For the price, just wow. Still great tannins, lush, flavors well combined for a delightful taste. While I could see it having a little more life to it, I wouldn't risk it - drink it now!
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Tasted along side the 2001 Araujo Altagracia and Grand Vin. I brought this out to compare a $40 wine against $120 and $360 wines. However, it seemed like the comparison failed, because the style of this wine was so different. Whereas the Araujos were both very masculine, firm, powerful wines with lots of blackfruit and hefty French oak, the Phelps Napa was very soft with red cherry, strawberry, and cassis notes. Also, the American oak in the aging was very apparent giving the wine spicy notes including dill (my American oak tell), and baking spices. This wine actually had more complexity than the Araujos, partly because it seemed mature while they did not. There were secondary notes here including cigar. I liked the wine a lot but felt the dill and american oak notes were a bit much for me (although I am very biased against these notes). The palate was smooth, open-knit with no tannins and an easy drinking nature. My fiancee liked this wine better than the Araujos but I liked the Araujo Grand Vin the best, but not by much.
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4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Our house): An initial bouquet of buttered popcorn and dill gives way to black currants, cherry, plum and herbs. Medium-bodied and nearly fully integrated, this shows dark fruit, red berries and violets. Finishes very well. Guessed Cab Sauv- easily my favorite in the flight.
This had been double decanted off its sediment about two hours before the flight. Showing very well and is at peak, where it should last for a few years. Drink now-2018 before it begins to decline. Excellent.
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Dark purple in color, with a nice nose of cedar, leather, and currants. The palate is fully mature, with plum, black cherry, tobacco, and earth flavors. There’s a soft mouthfeel, good acidity, and mostly resolved tannins. Enjoyable.
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Nicely balanced with pronounced cherry and mastic nose. Smooth integrated tannins, medium fjnish. A real pleasure and holding up just fine. Can last another 3-5 years.
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A swirl in the glass produced legs that took forever to descend, and released strawberries, blueberries and cranberries on the nose. After about an hour, the wine opened up beautifully. A little thin up front, but silky smooth with a lovely complex cedar finish.
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Popped & poured. Aromas of cedar, leather and plum; dark fruit dominates. Fully-integrated. Dark fruit, currants and forest floor qualities. Drinking very well right now and should hold at this level for a few years. Drink now-2017.
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This is an excellent mature Napa Valley Cabernet. It still has enough fruit left — mainly blackberry and slightly overripe plum. You get this first, and then it transitions to a long, quite oaky finish. If you have any bottles left, I would recommend drinking in the next year or so. It was surprisingly delicious paired with spaghetti and a rich, lightly spiced tomato sauce (vegetarian).
A fresh red fruit bomb of a cab. Have loved every bottle of this I have had, and sadly this is the last one. Will hold up for another few years at least.
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Dark purple; clean Cabernet nose, hints of mint, pepper, berries; mid-body; good structure, softening; smooth long finish. 13.8 alcohol so fruit hasn't collapsed like the 14.5 fruit bombs. w/filet mignon.
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Blackberries, dark skin plum, cigar-box and tea on the nose. Black fruit and cedar on the palate. Tannins are well integrated for a velvety, satiny texture. This wine is drinking wonderfully now and should for at least another year or two. Great Tuesday wine!
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Very good, fully mature '01 cab from Phelps. Dark fruit with a good sense of structure and none of the sweetness and black licorice found in some younger versions. Paired well with steaks.
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In such excellent vintage, I expected the wine to be stronger in structure and richer in substance. But I was disappointed, the color was still dark purple but some what transparent. It was rather lean and flat in the palate. Tannins have been dissolved, and it actually tasted like diluted black currant juices.
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Plush, great vintage combined with top winemaking remind me of what really good cabernet tastes like. This wine will hold its own for years to come, and is a nice diversion from so many non descript cabernets that flood the market today. Give it some open time, relax and enjoy.
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These are just starting to enter their drinking window on their tenth anniversary. Still a great deal of substance here but also some oak to deal with yet. Still this is drinking very nicely finally but these will be around for some time to come. At least another ten years.
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This my third & final bottle and, in final analysis, a moderate disappointment. A great vintage from a well-respected producer and this wine was no more than good and so, my score to reflect that. As opposed to being nicely integrated with some residual complexity and intrigue, this was simply flat; almost empty. Decent aromatics but it really ended there with a very unimpressionable flavor profile. I sure hope this is an aberration.
