Wow. Had this set for 2025 consumption, but moved up to 2023 based on preceding notes. 1.5 hour decant. This thing is in a fantastic window. A hint of sweetness with Christmas spices and licorice on the nose. Deep blue fruits-- primarily baked (not stewed) plums. Tannins still present but not nicely balanced. 15-20 second finish. Couldn't stop pouring.
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Sweet black amd blue fruit is singing tonight. There is some underlying complexity that keeps it interesting. The tannins remain moderately rigid and noticeably dry.
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Purchased on release and in my cellar at 55-65ºF since. The impeccable cork is encrusted with tartaric crystals and stained up the cork side no more than 4 mm from the inner surface.
The aromatics are reticent but emerge with some coaxing.
There's good fruit in the mouth with aeration: Ripe cherry, sweet rhubarb with a bit of cinnamon and a hint Red Bull which is odd, but not bad, if you happen to like Red Bull.
I get bloody leather on the back end of the aroma.
The tannins are a bit dry.
Not at it's best today. Maybe it's past it's prime or maybe it's in an awkward phase.
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PNP. Some currant and crushed rock on the nose. Classic mountain cab. Medium bodied with moderate tannins, nice structure and good concentration. Focused black fruits and a touch of slate carry through on the finish. Ready to drink but should hold for 5+ years. Solid 92 points.
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This needs at least an hour of decanting. Popped, poured, and sharp on the edges. After some time, it opened up beautifully, revealing a soft and interesting underside. Red fruit, medium finish.
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Patio Friday 6/28/19: Decanted for 2+ hours. Tasted alongside 2008 Corison cabernet. The nose was pretty characteristic for a Napa cab, but it wasn't intoxicating. The flavors were brighter - more tart cherries - than I usually associate with cabernet. We did not find a lot of depth in this wine - it was fairly monochromatic. This wine had a finish that kind of coated one's tongue with a sense of a film - not in a good way. I suspect the biggest problem for this wine on this night was that it was tasted alongside a 2008 Corison cabernet which was excellent!
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PNP. This is holding it's own! Still violet purple with just a hint of red at the brim. A little menthol escapes with some dried boysenberry and tart cherry. It drinks like a baby martha's vineyard. Well composed and has depth, structure and harmony. It's the little engine that did. Tannins are a little chalky, but complimentary. I believe this wine has at least another 5 years of life ahead of it but it drinks really well right now. Wine-searcher says $49.53 (5/19) and it's a steal at twice that price.
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Succulent ripe dark fruits subtle layering on the nose and palate with a hint of raspberry adding acidity in upper palate. Robust concentrated full body with excellent balance, smooth and finely grained bottom. Consumed over 4 hours as it gradually unwound and requested time in the glass rewarding my patience.
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Not sure why, but Spring Mountain '08 is really coming around. This was terrific! Blue fruit, minerality, long finish, touch of herbal notes... with that "lifted" and bright impression you get from the appellation.
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Dark purple with dark red fruit and spice. Tannins still present but soft and well integrated. Overall, nice balance with smooth finish. This is in a prime drinking window.
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Color density is deep, black cherry, aromas of strap leather, black cherry fruit leather and graphite. Mouthfeel is animated by still bracing acids and fully present, fine grained tannins. Moderately intense flavors of dark tree fruits, cacao and anise are freshened throughout a medium-long finish. At least another 5 years cellar time left. A lovely and worthy plonk.
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Delicious wine, 1 hr decant and drank over 2 hours. Great nose, great taste, great QPR. Paid $40 winebid, would do again, same price/vintage. 90+ points
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this was a deep masculine type cab ... big and chewy but not overpowering ... had with larger dinner party and all who had it loved it. drinking very well after 8 years and will continue to evolve some and probably get a bit smoother and less 'in your face' in a few years. Will keep my second magnum until after '18
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Very solid 08 cab - it's all there with balance and elegance - only nothing surprising or differentiating - i will leave my other 1.5l for a couple years to see how it changes
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While looking for a burgundy, I found this to enjoy with roasted chicken. subdued nose both nights, blueberry and blackberry fruit, hints of baked berry tart, more of the same on the palate, tasty, fairly fruit forward but still subdued both nights, rich fruit but not the equal of other bottles, medium/big body, long finish, decent wine at $57 a bottle.
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Did not decant and it settled down out of the bottle 20-min after opening. Murky, dark purple color with a crimson hue. Nose is extremely candied and floral, bringing fresh potpourri, eucalyptus, red roses, blueberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, and some herbs and spices. The palate is full, thick, rich, and square, bringing red and blackcurrant, chocolate raspberries, blackberries, coffee mocha, subtle pipe tobacco, dried leather, lots of soy sauce, and cherry cobbler pie into the sweet and delicate tannic finish. This wine has tremendous weight and viscosity with a puckery, juicy acidity. Needs a rich food to pair with, otherwise, best as a cocktail. Drink now through 2023.
