This is probably at or very close to peak drinking now - still has wonderfully elegant strawberry notes and a very lengthy finish. Such a great bottle and the age has really helped resolve the tannins.
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Just shy of 4 years since my last bottle. This was decanted for 20 min but improved throughout dinner. I would suggest an hour decant at this point. A nicely balanced and extremely polished wine. Just shy of being as polished as some of the Bond wines. Still has plenty of fruit and a long finish. In its prime but given the fruit and balance, this should continue to drink well for a few more years. No rush. Sadly my last bottle.
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Double decant and drank after 2 hours…Deep purple color, huge nose of ripe dark fruit (impressive for 20 year old wine). The wine is rich, with tons of dark, rich fruit, good acidity, smooth tannins and super long finish. Been holding on to this wine for 18 years and it actually lived up to the expectations.
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I've had 2 bottles of the '03 BTK Paul Hobbs now, and both taste the same. There is little fruit, high "medicinal" flavors--like cough syrup, some spice, mild earth. It is okay, but not a "wow" wine by any stretch. I see why the price is what it is. I had the 2006, and that was amazing. One of the best wines I've drunk, but the '03 is just okay. 91 pts
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4 hour decant- as good as this was it was a bit of a let down based on the absurdly high Cellartracker average score. This had average balance and finish and the fruit is fading given the age. To me, this tasted more like a 93 CT average, not that it matters...just sayin. Anyways this is certainly in its prime, should be drank soon. Will hold for a while and still needs a long decant.
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At Blantyre, decanted about an hour before dinner, could have used more. Somewhat reticent nose of classic CA cab chocolate covered cherries. Gldes on the palate, rich, smooth and well balanced. I'm not as excited as some other notes here, but clearly a fine, well made wine.
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Young vibrant nose, cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes mix with mocca/chocolate and seemed to have a confectionary element. Soft sweet entry with coffee and loamy, earthy middle palate. Soft acid profile. Seems to still be very fresh, but drinking great now.
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Brilliant wine, we opened the bottle poured off a little and then decanted, dark fruit with wood overtones on the nose, the palate was intricate layers of dark fruit, cedar, mushroom, tobacco and coffee. The finish was absolutely long and smooth with hints of mocha.
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A little dough on the nose when the cork was pulled which blew off fast, then gorgeous dark fruit, cocoa powder, and spice on both the nose and palate after a couple hours in the decanter. Both strong and precise, this is a well executed bottle. Tannins still very present on the finish, but they're nothing that takes away from the overall experience. I don't understand how the 2002 is so much more expensive than this 2003, but what does a silly wino like me know?
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This is my first Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet so I picked up this 1.5ml bottle to enjoy with the family. This is a masculine yet elegant and focused Cab that is well made. Beautiful and fragrant violet like nose. On the palate, gorgeous purity, crème de cassis, and a penetrating floral essence. Stewed dark fruit, prunes, anise, full-bodied with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Integrated tannins and fleshy, tasty character.
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This is a wow wine! Needs an hour or so to really open up and gain some weight. Full bodied, rich, thick, extracted and amazing. Loads of power, and layers and layers of massive fruits, charcoal, cola, dark chocolate, and leather. This was outstanding. We drank 2 bottles back to back and both were ridiculous.
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This is so sexy, soft, and refined. Loads of power left in this one. Cherries, cola, vanilla, charcoal, and toasted oak. Well integrated and drinking so very good right now. This went down like I was drinking a juice box. I could drink this forever.
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Wow. Quintessential Napa cab. Drank with a 1995 Harlan and 2003 Quilceda creek and was a major contender. This was a special vintage for PH. He made a phenomenal wine that is everything you want from a Napa cab. Big fruit, smooth edges, deep dark long finish. I'll pick up some more.
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Big masculine wine. Decanted 4 hours revealing layers of flavor and complexity but never really shaking the tightness. Stewed black fruit, cassis liqueur, vanilla cola, clove, prunes, anise, and a hefty dollop of creamy oak. Gritty texture drops it a few points.
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Nearing its apex. Funny little herbal note on the nose, but the rest of this wine on the palate is still amazing. I have a few bottles left so I will wait 6 months for the next.
