Reliably very good in most years, at a good place now, likely can go another 2-4 if well cared for, but unsure it will reward much more patience, as I don’t get the sense it’s got what it would need to evolve onto those secondary notes that make waiting something we learn to do.
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Inky ruby. Aromatics of black(est)berry,, sweet tobacco, leather, cocoa cappuccino. Full bodied, round, still with some smooth tannin at 11 years out, zillion-layered finish.
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Solid wine. Aromatics of darker fruits and tobacco. Tannins have subsided but hint of earthiness and texture and tannin structure from when it was born still exists. Drinking superbly now.
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This eked up on the scale since the last bottle, probably because this paired so well with the roast served for Xmas dinner. Rich currant and cherry notes...very smooth and integrated
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Second bottle just as good as the first, nicely structured, just north of medium boded but characteristic Napa flavors, not as complex as a Shafer or Caymus but solid enjoyment.
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Drinking before 6 years is a bit unusual for us but in this case a rewarding experience. A rich dark and pretty smooth on the palate this was a surprising good, good QPR. Needs a bit of decanting as there was considerable debris in the wine which does not detract from the flavors. No Bordeaux leathers or cedars none the less a good fruit cab which accompanied a hyped up green salad dinner.
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Reliable, straightforward cab. Decanted. Long legs, opaque and dark. Leather, muted oak, plum, cherry, black pepper. Mellow tannins, drinking well. Crowd pleaser but lacks a distinctive character -- good but on the generic side.
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Big and bold, with currant and plum in bright abundance. The fruit is balanced with leather and smoke tones, but this is primarily a lush fruit monster. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in exuberance. Well integrated at this point and drinking well.
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Big cab nose of cassis, cranberries and a hint of oak. The oalate is loaded with red fruit and it has very nice acid but man these are brutally tannic. Give them 5 years, try again :)
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Very nice wine for the money. Dark chocolate, cassis, spice, wood, earth and minerals. Complex and concentrated wine. This could pass for a $100 Napa Cabernet. Should improve with a few years in the cellar. 92+
Last pour and even better. Adds blueberries, violets and exotic spices. Unbelievable value!!! 93 to 95.
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Garnet color. Nose: red/black currant, black cherry, and Boysenberry with accents of cola, nutmeg, new leather, cocoa powder, lavender, and toasted cedar. Medium/full body on the palate: black cherry, Boysenberry, and currant framed by cola, nutmeg, cinnamon cake, orange peel, black olive, and mocha/graphite. Medium acidity. Moderate oak-centric tannins. Lingering black olive, mocha/graphite, and baking spices on the moderate/long finish. Concentrated fruit with ample, but appropriate, oak-spice influence. Great texture. Cellar for another year or two and drink over the following 7-10 years.
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This one is a winner. Complex, rich, delicious. The nose was really captivating with a seductive burnt wood note atop dark fruit and spice. Palate was currant with coffee, a bit of spice, and chocolate. Creamy vanilla laced finish.
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A very smooth cabernet. Good fruit with medium to long finish. I would age a couple of years but if you want to dring now, decant a couple of hours. Nothing at all like a Beaujolais.
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after reading the low review i was prepared to not appreciate this year's bottle. however, i loved it and so did my wife. it was smooth balanced and ready. i admit i leave money out of the equation but i prefer the 30-65 range. in my humble view this will not disappoint and is worth the value. i don;t give high ratings easily so perhaps the first of my six was the great one, but i will now hold and have one a year.
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Totally perfunctory but not a value for the money. Lush dark fruit, one trick pony, flat acidity, smooth, ripe tannin. I'd never buy this for $40. I wonder if it would taste better to buy 2 bottles of good Beaujolais and then reduce it to 50% of the original volume on the stove
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Visiting Vineyard 29 (Napa, CA): Color: Opaque Violet Smell: Blue & black fruit, milk chocolate, and cigar box Taste: Dark fruit, chocolate, and hints of cedar Overall: Lush, round, and easy to see many people enjoying this style of wine. Medium body, moderate acidity, medium+ intensity, and a medium length finish. Excellent
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1/13/2023 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a lovely wine drinking really well now. Found some more bottles on line and will be purchasing!
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12/29/2022 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Napa 2009 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru ($35 in 2012). Mid garnet, viscous (14.8 alc.); red fruit, mint, cassis, herbaceous Napa nose; mid acids, mid+ tannins; good Cabernet fruit; long semi-tight finish. w/beef bourgignon. 16.5 UC Davis scale, 91 other scales.
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9/3/2022 - capacious Likes this wine: 91 Points
Reliably very good in most years, at a good place now, likely can go another 2-4 if well cared for, but unsure it will reward much more patience, as I don’t get the sense it’s got what it would need to evolve onto those secondary notes that make waiting something we learn to do.