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Mid dark garnet, amber edges; mint/berries/Cab nose; mid to big; balanced; good fruit; life left. w/filet. Will improve over next three to five years. Coming around as food friendly.
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A wine that was at first was muted but you could tell something good was lurking in the background. Purple and toward the opaque range...unbelievable for a nine year old wine. Will it get better, probably not. It was a wine with finesse. Excellent cabernet fruit - black raspberries and current with a dollap of spice from the oak. The tannins were velvety and in check. A wine by itself or with the veal. A perfect match.
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Opened with subdued aromatics and palate. With air picked up some chocolate, smoke and very dark fruits. Color is still vibrant and youthful. Significant structure remains. That being said this is in a bit of an awkward phase. The exuberance of youth is gone but the elegance of long term aging hasn't quite set in. It will for sure but it needs a few more years. Right now it comes across as slightly hollow. Patience, patience
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An exceptional cab and great QPR. This one is really singing right now. Our last one...wish we had a few more! Paired wonderfully with roast pork loin.
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Pop and pour. This is in its prime, though a well-stored bottle probably still has a few years ahead. Dark pour in the glass, a bit of green on the nose (even 2 hrs after opening) but a great-tasting wine with dark fruit and solid structure and depth.
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Not bad for a second label, medium to light intensity matured black fruits with enough smoke and underbrush to keep it interesting. Shortish finish but filled out a bit with an hour in the decanter. Seems expensive, and maybe some bottle variation?
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Pop and pour, consumed over 4 hours. Just an excellent overall wine, and a great QPR at $38 on release. Although a little rough and green upon opening, this quickly evolved (without decanting) into a nicely balanced wine with a lingering fruity finish.
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really good, rich wine, some eucalyptus notes. Definitely benefits from some age to come together and mellow out, has a lot of notes of the insignia but not the depth and complexity
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Deep purple, nice legs. Dark Fruit nose, and blueberry pie on the initial attack. Quite primary, for me, with a smooth, moderate length finish. Drinking well, but I can't imagine that it will improve. QPR ok, but there's no "there" there.
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Very good Napa Cab from the strong '01 batch. Silky tannins, good structure, firm fruit. Definitely ready now -- a few more years might soften it too much. Falls a little short of excellent: not a lot of extra flavors or undertones, but still very solid. Medium finish.
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This wine showed really well--much better than the last time. I think this is hitting its window right in the middle. Sweet almost making me pucker a bit. Velvety smooth. Really in balance. I have sold some of these recently but no more!
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A bit of an oxidized taste, but not dominant...not sure if it needs more time or not. Otherwise a pretty nice dinner wine with grilled beef. Check again later in the year.
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Wine has settled into a nice groove. Very approachable with moderate tannins and nice smooth texture. Slightly smoky with dark fruits and a lengthy finish. Probably at/near its peak, but may still be good for another 1-2 years.
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Deep dark red with red rim. Perfectly open nose with mulberry, blackberry liqueur a touch of herbs and mint. Mediium to full bodied flavors of the same type, with great balance. Medium finish. Drink or hold, but it is in a nice place now.
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Actually exibiting very fresh aromas and flavors of black currants and red cherries. Oak is gone - very interesting wine right now. Not quite sure where it is going, but very enjoyable right now.
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I wanted to rate this higher, but it is not worth a higher score based on the wine. the wine is great. it is worth a higher score because it is a great wine for the price and is singing here. thr fruit is very nice o the front and then the structure comes in towards the end. there still is a nice bit of tannins, buit is drinking really well.
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Solid right out of the bottle unmistakable cali fruit. Nice mouth feel, medium finish, well integrated. Not the richest or most complex that California has to offer but very fair value IMO. Unfortunately it did not last very long so I'm left only with my initial impressions. Drink or hold for a couple more years.
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A few years in the cellar have done this well, drinking great right now. Rich nose of cedar and currant. On the palate, very smooth with black fruit and a touch of briar. Moderate-long finish with a bit of grip; tannins still there for structure but not obtrusive. Great now, but will easily stand years more in the cellar. Wish I had more.
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STUPID ME! The rating refers to the very first glass straight out of the bottle (opened an hour before). Great nose of black fruit & in the mouth. Nice backbone going down. Why did I decant at that point? I felt I could reduce the acidity somewhat but I ended up taking the life out of the wine. While the last glass is usually the best, because of the decanting it was falling apart. I'll pour my last two '01's straight from the bottle to the glass. K.I.S.S.!
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Notes consistent with the prior bottle. Bumping up a point for the slightly rounder tannins in this bottle. The green note still concerns me for the future.
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Paired wonderfuly wtih grilled ribeye steak ... Nice black fruits and smooth finish. Plenty of fruit still on the nose as I finish the last glass...20 sec plus finish(two hours bottle time). Will save the last botlele for at least one more year.
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On the nose, nice dark fruit and telltale vanilla oak. On the palate, blackberries, currant and cherries, with a creamy vanilla component and just a background hint of green. Finish was shorter than I expected, not quite to what I would consider medium in length. Tannins softened with time in the glass, but the green note worries me.
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Very modern in style. Too modern at present. Lots of oak, low tannins, low acidity. Not sure how long this will last. Let's see what it is like in a year.
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Opened not decanted. This is a easy drinking wine right out of the bottle. Nice nose of dark fruit. Paired with chicken soup, so it's hard to tell what else is going on. My only complaint is that I feel like the price is getting beyond their drinkable value.
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Aromas of dark cherries and blackberries, with touches of chocolate, green peppers, and vanilla. Similar flavors with a well balanced touch of oak. Finishes nicely with the faintest hint of toffee.
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Opened, not decanted. Corseted in a cherry color, gartered with legs in the glass, grape and berry tasting that is tight but softens nicely with a lovely long finish on the palate.
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Nose of dark cherries, blackberries, a bit of plumb with touches of chocolate. Excellent suprise on the palate: same touches of fruit as nose with a bit of caramel. Very nice finish, no heat, low tannin. Will get more of this for the price.
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Dinner with Eric and Jen at Bob's Steak & Chop House in Dallas. Great cab to go with our steaks. Plenty of fruit, cedar-caramel nose. Not very tannic, but full of fresh berry and caramel candy. Long, pleasant finish that mellowed and got richer through the meal.
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Reticent nose of melted caramel. Medium bodied, with notes of grape candy and mocha. Moderate tannins and mellow acidity. Not as rich or extracted as I had expected given the producer and vintage. I don't think it's underripe fruit... maybe it's going through a closed phase?
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Saturated, vanilla, black currant, mineral, bitter chocolate and toast nose. Full-bodied with tight grained tannins and good acidity; long, curranty finish.
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1/2/2021 - Sennma wrote:
A very crumbly cork made me a bit nervous on this one. But pleasantly surprised that it showed well.
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2/6/2018 - whybuyone wrote:
Still has some fruit but definitely past its prime. Drink it if you have it.
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8/21/2016 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet, amber edges; Napa nose; herbaceous; cassis; light oak; mid-body, softening tannins, rich flavor, starting to fade; long soft fruity finish. w/tri-tip
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8/8/2016 - Mallards wrote: 95 Points
For the price, just wow. Still great tannins, lush, flavors well combined for a delightful taste. While I could see it having a little more life to it, I wouldn't risk it - drink it now!
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7/4/2016 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted along side the 2001 Araujo Altagracia and Grand Vin. I brought this out to compare a $40 wine against $120 and $360 wines. However, it seemed like the comparison failed, because the style of this wine was so different. Whereas the Araujos were both very masculine, firm, powerful wines with lots of blackfruit and hefty French oak, the Phelps Napa was very soft with red cherry, strawberry, and cassis notes. Also, the American oak in the aging was very apparent giving the wine spicy notes including dill (my American oak tell), and baking spices. This wine actually had more complexity than the Araujos, partly because it seemed mature while they did not. There were secondary notes here including cigar. I liked the wine a lot but felt the dill and american oak notes were a bit much for me (although I am very biased against these notes). The palate was smooth, open-knit with no tannins and an easy drinking nature. My fiancee liked this wine better than the Araujos but I liked the Araujo Grand Vin the best, but not by much.
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2/4/2016 - acintheoc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very smooth drink now
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12/19/2015 - samalexis wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well, may be at it's peak.
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8/27/2015 - bsclemson wrote: 91 Points
Fruity aroma. Soft and velvety tannins. Fruit forward with cherry and raspberry notes and a hint of vanilla. Still holding up very well.
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8/22/2015 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Our house): An initial bouquet of buttered popcorn and dill gives way to black currants, cherry, plum and herbs. Medium-bodied and nearly fully integrated, this shows dark fruit, red berries and violets. Finishes very well. Guessed Cab Sauv- easily my favorite in the flight.
This had been double decanted off its sediment about two hours before the flight. Showing very well and is at peak, where it should last for a few years. Drink now-2018 before it begins to decline. Excellent.
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12/25/2014 - scott davis wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple in color, with a nice nose of cedar, leather, and currants. The palate is fully mature, with plum, black cherry, tobacco, and earth flavors. There’s a soft mouthfeel, good acidity, and mostly resolved tannins. Enjoyable.
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9/10/2014 - LARich wrote: 89 Points
Nicely balanced with pronounced cherry and mastic nose. Smooth integrated tannins, medium fjnish. A real pleasure and holding up just fine. Can last another 3-5 years.
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6/21/2014 - SanderB wrote: 92 Points
A swirl in the glass produced legs that took forever to descend, and released strawberries, blueberries and cranberries on the nose. After about an hour, the wine opened up beautifully. A little thin up front, but silky smooth with a lovely complex cedar finish.
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6/9/2014 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Popped & poured. Aromas of cedar, leather and plum; dark fruit dominates. Fully-integrated. Dark fruit, currants and forest floor qualities. Drinking very well right now and should hold at this level for a few years. Drink now-2017.
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4/11/2014 - DaleW wrote:
Slightly kirschy fruit, some vanilla still apparent, mostly resolved tannins, holding on but not my favorite this night. B-
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9/13/2013 - norsktorsk wrote: 90 Points
Holding up but not near favorites.
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1/2/2013 - Nojomoschwa Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is an excellent mature Napa Valley Cabernet. It still has enough fruit left — mainly blackberry and slightly overripe plum. You get this first, and then it transitions to a long, quite oaky finish. If you have any bottles left, I would recommend drinking in the next year or so. It was surprisingly delicious paired with spaghetti and a rich, lightly spiced tomato sauce (vegetarian).
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1/1/2013 - drunken sommelier Likes this wine: 91 Points
A fresh red fruit bomb of a cab. Have loved every bottle of this I have had, and sadly this is the last one. Will hold up for another few years at least.
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11/24/2012 - pucsolus wrote: 93 Points
Drank beautifully
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11/4/2012 - sdwineguru wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple; clean Cabernet nose, hints of mint, pepper, berries; mid-body; good structure, softening; smooth long finish. 13.8 alcohol so fruit hasn't collapsed like the 14.5 fruit bombs. w/filet mignon.
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10/29/2012 - ct1 wrote: 91 Points
Well balanced, perfectly aged. Full bodied, but lacks structure or complexity. Enjoyed it immensely with steak.
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8/28/2012 - drunken sommelier Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blackberries, dark skin plum, cigar-box and tea on the nose. Black fruit and cedar on the palate. Tannins are well integrated for a velvety, satiny texture. This wine is drinking wonderfully now and should for at least another year or two. Great Tuesday wine!
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4/8/2012 - drunken sommelier Likes this wine:
Plum, cherry, blackberry, fine leather and sweet spice on the nose. Was a hit with everyone.
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4/2/2012 - jmotta Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Past it's prime. Worst wine I've head the pleasure of trying in the past year. Thin and flat.
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3/23/2012 - EMTAME wrote: 89 Points
Very good, fully mature '01 cab from Phelps. Dark fruit with a good sense of structure and none of the sweetness and black licorice found in some younger versions. Paired well with steaks.
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1/29/2012 - EvanJB wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing. Expected a bigger bolder wine
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1/3/2012 - Chrispx wrote: 88 Points
A little thin and flat structure.
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12/21/2011 - R. Hung wrote: 84 Points
In such excellent vintage, I expected the wine to be stronger in structure and richer in substance. But I was disappointed, the color was still dark purple but some what transparent. It was rather lean and flat in the palate. Tannins have been dissolved, and it actually tasted like diluted black currant juices.
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8/28/2011 - elc190 wrote:
O
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8/22/2011 - mrpaper126@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Plush, great vintage combined with top winemaking remind me of what really good cabernet tastes like. This wine will hold its own for years to come, and is a nice diversion from so many non descript cabernets that flood the market today. Give it some open time, relax and enjoy.
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8/22/2011 - SamAdams wrote:
Bottle is drinking great and had a great balance of oak and fruit and was very smooth.
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8/6/2011 - Maz wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well. One of my favorite cabs at this price point. Smooth Tannins and long finish.
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6/5/2011 - bwillia wrote: 90 Points
These are just starting to enter their drinking window on their tenth anniversary. Still a great deal of substance here but also some oak to deal with yet. Still this is drinking very nicely finally but these will be around for some time to come. At least another ten years.
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5/29/2011 - Kenneth14 wrote: 86 Points
Too plaine and tart. Nice body, medium dryness.
