This is aging so well. Still lots of nice dark fruit. Great aromas of plum as I decanted. Well integrated tannins. My last bottle of 2002, but I’d say it has some years left.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2021 - klezman wrote:
Good bottle on the regular scale, sub-par on the Corison scale. I'm actually wondering if this one was a touch corked.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2018 - hawkeye54 wrote: 95 Points
Holding strong. This was the best showing I've had so far. Decanted for two hours. Never really fell off over three hour drinking window. Shared with many friends over Christmas Eve. Everyone commented on how nuanced the flavors were. Delicious!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2018 - merryberry Likes this wine: 93 Points
Color just as pretty as years ago. Fresh nose of violets, blueberry, sage, and chocolate. Medium bodied, plums, black cherries, sweet spices, fully integrated tannins, a bit of tobacco, and a long, long finish. One of Cathy's better efforts, which is saying a lot.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2018 - M.Batard wrote: 89 Points
Second bottle after first was flawed. Decanted, and poured after 15 mins. Nose was not nearly as expressive asthe ‘01, tasted alongside. Palate was single dimensional black fruit. Opened up a bit after an hour, but in my view closed down into a dumb phase...not near thenotes from my earlier bottles. Paired with rib eye and sauteed mushrooms.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2018 - M.Batard wrote: flawed
First of two opened tonight. Decanted, and obviously corked from the nose, with the decanted ‘01 to sniff alongside. (Cork broke, but only a bit saturated.)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/8/2017 - Skiawal wrote:
Wasn't great...a bit of a bite
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2017 - papabluez wrote: 93 Points
Still Terrific!! What a winemaker! This 15 year old cab has held its black fruits well, with ample blackberry jam & menthol coming thru. Tannins have softened. A really smooth enjoyable wine that could age even a few more years in the right cellar conditions.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2017 - PolarBear22 wrote: 92 Points
Still going great. Decanted about an hour. Tasted along side a 2003. Both were very similar. Great nose. Dark fruits still strong on the palate with a nice finish. Just a great wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2017 - oldwines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3+ hours before tasting. Tasted at a friends home along with other wines that are a prelude to an upcoming trip to Napa and Sonoma where the wineries on the evening will be visited. Effusive floral and herbal nose with some vanilla and red/black fruit. Great balance and elegance in texture and flavor. Plenty of acidity give it a bright mouth feel that is great with a variety of food but especially good with smoked Boar/Pork Belly. Flavors evoked a fine Bordeaux with graphite, licorice, rosemary, black currant, plum, blackberry and tobacco. Long finish. My favorite red wine of the night.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2017 - hawkeye54 wrote: 93 Points
PNP. Great arromatics. Still drinking great. Started to lose some freshness after an hour. Showed stewed fruit and black fruit notes. Drink up!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2017 - Winiac wrote: 91 Points
Extremely balanced and well made and structured. Full bodied. Medium to long finish. The fruit is not quite ripe though.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2016 - hawkeye54 wrote: 93 Points
Ready to drink. Would not wait any longer. Thinned out after two hours. Delicious!....Update...Day two was signing. everything in balance and absolutely awesome. Upgrade to 94-95. You be the judge.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2016 - whybuyone Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is a fantastic cabernet which is probably at or near its peak. It is, imho, exactly what a great, aged Napa cab should be. Perfectly balanced. It's in that "smooth" phase which can only come from a good vintage which has been aged for many years. Can be paired with food or enjoyed on its own.
