Looks very dark. The palate is a basket of dark fruit. Dark cherry, black currants, and surprisingly blueberry jam. Definitely fruit forward, some sweetness and concentrated but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty good wine, red fruit spectrum with fresh acidity and a little oak spice. Not too complex and a little one dimensional. Probably not going to improve much with time, drink now through 2019.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking well now. Note that this was the black label Napa Valley, not the Spring Mountain. However, the Terra Valentine website only lists the Spring Mountain estate, so I'm unsure if they discontinued the bottling or what the deal is. CT pictures aren't helpful - showing both the SM and Napa labels under this item as well as the Napa valley. Very aromatic on opening. Received a nice wow and smile from my wife on first sip and taste. This showed nice ripe red and black fruits, mixed with neither ripe nor plush tannins - just enough texture. As you might imagine, this went very well with a pan seared NY strip steak - juicy Napa cab with juicy steak. Me - 91, Wife - 92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Overall very good. Dense and fruity. However, seems a little closed at the moment, and might be better after a couple more years wait. Still, drains well with food. Highish alcohol (14.9%) doesn't show on the nose or palette.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened it last night. Vacuum sealed it. Drank very well tonight. Needs time to open. Once open, good black fruit flavors, balanced but grippy tannins, med plus finish. Drinks well with food of any type.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP. Deep purple, dark fruit aroma pouring out. Hard tannins with a touch of heat on the back of palate. Let it sit in the glass for 15 minutes and the nose turns to be delicate and it gets much smoother on the palate with a quite long finish. Tannins gets softer and more rounded, but still quite obvious. It does not fade much after an hour in the glass. A very pleasant experience! Should be good for the next 5 years.
is much smoother on 2nd day. A little oaky, but tannins resolves quite nicely. One of the best Cal Cabs I've tried. well worth $30
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good solid Cab... I didn't give it enough time to open fully and it seemed tight even with the Venturi. I'll leave an hour or so before drinking it next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wines at Chris and Renee's home. (Chris and Renee's): A nose of spice, cedar and some cassis. Very tannic. Heat on the finish. My wife liked this more than I, but to me it was generic, over oaked and just ok.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank as part of of blind Cabernet contest down at John and Liz's. Wine was opened in bottle for 2 hours, no real notes, but did not stand out in tasting. Posted one of lower scores. Red fruit, fairly prominent, but really not much else going on. Not a bad wine, just nothing special. Have had better for cheaper
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just delicious...best Costco buy I"ve ever had...wouldn't put it away for five years..but ....great nose, sweet fruit and longish finish..a terrific deal...drink in up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots of legs, quite hot, even after decanting. Herbal fruity bouquet. Wished I waited a couple years before drinking. Thin texture, and overwhelmed by steak. Probably better with cheese.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Disappointed, expected a bit more. Just a hint of brett on the nose distracted from the enjoyment and then from there it was pretty average. Probably a bit young, could use some age to open a bit, but then I always worry that that hint of brett will develop into something more with a few years in bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not my favorite cab. Unidirectional. Not as balanced as I would prefer. Fruit up front. It not much to balance it off. Modest finish and decent tannins. Okay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots of red and black currant on the nose with young wood and a touch of green herbaceousness. Flavors of blackberry with firm tannin, good acid and nice minerality. Nice and lingers on ripe fruit with good acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Too young. Decanted for 1 hr and it was not near long enough. The fruit is definitely there but is hiding behind the tannins. Started to improve later but will keep the rest I have in the cellar fot at least 5-6 more years. Should eventually be a 88-90 pointer once it balances out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blackberries with a hint of earthiness on the nose. Big blackberries, tobacco and leather on the palate. Bold tannin, full body, good integration. Should do well with some time in the bottle. Long dry spicy finish with occasional floral notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consistent, good cab. Was hoping for a bit more but it might be because its young. It's a Bordeaux style, typical for the spring Mtn. Cabs I've tasted. Looking forward to revisiting in a couple years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
THE RED WHALE California Cabernet Tasting (Alek's house): Smoky black currant on the nose. Smells "classic" and, within the context of Napa, Bordelaise in style. The wine is quite young and will certainly develop in the bottle for a couple years. Before the well-handled but fairly aggressive tannins set in, one can taste a very pure black currant combined with something like pencil lead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I actually like the 08 better so far. Unlike many 09's that I have tried, I think that this will get better, it's just young. Not as big as the 08 or tannic. A more polished and elegant wine that's smooth, just not ready yet for me. I have a half dozen bottles and I am hoping that it gets better. WE is giving this a 92 points? Not yet!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In your face spice and dark fruit bomb out of the gate mixing more metaphors than should be allowed in one sentence. Held up well over several hours. Buy it; open it; drink it; repeat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/29/2020 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 88 Points
In a lighter style (for a Cab) that I prefer. Not too rich, nice touch of bell pepper and decent tannin/acid finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2019 - Furky wrote:
Ok but not great
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2019 - LCHammer Does not like this wine: 86 Points
See previous note. Didn’t get much better. Not worth the $$ in my opinion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2018 - brigcampbell wrote:
Looks very dark. The palate is a basket of dark fruit. Dark cherry, black currants, and surprisingly blueberry jam. Definitely fruit forward, some sweetness and concentrated but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2017 - SchlaepDog Likes this wine: 88 Points
Pretty good wine, red fruit spectrum with fresh acidity and a little oak spice. Not too complex and a little one dimensional. Probably not going to improve much with time, drink now through 2019.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2017 - LCHammer wrote: 86 Points
Disjointed and too tannic. Maybe needs more time but I don't think so. Way better out there for the same cash.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2017 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well now. Note that this was the black label Napa Valley, not the Spring Mountain. However, the Terra Valentine website only lists the Spring Mountain estate, so I'm unsure if they discontinued the bottling or what the deal is. CT pictures aren't helpful - showing both the SM and Napa labels under this item as well as the Napa valley.
Very aromatic on opening. Received a nice wow and smile from my wife on first sip and taste. This showed nice ripe red and black fruits, mixed with neither ripe nor plush tannins - just enough texture.
As you might imagine, this went very well with a pan seared NY strip steak - juicy Napa cab with juicy steak.
Me - 91, Wife - 92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2015 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Overall very good. Dense and fruity. However, seems a little closed at the moment, and might be better after a couple more years wait. Still, drains well with food. Highish alcohol (14.9%) doesn't show on the nose or palette.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2015 - mda7 Likes this wine: 91 Points
superb stuff, everything nicely balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2014 - srshane Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened it last night. Vacuum sealed it. Drank very well tonight. Needs time to open. Once open, good black fruit flavors, balanced but grippy tannins, med plus finish. Drinks well with food of any type.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 87 Points
Not as good as I remember, lighter body, a lot of heat throughout, taste matches note 2/2013, probably won't gain anything with more age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2014 - mda7 wrote: 91 Points
fabulous wine and great value
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2014 - Trolson wrote: 90 Points
Really rich tasty stuff. Great value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Nice Spring Mt. Cab. Enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2014 - EricLi Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP. Deep purple, dark fruit aroma pouring out. Hard tannins with a touch of heat on the back of palate. Let it sit in the glass for 15 minutes and the nose turns to be delicate and it gets much smoother on the palate with a quite long finish. Tannins gets softer and more rounded, but still quite obvious. It does not fade much after an hour in the glass. A very pleasant experience! Should be good for the next 5 years.
is much smoother on 2nd day. A little oaky, but tannins resolves quite nicely. One of the best Cal Cabs I've tried. well worth $30
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2014 - Tonythefish wrote: 91 Points
Nice solid cab. Popped and poured
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2013 - TedH Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good solid Cab... I didn't give it enough time to open fully and it seemed tight even with the Venturi. I'll leave an hour or so before drinking it next time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 86 Points
Wines at Chris and Renee's home. (Chris and Renee's): A nose of spice, cedar and some cassis. Very tannic. Heat on the finish. My wife liked this more than I, but to me it was generic, over oaked and just ok.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2013 - Trolson wrote: 89 Points
Great to drink now as well as later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2013 - Coupe 60 wrote:
Drank as part of of blind Cabernet contest down at John and Liz's. Wine was opened in bottle for 2 hours, no real notes, but did not stand out in tasting. Posted one of lower scores. Red fruit, fairly prominent, but really not much else going on. Not a bad wine, just nothing special. Have had better for cheaper
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2013 - mijnamfauk Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just delicious...best Costco buy I"ve ever had...wouldn't put it away for five years..but ....great nose, sweet fruit and longish finish..a terrific deal...drink in up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2013 - Key wrote: 84 Points
Lots of legs, quite hot, even after decanting. Herbal fruity bouquet. Wished I waited a couple years before drinking. Thin texture, and overwhelmed by steak. Probably better with cheese.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2013 - domco wrote: 86 Points
Disappointed, expected a bit more. Just a hint of brett on the nose distracted from the enjoyment and then from there it was pretty average. Probably a bit young, could use some age to open a bit, but then I always worry that that hint of brett will develop into something more with a few years in bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 86 Points
Not my favorite cab. Unidirectional. Not as balanced as I would prefer. Fruit up front. It not much to balance it off. Modest finish and decent tannins. Okay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2013 - vegasoenophile Likes this wine: 88 Points
Lots of red and black currant on the nose with young wood and a touch of green herbaceousness. Flavors of blackberry with firm tannin, good acid and nice minerality. Nice and lingers on ripe fruit with good acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2013 - LCHammer wrote: 86 Points
Too young. Decanted for 1 hr and it was not near long enough. The fruit is definitely there but is hiding behind the tannins. Started to improve later but will keep the rest I have in the cellar fot at least 5-6 more years. Should eventually be a 88-90 pointer once it balances out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2013 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 89 Points
Blackberries with a hint of earthiness on the nose. Big blackberries, tobacco and leather on the palate. Bold tannin, full body, good integration. Should do well with some time in the bottle. Long dry spicy finish with occasional floral notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2013 - wineheadGA wrote: 91 Points
Consistent, good cab. Was hoping for a bit more but it might be because its young. It's a Bordeaux style, typical for the spring Mtn. Cabs I've tasted. Looking forward to revisiting in a couple years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2013 - Bradford Likes this wine: 90 Points
THE RED WHALE California Cabernet Tasting (Alek's house): Smoky black currant on the nose. Smells "classic" and, within the context of Napa, Bordelaise in style. The wine is quite young and will certainly develop in the bottle for a couple years. Before the well-handled but fairly aggressive tannins set in, one can taste a very pure black currant combined with something like pencil lead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2013 - eshtibb wrote: 90 Points
Consistent
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2012 - Yack Man wrote: 87 Points
I actually like the 08 better so far. Unlike many 09's that I have tried, I think that this will get better, it's just young. Not as big as the 08 or tannic. A more polished and elegant wine that's smooth, just not ready yet for me. I have a half dozen bottles and I am hoping that it gets better. WE is giving this a 92 points? Not yet!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2012 - maryherring wrote: 94 Points
Very, very good wine. A+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2012 - mda7 wrote: 90 Points
yum, already showing lots of finesse and more dimensional than some of the prior bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2012 - beej wrote: 87 Points
In your face spice and dark fruit bomb out of the gate mixing more metaphors than should be allowed in one sentence.
Held up well over several hours. Buy it; open it; drink it; repeat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment