Dark ruby color with light mahogany on the edge and a subtle red fruit nose. Low neck fill. Cork was dry and the last 10% broke off. Decanted only to remove the sediment and poured right away. Initially, surprisingly tight and not showing much promise. After 30-45 minutes the wine began to open and we could discern different levels of flavor for the first time. It opened nicely over the next 90 minutes. Sweet red raspberry and red cherry, cassis, vanilla in a light bodied wine with clear barnyard backing. It was smooth with minor tannins -- much better balanced than I expected, though certainly past its prime.
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Exceptional for it's price point. Sad to say but it would have lasted much longer. Opened nicely on the nose and got better until it was consumed. Great for an everyday wine from the market.
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Initial taste is very mild and easy, but lacks any real follow through. This is a wine on the edge and should be enjoyed now. There is a hint of dark fruit, but nothings worth mentioning.
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Decent nose with some smoke and fig. Dark fruit on the palate, still a bit tannic, with some highlights of charcoal and earth. Rather simple finish of short to medium length. Decent Cab for the price.
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Straight forward cab. Dark cherries on the nose with hint of vanilla, oak. Medium-bodied with moderate tannnins being somewhat drying on the finish. Good dark fruit on the fore, but slightly thin on the mid. Medium-length, smooth, somewhat drying finish. Overall, acceptable value and would buy again.
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Bitter with some unpleasant vegetable flavors. For $20 there are so many better choices than this one. In fact, I would probably not be happy with this at any price.
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Standard Cali Cab. Has the black fruits up front in the nose and flavor. Some vanilla, although it was slight and had me asking for more. Medium body and a rather thin mouthfeel. Simple.
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Nice color, with fruity nose of cherries and plum, slight vanilla. Nicely integrated, with mild ripe cherries evident, very little vanilla, and a lingering aftertaste of cherries. Lacked complexity, but balanced. Good wine for drinking. A slight bit more fruit evident than previous bottle.
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Never disappoints, but this bottle was no more than a reliable cab from Simi. Other years have been better. Berry & tar on the nose, less fruit (cassis?) when tasted.
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Nice color, with fruity nose od cherries and plum, slight vanilla. Nicely integrated, with mild ripe cherries evident, very little vanilla, and a lingering aftertaste of cherries. Lacked complexity, but balanced. Good wine for drinking.
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Upon revisiting this, and concentrating more on the tasting, I realize I probably scored this too leniently last time. If you ran into this at a corporate function, you'd be pleased (as in my previous review). But, spending my own money, I guess I expect more.
I again got the plum and cherry notes, and also a bit of vanilla--standard cali cab.
Note: decanted 1 hour prior to first glass.
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Nice aromas of vanilla and black fruits. Lots of fruit in the mouth with a medium length finish of cocoa and vanilla. Medium bodies with integrated tannins. Good value for the money.
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Had at Sullivan's restaurant with "skm95t" and other colleagues. No air time; just popped and poured. A very pleasant surprise. Absolutely silky smooth and balanced. Fairly light bodied for a cab. Tannins were perfectly integrated: gentle, but definitely there underlying the wine to provide a nice structure. Vanilla and plum notes, along with some cherry. Completely enjoyable, and a crowd pleaser. The only reason I'm not scoring it higher is that it lacks that extra layer of complexity that a 90-pointer should have. Of course, the fact that it wasn't on my tab may be making me extra generous also :- )
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WIML89 Better than last time. Maybe the previous bottle was off since I bought it as a single off the shelf? This on came as a case ordered just for me.
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Tasted June 26, 2006 at home. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Rot Wein glass. Purple color in the glass, slightly opaque throughout. Nose dominated by black berries and not much more, maybe some mocha. Flavors of black berries, Bing cherries, a little mocha and some bitters on the finish. Acidity was moderate, maybe a little towards the light side with slightly drying tannins. Somewhat light weight feel on the palate. Not a great wine by any stretch of the imagination but it’s quite serviceable. Based on the local retail price of $21.49 I’d say the value here is acceptable. Basic pop and pour wine without having to think too hard. Drink over the short term.