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After the Taittinger and Pouilly Fuisse, I finished the last glass of this wine, nose of blueberry, boysenberry, hazelnuts, and pencil lead, more of the same on the palate, delicious, slightly oxidized due to being stored over night in the refrigerator, terrific cabernet at a reasonable price.
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Nose of blueberry, cassis, with hints of rosemary, graphite, spring flowers and tar, more of the same on the palate, big body, at it's peak, mouth filling and concentrated fruit, long, long finish, this is a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon and worth the effort and money to obtain it.
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Showed some maturity with lead pencil and dark fruit. Texture was a little gritty. Rated along with Caymus Sp Sel.CSS was a superior and showed with refined class and balance
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Decanted. Dark purple/bkack color. Nose with dark fruits, hint of lavendar and menthol. Flavor profile features the dark fruits, with good tannin structure. Overall, a nice smooth finish.
On day two, it did not hold up as well as some other cabs do... it had taken on a more tart finish - not as smooth as on day 1. Day 2 would have been rated an 88.
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The oak has cleanly integrated into the flavor aroma profile of this juice. It continued to show more cssis, and has begun to resonate with savory spice.
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93+ Didn't take notes and paired this with grilled chicken - very dark flavor profile on nose & palate - blackberry, black currants, herbal (on nose) with touch of tobacco (on nose).
medium+ body, nice balance and very long finish. Would pair better with a steak but very enjoyable. Need to buy more of current vintages of this wine.
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Powerful and rich cassis and blueberry nose. Powerful Spring Mtn palette with nice noble tannins and classic cab character. Really liked this wine and ready to consume but in a few years it will be spectacular.
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This wine was closed down. It took a good 3 hours to come around. When it finally did, the wine showed amazingly complex fruity character. Tannins are huge. I wish I could've waited the 5+ years I think are necessary. The 2007 was much more open, but I think this vintage will surpass it once ready for consumption.
Let this one sleep!
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For me, this wine defined Napa. Deep but bright purple. Intoxicating nose of currents and herbs. Barnyard, leather and blackberry to taste - all balanced perfectly. Give this wine at least an hour to breath and enjoy.
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Cabs at Cooking School (Maybach, Ghost Horse +++) (Loretta Paganini School fo Cooking): I thought Charlie said he was bringing the 30th anniversary bottling, but I didn't see any indication on the label. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cassis and some pencil lead. A bit of dust. Medium bodied. Nice wine, not over done. Nice cassis fruit with slight tannins. Worked well with food. Seemed ready to go now.
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Wished I had waited another year or two... but no regrets! Deep blue mountain fruit, grip, structure, and solid finish. Definitely more of a food cab as it was at it's best with a dry aged NY Strip and a touch of blue cheese. Started at 90, but finished higher after an hour in the glass. Meant to keep some til the next day : ) .
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$40? Come on. This is great juice. Sweet, thick, full - starting to throw 2ndary stuff - chalk, cigar - but super juicy. Full, centered mid pallet. Was a pnp but should have decanted. In the glass it opened up after about 2 hours. Fantastic.
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Decanted and enjoyed through afternoon and evening... and finished the second day. No detailed tasting notes - but well balanced, lingering tannins on the finish. A nice wine.
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Definitely decant several hours in advance. The wine is quite closed initially, but opened up over a few hours. Well balanced and pleasant, food friendly, not a bruiser.
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Deep, opaque purple. Aromas and flavors of black currants, blackberries, black cherries, sandalwood, mocha, pencil shavings, and balsamic vinegar. Youthful, full-bodied, with an ample mid-palate, and a touch of mocha on the long finish. This is an ager so best to decant as air brings it all together. Highly recommended.
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Opened at Beef 'n Bottle for steak night and it hit the spot. Nose of cooked berries, chocolate and baking spices. Great pairing for a rich ribeye with dark spiced fruit, dark chocolate, a hint of licorice and a smooth oak finish. Will only get better - oak was more integrated in this bottle vs the last one tasted about a year ago. Spring Mountain does it again.
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Tasted this blind with a 2009 Turnbull Cab. Far favored the Turnbull. The Keenan was certainly good (88) however for my taste it was a bit light in the mid-palate, lacked fruit and depth. There just wasn't enough weight to balance out the alcohol, oak and acid on the back end. In general I am a fan of Keenan.
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Big cab. Dark maroon color with violet edges. Notes of tar, earthy, leather, dark cherry, touch of cinnamon. Lush, full body, plenty of dark fruit. Fleshy with strong grip and excellent balance. Has plenty of age left in it.
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Pop and pour at a restaurant. No notes but had expressive dark fruit and floral nose. Concentated but nimble on the palate. Red and dark fruit, touch of mineral and chocolate. Integrated and firm though modest tannin on the medium finish. Terrific but no rush, clearly good for cellaring.
