Definitely lost a fair amount of its luster, but still quite drinkable. Smooth tannins, had a nice rich mouthfeel, deep berry flavors and a decent finish.
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Deep purple color, clean nose of medium plus intensity with aromas of brumble, blueberry, eucalyptus, nutmeg, cloves, prunes, leather, meat. Wine is almost fully developed. On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus flavor intensity of raisins, stewed black fruit, liquorice, toast, earth, leather. The finish is medium minus. Very good wine, can be aged further, but I doubt that it will improve any more.
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Still drinking wonderfully. Full black fruit, spice and tobacco nose. Incredibly full bouquet for its age. Smooth berry, cherry and light mocha palate, medium acidity and full body w fine grain tannins. Great balance and long finish. Love this wine!
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I suspect that this wine is at the tail end of its prime drinking age, but it was still very enjoyable tonight. Lots of sediment; needed decanting. Good ruby color, however. Big bouquet. Prunes, berries, earthy, leather, tobacco, spice. Ditto the palate.
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What a wonderful bottle. Popped and poured a taste while putting together dinner, a bit neutral on expectation. Poured with steak an hour later and wow. Nice fruit, silky tannins and perfect with the meal. Hard to say if it is getting better or declining but a perfect time to have drank this one.
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The wine was in perfect shape for drinking and absolutely perfectly complemented the steak which accompanied the meal. THis was the 'jewel' of three different cabs, all 2003, I brought back from the winery and it was worth waiting. Deep, dark color in the glass which had wonderfully aromatic aromas upon decanting. Definite notes of eucalyptus, leather and dark fruit on the nose. On the palate the wine was rich, smooth and flavorful. Tannins and acidity were in perfect balance for me. The fruit was not jammy but crisp and it all went together well with the more earthy notes and smoothness of this wine. Long finish. Alas, my only bottle and it didn't survive one night!
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In even younger, fresher shape than the 2002 PR SLD opened just minutes earlier. Very youthful color, cork in like new condition. Much more of a black berry component than the 02, some charcoal and notes of hoisin, autumn leaves and wood stems. Tighter than the 02 on the nose and palate, this will surely need to aerate for 2 hours before it will have a chance to show what's underneath. In fact, the when first poured, the nose is all there at first, but it retreats just as quickly and nearly goes mute within just a minute's time. I will likely update this tn tomorrow, after the blackened filet mignon dinner. 14,6% abv, drink thru 2021.
update: this was an impressive showing, and it easily outmanuevered the 2002 and the lighter-bodied 2004. A classy drop that continued to develop and flaunt its structure and purity throughout the nearly 3 hr dinner, with the last glass showing the best (this was aerated in decanter for 6 hours, the only one of the three wines that required any aeration). I do wish I had one or two more of these.
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dark red color, strong wine of berries and jam, waited an hour or two but never really became great- aroma flowers- fair wine with a steak, very good but not excellent
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Excellent bottle of wine! I second other review that this is drinking really well right now. Notes of evergreen/eucalyptus tones, herbs, tobacco and dark fruits with wonderfully integrated tannins. Paired very well with 1 week dry aged, grass fed prime rib!
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Found this to be drinking beautifully right now. Did not even need to decant it. Definitely lots of vibrant fruit still. Tannins have softened. A very enjoyable wine. Think it is at its peak right now.
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The Blind Drunks monthly tasting (Rich & Dana's): Retiscent. Subtle herb and red fruit aromas; turning to jammy raspberry and chocolate tones. Firm tannins; slight raisiny quality along with dark fruit tones on the palate.
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Best Pine Ridge I've enjoyed in awhile, and among the best California cabernets I've had in recent memory, too. Just delicious: classic Cabernet profile of currant, some grilled herb and plum, some tobacco in there, too.
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Wonderful wine. Drinking very well, but there are still some tannins up front. Wouldn't hurt for a few more years of cellaring. Dark red fruits, a little green veggy and leather.
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Drank over a few days. As previous notes have said the aroma of this wine is amazing. While decanting, I was getting a beautiful floral, blueberry smell. Tasted as delicious with vanilla, blueberry flavors. Great balance and mouth feel. Long smooth finish.
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Great big Cali cab with tons of fruit and soft tannins. Still has some good structure and a touch of that Stags Leap cedar and earthiness. Really a nice bottle of wine that is ready to drink. Enjoy!!!
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Wow. Beautiful nose of ripe dark fruits, very fruit forward on the palate. Extremely well balanced, smooth tannins. Big fruit, nice vanilla and caramel flavors to go along with, and overall a great bottle.
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(2+) Drank w/Bob & Dennis before Rigoletto. Classic Napa “new world” cab - a ton of fruit and alcohol, fairly well made. Not quite my style but a good wine nonetheless.