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1/15/2021 - zupancic wrote: 92 Points
Inky ruby. Aromatics of black(est)berry,, sweet tobacco, leather, cocoa cappuccino. Full bodied, round, still with some smooth tannin at 11 years out, zillion-layered finish.
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4/5/2020 - Lion King Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid wine. Aromatics of darker fruits and tobacco. Tannins have subsided but hint of earthiness and texture and tannin structure from when it was born still exists. Drinking superbly now.
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5/27/2019 - esw423 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank on BI’s deck. Aged very nicely. Good fruit with low tannin.
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5/26/2019 - Purple Tooth wrote: 90 Points
Red licorice nose, under ripe plums and lots and lots of planky oak. A bit hollow...DRINK
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12/16/2018 - drmarc61 wrote: 90 Points
Last bottle. Still a solid, fruit forward cab.
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11/30/2018 - JCaress wrote: 93 Points
Deep and dark. Tannins are gone. Berry, chocolate and nice mouthfeel.
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7/1/2018 - Thralow Likes this wine: 92 Points
Reliable
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9/17/2017 - Corrie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great value wine; wish I had a case left!
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6/5/2017 - oenophilemoose wrote: 91 Points
Decanted and consumed over the next three hours. A very good iteration of a Napa Valley Cab with firm tannins on the the finish.
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5/28/2017 - Tym4wine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well integrated tannins. Dark fruit. Long finish. Medium to full bodied.
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12/25/2016 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
This eked up on the scale since the last bottle, probably because this paired so well with the roast served for Xmas dinner. Rich currant and cherry notes...very smooth and integrated
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12/23/2016 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still kicking. Not yet at peak.
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12/4/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 91 Points
consistent with notes of 9/27/2014
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10/1/2015 - mliszt Likes this wine: 94 Points
dringing great right now. ready almost as soon as you pop the cork
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7/5/2015 - Redrunners wrote: 91 Points
Had over two days.
Initial pop and pour was still a little tannic, but smoothed out nicely in the glass. Solid flavors of cherry, raspberry with some spice.
Some sediment in the bottle - would recommend a decant both for the aeration and to remove the sediment.
Solid wine overall.
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6/4/2015 - bboomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened up beautifully after half hour. The '09's are ready to drink and I wouldn't hold onto them too much longer.
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5/9/2015 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Nice again. Spices, coffee beans, vanilla, subtle oak and ripe fruits. Very balanced wine and wonderful finish. Highly Recommended.
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5/6/2015 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
Second bottle just as good as the first, nicely structured, just north of medium boded but characteristic Napa flavors, not as complex as a Shafer or Caymus but solid enjoyment.
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3/15/2015 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Young rich and chewy. Will give my next bottle at least another 1-2 years. Has serious potential.
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1/21/2015 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
Drinking before 6 years is a bit unusual for us but in this case a rewarding experience. A rich dark and pretty smooth on the palate this was a surprising good, good QPR. Needs a bit of decanting as there was considerable debris in the wine which does not detract from the flavors.
No Bordeaux leathers or cedars none the less a good fruit cab which accompanied a hyped up green salad dinner.
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12/28/2014 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 91 Points
Full bodied Napa cab. Very nice.
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12/25/2014 - nickgorski Likes this wine:
Reliable, straightforward cab. Decanted. Long legs, opaque and dark. Leather, muted oak, plum, cherry, black pepper. Mellow tannins, drinking well. Crowd pleaser but lacks a distinctive character -- good but on the generic side.
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11/24/2014 - phillyboyP wrote: 92 Points
Holy shit this was good. Right out of the bottle and this baby was singing. Great wine. 92
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9/27/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big and bold, with currant and plum in bright abundance. The fruit is balanced with leather and smoke tones, but this is primarily a lush fruit monster. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in exuberance. Well integrated at this point and drinking well.
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9/13/2014 - KAP wrote: 89 Points
Seems like it should be better at this price point. Not well integrated.
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6/16/2014 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet; big berry nose herbaceous; mint; mid0body; balanced; good fruit; long finish. w/hickory smoked beef.
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2/19/2014 - Jkrinker wrote:
Rough
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2/15/2014 - Uglypinga wrote:
Big cab nose of cassis, cranberries and a hint of oak. The oalate is loaded with red fruit and it has very nice acid but man these are brutally tannic. Give them 5 years, try again :)
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1/12/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Very nice wine for the money. Dark chocolate, cassis, spice, wood, earth and minerals. Complex and concentrated wine. This could pass for a $100 Napa Cabernet. Should improve with a few years in the cellar. 92+
Last pour and even better. Adds blueberries, violets and exotic spices. Unbelievable value!!! 93 to 95.
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12/31/2013 - Bigatlwineguy wrote: 91 Points
- Brick color with medium forming legs and has flavours of black pepper with a full body with a long finish.
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12/23/2013 - mclanew wrote: 91 Points
Fleshy, fruit bomb of a Cabernet but really delicious with layers of flavor and decent structure. Lovely nose of red currant fruits, tea and spices.