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It's Easter and we drank a bunch of wines. Had the family over for Ham and turkey and all the stuff. This was the 4th red we had today and it has great reviews. Really tight at first but I let it breather and it got really good. Chris likes it a lot, but she is not a wine drinker, GO FIGURE
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Minerally and earthy with a hint of fruit but not much of a finish. A little astringent and not well rounded but not bad. There are far better wines for the money.
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Vinter's Notes: Appearance: Dark red with purple tones Aroma: Intense cassis and blackberry with hints of leather accompanied by notes of dried herbs and vanilla. Flavor: Lush berry flavors accented by full, ripe tannins that lead to a long rich and velvety finish
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2/20/2013 - BossRoss wrote: 85 Points
Full nice great value.
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9/27/2012 - dmitchell4 wrote: 90 Points
Good qpr. Drinking beautifully.
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2/18/2012 - vine20 wrote: 89 Points
Dark ruby color with light mahogany on the edge and a subtle red fruit nose. Low neck fill. Cork was dry and the last 10% broke off. Decanted only to remove the sediment and poured right away. Initially, surprisingly tight and not showing much promise. After 30-45 minutes the wine began to open and we could discern different levels of flavor for the first time. It opened nicely over the next 90 minutes. Sweet red raspberry and red cherry, cassis, vanilla in a light bodied wine with clear barnyard backing. It was smooth with minor tannins -- much better balanced than I expected, though certainly past its prime.
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9/10/2011 - jinks wrote: 90 Points
enjoyed with grilled steaks. doesn't have much more time.
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2/25/2011 - BHFred wrote: 89 Points
Low key. Probably past prime, but still good cherry and vanilla
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12/29/2010 - wicho wrote: 90 Points
very good full bodied wine. Long on the palate and excellent with a nice steak. I wish that I had more in my cellar!
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7/17/2010 - prb wrote: 89 Points
Enjoyable, time to drink this now - don't wait
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6/10/2010 - Maxine wrote: 91 Points
Exceptional for it's price point. Sad to say but it would have lasted much longer. Opened nicely on the nose and got better until it was consumed. Great for an everyday wine from the market.
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5/16/2010 - gnr wrote: 84 Points
Just ok
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2/28/2010 - trastevere Likes this wine: 88 Points
Bouquet of dark berry fruits and cedar. Cassis and hints of mint on the palate with good finish.
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12/22/2009 - BHFred wrote: 88 Points
Quiet and somewhat refined. Hints of cherry and vanilla. Good finish.
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10/3/2009 - Teejay3726 wrote:
I think it was a little past it's prime
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8/11/2009 - btanz57 wrote: 90 Points
solid effort
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5/31/2009 - gajalaa wrote: 85 Points
nose of cherry and vanilla. Medium-bodied with good lasting finish and drying tannins
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5/25/2009 - munktun wrote: 88 Points
Light and pleasant. Could not stand up to strong foods
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2/28/2009 - jaewhite wrote: 85 Points
Initial taste is very mild and easy, but lacks any real follow through. This is a wine on the edge and should be enjoyed now. There is a hint of dark fruit, but nothings worth mentioning.
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2/27/2009 - bmckenna wrote: 88 Points
Nice, solid, if a bit pruney cab. Black fruits (prunes, blackcurrant, and blackberries) dominate. Nice tannins, a solid but not spectacular cab.
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1/2/2009 - CosmicDude wrote: 87 Points
Nice, medium bodied, with good fruit. Probably should have been drunk a couple years back.
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10/30/2008 - Turkbzerk wrote: 86 Points
Enjoyed the nose, very fruity, very little bit, but nice to finish. Better decanted. Over all a good bottle.