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Drank as part of a wine tasting with 11 other bottles. Unfortunately I did not write down notes but for me was the star of the show. Drinking wonderfully now
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Absolutely fantastic. Gorgeous nose and palate of rich, full-bodied dark and blue fruit with layers of coffee, vanilla, eucalyptus and herb. Each sip revealed another layer of complexity. Full-bodied with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Nice structure and integration, drinking beautifully.
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Back, Back in the USofA (StrEat Restaurant, Austin, Texas): Inky in color and candy-like in expression with soft, round tannins. Gushing flavors of plum and ripe, dark fruits, aromas of dill, stewed black fruits and “black jack cake mix.” The division of opinion among the tasters was dramatic. From “Perfect! “ to “gloppy, round and palate coating.” Drew comparisons to Kool Aid and Coca-Cola, but also compliments for balance, finish and yumminess. This wine also sparked a conversation about age-worthiness and alcohol content -- whether high alcohol wines (above 14 degrees) can be expected to age well. The host of the tasting thought the 2003 Paul Hobbs To Kalon had already peaked. Tops in one group, but otherwise not very well liked on this day.
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While I can't agree with some of the extreme scores, this is a very good wine ... give it time to open, though, as it's still very oaky right after pulling the cork. Some of that fades a bit as the wine puts on weight.
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2003 California Cabernet Horizontal (Adour @ The St. Regis, Washington D.C.): Decanted 2 hours prior to serving in flight 3 of blind tasting. Incredibly complex nose and deep purple in the glass. The aromatics were dark chocolate, creme de cassis and a slight sweetness that I can only describe as almost very slightly floral...outstanding! The tannins were still apparent but presented sweet dark fruits and smooth mouthfeel. Long finish and well-integrated fruit and alcohol meant no heat on the finish. Delicious!
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An elegant, very refined, feminine cab. Deep garnet color. No brown tinge. Smooth Marionberry, chocolate nose. blackraspberry, hint of vanilla, red currant. Long finish. Exceptional.
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Ripe fruit, sweet vanilla and chocolate, and subtle floral aromas on the nose. Lush and mouth coating without being heavy. Well balanced. Long, sweet finish.
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smoky nose with cassias, licorice, chocolate. smooth mouth feel, great balance, smooth round tannins. long finish with coco. a touch of etoh on the finish. this could be the stuff of legends if the etoh does not take over. needs time but has all the makings of something special.
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2/24/2024 - BradleyL Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is probably at or very close to peak drinking now - still has wonderfully elegant strawberry notes and a very lengthy finish. Such a great bottle and the age has really helped resolve the tannins.
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12/20/2023 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 94 Points
Just shy of 4 years since my last bottle. This was decanted for 20 min but improved throughout dinner. I would suggest an hour decant at this point. A nicely balanced and extremely polished wine. Just shy of being as polished as some of the Bond wines. Still has plenty of fruit and a long finish. In its prime but given the fruit and balance, this should continue to drink well for a few more years. No rush. Sadly my last bottle.
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12/17/2023 - peterk Likes this wine:
Beautifully integrated - fruit, tannin, acidity all in balance
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9/1/2023 - NY Wino Likes this wine: 96 Points
Double decant and drank after 2 hours…Deep purple color, huge nose of ripe dark fruit (impressive for 20 year old wine). The wine is rich, with tons of dark, rich fruit, good acidity, smooth tannins and super long finish. Been holding on to this wine for 18 years and it actually lived up to the expectations.
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4/7/2023 - Fftjr wrote: 93 Points
Could have benefited from hour or two decant. Lots of fruit. Vibrant tannins deep purple. Great nose. 5-10 more before ready.
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12/27/2021 - Sfflyer123 wrote: 91 Points
I've had 2 bottles of the '03 BTK Paul Hobbs now, and both taste the same. There is little fruit, high "medicinal" flavors--like cough syrup, some spice, mild earth. It is okay, but not a "wow" wine by any stretch. I see why the price is what it is. I had the 2006, and that was amazing. One of the best wines I've drunk, but the '03 is just okay. 91 pts
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1/24/2020 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 93 Points
4 hour decant- as good as this was it was a bit of a let down based on the absurdly high Cellartracker average score. This had average balance and finish and the fruit is fading given the age. To me, this tasted more like a 93 CT average, not that it matters...just sayin. Anyways this is certainly in its prime, should be drank soon. Will hold for a while and still needs a long decant.