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12/21/2013 - Pimmer wrote: 90 Points
Needs some more time. Decant for two hours and leveled out. Good wine will be better in a couple years.
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12/15/2013 - jjlobi wrote: 91 Points
Full bodied and big. Classic Cali cab. Loved it.
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11/8/2013 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful wine. Rich and complex...Well done!
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10/18/2013 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 90 Points
Fruit forward -- very big -- needs a little time to open as still young.
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6/17/2013 - ichiballs Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent wine! Great QPR, smooth and fruity.
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6/2/2013 - ipp wrote: 91 Points
sweet, dark fruit ... firm tannins ... short finish
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5/26/2013 - StageOneRacing Likes this wine: 89 Points
Even better than I remembered last year. A great cab.
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5/25/2013 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark purple; berry and mint nose; herbaceous; mid-body; good structure; balanced tannins; a little hot (14.8 alc.). w/tri tip
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4/16/2013 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rock solid at every level. Excellent 2nd label cab.
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3/4/2013 - jsums wrote: 92 Points
Garnet color. Nose: red/black currant, black cherry, and Boysenberry with accents of cola, nutmeg, new leather, cocoa powder, lavender, and toasted cedar. Medium/full body on the palate: black cherry, Boysenberry, and currant framed by cola, nutmeg, cinnamon cake, orange peel, black olive, and mocha/graphite. Medium acidity. Moderate oak-centric tannins. Lingering black olive, mocha/graphite, and baking spices on the moderate/long finish. Concentrated fruit with ample, but appropriate, oak-spice influence. Great texture. Cellar for another year or two and drink over the following 7-10 years.
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3/2/2013 - jarfour wrote: 86 Points
Bit too tannic, particularly for the price. Opened up a bit but still left a bit lacking.
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2/3/2013 - Clos Kitchen wrote: 91 Points
Solid cab with a good nose. Smooth and polished if you let it breath half an hour. Deep fruit nose with a touch of fig.
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1/5/2013 - defnefferson Likes this wine: 92 Points
This one is a winner. Complex, rich, delicious. The nose was really captivating with a seductive burnt wood note atop dark fruit and spice. Palate was currant with coffee, a bit of spice, and chocolate. Creamy vanilla laced finish.
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12/3/2012 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Young rich and smooth...Just a great quality everyday high end wine...
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12/2/2012 - Corrie wrote: 90 Points
WTM 3
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11/17/2012 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
One Glass, $22 in Dallas airport. Big Napa Cab fruit with a solid tannic backbone. Nice.
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10/16/2012 - uncle al wrote: 91 Points
A very smooth and well balanced wine. Dark fruit with medium finish. Should age well.
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9/5/2012 - handlera wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Black fruit and bramble. Not a lot of nose. Probably could use a couple of years for the tannins to smooth out.
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8/28/2012 - Jflawrence wrote: 90 Points
Great With pasta.
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8/14/2012 - uncle al wrote: 92 Points
A very smooth cabernet. Good fruit with medium to long finish. I would age a couple of years but if you want to dring now, decant a couple of hours. Nothing at all like a Beaujolais.
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7/30/2012 - uncle al wrote: 91 Points
Smooth and well balanced. Flavor of dark fruit and some wood. Medium finish. Needs more time in the bottle but enjoyable.
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7/12/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Toasted rye biscuits. Or black sesame seeds. And then big dark tannic finish. Hollow back end. Over at $60 or so.
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6/11/2012 - mliszt wrote: 95 Points
after reading the low review i was prepared to not appreciate this year's bottle. however, i loved it and so did my wife. it was smooth balanced and ready. i admit i leave money out of the equation but i prefer the 30-65 range. in my humble view this will not disappoint and is worth the value. i don;t give high ratings easily so perhaps the first of my six was the great one, but i will now hold and have one a year.
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6/8/2012 - Jflawrence wrote: 90 Points
Decanted thirty minutes. High tannins. Should age well. I expect more in a few years.
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5/20/2012 - liteagilis wrote: 85 Points
Totally perfunctory but not a value for the money. Lush dark fruit, one trick pony, flat acidity, smooth, ripe tannin. I'd never buy this for $40. I wonder if it would taste better to buy 2 bottles of good Beaujolais and then reduce it to 50% of the original volume on the stove
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5/17/2012 - Kirk Grant wrote:
Visiting Vineyard 29 (Napa, CA): Color: Opaque Violet
Smell: Blue & black fruit, milk chocolate, and cigar box
Taste: Dark fruit, chocolate, and hints of cedar
Overall: Lush, round, and easy to see many people enjoying this style of wine. Medium body, moderate acidity, medium+ intensity, and a medium length finish. Excellent
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3/27/2012 - Bill McCarthy wrote:
Took to Byron to drink with Jim and Acey 3/27
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10/22/2011 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
RUSSK IN Napa nice firm opening up after an hr. My fav from this winery.
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