Every bit as good as the wines from other well known, top notch Napa producers. Corison and her staff know what they are doing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2015 - Sgorham wrote:
Great! Still has lots of depth and character!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2015 - yossarian.livez wrote: 88 Points
Plum and a touch of cocoa, but really it's the green pepper and herbal notes from prior notes has now transitioned to tobacco. Still plenty of fruit, but it could be a touch brighter. Nice dusty tannins are fairly supple. Not overly precise, but it's reach a gentle period were it is full bodied, pure and elegant, if not terribly delineated beyond that with a moderate finish. Certainly this is drinking well now. Drink now or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2014 - merryberry Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with prior note. Still has a ton of fruit, and is aging gracefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2014 - scott w wrote: flawed
Corked bummer
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2014 - hawkeye54 wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful stuff. Ready to go out of the bottle, although it did improve with air. Everything in balance. Nice concentration and the finish goes on and on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2014 - merryberry Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great dark ruby color with no sign of bricking. Oak, earth, blueberry, and leather nose. Medium bodied, blackberries, black cherries, well integrated tannins, a dash of pepper, sage, dark chocolate, and a long finish. What a terrific wine, good with food or on its own.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2014 - mlawren1 wrote: 91 Points
A bit chewy but some nice cherries and blackberries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2014 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
This followed a 2002 Bressler and held its own. The '02 and the '01 are both showing really well at present, but there's no rush on either one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2014 - Diane (LI) wrote:
This has blossomed into a complete wine. The nose is pretty with rose petals, raspberries and orange peel. It is ripe but elegant. Tannins are softening and the finish is graceful. A wine of restraint.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2014 - PolarBear22 wrote: 92 Points
Aged very well. Decanted a couple of hours. Nice dark color. Great nose. Dark fruit with smooth tannins. Great finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2014 - M.Batard wrote: 92 Points
Held its own--and then some--against a 2000 Pomerol. Ended the evening getting better and better. Paired with ribeye steak in Mountainville.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2014 - NEwino wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful expression of Corison wine that is drinking very well right now. I would say this is in its sweet spot and showing all kinds of dark fruit. The integration on this wine is wonderful with a fine graphite finish that is full round and excellent. Great wine! Drink now to 2017
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2013 - M.Batard wrote: 92 Points
Love this wine. Consistent with notes from 2011, 2012, and August '13. Opened last night (popped and poured as guests lingered), but this wine has plenty of punch after the 'last glass' sat in the bottle 24hrs just with cork.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/22/2013 - costacasa Likes this wine: 93 Points
An expertly crafted Cab! Decanted for 4 hours and was Bang right out of the bottle. Beautifully balanced, multi-layered lusciousness that lingers on the palate like a cat in a sun beam. This hits all the right spots on the tongue and nose. As others have described.....this is a fun wine to consume.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2013 - M.Batard wrote: 92 Points
Very consistent with earlier notes. Deep violet color; medium-full bodied. Blackberry and cassis, with a hint of cedar and of violets. Blackberry and plum on the palate, with violets maybe. Seamlessly elegant. This was the first bottle of my second case. Notes are from third night, and from the 'first half' of the bottle which I poured off into half decanter (i.e., virtually no air, except for the pour.) I see no reason for any panic to consume the rest right now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2013 - James Kim wrote: 93 Points
Really beautiful. Aromas of currants, red/black fruits, a bit of earth, some herbs. Palate follows. Mouthfeel is elegant with a really nice acidity that lifts and complements the flavors. Nice long finish. Went so well with buffalo rib-eye steaks.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2013 - NEwino wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 30ish minutes prior to drinkinig but I could tell by the nose of blackberry and dark cherry that this was going to be good. This had extremely smooth tannins and just a great wine to enjoy. A great expression of Corison wines. Drink up as I feel like they are spot on right now!!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2012 - Keith M wrote:
Lovely introduction to the wines of Corison. Lots of layered tarter, softer, integrated elements, a bit more of the soft tart underbelly. A wine that is just plain fun to drink, changed quite a bit over the 4 hours I paid attention. Did well with some grilled top sirloin with roasted potatoes, but, frankly, the wine is both so intellectually interesting yet approachable that I probably enjoyed it more after my meal, than I did with. Finely textured cabernet that's a pleasure to drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/17/2012 - emf Likes this wine:
Beautiful wine, well integrated fruit and tannins, very elegant.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - M.Batard wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for nearly three hours. Very dark color, and same blackberry and cassis nose. Magnificent harmonious balance on the palate. Perfect with the roast pheasant.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/26/2012 - Druidh wrote: 93 Points
Drank with a Burns Night dinner of beef filet in a blackberry gastrique sauce. Restrained nose of dark fruit and cassis with cinnamon, cardamon and vanilla notes. Wonderful, elegant mouth feel to this wine. Fully flavored without being in your face at all. Silky tannins, good acid and a nice long finish. Very good wine and a great pairing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2012 - NEwino Likes this wine: 93 Points
I opened this bottle and let it sit in the bottle for nearly 90 minutes while preparing dinner. The nose had a load of blackberry and plum. This was a perfect match with my NY strip. This was a perfect example of how Cathy Corsion is making great Cabs that may not be exactly what you would expect from Napa. Just the right amount of smooth tannins to make this wine wonderful. Truely a wonderful wine!! Drink now and over the next 2 years!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2012 - TottenCellars wrote:
Wonderful restrained nose. Nothing on a straight sniff but give the glass a swirl and it lights up with loads of fruit.
The wine showed its 10 years of age by being extremely smooth and complemented a NY Steak perfectly.
Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2011 - Rich S wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Dark red fruit, cassis and mint on the nose. Similar flavors on the palate with nice upfront fruit, medium+ acid and a bit of tartness on the back end. Tannins present but in a good place and the wine showed a nice, clean finish. Sorry to see my last bottle go.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2011 - M.Batard wrote: 92 Points
Evaluating for Christmas dinner. Very dark ruby color. Blackberry and cassis, along with some bitter baker's chocolate on the nose. HR also gets cardamom. Dark berries on the beautifully balanced palate. Subtle and refined.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2011 - nlassow wrote:
Not sure if this is "2 points" better than the 2003, but the dark fruit (plum, maybe fig?) is perfectly understated. A pleasure to drink with rare beef filet. Should have bought far more of this during the recession.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2011 - bradleyjvt wrote: 91 Points
Corked, but I managed to save the bottle. Agree with others: smooth, balanced and softer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2011 - cartime wrote: 93 Points
Drank over two days. Blackberry, raspberry, leather, vanilla, hemp, with the slightest hint of green olive and burnt caramel. Red currant, blackberry, mint, roasted thyme, and vanilla palate. Great balance and smooth, fine tannins. Really opened up on the second day. Agree with the recs to let this breathe for a bit before drinking. Still has a few years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2011 - costacasa wrote: 90 Points
Agree with others in that this is a softer style Napa Cab that needs time to breathe...the longer the better. A wonderful dinner wine, but also very enjoyable without food. Smooth, well balanced, moderate tannins. Special occasion wine. Glad I have 3 more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/30/2011 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 92 Points
Popped, corked, fridge, day 2 notes. Give corison wines a slow ox for a day or so, always. classic corison nose - dry red berries, dill, tea, tobacco leaf, cocoa. Restrained and I'm loving it. Raz, cherry, blackberries, with no jaminess. Power but not full bodied and definitely staying softer. a tad hot on the tail end, another touch of carmel, with a dry lingering , but subtle finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/19/2011 - merryberry wrote: 92 Points
Clear and deep crimson. Spice and cigar box nose, with a touch of floral accent. Medium bodied, an amazing amount of elegant black and red fruit on top of well-aged tannins, tobacco, good acid, and a medium to long finish. Super wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
4/22/2011 - Porchino wrote: 91 Points
very god wine holding up well 9 years in
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2011 - grapist wrote: 92 Points
Not your typical fruit forward Cali Cab. This is an elegant wine, much more in the Bordeaux style. A very well crafted wine of balance and sophistication.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2011 - Hazeo wrote: 90 Points
Rather tart at first but calmed down with air. Dark elegant fruit, bordeaux notes of earth tobacco. The acidity stayed and one who enjoys pure ripeness may not like it, but it added to the juicy finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2011 - johnl Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great wine very elegant. Soft red fruit and earth aplenty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/27/2010 - Nutty08 wrote: 90 Points
Crumbly cork on opening. Questionable storage on this bottle, bought off the shelf at a local shop. Shy but expressive nose of creme de cassis, espresso, and leather. Palate is smooth and round with fine tannins. Seems rather mature for an '02 with leather notes, but pure cassis on the palate and a lovely delicate finish with cedar spice mixed in with the red fruits. Maybe a little simple for this price cab, but well balanced and restrained, and notable for its pure fruit. I appreciate the style. The early maturity of this bottle may reflect poor storage conditions.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2010 - dream wrote: 92 Points
This is really drinking beautifully now and avoids that chocolaty, overripe, alcohol thing I get from all too many Napa cabs these days. Perfectly mature with lovely and bright blackberry and cassis flavors and a fine, elegant texture. Finshes lean with a subtle spicy complexity making this wine very representative of Napa cab presented in a balanced and sleek package. 91
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2010 - jawlz wrote: 93 Points
A beautiful wine. I've yet to be disappointed by any vintage of Corison's standard level (i.e. not Kronos) cabs.
Color: Dark red, with some purple splashes (note - was observed in a dim restaurant, so take it for what it's worth). Nice legs too!
Nose: Some blackberries, pepper, and violets. A hint of anise, I think. Really nicely balanced.