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1/7/2011 - golfwine wrote: 84 Points
This my third & final bottle and, in final analysis, a moderate disappointment. A great vintage from a well-respected producer and this wine was no more than good and so, my score to reflect that. As opposed to being nicely integrated with some residual complexity and intrigue, this was simply flat; almost empty. Decent aromatics but it really ended there with a very unimpressionable flavor profile. I sure hope this is an aberration.
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11/6/2010 - winejnky wrote: 84 Points
Woody, fading fruit, still lots of gunpowder/graphite/earthiness. Seems like the structure is going to outlast the fruit.
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9/7/2010 - sdwineguru wrote: 92 Points
Mid dark garnet, amber edges; mint/berries/Cab nose; mid to big; balanced; good fruit; life left. w/filet. Will improve over next three to five years. Coming around as food friendly.
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9/3/2010 - Maxine wrote: 86 Points
Very nice and aged great although we noticed the cork was getting queationable so we drank.
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7/2/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 88 Points
Decent cherry fruit. Too much oak. Still tannic.
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5/22/2010 - efc wrote: 90 Points
A wine that was at first was muted but you could tell something good was lurking in the background. Purple and toward the opaque range...unbelievable for a nine year old wine. Will it get better, probably not. It was a wine with finesse. Excellent cabernet fruit - black raspberries and current with a dollap of spice from the oak. The tannins were velvety and in check. A wine by itself or with the veal. A perfect match.
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4/26/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 86 Points
Vibrant fruit of plum, cassis and cherry. Not overly complex. No finish. A nice cedar/oak nose that compliments the fruit. A good pizza or pasta wine.
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3/23/2010 - pikemasterflash wrote:
Drinking really well right now--see my most recent note.
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2/25/2010 - winejnky wrote: 89 Points
Brimming with bright cherry fruit leading to minerals/gunpowder on the midpalate and a decent finish. Old world style with some new world vigor.
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1/12/2010 - bwillia wrote: 90 Points
Opened with subdued aromatics and palate. With air picked up some chocolate, smoke and very dark fruits. Color is still vibrant and youthful. Significant structure remains. That being said this is in a bit of an awkward phase. The exuberance of youth is gone but the elegance of long term aging hasn't quite set in. It will for sure but it needs a few more years. Right now it comes across as slightly hollow. Patience, patience
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11/13/2009 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 88 Points
Very average ---- may just be too old or at a ad point
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11/8/2009 - clovercap wrote: 92 Points
An exceptional cab and great QPR. This one is really singing right now. Our last one...wish we had a few more! Paired wonderfully with roast pork loin.
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10/27/2009 - Javier wrote: 91 Points
What an outstanding bottle of wine. Full bodied and smooth as silk with hints of berries and chocolate
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10/2/2009 - davidandrose wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. This is in its prime, though a well-stored bottle probably still has a few years ahead. Dark pour in the glass, a bit of green on the nose (even 2 hrs after opening) but a great-tasting wine with dark fruit and solid structure and depth.
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10/1/2009 - JDRFoster wrote: 91 Points
An excellent showing. Well balanced with layer of moderately aged cabernet flavors and complexity.
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9/11/2009 - jmam wrote: 91 Points
Very nice as an aperitive with tapas. well structured, balanced and long.
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7/13/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 89 Points
Not bad for a second label, medium to light intensity matured black fruits with enough smoke and underbrush to keep it interesting. Shortish finish but filled out a bit with an hour in the decanter. Seems expensive, and maybe some bottle variation?
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7/3/2009 - davidandrose wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour, consumed over 4 hours. Just an excellent overall wine, and a great QPR at $38 on release. Although a little rough and green upon opening, this quickly evolved (without decanting) into a nicely balanced wine with a lingering fruity finish.
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3/29/2009 - pikemasterflash wrote: 90 Points
Solid everyday Cab. I consumed this with my wife while we made veggie soup and stew--perfect complement. Note to self: don't sell anymore of these.
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3/7/2009 - Old Tasting Notes wrote: 91 Points
really good, rich wine, some eucalyptus notes. Definitely benefits from some age to come together and mellow out, has a lot of notes of the insignia but not the depth and complexity
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3/5/2009 - Double D wrote: 91 Points
Phelps keeps turning out these keepers....give them a few years and they always seem rich, balanced and vibrant. Wish I had purchased more.
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11/2/2008 - vintage61 wrote: 85 Points
Have always enjoyed this wine and this vintage, but not this bottle. Somehow seemed vey sweet fruit to the point of nausiating.
