This is a quality big flashy Napa Cab. Not necessarily in my style but this is good. Big dark berry elements are dominant with a healthy oak edge as well.
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On 5/15/2012 I hoped and predicted this wine would mellow with age. Almost six years later, it has not. Dark ruby with light purple tones and impression of some cloudiness in the glass. Full nose of black cherry, blackberry, and red licorice. Powerful but balanced fruit, acidity and tannins. I used to like these "big" New World wines lacking subtlety in any component, but not so much anymore. But for those seeking this classic Napa style, here is a great one.
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I really enjoyed this bright Napa Cab. It has a wonderful nose of dark fruit follwed by a slightly lighter mouthfeel in the middle with bright acidity, going well with many dishes. Nicely done and not in the same mold as many others from this region.
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This is my first taste of high end Gallo...pleasant nose of cassis and dark fruit, medium bodied, good depth of blueberry and blackberry on the palate, with enough tannins to make this serious. Well made, good value.
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Good, complete wine, but not great on any aspect. No particular nose to speak of. Everything in balance, but not a great flavor. Decent value at $30, but I wouldn't run out to buy more.
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Dark ruby purple edges, nearly opaque. Nose of vanilla, melted milk chocolate, black cherry. Warm and lush, fruit forward, with more vanilla and milk chocolate in the mouth. Not tons of structure but pleasant tannins on the finish. Drink now, or over the next 7-8 years, I think.
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I was lured by the WS ads, but then this wine was actually recommended to me and was purchased a few months ago. Wine was uncorked with quite a bit of cork bleed. There was a dark red stain on the cork. Immediately out of the bottle was some locked up fruit. Some spice. Poured almost a purple color into the glass. Wine was allowed to sit about 30 minutes in the glass to warm up and to air. The bottle was not decanted. The notes on the front are all dark fruits, blackberry, cassis, some dark red cherry, some chocolate (a hint - and it did very well with a dark chocolate square). The wine then turned almost to an earthy middle, but this was very subtle and not noticed by the others in the party. Coming to think of it, I think it was more of a grass note. Very strange. Acidity stayed even after it had opened. Some oregano gave way to a spicy, toasted oak finish. Bottle was consumed over 90 minutes' time. Finished with a very mild dry tannin. As this wine opened it did improve. I'd say that this one could hold its own for another 5-10 years but only if you treat it right. Otherwise pop, decant, and pour.
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A nose of elegant dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A elegant and full bodied Cab blend, with blackberries, currants, chocolate, with right amount of oak and spice. First time I have tried a high end Gallo wine, really superior made and a great value.
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Tasted three times. Was expecting more given previous reviews--including one from "The Bob." Absolutely nothing wrong with this wine, but nothing that has me doing handstands, either. Wasn't any better (or worse, thankfully) on Day 2. Good, solid cab, but nothing truly memorable.
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Good nose in the glass as it hints of the fruit and oak. Pops the palate with heavy fruit, cherry and black berry. It rounds well as it smooth tannins spread and hints of dark chocolate and has a touch of heat on the finish. Very nice for a younger Cab. I look forward to future bottles
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This was much better than I hoped it was going to be. A little tobacco, cassis and firm tannins. Taste great now but has the possibility to be a wow factor in a few years.
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Dark purple color, almost opaque. A nose of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and light vanilla oak wafting three inches above the rim. Flavor follows nose in perfect balance of tannins, acidity, and fruit, with a long, mouth-watering, tannin-gripping finish. Right now this wine drinks beautifully as a New World California Napa "Grand Cru," which is one of the ways I like my CS: big, gripping, and juicy, but too balanced and complex to be damned as "fruit forward." Will become more subdued with time in the cellar, for which is was clearly built.
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I say the ads first in WS. Then I tried a friends bottle half drank 24 hours later. The color is gorgeous. The bouquet was rich, deep full of toasty oak and dark fruits. The taste was cream de cassis, silky tannins, still very fresh and vibrant. I bought 6 bottles, cracked one last night, had the same characteristics, very consistent, poured through the "googalator" (Vinifier) Outstanding again and will finish that bottle tonight. I highly recommend this wine. Gina Gallo, Black Label Signature Series Cabernet from a Napa legend. TRY IT ASAP!!
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Give this wine a little bit of time to open up because after a day it really shines. Very approachable and silky smooth. Showing nice fruit and a medium finish. Feels a bit more like merlot in nature, and not quite an overpowering Napa Cab, but it's good value for the money. Recommend.
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12/26/2017 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 90 Points
This is a quality big flashy Napa Cab. Not necessarily in my style but this is good. Big dark berry elements are dominant with a healthy oak edge as well.
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6/26/2017 - Carria Likes this wine:
Blackberry very good
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2/14/2016 - Ron Van Holland wrote: 91 Points
On 5/15/2012 I hoped and predicted this wine would mellow with age. Almost six years later, it has not. Dark ruby with light purple tones and impression of some cloudiness in the glass. Full nose of black cherry, blackberry, and red licorice. Powerful but balanced fruit, acidity and tannins. I used to like these "big" New World wines lacking subtlety in any component, but not so much anymore. But for those seeking this classic Napa style, here is a great one.
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6/16/2014 - gejohnston Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great wine with pizza and the World Cup.
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12/28/2013 - maxmanx wrote:
Nice, easy drinking and didn't need a long decant. OK value at $30. I would compare it too the Columbia Crest Reserves.
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10/22/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 91 Points
classic plum and leather nose...flavors of blackberry, plum, licorice. Good acidity and easy to drink right out of the bottle.
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9/23/2013 - millerarner wrote: 89 Points
Enjoyable, solid value, nice wine, but nothing to make you remember it or feel the desire to buy more.
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8/5/2013 - wineotim Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lots of oak, blueberry, vanilla, with smooth tannins. Consistent with previous bottle.
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3/17/2013 - rumor wrote: 90 Points
Very impressive for its price point. Balanced with soft tannins
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2/24/2013 - chanote44 Likes this wine: 89 Points
I really enjoyed this bright Napa Cab. It has a wonderful nose of dark fruit follwed by a slightly lighter mouthfeel in the middle with bright acidity, going well with many dishes. Nicely done and not in the same mold as many others from this region.
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2/20/2013 - wineotim Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is my first taste of high end Gallo...pleasant nose of cassis and dark fruit, medium bodied, good depth of blueberry and blackberry on the palate, with enough tannins to make this serious. Well made, good value.
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2/10/2013 - Old World Dave wrote: 90 Points
First taste, smooth and had slight perfumed scent. Picking up chocolate. For the money good value.
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1/6/2013 - mdonath Likes this wine: 89 Points
A silky, mild wine with a bit of pepper. Nice balance, good for food pairings, but nothing outstanding.
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12/31/2012 - Silver Mondaymus Horn wrote: 89 Points
I really enjoy this cab. Have had 3 bottles in last few months. Very smooth as if an older vintage
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12/28/2012 - levinml wrote: 90 Points
Good, complete wine, but not great on any aspect. No particular nose to speak of. Everything in balance, but not a great flavor. Decent value at $30, but I wouldn't run out to buy more.
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11/11/2012 - apardoe wrote: 92 Points
After it opens it's really fantastic.
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10/23/2012 - wine eng wrote: 92 Points
Very well balance. Will get better with age. Recommend to purchase.
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10/7/2012 - corkscrews wrote: 91 Points
Similiar note, a very good QPR.
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8/17/2012 - miltonsjimenez wrote: 90 Points
Smelled blackberries, wine was silky, hint of chocolate. Paired well with lamb chops and risotto.
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8/11/2012 - nectar14 wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby purple edges, nearly opaque. Nose of vanilla, melted milk chocolate, black cherry. Warm and lush, fruit forward, with more vanilla and milk chocolate in the mouth. Not tons of structure but pleasant tannins on the finish. Drink now, or over the next 7-8 years, I think.
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7/12/2012 - mflesh wrote: 88 Points
I was lured by the WS ads, but then this wine was actually recommended to me and was purchased a few months ago. Wine was uncorked with quite a bit of cork bleed. There was a dark red stain on the cork. Immediately out of the bottle was some locked up fruit. Some spice. Poured almost a purple color into the glass. Wine was allowed to sit about 30 minutes in the glass to warm up and to air. The bottle was not decanted. The notes on the front are all dark fruits, blackberry, cassis, some dark red cherry, some chocolate (a hint - and it did very well with a dark chocolate square). The wine then turned almost to an earthy middle, but this was very subtle and not noticed by the others in the party. Coming to think of it, I think it was more of a grass note. Very strange. Acidity stayed even after it had opened. Some oregano gave way to a spicy, toasted oak finish. Bottle was consumed over 90 minutes' time. Finished with a very mild dry tannin. As this wine opened it did improve. I'd say that this one could hold its own for another 5-10 years but only if you treat it right. Otherwise pop, decant, and pour.
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7/8/2012 - corkscrews wrote: 93 Points
A nose of elegant dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A elegant and full bodied Cab blend, with blackberries, currants, chocolate, with right amount of oak and spice. First time I have tried a high end Gallo wine, really superior made and a great value.
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7/2/2012 - Omadobs wrote: 88 Points
Tasted three times. Was expecting more given previous reviews--including one from "The Bob." Absolutely nothing wrong with this wine, but nothing that has me doing handstands, either. Wasn't any better (or worse, thankfully) on Day 2. Good, solid cab, but nothing truly memorable.
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5/29/2012 - ddmhunter wrote: 92 Points
Good nose in the glass as it hints of the fruit and oak. Pops the palate with heavy fruit, cherry and black berry. It rounds well as it smooth tannins spread and hints of dark chocolate and has a touch of heat on the finish. Very nice for a younger Cab. I look forward to future bottles
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5/17/2012 - copdyke wrote: 92 Points
This was much better than I hoped it was going to be. A little tobacco, cassis and firm tannins. Taste great now but has the possibility to be a wow factor in a few years.
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5/15/2012 - Ron Van Holland wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple color, almost opaque. A nose of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and light vanilla oak wafting three inches above the rim. Flavor follows nose in perfect balance of tannins, acidity, and fruit, with a long, mouth-watering, tannin-gripping finish. Right now this wine drinks beautifully as a New World California Napa "Grand Cru," which is one of the ways I like my CS: big, gripping, and juicy, but too balanced and complex to be damned as "fruit forward." Will become more subdued with time in the cellar, for which is was clearly built.
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2/16/2012 - RCBAROLO wrote: 92 Points
I say the ads first in WS. Then I tried a friends bottle half drank 24 hours later. The color is gorgeous. The bouquet was rich, deep full of toasty oak and dark fruits. The taste was cream de cassis, silky tannins, still very fresh and vibrant. I bought 6 bottles, cracked one last night, had the same characteristics, very consistent, poured through the "googalator" (Vinifier) Outstanding again and will finish that bottle tonight. I highly recommend this wine. Gina Gallo, Black Label Signature Series Cabernet from a Napa legend. TRY IT ASAP!!
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12/9/2011 - Kraigers1 wrote: 88 Points
Give this wine a little bit of time to open up because after a day it really shines. Very approachable and silky smooth. Showing nice fruit and a medium finish. Feels a bit more like merlot in nature, and not quite an overpowering Napa Cab, but it's good value for the money. Recommend.
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