Taste: Starts pretty closed off - not really tannic, just muted. After 30 minutes in the glass, though, this turns into a phenomenal wine. Lots of fruit - more than I'm used to from Corison - plum and blackberries are very big here. Maybe a hint of cherries? There's some spice here too - almost a nutmeg, but very muted. Small bit of oak. Some chocolate as well, though still very, very dry. Great long finish.
All in all, a great bottle of wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark Fruit, clove, pepper. Charcoal oak. Nice length on finish. It's a B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2010 - xsnrg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Layered. Very very nice, lighter on the tongue, with multiple flavors coming through at different time. Initially a little apple, along with darker fruit, then a hint of chocolate. Smooth finish. A great wine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2010 - SirWinesALot Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks Purple colored.
The legs are Medium.
It smells like Blackberry, and Black Pepper.
It tastes like and Blackberry.
The body is Medium.
The wine is textured Satin-like.
The wine finishes Medium.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2010 - bevetroppo wrote: 90 Points
Well, an interesting fell-off-a-truck kind of pedigree here, a back vintage of a favorite and reliably classy, subdued cab suddenly appearing for $45. The suggestion was to decant for a half hour, and a judicious move that is, but the wine is dominated by resiny, minty notes that speak to a touch of under-ripeness. In point of fact, it reminds more of a Super Tuscan than a California wine, which isn't a bad thing if you go for the olive-edged, earthy profile vs. fruit-forward style of most cabs. You really need to drink it to find the fruit, which is a pleasing though teasing blackberry vein lurking beneath the vegetal overhang, with a moderate coffee streak. Finish is soft and almost a caress. There's a wine of sophistication and class here, but I can't quite adjust to the aggressively secondary characteristics that obscure the fruit. Why that would trouble me here but potentially not in an Old World wine is a matter for me and my wine shrink(s).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/23/2010 - Rich S wrote: 92 Points
Pound for pound, some of the best cabs in Napa. Bright red fruits and red licorice on the nose along with some savory. Lots of juicy cherry and plum flavors on the palate with mouth watering acid. Tannins and oak influence are in check and the wine just has a very clean mouthfeel and finish. I also love the lower alcohol (at least compared to most Napa cabs) and think the wine works well with food or on its own. Glad I have another bottle and wish I would have bought a few more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2010 - merryberry wrote: 92 Points
Brought to restaurant. Beautiful red-laced purple color. Subtle nose of blueberry, spice, and leather. Medium bodied, velvety layers of dark fruit, herbs, cassis, and sweet tannins, leading to a medium to long finish that fades away gracefully. Structured, complex, and wonderful.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2010 - PhilSandifer Likes this wine: 100 Points
Absolutely, no question, a phenomenal, subtle wine. Unlike most Cabernet Sauvignons, but given the ridiculous high-tannin overextraction of most CabSav, that's not even remotely a problem. One of the finest wines you can lay hands on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2010 - woodwardcellar wrote: 89 Points
Good secondary aromas and a nice mouth feel. A great cab with a bit of age on it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 89 Points
Blackberries, plums, cassis and hint of pepper. Finishes with smokey oak tanins. Nice complexity and structure. B+ wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2010 - Cabfrancophile wrote: 87 Points
Tight nose, seems between primary fruit and bottle aromas perhaps. Shows mostly dried currant, anise and menthol. Sweet dark fruit upfront on the palate, very fruit forward. Anise and fig on the finish with a dusting of oaky tannin as well. Structure pretty well resolved, though this likely has many more years to go given intensity of fruit. No heat from alcohol.