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4/6/2008 - lpk22 wrote: 82 Points
A bit of a musty nose, very blah, not good at all, disappointing
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10/14/2007 - richv wrote:
Brought to Karen's
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10/1/2007 - Nutty08 wrote: 86 Points
Decent nose with some smoke and fig. Dark fruit on the palate, still a bit tannic, with some highlights of charcoal and earth. Rather simple finish of short to medium length. Decent Cab for the price.
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8/28/2007 - Combee1 wrote: 89 Points
Straight forward cab. Dark cherries on the nose with hint of vanilla, oak. Medium-bodied with moderate tannnins being somewhat drying on the finish. Good dark fruit on the fore, but slightly thin on the mid. Medium-length, smooth, somewhat drying finish. Overall, acceptable value and would buy again.
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8/16/2007 - now_in_mi wrote: 82 Points
Good fruit, mild oak flavor.
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6/6/2007 - PDD wrote: 81 Points
Bitter with some unpleasant vegetable flavors. For $20 there are so many better choices than this one. In fact, I would probably not be happy with this at any price.
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5/27/2007 - corkscrewy wrote: 91 Points
Oak, vanilla, blackberry, tobacco, and plum. Lasting finish with medium tannins and chewy.
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4/30/2007 - Ella's Dad wrote: 89 Points
Dark, brooding cab. Good QPR. Decanted for an hour or so. Dark fruit. Oak is present.
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4/3/2007 - toontune wrote:
8.25: Back to Cali Flavorful
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3/29/2007 - JohnnyWine wrote: 84 Points
Standard Cali Cab. Has the black fruits up front in the nose and flavor. Some vanilla, although it was slight and had me asking for more. Medium body and a rather thin mouthfeel. Simple.
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3/3/2007 - CobraKahn wrote: 88 Points
Nice for the money.
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2/26/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 89 Points
WIML89. Opened and glass decanted about 45 minutes before serving. Seemed to help perk it up a bit from previous tastings.
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2/10/2007 - djimpens wrote: 86 Points
Above average cab. I've had so many better bottles at this price point and this year. Try the Mi Sueno El Llano.
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2/2/2007 - richv wrote: 88 Points
Have to agree with most of the earlier reviews - good, solid cab and good value.
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1/21/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
Same as previous bottles.
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1/20/2007 - dwandrus wrote: 88 Points
Nice color, with fruity nose of cherries and plum, slight vanilla. Nicely integrated, with mild ripe cherries evident, very little vanilla, and a lingering aftertaste of cherries. Lacked complexity, but balanced. Good wine for drinking. A slight bit more fruit evident than previous bottle.
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1/12/2007 - Lando wrote: 86 Points
Never disappoints, but this bottle was no more than a reliable cab from Simi. Other years have been better. Berry & tar on the nose, less fruit (cassis?) when tasted.
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1/3/2007 - redpine42 wrote: 89 Points
Nice simple cab. Good table wine. Not to tannic or acidic. Good fruit.
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12/7/2006 - cbraun wrote: 85 Points
Decent Cab. good fruit, fine tannins, simple.
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11/27/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Same as previous tastings.
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11/16/2006 - abetik wrote: 85 Points
Easy drinking, straightforward, not too jammy; not excellent, but pretty good for the price. Can sip on this on its own
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11/11/2006 - dwandrus wrote: 87 Points
Same as previous bottle.
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11/6/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Same as previous tasting.
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11/3/2006 - zoulodi Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Struggles to find an identity, with murky, earthy flavors dominating lighter berry- and cherry-laced fruit.
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11/2/2006 - Brooks415 wrote: 86 Points
Very fruit driven with a warm peppery nose though somewhat lacking in complexity.
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11/2/2006 - ctaylor wrote:
drank with Hoskins & Monty Python. A good wine, but it followed a 2001 Jordan cab that was outstanding.
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10/23/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Same as previous tasting.
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10/18/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Holding steady with previous notes.
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10/15/2006 - dwandrus wrote: 87 Points
Nice color, with fruity nose od cherries and plum, slight vanilla. Nicely integrated, with mild ripe cherries evident, very little vanilla, and a lingering aftertaste of cherries. Lacked complexity, but balanced. Good wine for drinking.