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Needs time - decanted for 3 hours given notes below but it was still better on night 2 (and drank great on night 3 as well). On nose, green pepper (but this blew off with airtime and was not noticeable on night 2), blackberry, cedar, tobacco & graphite. On palate, blackberry, cassis, black cherry with sweet but very noticeable tannic backbone. Medium+ acids & long finish. 92+ personally will drink remaing bottles 2014+
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I didn't open this bottle - I found it opened on the counter yesterday and had some of this today. So not a formal note by any means. Actually had this now after two beers (pranqster). At a day old it is very balanced with red fruit present (raspberry) Very full midpallet with present acidity minus tannin. I like it and wish I had tasted it yesterday when opened. I have one more bottle and I'll have a go at it in the future. By no means any flaws and very good with promise given what I've enjoyed.
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Beautiful opaque purple in the glass. Full-bodied, with cassis, oak, cedar, earth, chocolate and smoke. Lengthy finish. This wine is a mountain Cabernet with a tannic backbone; so I would wait at least 3-5 years, or decant it for several hours before partaking.
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Inky colour. Concentrated currant, smoke, mineral, and chocolate truffles on the nose. Rich, full and dark with ripe, firm tannins and balanced acidity. Warming alcohol to finish. 5/5
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Agree that this is very enjoyable now. Decanted for 90min. Nice balance, big but still elegant - unusually good with food. Dry plums, cassis. Some cedar up front, and a bit of hard sauce on mid-palate (yes, the sauce that goes on figgy pudding: cream, sugar, vanilla, and whiskey). Vanilla and well tempered oak on finish. Medium long.
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Agree with previous reviewers. Nice bodied wine with structure. This may get better with age, but this is one to drink now while your other big wines are resting in your cellar.
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Dark bitter chocolate with notes of dark chocolate and high cacao dark chocolate powder. Did i mention dark chocolate?? This wine is tightly wound and doesnt want to reveal much of anything on the nose, even after an hour decant. The subtle nose shows graphite and asphalt and a hint of herb and sea water. On the palate this dark wine is tight and a bit one dimensional - DARK chocolate! Very tanic with a full bodied grip. I think it does have longer term potential and should hopefully open and ripen up to show some dark fruit flavors. With this rigid backbone it should age well.
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Suave, sophisticated cabernet. Dark ruby, decent viscosity. Good rich mountain fruit in the nose with roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Hint of vanilla bean. Very sleek and smooth in the mouth initially, but then unfolds a boatload of rich cabernet flavors with a chewy tannic backbone. This is quite excellent at $36. Awesome effort. 4-13-17-9: 93/100.
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Opaque violet color and aromatically complex with dried herb, dark fruit, graphite, and chocolate aromas. On the palate it's intense, medium-full-bodied, and supple with dusty tannins and blueberry, cassis, dried herb, vanilla and chocolate flavors. I Vinturied, but would definitely benefit from some aeration. Medium-long finish
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Super ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate and subtle nuances of herbs on the nose. Midpalate is mouthcoating with a finish of complexity that just makes the mind go crazy...ripe plum, cherry, chocolate, herbs, licorice, vanilla that just sticks to the throat. This is by far one of the best Keenans I've ever had. Outstanding for $40.
-- Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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Impressive wine. Very dark purple, even inky. Massive fruit in the nose, rich with dark chocolate and screams its mountain origin. Huge with hefty but fairly chewy tannins. Wild and savage but drinkable. Good now but with years ahead. 5-12-16-8: 91/100.
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VW cab tasting: Dense and dark. On the nose cocoa and dark chocolate but this turns into bay leaf and later into spearmint, quite interesting. On the palate this has a lot of cool dark fruits and chocolatey flavors. Very good sneaky, fine grained tannins. Good structure, becomes juicier with time.
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The Semicentennial Birthday "Season"; 9/16/2012-9/18/2012 (San Francisco and the Napa Valley): This opaque crimson wine is a blend of 76% estate grapes, with the balance from the Pope Valley. The nose shows dried currant, black cherry, crushed rock and sage aromas. Full-bodied and tightly-wound on the palate, with medium acidity, massive tannins, well-integrated alcohol (listed as 14.3%) and flavors in sync with the nose. The middle palate is solid and the finish long, albeit quite astringent at this point. This is a "baby" with loads of promise...one to lay down for a few years (before enjoying over the decade thereafter). Drink 1/15-12/25.
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Dark black juice. Some blueberry on the nose, which has strong presence but no real dominating scents. Deep red fruit notes as well as blackberry. Almost tongue-curling tannins; we are drinking this about 10 years too soon. 91 based on future potential alone.
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Friday Night Brown Bagger (Rich & Dana's): Inky crimson color. Aromas of vanilla and blue fruit turn to black fruit and violets. Firm tannins. Black currant, vanilla and chocolate flavors on the palate, turning slightly austere on the finish. Guessed young Napa Cab.
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Au domaine Nez café et chocolat. Texture soyeuse, le vin est rond, avec la fraicheur des vins de la montagne. Pas aussi concentré ou long que d'autres, mais élégant. 92 pts
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Dense purple color, aromas of strawberry, pencil lead and cassis, this wine has plenty of time left for aging. Nice mouthfeel, though the tannins are not yet well integrated. Flavors of dark chocolate, macro sugars, anise...it's a delight now and we look forward to it's maturity. Paired wonderfully with braised brisket, haricorts verts and mashed potatoes.
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At Cabernet Society tasting, lovely nose of black cherry fruit, cassis, dust, and leather, more of the same on the palate, smooth and tasty today, but needs another three years in the cellar to peak.
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Pop/pour. Nose of dark fruits, light vanilla and a bit of a floral lift. On the palate, nice density while at the same time retaining a sense of balance. Juicy, with structure provided by acidity and tannins, the latter appearing after 10 minutes in the glass. Approachable now, but objectively several years too young. Drink starting 2015. Excellent QPR @$40. 92 points for now, with upside potential.
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10/29/2023 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 91 Points
muted dark fruits, mild tannins and acid, medium finish
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6/29/2023 - Jonny d Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow. Had this set for 2025 consumption, but moved up to 2023 based on preceding notes. 1.5 hour decant. This thing is in a fantastic window. A hint of sweetness with Christmas spices and licorice on the nose. Deep blue fruits-- primarily baked (not stewed) plums. Tannins still present but not nicely balanced. 15-20 second finish. Couldn't stop pouring.
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2/23/2023 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 91 Points
Sweet black amd blue fruit is singing tonight.
There is some underlying complexity that keeps it interesting.
The tannins remain moderately rigid and noticeably dry.
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7/14/2022 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 91 Points
Purchased on release and in my cellar at 55-65ºF since.
The impeccable cork is encrusted with tartaric crystals and stained up the cork side no more than 4 mm from the inner surface.
The aromatics are reticent but emerge with some coaxing.
There's good fruit in the mouth with aeration: Ripe cherry, sweet rhubarb with a bit of cinnamon and a hint Red Bull which is odd, but not bad, if you happen to like Red Bull.
I get bloody leather on the back end of the aroma.
The tannins are a bit dry.
Not at it's best today. Maybe it's past it's prime or maybe it's in an awkward phase.
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5/10/2021 - sastewart wrote: 92 Points
PNP. Some currant and crushed rock on the nose. Classic mountain cab. Medium bodied with moderate tannins, nice structure and good concentration. Focused black fruits and a touch of slate carry through on the finish. Ready to drink but should hold for 5+ years. Solid 92 points.
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12/25/2020 - SLR204 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice bottle but tannins still present! Much better on day 2. Pretty flavors of chocolate, plum, baking spices. Should last for years.
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5/17/2020 - Jonny d Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep purple. Blackberries, wet iron, and whiff of vanilla on the nose. Dark fruits on the palate. Tannins still zippy. Solid Spring Mountain Cab.
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4/2/2020 - bluedog Likes this wine: 92 Points
This needs at least an hour of decanting. Popped, poured, and sharp on the edges. After some time, it opened up beautifully, revealing a soft and interesting underside. Red fruit, medium finish.
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6/28/2019 - JERB Likes this wine: 90 Points
Patio Friday 6/28/19: Decanted for 2+ hours. Tasted alongside 2008 Corison cabernet. The nose was pretty characteristic for a Napa cab, but it wasn't intoxicating. The flavors were brighter - more tart cherries - than I usually associate with cabernet. We did not find a lot of depth in this wine - it was fairly monochromatic. This wine had a finish that kind of coated one's tongue with a sense of a film - not in a good way. I suspect the biggest problem for this wine on this night was that it was tasted alongside a 2008 Corison cabernet which was excellent!
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5/25/2019 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
PNP. This is holding it's own! Still violet purple with just a hint of red at the brim. A little menthol escapes with some dried boysenberry and tart cherry. It drinks like a baby martha's vineyard. Well composed and has depth, structure and harmony. It's the little engine that did. Tannins are a little chalky, but complimentary. I believe this wine has at least another 5 years of life ahead of it but it drinks really well right now. Wine-searcher says $49.53 (5/19) and it's a steal at twice that price.
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5/11/2019 - t0pshelf Likes this wine:
Nice full bodied Napa cab, great value at the $35 price point. A little edgy on the tannins; likely to improve with age for a good while longer.
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4/13/2019 - peeno wrote: 92 Points
As before. Classic textbook cab. Chocolate, cherries, a little licorice. Smooth light tannins.
