My last bottle of a case enjoyed over the years since release. Fully mature but not aged (i.e., not yet barnyard, not yet fungal). All flavors in harmony. Modest length/complexity/intensity. An enjoyable wine throughout its 10 years since release. IMO, one of the best <$30 cabs made in America. I applaud the winery for producing an excellent American cab, year after year, and keeping the price at $30 list.
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Very dark color. Dense aromas of cassis and dark, dark cherry. Flavor is smooth and structured. Dark chocolate, creme brûlée, vanilla, cedar/cigar box flavors with dark fruit. Long finish, enhanced by cedar.
My rating scale: 95 exactly what I want 90 would buy again 85 good but not my style 80 average 70 undrinkable
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This was better on the 2nd day - was more resolved and poised. This is a useful value wine and one of the best cabs at this kind of $22-ish pricepoint if you can get it at that price (given how difficult it is to get a cheap cab that performs).
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With beef tenderloin (and wine sauce), roasted mixed potatoes. Dark ruby, consistent color to the rim. Blueberry with perhaps a touch of violet on the nose. Dry, medium weight, raisin with the fruit, acid to balance, but not much tannin.
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Our bottle was showing notes of dark berries, cacao, and cracked pepper. The oak definitely comes through at this stage however I didn't consider it to be overbearing. A very nice value cab in the low $20 range. Oh, and we visited their tasting room near Sonoma back in August and were treated exceptionally well there. Looking forward to trying their Half Mile Red which is chilling in the cellar for the time being.
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Well-balance, fruit and hints of vanilla with nice tannins and a medium finish. Good value for those that like a well-balanced cabernet that one can drink young.
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Better on the 2nd day. This wine is not particulary lively or expressive, but where it wins is that it has absolutely no tell-tale signs about how reasonably priced it is. It feels refined, elegant and subtle. The finish and body is a bit abrupt and feels uninvolving but that really is part of its charm; it's just so innofensive. This is one of the very best cabs I've had under $30. I bought a case.
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This is a solid QPR wine for your coin, but hold it a few more years or decant 3+ hours. Definitely drink with food. Dark, inky black color. Lovely nose of sweet tobacco, spices, leather, slight green pepper, and muted dried cherries. Palate hits with nice, round plums, dark cherries, horse saddle, black currant, blackberries, and finishes with dusty, earthy raspberries amidst a sandstorm of grainy tannins. The spine of this wine is held together by a juicy yet subtle acidity that leaves the raspberry pucker on the tail. This went lovely with surf and turf on our last night here in Kauai. Drink 2016+.
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Opaque crimson in color, this youthful Cabernet shows moderately intense aromas of black currants, tree bark and vanilla. It is medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, medium-weight dry tannins and well-integrated alcohol (13.6%). The flavors mirror the nose and persist nicely in the middle. Medium in length, the finish ends with tannic astringency. Although certainly a well-made wine in at this price point, this offering would benefit from short-term cellaring (in order to soften out the tannins). Drink 2015-2020.
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From memory. 2 hr decant. Nice mid-value cab. Nose was interesting with fruit and some vanilla. Fruit into medium weight palate with low acidity as one would expect. Medium finish. Overall a more balanced cab than the 2007 which I had last year. Still needs a couple of years but overall a move away from fruit oak/fruit bomb ness.
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6/26/2020 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 92 Points
My last bottle of a case enjoyed over the years since release. Fully mature but not aged (i.e., not yet barnyard, not yet fungal). All flavors in harmony. Modest length/complexity/intensity. An enjoyable wine throughout its 10 years since release. IMO, one of the best <$30 cabs made in America. I applaud the winery for producing an excellent American cab, year after year, and keeping the price at $30 list.
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7/17/2018 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
My last of these. This is showing very well and could embarass many Napa cabs at the $50+ range. 91+pts
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4/3/2018 - Robij Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very dark color. Dense aromas of cassis and dark, dark cherry. Flavor is smooth and structured. Dark chocolate, creme brûlée, vanilla, cedar/cigar box flavors with dark fruit. Long finish, enhanced by cedar.
My rating scale:
95 exactly what I want
90 would buy again
85 good but not my style
80 average
70 undrinkable
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8/14/2017 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
This was better on the 2nd day - was more resolved and poised. This is a useful value wine and one of the best cabs at this kind of $22-ish pricepoint if you can get it at that price (given how difficult it is to get a cheap cab that performs).
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4/14/2017 - John McCabe wrote: 89 Points
Tasted over two days. A bit plain and with a slight graininess but useful at the price.
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4/2/2016 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
This has taken on more power since my last bottle. It may be closing down. This is becoming more serious. The fruit is taking more of a back seat.
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11/22/2014 - bjschmitt wrote: 87 Points
With beef tenderloin (and wine sauce), roasted mixed potatoes.
Dark ruby, consistent color to the rim.
Blueberry with perhaps a touch of violet on the nose.
Dry, medium weight, raisin with the fruit, acid to balance, but not much tannin.
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10/6/2014 - Ed8888 wrote: 90 Points
Nice and smooth but a short finish.
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9/27/2014 - brown57 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Our bottle was showing notes of dark berries, cacao, and cracked pepper. The oak definitely comes through at this stage however I didn't consider it to be overbearing. A very nice value cab in the low $20 range. Oh, and we visited their tasting room near Sonoma back in August and were treated exceptionally well there. Looking forward to trying their Half Mile Red which is chilling in the cellar for the time being.
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8/23/2014 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, subtle, surprisingly refined though simple in expression.
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5/13/2014 - Bureso Likes this wine: 87 Points
En ægte bjergvin. Dyb farve, høj sprød syre og utrolig intens. Tannin på tænderne gør at de resterende lagres et år eller to før de nydes.
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4/18/2014 - Bureso Likes this wine: 85 Points
En ægte bjergvin. Dyb farve, høj sprød syre og utrolig intens.
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3/18/2014 - Vstalam Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well-balance, fruit and hints of vanilla with nice tannins and a medium finish. Good value for those that like a well-balanced cabernet that one can drink young.
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3/6/2014 - slippytoad wrote: 88 Points
Takes a long time to open up and then shows nicely. Seems overoaked at first. Better second day?
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2/20/2014 - yofog wrote: 87 Points
Full, soft dark cassis fruit, oaky, a bit dull.
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2/18/2014 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
Better on the 2nd day. This wine is not particulary lively or expressive, but where it wins is that it has absolutely no tell-tale signs about how reasonably priced it is. It feels refined, elegant and subtle. The finish and body is a bit abrupt and feels uninvolving but that really is part of its charm; it's just so innofensive. This is one of the very best cabs I've had under $30. I bought a case.
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2/16/2014 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
A bit firm, but with some decanting and coaxing, this really shines. Excellent value cab that could be confused with a more expensive one.
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2/2/2014 - DanielJ Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Flat with a lot of tannin. Really lacks depth. Flavor is weak. As tannins soften I don't it will develop.
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12/13/2013 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is a solid QPR wine for your coin, but hold it a few more years or decant 3+ hours. Definitely drink with food. Dark, inky black color. Lovely nose of sweet tobacco, spices, leather, slight green pepper, and muted dried cherries. Palate hits with nice, round plums, dark cherries, horse saddle, black currant, blackberries, and finishes with dusty, earthy raspberries amidst a sandstorm of grainy tannins. The spine of this wine is held together by a juicy yet subtle acidity that leaves the raspberry pucker on the tail. This went lovely with surf and turf on our last night here in Kauai. Drink 2016+.
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10/13/2013 - JenXH Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious $25 Cab.
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9/10/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 87 Points
Opaque crimson in color, this youthful Cabernet shows moderately intense aromas of black currants, tree bark and vanilla. It is medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, medium-weight dry tannins and well-integrated alcohol (13.6%). The flavors mirror the nose and persist nicely in the middle. Medium in length, the finish ends with tannic astringency. Although certainly a well-made wine in at this price point, this offering would benefit from short-term cellaring (in order to soften out the tannins). Drink 2015-2020.
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6/9/2013 - Chiantihound wrote: 88 Points
From memory. 2 hr decant. Nice mid-value cab. Nose was interesting with fruit and some vanilla. Fruit into medium weight palate with low acidity as one would expect. Medium finish. Overall a more balanced cab than the 2007 which I had last year. Still needs a couple of years but overall a move away from fruit oak/fruit bomb ness.
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3/11/2013 - Macky4710 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Not the most interesting bottle of wine, but for $28 (CDN) a solid midweek treat.
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