This vintage has improved greatly since my last bottle in 2017, and should remain at its peak for another few years. Dark red / purple in color, a big bold cabernet with refined tannins and moderate acid to match the fruit, with a bit of tar and tobacco as well.
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Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of black pepper, thistle and Kirsch. Flavors of Kirsch, currants and cherries. Drink with some air to open up over the short to perhaps medium term.
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Decanted and enjoyed with a grilled beef tenderloin. Opaque, medium purple color. Developing with pronounced complex aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, mocha, smoked meat, sweet black licorice, cedar earth, black coffee, mint, and faint herbaceousness. Dry red. A big wine with pronounced flavors of sweet blackberry, black licorice, tart cherry, ripe plum, smoky jerky, espresso, mocha, and mixed herbs. Full bodied and high alcohol. Well integrated tannins (medium plus) and medium plus acidity support a long lasting finish.
This is the third vintage of this which I have enjoyed and so far better than the 2004 and 2010. Great producer who knows how to make cellar worthy wines. This one is good for another 5-7 years or more.
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Very dark, extracted wine. Tastes a bit hot even after open for hours. Decanted it only 1.5 hours, but wish I had done it for 4 hours. Improved over several hours in the glass and in bottle after the decant. Still too young, tight, muted flavors. I expect this to improve over another 5, maybe even 10 years.
Interesting varietal mix: 33% Cab Sauv, 33% Syrah, 12% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, and 11% co-fermented Cab Franc & Sangiovese.
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Nice mature, balanced new word Cabernet. Slow Oed x 2 hours, then decanted 1/2 hour before drinking. Dark in glass. Mild nose of red fruits. Palate consistent with a balanced cab, soft mouthfeel, nice length, enjoyed tonight as this wine was in a good place.
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I can smell the alcohol, but tastes good nonetheless. Full body, extracted and dense. Creme de cassis, blackberry, tobacco, eucalyptus and floral notes. Pleasing mouthfeel, and surprisingly fresh finish for such an extracted wine.
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I had this with beef stew on 3/5/17. It had a deep, layered bouquet of smoked meat, black currant, blackberry, blueberry, plum, mocha, cocoa, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and dry with flavors of black currant, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, plum, mocha, cocoa, licorice, pepper and spice. This is in a very good place right now.
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No detailed note, but this had a nice brightening effect on an otherwise bland meal. Good wine to serve when you are not sure if people will appreciate your affection for low-alcohol wines, but you still want to enjoy it yourself.
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The 2006 was good, but this won hands down in tonight's mini-vertical. More body, but not overdone; smooth on the palate, but not spoofy. A well-integrated wine with a lot of life left in it yet. Blackberries and cloves, medium tannins, great bones & acidity.
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Notes after following for 3 days and the longer it was open, the more I liked it. Fully opaque purple color, lightly staining the legs and a small amount of sediment. Profound aromas of black currant, violets, licorice, and mellow spices. The palate is big and does hit quite sweet at first, but that seems to integrate with air. There's some nice left bank Bordeaux traits in the profile that peek through the big fruit application. I think it is still headed for a nice future, but I'm probably opening my last bottle to go with Thanksgiving dinner. I like the amount of fruit at present and I think it will hold up well to a big savory meal. 4+11+17+8= 90
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Still overripe to my tastes. If you love Washington State cabs, ignore this. I've tasted a dozen and found each and every one to be a little sweet to my tastes.
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Dark ruby. The light nose is oaky, with hints of blackberry and chocolate obscured by a haze of heat. Concentrated sweet blackberry fruit on the palate with barely enough redeeming acid and a lacing of tannin. Long finish. Not my style, but I can see its attraction. 55+11+15+7.
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Fantastic as others have described. Decanted, but only for 30 mins, and was extremely drinkable at that point. Almost too soft for steak, the tannin was velvety, the fruits harmonious and some lovely vanilla and oak overtones.
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Purple color. Decanted for three hours. Cassis, tar, and herbs on the nose. Big tannins with pencil lead and sweet dark fruit. Solid performer with lots of years left in the tank. Probably will be in sweet spot in next 2 years, but nothing wrong now either.
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This is a Big Daddy. Big, bold punch in your face wine, not for the meek, monster tannins. Still very young, and needs to sit for 2 to 3 years at least to tame the tannins.
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Washington Wine Trip; 6/15/2012-6/19/2012: Tasting room pour. Dark purple, 14.5% abv. Black currant and vanilla on the nose, hint of spice. Flavors of black currant, tobacco, moist earth, mocha, and a bit of spearmint on the long, mineral laden finish. Gorgeous stuff, hold 4-5 years, drink 10+.
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Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 6/2/12. It had rich, deep and complex bouquet of smoked meat, mocha, cocoa, black cherry, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was big, rich and delicious with flavors of black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, spice and cocoa.
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5/21/2022 - SWHighlander Likes this wine: 93 Points
This vintage has improved greatly since my last bottle in 2017, and should remain at its peak for another few years. Dark red / purple in color, a big bold cabernet with refined tannins and moderate acid to match the fruit, with a bit of tar and tobacco as well.
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4/5/2022 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of black pepper, thistle and Kirsch. Flavors of Kirsch, currants and cherries. Drink with some air to open up over the short to perhaps medium term.
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11/16/2021 - Teknikov Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still drinking well
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8/2/2020 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Remains consistent. Very well done.
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7/9/2020 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really starting to come into its own. Full of fruit and some nice depth. More like a $30 bottle though.
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7/23/2019 - guitarguy wrote: 87 Points
This has been mediocre in the couple of vintages I’ve had. Blueberry, pepper, sour cherry and fuzzy leather notes. Not good QPR
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6/9/2018 - wmccone54 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and enjoyed with a grilled beef tenderloin. Opaque, medium purple color. Developing with pronounced complex aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, mocha, smoked meat, sweet black licorice, cedar earth, black coffee, mint, and faint herbaceousness. Dry red. A big wine with pronounced flavors of sweet blackberry, black licorice, tart cherry, ripe plum, smoky jerky, espresso, mocha, and mixed herbs. Full bodied and high alcohol. Well integrated tannins (medium plus) and medium plus acidity support a long lasting finish.
This is the third vintage of this which I have enjoyed and so far better than the 2004 and 2010. Great producer who knows how to make cellar worthy wines. This one is good for another 5-7 years or more.
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12/3/2017 - SWHighlander wrote: 91 Points
Very dark, extracted wine. Tastes a bit hot even after open for hours. Decanted it only 1.5 hours, but wish I had done it for 4 hours. Improved over several hours in the glass and in bottle after the decant. Still too young, tight, muted flavors. I expect this to improve over another 5, maybe even 10 years.
Interesting varietal mix: 33% Cab Sauv, 33% Syrah, 12% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, and 11% co-fermented Cab Franc & Sangiovese.
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9/23/2017 - davidspieker wrote: 89 Points
Massive bottle. Dark extracted color. Minimal aromas. Rich blackberry and tobacco flavors with a shortish finish.
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8/4/2017 - garambler Likes this wine: 92 Points
We had this with an after dinner cheese plate on 8/4/17. My notes were identical to those written on 3/5/17.
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7/1/2017 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice mature, balanced new word Cabernet. Slow Oed x 2 hours, then decanted 1/2 hour before drinking. Dark in glass. Mild nose of red fruits. Palate consistent with a balanced cab, soft mouthfeel, nice length, enjoyed tonight as this wine was in a good place.
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6/2/2017 - jayw Likes this wine:
I can smell the alcohol, but tastes good nonetheless. Full body, extracted and dense. Creme de cassis, blackberry, tobacco, eucalyptus and floral notes. Pleasing mouthfeel, and surprisingly fresh finish for such an extracted wine.
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3/5/2017 - garambler Likes this wine: 92 Points
I had this with beef stew on 3/5/17. It had a deep, layered bouquet of smoked meat, black currant, blackberry, blueberry, plum, mocha, cocoa, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and dry with flavors of black currant, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, plum, mocha, cocoa, licorice, pepper and spice. This is in a very good place right now.