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10/14/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 87 Points
Upon revisiting this, and concentrating more on the tasting, I realize I probably scored this too leniently last time. If you ran into this at a corporate function, you'd be pleased (as in my previous review). But, spending my own money, I guess I expect more.
I again got the plum and cherry notes, and also a bit of vanilla--standard cali cab.
Note: decanted 1 hour prior to first glass.
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10/10/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 89 Points
Nice aromas of vanilla and black fruits. Lots of fruit in the mouth with a medium length finish of cocoa and vanilla. Medium bodies with integrated tannins. Good value for the money.
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10/6/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 87 Points
WIML87-88
No notes. About the same as previous bottles.
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9/25/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Needed a quick cab for a steak (again). Popped an poured. Same as the last three bottles.
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9/12/2006 - skm95t wrote: 88 Points
Lighter bodied Cab, lots vanilla and cherry aromas, acidic and oaky on the palate with smooth tannins, easy drinker and good everyday wine
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9/12/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 89 Points
Had at Sullivan's restaurant with "skm95t" and other colleagues. No air time; just popped and poured. A very pleasant surprise. Absolutely silky smooth and balanced. Fairly light bodied for a cab. Tannins were perfectly integrated: gentle, but definitely there underlying the wine to provide a nice structure. Vanilla and plum notes, along with some cherry. Completely enjoyable, and a crowd pleaser. The only reason I'm not scoring it higher is that it lacks that extra layer of complexity that a 90-pointer should have. Of course, the fact that it wasn't on my tab may be making me extra generous also :- )
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9/11/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Needed a quick cab for a steak. Popped an poured. No material difference than the last two bottles.
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9/1/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Needed something to drink so just popped and poured. Same as the last bottle. Seems to be averaging out around the 88 point mark.
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8/28/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Pretty close to last time. Popped and poured. Seemed to vanish quick enough.
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8/9/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 89 Points
WIML89
Better than last time. Maybe the previous bottle was off since I bought it as a single off the shelf? This on came as a case ordered just for me.
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6/26/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 87 Points
WIML87,PURPLE88,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted June 26, 2006 at home. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Rot Wein glass. Purple color in the glass, slightly opaque throughout. Nose dominated by black berries and not much more, maybe some mocha. Flavors of black berries, Bing cherries, a little mocha and some bitters on the finish. Acidity was moderate, maybe a little towards the light side with slightly drying tannins. Somewhat light weight feel on the palate. Not a great wine by any stretch of the imagination but it’s quite serviceable. Based on the local retail price of $21.49 I’d say the value here is acceptable. Basic pop and pour wine without having to think too hard. Drink over the short term.
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5/7/2006 - peternelson wrote: 84 Points
Chronicle: Scarlet purple-med opaque; fragrant frt. of blueberry, mango(!) sangria, strawberry; frt salad mth; plenty of a’s med.+ t’s; simple fin. Very interesting, but open 1 wk already!
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4/16/2006 - donash.com wrote: 86 Points
It's Easter and we drank a bunch of wines. Had the family over for Ham and turkey and all the stuff. This was the 4th red we had today and it has great reviews. Really tight at first but I let it breather and it got really good. Chris likes it a lot, but she is not a wine drinker, GO FIGURE
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2/19/2006 - samurai wrote: 86 Points
Minerally and earthy with a hint of fruit but not much of a finish. A little astringent and not well rounded but not bad. There are far better wines for the money.
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12/24/2005 - bunches wrote:
Vinter's Notes: Appearance: Dark red with purple tones
Aroma: Intense cassis and blackberry with hints of leather accompanied by notes of dried herbs and vanilla.
Flavor: Lush berry flavors accented by full, ripe tannins that lead to a long rich and velvety finish
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10/5/2005 - JonGray wrote: 85 Points
Ok, nothing special, good balance
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