I guess this just isn't quite my style as it's not especially earthy or fresh. Not as oxidized or raisiny as most CA wines its age, but not as austere or earthy as I like. Maybe I just like slightly under-ripe, angular, younger wines. Will try 2nd bottle in 3-5 years to see what happens.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/5/2010 - JustBusiness wrote: 94 Points
popped and poured, a bit astringent on the nose at first pour, but quickly blows off to reveal fresh dark fruit (maybe slightly aromatically challenged, for a Napa Cab, but I like it). Palate of dark fruit, mixed fresh, baked, and dried, and a nice long finish, ending in chive (for me). This is going to be an EASY bottle to finish in one setting. After drinking many cabs rated 92.5+ on CT scores, I'm surprised this is so low. I've enjoyed this much more than many of the more expensive single vineyard Napa Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2010 - anonymoose12345 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic cab with big fruit, oak and well integrated tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2010 - vegaswino wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful color, not much on the nose with this bottle, but it more than makes up for it in your mouth. Classic Cali cab with intense berry flavors and a long finish. medium tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2010 - oog wrote: 91 Points
Nose: Big nose. Lots of berries. I get blackberry and raspberry and maybe some currant. Taste: Blackberry and currant on the approach shifts to a bit more earth on the back palate and finish. The finish is just a little bitter. You can taste some oak but it is in balance. Very smooth mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2010 - gbm wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful color - deep, rich red violet. Aroma was very hot at first but this alcohol blew off over time leaving cherry and fruit with an undercurrent of earthiness that was very pleasant. Drinking was very enjoyable. Easy to drink by itself, but I can see how just about any red meat would complement this wine nicely. Bursting with fruit and herbs and a little oak. The tannins were very smooth and reading the earlier notes from 2006, this has clearly mellowed and maybe improved with age. Finish was very nice. (4+12+17+7)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2010 - merryberry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark red; dusty, deeply fruited nose; integrated cranberry, blueberry, cherry, velvety soft tannins, long red finish. Outstanding, especially for a "regular" bottling.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2010 - miller3324 Likes this wine: 93 Points
While it started as a very lush fruit forward wine, after about 20 minutes it balanced out. Showed such evened out and balanced flavors which I have come to expect from Corison cabs. Nothing is overwhelming or stands out and everything is in harmony.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2010 - RossR wrote: 93 Points
Previous tasters have this nailed. Classic Napa Cab ... drinking well now but will definitely continue to get better. Tight on opening, it really starts to shine after an hour in the decanter.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2010 - rmm wrote: 93 Points
Wow! Drinking very well now, can't wait to see how it drinks with some age on it. No detailed notes, but every sip screamed elegance and craft.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2010 - nlassow wrote: 89 Points
Pepper, plum, deep cherry. Drank well with lamb rubbed with parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Could use a little more time in the cellar. Look forward to drinking the rest of the bottles!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2010 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Very pretty nose of black cherries, roasted meat and herbs. More cherries on the palate with the addition of rose petals. Tannins are soft and the midpalate is rich and beautiful, but the finish fades a little too quickly. Still, it is a lovely wine that was enjoyed with a wedge of iceberg lettuce and a killer blue cheese and bacon dressing, followed by thick, rare steaks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2010 - babnik wrote: 92 Points
Full bodied and lavishly flavored as expected from the 02 Napa vintage, but beyond just a big boy party wine, Cathy Corison has crafted a wine that causes pause for thought as well. Aromas of a bowl of berries burst from the glass but those flavors are well in balance on the palate accompanied by black cherry, dark chocolate, and cinnamon with secondaries of clove and mellow sweet oak. It's a little early for this wine: it's lovely now with and hour of air, but will be awesome in 2012 and wonderful for years to come.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2008 - ruddy wrote: 91 Points
Fine bottle of classic Napa cab. Graphite, cassis, leather, little to no overt oakiness, fantastic with food--what more could you wish for?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2008 - jc510 wrote: 90 Points
Very Classic, good tannins, earthy wet rocks, with a heavy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2007 - jc510 wrote: 89 Points
Medium Nose of cherry, on the palate damp floor, dark cherry,bark and earthy,spice box, light fruity finish. I had this wine over a period time, from right out of the bottle to sitting in the decanter for an hour. I had a few bites of smelly cheese, it made the cheese more intense, and smellier. Good meat wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2007 - huntly wrote: 90 Points
a lovely effort all the way around. The nose gives you a strong sense of the pleasures to come. The color is deep ruby and you get a full blast of cassis and blackberry on the nose. The mid-palate feel is full, without being overly heavy. almost delicate, but with a edge. mint, rose, and charcolae notes are well integrated. A lovely long finish lingers as you look forward to the next sip....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2006 - bsherwin wrote:
$40-60 Napa Cabs that Drink Like It (Inside): This is a delicate wine through and through. The nose was initially shy and surprisingly red fruited with sweet cherry, herbs and loam. I also picked up a hint of camphor or mint. The fruit is very soft in the mouth where it darkens to cassis. My only complaint was the chalky tannins that interfere with the delicate balance on the finish. Air certainly benefited this wine as did food. Not quite seamless, but a well-structured, polished effort.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
Aromas/flavors of violet, bitter dark chocolate, dark cherry, mint and leather. Firm, but refined tannin structure. Good depth and complexity. Long, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment