Bright ruby red with slight translucence. Lovely nose of cherries, currants, sweet tobacco. Smooth and elegant on the palate, plums, cherries, tobacco, cedar. Dark chocolate on the mid-palate. Finely polished tannins, beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and gentle with sweet cherry and anise. A gorgeous, mature Napa Cab. Will drink well for another 8 to 10 years.
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Mostly 1998s (Washington, DC): Nose of saucy black currants and plums, and a cool kick of menthol, spicy eucalyptus, with some smoky earth and light roast coffee – cool! The palate has a saucy, plummy feel with chewy tannins and tangy acidity, and the balance is quite nice. Sweet figs with coffee, dusty earth, spicy tobacco, some menthol and eucalyptus. I really liked this. I guessed a McLaren Vale Cab (as my buddy who organized this tasting is wont to toss in some old Aussie gems), but was stoked to see this was an Etude Cab! A serious gem.
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Popped and poured, drank over 3 hours. Black currant, plum and cedar notes, very rich and lusty on the nose. Medium weight, ripe flavors, very balanced and in a great spot. Subtle acidity and tannin on the finish, but again with the fruit shows balance and good length.
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my last bottle Drank along side the 1994 and 1999 silky smooth chocolate leather subtle fruits cedar luscious almost creamy when compared to the 1994 it was showing bright fruit and while it is certainly ready to be drunk i was impressed how lively it was
really worth holding on to for the last 18 years
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Deep ruby color showing some bricking nose of deep plum and black currant Taste was a slightly aged wine with strong dark fruit blackberry and currants Evolved over a couple of hours smoother and less bottle age taste actually presented like a younger wine I think it is time to drink up
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Why do people keep chasing after the hot new California Cabernets when this one is readily available at a price that's beginning to seem like a bargain? My last bottle and the first one since late 2012. Dark color with no signs of age. VERY assertive nose - currants. Currants on the palate along with hints of leather and smoke. (Actually, the wine kept changing over the course of a couple hours.) Fairly viscous + fairly big fruit = really nice finish. I say a lot of wines are beautifully balanced, but this one is BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED. Probably has a few years left.
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Plenty of life left here. Fruit is still deep and dark. Good sweet tannins and acidity. Notes of tobacco and leather on the long finish. Supple. Nose was closed.
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Drank with the BBC Beautiful fruity nose deep ruby color nice black currant taste slightly tannic but incredibly balanced well structured wine. Drank with a Pape Clement very similar wines in style and structure
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Beautiful garnet color with bricking on the edges. Bright fruit nose with mocha, coffee and red currants on the palate. A long, dry finish. Nice structure as the tannins are still spirited but harmonious and balanced. Nice wine.
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I stopped buying Etude a few years back, largely because Etude stopped shipping to Ohio. I may have to resume buying it by scrounging around locally, because this wine blew me away! 1998 was a pretty rotten vintage in Napa, and my first taste of this in 2009 was underwhelming, at best. By this time last year, it had improved significantly. A year later, it's turned into a frickin' swan. Decanted about an hour before tasting. No visible signs of age. Black cherries and a little smoke on the nose. Black raspberries and a little licorice on the palate. Full body - viscous and silken. Plums on the very lengthy finish. Best wine I've tasted this year.
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Strong nose. Jammy but extrememly smooth fruit. Great finish. This was the best cabernet i have had in the last 10 years. Too bad this was my last one.
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Pleasant and interesting -- not a dense wine, but hints of cherry provide a nice balance of fruit and acidity, giving the wine a tangy zip reminiscent of an old world syrah. More than I expected for a '98.
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Last bottle (two and 1/2 years ago) was underwhelming. Opened and poured about an hour before drinking. Purple, with no brick. Plums and oak on the nose, along with some pencil shavings. Mostly plums on the palate. Has gained weight since my last bottle (not unlike me) - fairly viscous now. However, the finish was abrupt and very tart. Given the fairly high acidity, i plan to wait another couple years before the next one.
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Dark purple. Interesting nose, sweet dark fruit, mint, eucalyptus and an intriguing savory note...maybe olive? Plush mouthfeel, pure velvet. Utterly delicious and seductive. I can not believe this is 1998. Wow. This bottle is singing and at it's prefect peak. Long finish. Very nice balance. Tasted alongside the 1997, which is also great wine, still a bit on the young side. I am surprised to say it, but tonight the 98 is much more enjoyable. I had no idea this wine could age so well. I will hold onto my 02's for quite a while before drinking.
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LICORICE, BLACKBERRIES, AND BLACK CHERRIES IN THE NOSE. BLACK CHERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH. TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE IN THE 9/09 TASTING
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Classic Etude style of dark voluptuous cherry highlighted by vanilla, cassis, and dark plum. Compared to the 1999 and the 2000, this one does not seem to have much left in it to go the distance. Very nice to drink, but not as memorable as other of Soter's vintages.
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Dark black, red with browning rim. Olive on nose upfront, light black fruit, little soy sauce. Nose opens with big cherry scents and later blueberry. Day 2 still very nice nose - soy, red fruit. Nice mouthfeel, velvety & big; seems like good time to drink fruit seems to be fading. Red & black fruit,no fattness, still lively. Popped and poured right out of cellar. 2 hrs later nice and lush, terrific mature fruit. Day 2 still terrific, big in mouth, fruit still present, lush and long.
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10/27/2023 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 95 Points
Bright ruby red with slight translucence. Lovely nose of cherries, currants, sweet tobacco. Smooth and elegant on the palate, plums, cherries, tobacco, cedar. Dark chocolate on the mid-palate. Finely polished tannins, beautiful acidity and balance. Finishes long and gentle with sweet cherry and anise. A gorgeous, mature Napa Cab. Will drink well for another 8 to 10 years.
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10/8/2023 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 94 Points
Mostly 1998s (Washington, DC): Nose of saucy black currants and plums, and a cool kick of menthol, spicy eucalyptus, with some smoky earth and light roast coffee – cool! The palate has a saucy, plummy feel with chewy tannins and tangy acidity, and the balance is quite nice. Sweet figs with coffee, dusty earth, spicy tobacco, some menthol and eucalyptus. I really liked this. I guessed a McLaren Vale Cab (as my buddy who organized this tasting is wont to toss in some old Aussie gems), but was stoked to see this was an Etude Cab! A serious gem.
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8/20/2023 - Heinrich Von Blumpkinstein Likes this wine: 96 Points
Unbelievable, despite its age.
Well-rounded, balanced, and incredibly mellowed out. I LOVE it.
Not sure how to score it, because I have no criticism of it. What would make it 100? If it were poured by angels from heaven?
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11/20/2021 - tacmhh Likes this wine: 93 Points
One of best wines in a long time. Wish I had more
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1/7/2020 - llink wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured, drank over 3 hours. Black currant, plum and cedar notes, very rich and lusty on the nose. Medium weight, ripe flavors, very balanced and in a great spot. Subtle acidity and tannin on the finish, but again with the fruit shows balance and good length.
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7/28/2019 - Winokdub wrote: 94 Points
Really impressed by this wine. Excellent nose. Lively palette. great finish. Still could go several more years but not likely to get any better.
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12/25/2017 - jww Likes this wine: 94 Points
my last bottle Drank along side the 1994 and 1999
silky smooth chocolate leather subtle fruits cedar
luscious almost creamy
when compared to the 1994 it was showing bright fruit and while it is certainly ready to be drunk i was impressed how lively it was
really worth holding on to for the last 18 years
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2/17/2017 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Awesome stuff. Did not decant, but allowed to breathe in the bottle for a couple hours before consumption.
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11/26/2016 - ejmwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needed a little opening up - used Venturi.
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3/19/2016 - jeramirez Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful wine.
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1/24/2016 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
perfect age for this wine has the feel of an old wine with plenty of fruit
black cherries and cedar
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1/14/2016 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep ruby color showing some bricking
nose of deep plum and black currant
Taste was a slightly aged wine with strong dark fruit blackberry and currants
Evolved over a couple of hours smoother and less bottle age taste actually presented like a younger wine
I think it is time to drink up
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4/5/2015 - Night Train Likes this wine: 94 Points
Why do people keep chasing after the hot new California Cabernets when this one is readily available at a price that's beginning to seem like a bargain? My last bottle and the first one since late 2012. Dark color with no signs of age. VERY assertive nose - currants. Currants on the palate along with hints of leather and smoke. (Actually, the wine kept changing over the course of a couple hours.) Fairly viscous + fairly big fruit = really nice finish. I say a lot of wines are beautifully balanced, but this one is BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED. Probably has a few years left.
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10/16/2014 - iamandyc wrote: 92 Points
Plenty of life left here. Fruit is still deep and dark. Good sweet tannins and acidity. Notes of tobacco and leather on the long finish. Supple. Nose was closed.
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11/24/2013 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank with the BBC
Beautiful fruity nose deep ruby color nice black currant taste slightly tannic but incredibly balanced well structured wine. Drank with a Pape Clement very similar wines in style and structure
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1/11/2013 - sureproof Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful garnet color with bricking on the edges. Bright fruit nose with mocha, coffee and red currants on the palate. A long, dry finish. Nice structure as the tannins are still spirited but harmonious and balanced. Nice wine.
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9/3/2012 - Night Train wrote: 94 Points
I stopped buying Etude a few years back, largely because Etude stopped shipping to Ohio. I may have to resume buying it by scrounging around locally, because this wine blew me away! 1998 was a pretty rotten vintage in Napa, and my first taste of this in 2009 was underwhelming, at best. By this time last year, it had improved significantly. A year later, it's turned into a frickin' swan. Decanted about an hour before tasting. No visible signs of age. Black cherries and a little smoke on the nose. Black raspberries and a little licorice on the palate. Full body - viscous and silken. Plums on the very lengthy finish. Best wine I've tasted this year.
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6/30/2012 - jmottern wrote: 95 Points
Strong nose. Jammy but extrememly smooth fruit. Great finish. This was the best cabernet i have had in the last 10 years. Too bad this was my last one.
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2/19/2012 - Alwolf wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful stuff
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1/16/2012 - jdlee1232 wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant and interesting -- not a dense wine, but hints of cherry provide a nice balance of fruit and acidity, giving the wine a tangy zip reminiscent of an old world syrah. More than I expected for a '98.
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9/11/2011 - Night Train wrote: 88 Points
Last bottle (two and 1/2 years ago) was underwhelming. Opened and poured about an hour before drinking. Purple, with no brick. Plums and oak on the nose, along with some pencil shavings. Mostly plums on the palate. Has gained weight since my last bottle (not unlike me) - fairly viscous now. However, the finish was abrupt and very tart. Given the fairly high acidity, i plan to wait another couple years before the next one.
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9/3/2011 - CDH Likes this wine: 90 Points
Loving it! 90 points - fleshy red fruit first with tannins on the back end. Decently long finish. Cali cab perfection.
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11/26/2010 - ejca wrote:
Outstanding, mellow tannins,nice fruit with a nice finish. Cannot see this getting better. Drank out of a 1.5, would drink now if I had another one.
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11/1/2010 - BobJohnson1 wrote:
Dark purple. Interesting nose, sweet dark fruit, mint, eucalyptus and an intriguing savory note...maybe olive? Plush mouthfeel, pure velvet. Utterly delicious and seductive. I can not believe this is 1998. Wow. This bottle is singing and at it's prefect peak. Long finish. Very nice balance. Tasted alongside the 1997, which is also great wine, still a bit on the young side. I am surprised to say it, but tonight the 98 is much more enjoyable. I had no idea this wine could age so well. I will hold onto my 02's for quite a while before drinking.
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7/30/2010 - arniec wrote: 94 Points
Drinking well. Fully integrated. Nice fruit.
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4/9/2010 - arniec wrote: 94 Points
Great fruit. A bit hot.
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2/14/2010 - johnvwine wrote: 89 Points
fruitful, but stronger alcohol.
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9/19/2009 - buckeye76 wrote: 91 Points
LICORICE, BLACKBERRIES, AND BLACK CHERRIES IN THE NOSE. BLACK CHERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH. TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE IN THE 9/09 TASTING
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4/19/2009 - Night Train wrote: 85 Points
Probably better-than-average for a 98 Napa cab. Nothing wrong with it, but not much right with it.
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4/22/2008 - Lainie wrote: 84 Points
Pretty, sourish plummy fruit, extra h.a., blk olive.
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10/28/2007 - KLT wrote: 90 Points
Decanted, still good fruit and acidity, could continue to cellar for a few more years. Strong oak, cherry and vanilla. More moderate in style.
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10/26/2007 - Phin wrote: 90 Points
Magnum. Medium body, seemed out of balance. Light on fruit medium tannin.
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10/31/2006 - napaJ6 wrote: 91 Points
Classic Etude style of dark voluptuous cherry highlighted by vanilla, cassis, and dark plum. Compared to the 1999 and the 2000, this one does not seem to have much left in it to go the distance. Very nice to drink, but not as memorable as other of Soter's vintages.
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8/18/2006 - caboychuck wrote: 90 Points
Dark black, red with browning rim. Olive on nose upfront, light black fruit, little soy sauce. Nose opens with big cherry scents and later blueberry. Day 2 still very nice nose - soy, red fruit.
Nice mouthfeel, velvety & big; seems like good time to drink fruit seems to be fading. Red & black fruit,no fattness, still lively. Popped and poured right out of cellar. 2 hrs later nice and lush, terrific mature fruit. Day 2 still terrific, big in mouth, fruit still present, lush and long.
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4/14/2006 - shaferguy91 wrote: 88 Points
Headed down hill. Drink now.
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2/8/2006 - transpodude wrote: 84 Points
Quite big and tannic, taste oferath/shale, decanted for acoupleof hours, but didn't quite seem to come togther. NOt sure its worth the price
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1/13/2006 - dbg wrote:
very good-excellent: nice fruit but hint of green veggies keeps it
from scoring higher
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12/9/2005 - shaferguy91 wrote: 89 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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7/15/2003 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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