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3/8/2019 - drummer Likes this wine: 94 Points
Succulent ripe dark fruits subtle layering on the nose and palate with a hint of raspberry adding acidity in upper palate. Robust concentrated full body with excellent balance, smooth and finely grained bottom. Consumed over 4 hours as it gradually unwound and requested time in the glass rewarding my patience.
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9/30/2018 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
Paella (Margaux's Table): Dusty chocolate with blueberry and red berries. Monolithic and slightly alcoholic.
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9/29/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Paella Night and the Aftermath (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake, MN): Very dark red color. Twi hour decant; Drank a glass over 30 minutes. Mint, cassis, mulberry, boysenberry, dusty, concentrated, some oak and a little edge to the tannins. Solid.
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9/21/2018 - peeno wrote: 91 Points
Classic California cab.
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9/15/2018 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 90 Points
fine everyday older world style with enriched fruitiness. Good but not very good and therefore poor qpr @ $45
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4/15/2018 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle still hasn’t fully integrated its oak and tasted quite young.
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3/12/2018 - Mark Brandon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not sure why, but Spring Mountain '08 is really coming around. This was terrific! Blue fruit, minerality, long finish, touch of herbal notes... with that "lifted" and bright impression you get from the appellation.
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12/12/2017 - Bluethunder wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple with dark red fruit and spice. Tannins still present but soft and well integrated. Overall, nice balance with smooth finish. This is in a prime drinking window.
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11/18/2017 - jhanne8 Likes this wine:
Wish I would’ve given more time for decanting. Much better after a couple of hours. Nose is fading. Drink now.
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11/6/2017 - drummer wrote: 92 Points
Better second night, rec 1-2hr decant
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8/19/2017 - Bluethunder wrote: 91 Points
Short decant and drank over the next 4 hours. Nice dark fruit, smoke, leather and spice. Nice balance and complexity lead to a smooth finish.
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6/6/2017 - rloyot wrote:
every one of these has been great - been drinking them over the last 2 years
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3/5/2017 - Bluethunder wrote: 91 Points
Deep red, with smoke, tobacco, cassis and dark fruit. Big rich wine with a big body and heavy long finish.
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2/26/2017 - Bluethunder wrote: 91 Points
Big rich wine. Black cherry, cassis, leather and graphite. Full body with a long finish. Glad to have a few more in the cellar.
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1/21/2017 - bbakove wrote: 92 Points
Color density is deep, black cherry, aromas of strap leather, black cherry fruit leather and graphite. Mouthfeel is animated by still bracing acids and fully present, fine grained tannins. Moderately intense flavors of dark tree fruits, cacao and anise are freshened throughout a medium-long finish. At least another 5 years cellar time left. A lovely and worthy plonk.
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11/11/2016 - mntebolt wrote: 85 Points
v good
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10/7/2016 - Kyle_Stewart wrote: 90 Points
Delicious wine, 1 hr decant and drank over 2 hours. Great nose, great taste, great QPR. Paid $40 winebid, would do again, same price/vintage. 90+ points
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10/1/2016 - mdfuller Likes this wine: 92 Points
this was a deep masculine type cab ... big and chewy but not overpowering ... had with larger dinner party and all who had it loved it. drinking very well after 8 years and will continue to evolve some and probably get a bit smoother and less 'in your face' in a few years. Will keep my second magnum until after '18
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5/21/2016 - mdfuller wrote: 89 Points
Very solid 08 cab - it's all there with balance and elegance - only nothing surprising or differentiating - i will leave my other 1.5l for a couple years to see how it changes
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5/15/2016 - MattB72 wrote: 93 Points
Continues to impress. Great wine
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4/21/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
While looking for a burgundy, I found this to enjoy with roasted chicken. subdued nose both nights, blueberry and blackberry fruit, hints of baked berry tart, more of the same on the palate, tasty, fairly fruit forward but still subdued both nights, rich fruit but not the equal of other bottles, medium/big body, long finish, decent wine at $57 a bottle.
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3/15/2016 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Did not decant and it settled down out of the bottle 20-min after opening. Murky, dark purple color with a crimson hue. Nose is extremely candied and floral, bringing fresh potpourri, eucalyptus, red roses, blueberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, and some herbs and spices. The palate is full, thick, rich, and square, bringing red and blackcurrant, chocolate raspberries, blackberries, coffee mocha, subtle pipe tobacco, dried leather, lots of soy sauce, and cherry cobbler pie into the sweet and delicate tannic finish. This wine has tremendous weight and viscosity with a puckery, juicy acidity. Needs a rich food to pair with, otherwise, best as a cocktail. Drink now through 2023.
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3/2/2016 - bestdamncab wrote: 92 Points
After the Taittinger and Pouilly Fuisse, I finished the last glass of this wine, nose of blueberry, boysenberry, hazelnuts, and pencil lead, more of the same on the palate, delicious, slightly oxidized due to being stored over night in the refrigerator, terrific cabernet at a reasonable price.
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3/1/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of blueberry, cassis, with hints of rosemary, graphite, spring flowers and tar, more of the same on the palate, big body, at it's peak, mouth filling and concentrated fruit, long, long finish, this is a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon and worth the effort and money to obtain it.
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2/27/2016 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 90 Points
Showed some maturity with lead pencil and dark fruit. Texture was a little gritty. Rated along with Caymus Sp Sel.CSS was a superior and showed with refined class and balance
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11/22/2015 - csklsc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic Keenan, drinking well. Decanted and poured at restaurant. Dark mountain fruit, integrated tannins, pleasantly long finish.
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10/6/2015 - Ecoenophile wrote: 90 Points
Decanted. Dark purple/bkack color. Nose with dark fruits, hint of lavendar and menthol. Flavor profile features the dark fruits, with good tannin structure. Overall, a nice smooth finish.
On day two, it did not hold up as well as some other cabs do... it had taken on a more tart finish - not as smooth as on day 1. Day 2 would have been rated an 88.
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10/2/2015 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
The oak has cleanly integrated into the flavor aroma profile of this juice.
It continued to show more cssis, and has begun to resonate with savory spice.
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8/10/2015 - CWilliam wrote: 93 Points
93+ Didn't take notes and paired this with grilled chicken - very dark flavor profile on nose & palate - blackberry, black currants, herbal (on nose) with touch of tobacco (on nose).
medium+ body, nice balance and very long finish. Would pair better with a steak but very enjoyable. Need to buy more of current vintages of this wine.
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8/6/2015 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
This gets better everytime I open a another bottle as the oak integrates and the dark fruit comes out and starts to show its nuance and Can character.
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6/15/2015 - allenn1999 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Powerful and rich cassis and blueberry nose. Powerful Spring Mtn palette with nice noble tannins and classic cab character. Really liked this wine and ready to consume but in a few years it will be spectacular.
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5/14/2015 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Fruity and substantial, but nothing ethereal.
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3/30/2015 - Mech-E Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was closed down. It took a good 3 hours to come around. When it finally did, the wine showed amazingly complex fruity character. Tannins are huge. I wish I could've waited the 5+ years I think are necessary. The 2007 was much more open, but I think this vintage will surpass it once ready for consumption.
Let this one sleep!
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3/22/2015 - wss Likes this wine: 94 Points
For me, this wine defined Napa. Deep but bright purple. Intoxicating nose of currents and herbs. Barnyard, leather and blackberry to taste - all balanced perfectly. Give this wine at least an hour to breath and enjoy.
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3/15/2015 - wine247365 wrote:
I recommend drinking it with a meal. Med to full body. Hardly any sediment but it still had a very fine dusty texture. Decanted 1.25 hours.
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1/28/2015 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, juicy, rich and dark. A little hot on the finish. Drinking well today but will definitely improve over the next few years...
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1/25/2015 - Bluethunder wrote: 92 Points
Decanted several hours. Dark Crimson, silky soft tannins, dark fruit, smoke, spice, forest floor. Nice weight and balance. Overall very good.
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1/18/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
Cabs at Cooking School (Maybach, Ghost Horse +++) (Loretta Paganini School fo Cooking): I thought Charlie said he was bringing the 30th anniversary bottling, but I didn't see any indication on the label. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cassis and some pencil lead. A bit of dust. Medium bodied. Nice wine, not over done. Nice cassis fruit with slight tannins. Worked well with food. Seemed ready to go now.
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9/13/2014 - Mark Brandon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wished I had waited another year or two... but no regrets! Deep blue mountain fruit, grip, structure, and solid finish. Definitely more of a food cab as it was at it's best with a dry aged NY Strip and a touch of blue cheese. Started at 90, but finished higher after an hour in the glass. Meant to keep some til the next day : ) .
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9/11/2014 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
$40? Come on. This is great juice. Sweet, thick, full - starting to throw 2ndary stuff - chalk, cigar - but super juicy. Full, centered mid pallet. Was a pnp but should have decanted. In the glass it opened up after about 2 hours. Fantastic.
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8/19/2014 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great Cab flavors and aromas, drinking well right now.
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7/18/2014 - Ecoenophile wrote: 90 Points
Decanted and enjoyed through afternoon and evening... and finished the second day. No detailed tasting notes - but well balanced, lingering tannins on the finish. A nice wine.
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11/4/2013 - scoll wrote: 88 Points
Definitely decant several hours in advance. The wine is quite closed initially, but opened up over a few hours. Well balanced and pleasant, food friendly, not a bruiser.
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9/24/2013 - Baron Slick wrote: 92 Points
Deep, opaque purple. Aromas and flavors of black currants, blackberries, black cherries, sandalwood, mocha, pencil shavings, and balsamic vinegar. Youthful, full-bodied, with an ample mid-palate, and a touch of mocha on the long finish. This is an ager so best to decant as air brings it all together. Highly recommended.
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8/26/2013 - CWilliam wrote:
Similar to my note from 3/2013 although no green pepper. Decanted for 1.5 hours and excellent with grilled steaks. 91-92
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7/19/2013 - kingcanute99 wrote: 90 Points
- Crimsom color - Quite intense, lots of black fruit and kirsch. Tannins still a little drying. Give it another year if you have more, but quite big.
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6/19/2013 - SLR204 wrote: 93 Points
Opened at Beef 'n Bottle for steak night and it hit the spot. Nose of cooked berries, chocolate and baking spices. Great pairing for a rich ribeye with dark spiced fruit, dark chocolate, a hint of licorice and a smooth oak finish. Will only get better - oak was more integrated in this bottle vs the last one tasted about a year ago. Spring Mountain does it again.
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6/2/2013 - LSKIII wrote: 88 Points
Tasted this blind with a 2009 Turnbull Cab. Far favored the Turnbull. The Keenan was certainly good (88) however for my taste it was a bit light in the mid-palate, lacked fruit and depth. There just wasn't enough weight to balance out the alcohol, oak and acid on the back end. In general I am a fan of Keenan.
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4/27/2013 - sancor20 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big cab. Dark maroon color with violet edges. Notes of tar, earthy, leather, dark cherry, touch of cinnamon. Lush, full body, plenty of dark fruit. Fleshy with strong grip and excellent balance. Has plenty of age left in it.
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3/29/2013 - Empirate wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour at a restaurant. No notes but had expressive dark fruit and floral nose. Concentated but nimble on the palate. Red and dark fruit, touch of mineral and chocolate. Integrated and firm though modest tannin on the medium finish. Terrific but no rush, clearly good for cellaring.
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3/11/2013 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
Needs time - decanted for 3 hours given notes below but it was still better on night 2 (and drank great on night 3 as well). On nose, green pepper (but this blew off with airtime and was not noticeable on night 2), blackberry, cedar, tobacco & graphite. On palate, blackberry, cassis, black cherry with sweet but very noticeable tannic backbone. Medium+ acids & long finish. 92+ personally will drink remaing bottles 2014+
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2/17/2013 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
I didn't open this bottle - I found it opened on the counter yesterday and had some of this today. So not a formal note by any means. Actually had this now after two beers (pranqster). At a day old it is very balanced with red fruit present (raspberry) Very full midpallet with present acidity minus tannin. I like it and wish I had tasted it yesterday when opened. I have one more bottle and I'll have a go at it in the future. By no means any flaws and very good with promise given what I've enjoyed.
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2/15/2013 - rerail84 wrote:
Outstanding! No formal notes but well balanced and smooth. A perfect example of its AVA.
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2/14/2013 - bemeyer wrote:
good solid cali cab-plenty of life should continue to evolve
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2/3/2013 - Delli Likes this wine: 90 Points
DAGALAIFUS nailed it - I'd add tobacco leaf on the palate. 5+12+16+7=90
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1/20/2013 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful opaque purple in the glass. Full-bodied, with cassis, oak, cedar, earth, chocolate and smoke. Lengthy finish. This wine is a mountain Cabernet with a tannic backbone; so I would wait at least 3-5 years, or decant it for several hours before partaking.
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1/16/2013 - The_Grey_Fox Likes this wine: 91 Points
very enjoyable, young with lots of oak
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1/2/2013 - Double-A Likes this wine: 95 Points
Inky colour. Concentrated currant, smoke, mineral, and chocolate truffles on the nose. Rich, full and dark with ripe, firm tannins and balanced acidity. Warming alcohol to finish.
5/5
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12/16/2012 - KenYz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Agree that this is very enjoyable now. Decanted for 90min. Nice balance, big but still elegant - unusually good with food. Dry plums, cassis. Some cedar up front, and a bit of hard sauce on mid-palate (yes, the sauce that goes on figgy pudding: cream, sugar, vanilla, and whiskey). Vanilla and well tempered oak on finish. Medium long.
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12/7/2012 - jefe-alto wrote: 91 Points
Agree with previous reviewers. Nice bodied wine with structure. This may get better with age, but this is one to drink now while your other big wines are resting in your cellar.
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12/6/2012 - 46and2 wrote: 89 Points
Dark bitter chocolate with notes of dark chocolate and high cacao dark chocolate powder. Did i mention dark chocolate?? This wine is tightly wound and doesnt want to reveal much of anything on the nose, even after an hour decant. The subtle nose shows graphite and asphalt and a hint of herb and sea water. On the palate this dark wine is tight and a bit one dimensional - DARK chocolate! Very tanic with a full bodied grip. I think it does have longer term potential and should hopefully open and ripen up to show some dark fruit flavors. With this rigid backbone it should age well.
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12/2/2012 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Suave, sophisticated cabernet. Dark ruby, decent viscosity. Good rich mountain fruit in the nose with roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Hint of vanilla bean. Very sleek and smooth in the mouth initially, but then unfolds a boatload of rich cabernet flavors with a chewy tannic backbone. This is quite excellent at $36. Awesome effort. 4-13-17-9: 93/100.
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11/26/2012 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opaque violet color and aromatically complex with dried herb, dark fruit, graphite, and chocolate aromas. On the palate it's intense, medium-full-bodied, and supple with dusty tannins and blueberry, cassis, dried herb, vanilla and chocolate flavors. I Vinturied, but would definitely benefit from some aeration. Medium-long finish
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11/26/2012 - Gestalted Likes this wine: 93 Points
Super ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate and subtle nuances of herbs on the nose. Midpalate is mouthcoating with a finish of complexity that just makes the mind go crazy...ripe plum, cherry, chocolate, herbs, licorice, vanilla that just sticks to the throat. This is by far one of the best Keenans I've ever had. Outstanding for $40.
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Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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10/5/2012 - Brenda&John wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing.
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9/29/2012 - MicklethePickle wrote: 91 Points
Impressive wine. Very dark purple, even inky. Massive fruit in the nose, rich with dark chocolate and screams its mountain origin. Huge with hefty but fairly chewy tannins. Wild and savage but drinkable. Good now but with years ahead. 5-12-16-8: 91/100.
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9/22/2012 - dke wrote: 91 Points
VW cab tasting: Dense and dark. On the nose cocoa and dark chocolate but this turns into bay leaf and later into spearmint, quite interesting. On the palate this has a lot of cool dark fruits and chocolatey flavors. Very good sneaky, fine grained tannins. Good structure, becomes juicier with time.
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9/18/2012 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 92 Points
The Semicentennial Birthday "Season"; 9/16/2012-9/18/2012 (San Francisco and the Napa Valley): This opaque crimson wine is a blend of 76% estate grapes, with the balance from the Pope Valley. The nose shows dried currant, black cherry, crushed rock and sage aromas. Full-bodied and tightly-wound on the palate, with medium acidity, massive tannins, well-integrated alcohol (listed as 14.3%) and flavors in sync with the nose. The middle palate is solid and the finish long, albeit quite astringent at this point. This is a "baby" with loads of promise...one to lay down for a few years (before enjoying over the decade thereafter). Drink 1/15-12/25.
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9/14/2012 - TexasBob wrote: 91 Points
Dark black juice. Some blueberry on the nose, which has strong presence but no real dominating scents. Deep red fruit notes as well as blackberry. Almost tongue-curling tannins; we are drinking this about 10 years too soon. 91 based on future potential alone.
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9/7/2012 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Friday Night Brown Bagger (Rich & Dana's): Inky crimson color. Aromas of vanilla and blue fruit turn to black fruit and violets. Firm tannins. Black currant, vanilla and chocolate flavors on the palate, turning slightly austere on the finish. Guessed young Napa Cab.
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9/2/2012 - d'Artagnan wrote: 92 Points
Au domaine
Nez café et chocolat. Texture soyeuse, le vin est rond, avec la fraicheur des vins de la montagne. Pas aussi concentré ou long que d'autres, mais élégant. 92 pts
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6/29/2012 - Frijole wrote:
inky black, medium clarity, ruby hue
Nose: cassis, licorice, graphite, pepper, hot, juniper berry, clove
Pal: deep berry, licorice, juniper berry, clove, thyme, smoke, earth, dark chocolate, tannins
Feel: full, savory
Finish: long
TC9
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6/3/2012 - bbakove wrote: 90 Points
Dense purple color, aromas of strawberry, pencil lead and cassis, this wine has plenty of time left for aging. Nice mouthfeel, though the tannins are not yet well integrated. Flavors of dark chocolate, macro sugars, anise...it's a delight now and we look forward to it's maturity. Paired wonderfully with braised brisket, haricorts verts and mashed potatoes.
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5/7/2012 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Cabernet Society tasting, lovely nose of black cherry fruit, cassis, dust, and leather, more of the same on the palate, smooth and tasty today, but needs another three years in the cellar to peak.
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4/10/2012 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
Pop/pour. Nose of dark fruits, light vanilla and a bit of a floral lift. On the palate, nice density while at the same time retaining a sense of balance. Juicy, with structure provided by acidity and tannins, the latter appearing after 10 minutes in the glass. Approachable now, but objectively several years too young. Drink starting 2015. Excellent QPR @$40. 92 points for now, with upside potential.
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