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Fishined evening watching the U.S.Open (Golf) 2008. The nose is exceptional, good tannins, smooth as glass, very fruity. Almost as Howell Mountain or Fortis. Powerful Conclusion.
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I compared Pine Ridge Stags Leap Cabernets from 2003 and 2004 vintages side by side. Both wines have deep, dark color. 2003 is a more mature wine with almost imperceptible tannins with dark cherry and blackberry palate. 2004 wine is a lot younger wine, with more pronounced tannins on the palate, but with the same fruit forward taste. Both wines are very enjoyable now, but the slight edge goes to 2003 for now. I am sure that 2004 will be as good in another year or two.
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This is an exceptional wine, of course, you must enjoy Napa Valley Cabernet and its many distinct terroir, such as Stags Leap. Dark and deep ruby and medium bodied with classic nose blackberry, currant and tobacco; loads of fruit, chewy and complex; the finish lasts several seconds and is most enjoyable. Didn't need much time to evolve in bottle and glass; should stay good for several years.
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Xmas dinner and a great choice. It is not so subtle and wonderful that it should not accompany a meal but certainly wonderful enough to be a star at a great meal. It's good on its own but a great compliment to good food (beef Wellington in this case). Like a good male dancer this wine always makes his partners (the food) look good. Lovely ripe fruits on the nose. You want to breathe it forever. The palate comes on supporting those fruits with a good balanced body of tannins and acids - never overwhelming them. This wine is nicely balanced but it could mature and improve with age. This is a noble effort from Pine Ridge and in my opinion their best cab. I am glad I have a few left. They will last me for several years, as we grow old together.
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Decanted 3 hours before pouring at family gathering for Christmas Eve. This is a great SLD cab. Deep dark color, wow - look at those legs! Fantastic nose with floral and fruit sledge hammering scents, very light in the palate but with strong berry flavors and light tannins. A little heat past mid palate, but very acceptable. A nice lingering finish. This one does not sneak up on you, it is in your face the moment it hits the glass! Wish I had more, can only hope the 2000 and 2004 are just as good since I have one of each.
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Purchased at the winery and it got a little hot in the car so I opened with trepidation. Don't believe that it was affected, but the wine--while good--was not as deep or complex as I would have hoped.
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Wine Spectator's Top 100 - Past, Present, and Pedigree (Farpointe Cellar): There was a nice little battle between sweetness and smoke on the nose. Not to be left out, cherry, chocolate and vanilla did their best to keep up. In the mouth it was very smooth and showed lots of blueberry and blackberry, plus hints of cherry and tobacco. It had a very good finish.
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11/5/2023 - Rcolella Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent. 20 years and still amazing.
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4/25/2021 - slobak Likes this wine:
Definitely lost a fair amount of its luster, but still quite drinkable. Smooth tannins, had a nice rich mouthfeel, deep berry flavors and a decent finish.
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2/10/2019 - vpoms wrote: 92 Points
Deep purple color, clean nose of medium plus intensity with aromas of brumble, blueberry, eucalyptus, nutmeg, cloves, prunes, leather, meat. Wine is almost fully developed. On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus flavor intensity of raisins, stewed black fruit, liquorice, toast, earth, leather. The finish is medium minus. Very good wine, can be aged further, but I doubt that it will improve any more.
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2/10/2017 - JC Cab wrote: 92 Points
Still drinking wonderfully. Full black fruit, spice and tobacco nose. Incredibly full bouquet for its age. Smooth berry, cherry and light mocha palate, medium acidity and full body w fine grain tannins. Great balance and long finish. Love this wine!
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4/28/2016 - ProfBainbridge Likes this wine: 90 Points
I suspect that this wine is at the tail end of its prime drinking age, but it was still very enjoyable tonight. Lots of sediment; needed decanting. Good ruby color, however. Big bouquet. Prunes, berries, earthy, leather, tobacco, spice. Ditto the palate.
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3/6/2016 - winejnky wrote: flawed
This bottle was cooked, showing signs of heat stress.
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6/22/2015 - FLI Likes this wine: 92 Points
Surprisingly good bottle from a tough year. Rich berries on the nose and palate, a bit of earth. Well balanced.
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3/15/2015 - mraabpfg wrote: 92 Points
Floral nose with jammy fruit soft tannins and a little spice and leather on finish
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1/19/2014 - cowtownguy wrote: 91 Points
What a wonderful bottle. Popped and poured a taste while putting together dinner, a bit neutral on expectation. Poured with steak an hour later and wow. Nice fruit, silky tannins and perfect with the meal. Hard to say if it is getting better or declining but a perfect time to have drank this one.
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12/8/2013 - Tom Myers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice after a little over an hour in the decanter. Towards the end of its drinking window. Drink it up.
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12/30/2012 - ejca wrote:
Just pretty good, finish is short, just kind of flat. Flavors are ok. A bit dissapointed.
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10/2/2012 - NickP wrote: 93 Points
The wine was in perfect shape for drinking and absolutely perfectly complemented the steak which accompanied the meal. THis was the 'jewel' of three different cabs, all 2003, I brought back from the winery and it was worth waiting. Deep, dark color in the glass which had wonderfully aromatic aromas upon decanting. Definite notes of eucalyptus, leather and dark fruit on the nose. On the palate the wine was rich, smooth and flavorful. Tannins and acidity were in perfect balance for me. The fruit was not jammy but crisp and it all went together well with the more earthy notes and smoothness of this wine. Long finish. Alas, my only bottle and it didn't survive one night!
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9/27/2012 - Tim Heaton wrote:
In even younger, fresher shape than the 2002 PR SLD opened just minutes earlier. Very youthful color, cork in like new condition. Much more of a black berry component than the 02, some charcoal and notes of hoisin, autumn leaves and wood stems. Tighter than the 02 on the nose and palate, this will surely need to aerate for 2 hours before it will have a chance to show what's underneath. In fact, the when first poured, the nose is all there at first, but it retreats just as quickly and nearly goes mute within just a minute's time. I will likely update this tn tomorrow, after the blackened filet mignon dinner. 14,6% abv, drink thru 2021.
update: this was an impressive showing, and it easily outmanuevered the 2002 and the lighter-bodied 2004. A classy drop that continued to develop and flaunt its structure and purity throughout the nearly 3 hr dinner, with the last glass showing the best (this was aerated in decanter for 6 hours, the only one of the three wines that required any aeration). I do wish I had one or two more of these.
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9/12/2012 - gaschief wrote: 88 Points
dark red color, strong wine of berries and jam, waited an hour or two but never really became great- aroma flowers- fair wine with a steak, very good but not excellent
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2/27/2011 - FPNova wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple. Drinking wonderfully! Dark cherry, chocolate, black currant and a hint of toast.
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12/25/2010 - argento007 wrote: 93 Points
Excellent bottle of wine! I second other review that this is drinking really well right now. Notes of evergreen/eucalyptus tones, herbs, tobacco and dark fruits with wonderfully integrated tannins. Paired very well with 1 week dry aged, grass fed prime rib!
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12/21/2010 - psusfca wrote: 93 Points
Found this to be drinking beautifully right now. Did not even need to decant it. Definitely lots of vibrant fruit still. Tannins have softened. A very enjoyable wine. Think it is at its peak right now.
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10/23/2010 - AllRed Does not like this wine: 89 Points
The Blind Drunks monthly tasting (Rich & Dana's): Retiscent. Subtle herb and red fruit aromas; turning to jammy raspberry and chocolate tones. Firm tannins; slight raisiny quality along with dark fruit tones on the palate.
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7/28/2010 - pgm wrote: 92 Points
Best Pine Ridge I've enjoyed in awhile, and among the best California cabernets I've had in recent memory, too.
Just delicious: classic Cabernet profile of currant, some grilled herb and plum, some tobacco in there, too.
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5/23/2010 - WI WineLover wrote: 92 Points
Unlike the 2001 and 2002, was excellent on day 2
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1/31/2010 - les_the_sailor wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful wine. Drinking very well, but there are still some tannins up front. Wouldn't hurt for a few more years of cellaring. Dark red fruits, a little green veggy and leather.
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1/22/2010 - cawineaux wrote: 92 Points
Drinking very well right now.
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8/6/2009 - shine wrote: 93 Points
Big fruit on nose and in the mouth. Dark red fruits, smooth tannins and a nice lingering finish
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5/24/2009 - Lenair wrote: 94 Points
One of the best Stags Leap Cabs out there. It was big in every way it should be.
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5/9/2009 - vpoms wrote: 92 Points
Great Califronia Cabernet in its prime. Drink it now!
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3/28/2009 - schnittle wrote: 93 Points
Drank over a few days. As previous notes have said the aroma of this wine is amazing. While decanting, I was getting a beautiful floral, blueberry smell. Tasted as delicious with vanilla, blueberry flavors. Great balance and mouth feel. Long smooth finish.
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12/5/2008 - eSchrag wrote: 92 Points
Great big Cali cab with tons of fruit and soft tannins. Still has some good structure and a touch of that Stags Leap cedar and earthiness. Really a nice bottle of wine that is ready to drink. Enjoy!!!
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11/2/2008 - wirelesswine wrote: 93 Points
Wow. Beautiful nose of ripe dark fruits, very fruit forward on the palate. Extremely well balanced, smooth tannins. Big fruit, nice vanilla and caramel flavors to go along with, and overall a great bottle.
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10/17/2008 - AZ Cat wrote:
(2+) Drank w/Bob & Dennis before Rigoletto. Classic Napa “new world” cab - a ton of fruit and alcohol, fairly well made. Not quite my style but a good wine nonetheless.
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6/12/2008 - PHIL74AU@ICLOUD.COM wrote: 94 Points
Fishined evening watching the U.S.Open (Golf) 2008. The nose is exceptional, good tannins, smooth as glass, very fruity. Almost as Howell Mountain or Fortis. Powerful Conclusion.
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5/11/2008 - vpoms wrote: 92 Points
I compared Pine Ridge Stags Leap Cabernets from 2003 and 2004 vintages side by side. Both wines have deep, dark color. 2003 is a more mature wine with almost imperceptible tannins with dark cherry and blackberry palate. 2004 wine is a lot younger wine, with more pronounced tannins on the palate, but with the same fruit forward taste. Both wines are very enjoyable now, but the slight edge goes to 2003 for now. I am sure that 2004 will be as good in another year or two.
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4/12/2008 - royalscam wrote: 93 Points
This is an exceptional wine, of course, you must enjoy Napa Valley Cabernet and its many distinct terroir, such as Stags Leap. Dark and deep ruby and medium bodied with classic nose blackberry, currant and tobacco; loads of fruit, chewy and complex; the finish lasts several seconds and is most enjoyable. Didn't need much time to evolve in bottle and glass; should stay good for several years.
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12/25/2007 - fred3f wrote: 93 Points
Xmas dinner and a great choice. It is not so subtle and wonderful that it should not accompany a meal but certainly wonderful enough to be a star at a great meal. It's good on its own but a great compliment to good food (beef Wellington in this case). Like a good male dancer this wine always makes his partners (the food) look good. Lovely ripe fruits on the nose. You want to breathe it forever. The palate comes on supporting those fruits with a good balanced body of tannins and acids - never overwhelming them. This wine is nicely balanced but it could mature and improve with age. This is a noble effort from Pine Ridge and in my opinion their best cab. I am glad I have a few left. They will last me for several years, as we grow old together.
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12/24/2007 - DTWOB wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 3 hours before pouring at family gathering for Christmas Eve. This is a great SLD cab. Deep dark color, wow - look at those legs! Fantastic nose with floral and fruit sledge hammering scents, very light in the palate but with strong berry flavors and light tannins. A little heat past mid palate, but very acceptable. A nice lingering finish. This one does not sneak up on you, it is in your face the moment it hits the glass! Wish I had more, can only hope the 2000 and 2004 are just as good since I have one of each.
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12/16/2007 - ebrumby wrote: 89 Points
Purchased at the winery and it got a little hot in the car so I opened with trepidation. Don't believe that it was affected, but the wine--while good--was not as deep or complex as I would have hoped.
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12/13/2007 - now_in_mi wrote: 79 Points
Heavy taste, bitter afterwards, bottle may have been on the edge of turning nasty.
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12/1/2007 - mmurry wrote: 92 Points
Wine Spectator's Top 100 - Past, Present, and Pedigree (Farpointe Cellar): There was a nice little battle between sweetness and smoke on the nose. Not to be left out, cherry, chocolate and vanilla did their best to keep up. In the mouth it was very smooth and showed lots of blueberry and blackberry, plus hints of cherry and tobacco. It had a very good finish.
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11/18/2007 - pakabear wrote: 91 Points
Classic cali cab, very nice and enjoyable.
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8/16/2007 - AZ Wine Lover wrote: 95 Points
EXCELLENT - Very Smooth
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8/8/2007 - vinole wrote: 91 Points
Napa Winery Tour (Larkmead, Cliff Lede, Neal, Ladera, Etude & more): Black cherry and cassis with good concentration and a nice, long finish.
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10/19/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 93 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tasting (Marriott Hotel, San Francisco, CA): Lush and elegant SLD Cab. Aromas/flavors of black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, cocoa powder, vanilla, cedar and a hint of tobacco. Well balance with silky tannins. Long, lingering finish.
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5/20/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
Nice day in Napa - Ceja, Pine Ridge and Merryvale Wineries (Ceja/Pine Ridge and Merryvale Wineries): Tasted at winery. Lush, elegant wine. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, cocoa powder, vanilla and cedar. Silky tannins balance ripe fruit flavors of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry with hints of cedar, smoke and tobbacco. Long, lingering finish.
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