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12/25/2017 - daved Likes this wine: 97 Points
Christmas Day with Beef Wellington. Black fruit, Cedar, terrific earth flavors. Terrific combo!
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8/18/2017 - Ibetian wrote: 92 Points
At Blantyre, decanted about an hour before dinner, could have used more. Somewhat reticent nose of classic CA cab chocolate covered cherries. Gldes on the palate, rich, smooth and well balanced. I'm not as excited as some other notes here, but clearly a fine, well made wine.
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7/8/2017 - PrudenceJuris Likes this wine: 97 Points
After a one hour decant this wine opened nicely. Lush and rich, a perfect compliment to a filet. An impeccable wine.
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4/16/2017 - sbeeks Likes this wine: 96 Points
Great dark garnet color. Took a while to open. Still tasted some youth in it. Several years left in this wine.
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10/23/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 96 Points
Awesome as usual! This needs a few hours to open. Give it 4-6 hours. see previous notes
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10/19/2016 - manga wrote: 95 Points
Young vibrant nose, cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes mix with mocca/chocolate and seemed to have a confectionary element. Soft sweet entry with coffee and loamy, earthy middle palate. Soft acid profile. Seems to still be very fresh, but drinking great now.
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8/15/2016 - markcic Likes this wine: 97 Points
Brilliant wine, we opened the bottle poured off a little and then decanted, dark fruit with wood overtones on the nose, the palate was intricate layers of dark fruit, cedar, mushroom, tobacco and coffee. The finish was absolutely long and smooth with hints of mocha.
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7/18/2016 - CranBurgundy Likes this wine: 94 Points
A little dough on the nose when the cork was pulled which blew off fast, then gorgeous dark fruit, cocoa powder, and spice on both the nose and palate after a couple hours in the decanter. Both strong and precise, this is a well executed bottle. Tannins still very present on the finish, but they're nothing that takes away from the overall experience. I don't understand how the 2002 is so much more expensive than this 2003, but what does a silly wino like me know?
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5/30/2016 - Yack Man Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is my first Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet so I picked up this 1.5ml bottle to enjoy with the family. This is a masculine yet elegant and focused Cab that is well made. Beautiful and fragrant violet like nose. On the palate, gorgeous purity, crème de cassis, and a penetrating floral essence. Stewed dark fruit, prunes, anise, full-bodied with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Integrated tannins and fleshy, tasty character.
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3/4/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 98 Points
This is a wow wine! Needs an hour or so to really open up and gain some weight. Full bodied, rich, thick, extracted and amazing. Loads of power, and layers and layers of massive fruits, charcoal, cola, dark chocolate, and leather. This was outstanding. We drank 2 bottles back to back and both were ridiculous.
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2/1/2016 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 98 Points
This is so sexy, soft, and refined. Loads of power left in this one. Cherries, cola, vanilla, charcoal, and toasted oak. Well integrated and drinking so very good right now. This went down like I was drinking a juice box. I could drink this forever.
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1/2/2016 - Agreenblatt wrote: 97 Points
Wow. Quintessential Napa cab. Drank with a 1995 Harlan and 2003 Quilceda creek and was a major contender. This was a special vintage for PH. He made a phenomenal wine that is everything you want from a Napa cab. Big fruit, smooth edges, deep dark long finish. I'll pick up some more.
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12/13/2015 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Big masculine wine. Decanted 4 hours revealing layers of flavor and complexity but never really shaking the tightness. Stewed black fruit, cassis liqueur, vanilla cola, clove, prunes, anise, and a hefty dollop of creamy oak. Gritty texture drops it a few points.
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9/9/2015 - dtmcellar wrote:
Nearing its apex. Funny little herbal note on the nose, but the rest of this wine on the palate is still amazing.
I have a few bottles left so I will wait 6 months for the next.
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4/25/2015 - S R U D I N Likes this wine: 98 Points
This wine was absolutely stunning. Perfect example of what a soft and elegant California Cab should be. I will find more...
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4/20/2015 - ddewilde wrote:
Gift Steve and Roberta Deming
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9/12/2014 - jhngo Likes this wine: 90 Points
surprisingly balanced yet concentrated and powerful
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7/13/2013 - georgeohr wrote:
A very nice wine. Fully mature and at its peak. Literally pop and pour.
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9/13/2012 - Clrv wrote: 96 Points
Drank as part of a wine tasting with 11 other bottles. Unfortunately I did not write down notes but for me was the star of the show. Drinking wonderfully now
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7/11/2012 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION Likes this wine: 98 Points
Licorice, vanilla, oak, and huge fruit. Very smooth.
See more detail at
http://maximumsatisfaction.tumblr.com/post/27028250233
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5/28/2012 - KeithSurg wrote: 98 Points
Absolutely fantastic. Gorgeous nose and palate of rich, full-bodied dark and blue fruit with layers of coffee, vanilla, eucalyptus and herb. Each sip revealed another layer of complexity. Full-bodied with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Nice structure and integration, drinking beautifully.
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1/29/2012 - PavlosN wrote: 98 Points
This is a huge wine. Loads of black fruit, leather, and coco. Decant at least 2 hours prior. Should drink great for the next 10 plus years.
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6/13/2011 - chadwick721 wrote: 96 Points
Outstanding wine. Great dark fruits, cassis and mocha tones. Wish I had more.
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6/11/2011 - austinwinesalon wrote:
Back, Back in the USofA (StrEat Restaurant, Austin, Texas): Inky in color and candy-like in expression with soft, round tannins. Gushing flavors of plum and ripe, dark fruits, aromas of dill, stewed black fruits and “black jack cake mix.” The division of opinion among the tasters was dramatic. From “Perfect! “ to “gloppy, round and palate coating.” Drew comparisons to Kool Aid and Coca-Cola, but also compliments for balance, finish and yumminess. This wine also sparked a conversation about age-worthiness and alcohol content -- whether high alcohol wines (above 14 degrees) can be expected to age well. The host of the tasting thought the 2003 Paul Hobbs To Kalon had already peaked. Tops in one group, but otherwise not very well liked on this day.
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12/28/2010 - Niagara wrote: 93 Points
While I can't agree with some of the extreme scores, this is a very good wine ... give it time to open, though, as it's still very oaky right after pulling the cork. Some of that fades a bit as the wine puts on weight.
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10/21/2010 - runandshoot wrote: 96 Points
2003 California Cabernet Horizontal (Adour @ The St. Regis, Washington D.C.): Decanted 2 hours prior to serving in flight 3 of blind tasting. Incredibly complex nose and deep purple in the glass. The aromatics were dark chocolate, creme de cassis and a slight sweetness that I can only describe as almost very slightly floral...outstanding! The tannins were still apparent but presented sweet dark fruits and smooth mouthfeel. Long finish and well-integrated fruit and alcohol meant no heat on the finish. Delicious!
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12/19/2009 - Phin wrote: 97 Points
Wow. Decanted 12 hours. Seamless layers of black fruits roll into a long finish. Awesome balance. Smooth chocolate. 97+
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7/23/2009 - goofy Yno wrote: 90 Points
great nose of cassias, blackberry, tobacco. very round smooth mouth, could use some more complexity. very easy to drink but not intellectual enough.
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11/15/2008 - old tractor wrote: 97 Points
An elegant, very refined, feminine cab. Deep garnet color. No brown tinge. Smooth Marionberry, chocolate nose. blackraspberry, hint of vanilla, red currant. Long finish. Exceptional.
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10/23/2007 - rsepulve wrote: 97 Points
Ripe fruit, sweet vanilla and chocolate, and subtle floral aromas on the nose. Lush and mouth coating without being heavy. Well balanced. Long, sweet finish.
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10/14/2007 - rloomis wrote: 98 Points
Tonight, I drank the earth. RP's notes are pretty much right on.
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7/14/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 95 Points
smoky nose with cassias, licorice, chocolate. smooth mouth feel, great balance, smooth round tannins. long finish with coco. a touch of etoh on the finish. this could be the stuff of legends if the etoh does not take over. needs time but has all the makings of something special.
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7/11/2007 - bdenuyl wrote: 96 Points
Wow, this was really impressive. Great depth and richness but had perfect balance. Drinking well in ’07.
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