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8/21/2016 - wgmccallum wrote:
No detailed note, but this had a nice brightening effect on an otherwise bland meal. Good wine to serve when you are not sure if people will appreciate your affection for low-alcohol wines, but you still want to enjoy it yourself.
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8/21/2016 - thebonnydooner wrote: 89 Points
Solid wine
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7/9/2016 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
Solid wine with juicy cassis, oak and violet notes. Sufficient, well integrated tannins.
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4/19/2016 - miadelt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wine is getting better with age. The fruit is better integrated. Interesting flavors.
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2/5/2016 - guitarguy wrote: 87 Points
This was perplexing, simple and pleasant, maybe a bit oxidized, without much more than a bit of currant and pepper.
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12/5/2015 - 1961Vintage wrote: 93 Points
Nicely layered. Great combination of bold fruit and finesse.
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11/26/2015 - wormfarmer Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 2006 was good, but this won hands down in tonight's mini-vertical. More body, but not overdone; smooth on the palate, but not spoofy. A well-integrated wine with a lot of life left in it yet. Blackberries and cloves, medium tannins, great bones & acidity.
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11/19/2015 - fingers Likes this wine: 90 Points
Notes after following for 3 days and the longer it was open, the more I liked it. Fully opaque purple color, lightly staining the legs and a small amount of sediment. Profound aromas of black currant, violets, licorice, and mellow spices. The palate is big and does hit quite sweet at first, but that seems to integrate with air. There's some nice left bank Bordeaux traits in the profile that peek through the big fruit application. I think it is still headed for a nice future, but I'm probably opening my last bottle to go with Thanksgiving dinner. I like the amount of fruit at present and I think it will hold up well to a big savory meal. 4+11+17+8= 90
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11/15/2015 - doctornoah wrote: 89 Points
Still overripe to my tastes. If you love Washington State cabs, ignore this. I've tasted a dozen and found each and every one to be a little sweet to my tastes.
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2/12/2015 - miadelt wrote: 89 Points
Great with some spicy Mexican food. But later on its own the ripe fruit is too much. Smooth. Dark color. Interesting.
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2/5/2015 - doctornoah wrote: 89 Points
Solid but overripe to my tastes. May reflect me more than the wine but this lacks balance to my palate
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11/1/2014 - stewlawr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Powerful! Heavy fruit and tannins. Recognizable Washington red and distinctive from Napa. Possibly will improve with cellaring.
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10/11/2014 - wgmccallum Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Dark ruby. The light nose is oaky, with hints of blackberry and chocolate obscured by a haze of heat. Concentrated sweet blackberry fruit on the palate with barely enough redeeming acid and a lacing of tannin. Long finish. Not my style, but I can see its attraction. 55+11+15+7.
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6/19/2014 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fantastic as others have described. Decanted, but only for 30 mins, and was extremely drinkable at that point. Almost too soft for steak, the tannin was velvety, the fruits harmonious and some lovely vanilla and oak overtones.
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4/9/2014 - BBencz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Purple color. Decanted for three hours. Cassis, tar, and herbs on the nose. Big tannins with pencil lead and sweet dark fruit. Solid performer with lots of years left in the tank. Probably will be in sweet spot in next 2 years, but nothing wrong now either.
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3/23/2014 - Votefordennis Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fantastic nose and palate, maybe a tad sweet, but very impressive
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12/16/2012 - Nbkat8 wrote: 91 Points
This is a Big Daddy. Big, bold punch in your face wine, not for the meek, monster tannins. Still very young, and needs to sit for 2 to 3 years at least to tame the tannins.
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6/16/2012 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
Washington Wine Trip; 6/15/2012-6/19/2012: Tasting room pour. Dark purple, 14.5% abv. Black currant and vanilla on the nose, hint of spice. Flavors of black currant, tobacco, moist earth, mocha, and a bit of spearmint on the long, mineral laden finish. Gorgeous stuff, hold 4-5 years, drink 10+.
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6/2/2012 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 6/2/12. It had rich, deep and complex bouquet of smoked meat, mocha, cocoa, black cherry, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was big, rich and delicious with flavors of black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, spice and cocoa.
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