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10/19/2008 - bmarshall wrote: 90 Points
Very good. Similar to previous notes, but add a little berry character to the classic Napa currants.
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10/3/2008 - pikemasterflash wrote: 88 Points
Dark ruby red. Nose is all about alcohol. Too menthol tonight to be considered "good"
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9/24/2008 - roasted hill wrote:
Deep purple, nice legs. Dark Fruit nose, and blueberry pie on the initial attack. Quite primary, for me, with a smooth, moderate length finish. Drinking well, but I can't imagine that it will improve. QPR ok, but there's no "there" there.
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9/20/2008 - Bellissimo wrote: 91 Points
Great balance between fruit, structure and tannins plus it is not over oaked.
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7/11/2008 - spretzer wrote: 91 Points
very nice
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5/19/2008 - valjean wrote: 89 Points
Very good Napa Cab from the strong '01 batch. Silky tannins, good structure, firm fruit. Definitely ready now -- a few more years might soften it too much. Falls a little short of excellent: not a lot of extra flavors or undertones, but still very solid. Medium finish.
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5/16/2008 - pikemasterflash wrote: 92 Points
This wine showed really well--much better than the last time. I think this is hitting its window right in the middle. Sweet almost making me pucker a bit. Velvety smooth. Really in balance. I have sold some of these recently but no more!
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4/28/2008 - Double D wrote: 90 Points
Very dark, full bodied fruity cab.
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4/26/2008 - GlenD wrote: 92 Points
Great balance between mature fruit, interesting secondary characteristics and a touch of acidity on the finish. Very nice.
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4/14/2008 - Double D wrote: 88 Points
A bit of an oxidized taste, but not dominant...not sure if it needs more time or not. Otherwise a pretty nice dinner wine with grilled beef. Check again later in the year.
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3/31/2008 - GA_Seattle wrote: 90 Points
Wine has settled into a nice groove. Very approachable with moderate tannins and nice smooth texture. Slightly smoky with dark fruits and a lengthy finish. Probably at/near its peak, but may still be good for another 1-2 years.
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3/1/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 91 Points
Deep dark red with red rim. Perfectly open nose with mulberry, blackberry liqueur a touch of herbs and mint. Mediium to full bodied flavors of the same type, with great balance. Medium finish. Drink or hold, but it is in a nice place now.
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2/24/2008 - winelovr2001 wrote: 92 Points
Very nice cab at its peak, but will hold for a few more years. Great balance of fruit, tannin, and acid.
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1/25/2008 - win wrote: 90 Points
Actually exibiting very fresh aromas and flavors of black currants and red cherries. Oak is gone - very interesting wine right now. Not quite sure where it is going, but very enjoyable right now.
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1/18/2008 - spts1000 wrote: 91 Points
I wanted to rate this higher, but it is not worth a higher score based on the wine. the wine is great. it is worth a higher score because it is a great wine for the price and is singing here. thr fruit is very nice o the front and then the structure comes in towards the end. there still is a nice bit of tannins, buit is drinking really well.
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12/8/2007 - sleepyhaus wrote: 90 Points
Very nice for the entry level product. I'd drink it fast though as it started to fade after about an hour and a half.
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12/2/2007 - bmarshall wrote: 91 Points
Very nice, classic Napa cab. Blackberry, black currants and a decent amount of oak on the nose and palate. Very nice finish. Probably at its peak now.
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9/21/2007 - Tad GW wrote: 91 Points
50+5+12+16+8=91
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9/19/2007 - bilge316 wrote: 87 Points
A little disappointing. Nice cherry on the nose, all the flavors are well integrated, but it has almost no finish. This wine is probably at it's peak.
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6/25/2007 - AzorianMatador wrote: 91 Points
Solid right out of the bottle unmistakable cali fruit. Nice mouth feel, medium finish, well integrated. Not the richest or most complex that California has to offer but very fair value IMO. Unfortunately it did not last very long so I'm left only with my initial impressions. Drink or hold for a couple more years.
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6/24/2007 - Squirreljam wrote: 91 Points
A few years in the cellar have done this well, drinking great right now. Rich nose of cedar and currant. On the palate, very smooth with black fruit and a touch of briar. Moderate-long finish with a bit of grip; tannins still there for structure but not obtrusive. Great now, but will easily stand years more in the cellar. Wish I had more.
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6/14/2007 - cookie7 wrote: 89 Points
Probably at its peak. I get a lot of chocolate on this one.
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12/26/2006 - Hollowleg wrote: 79 Points
This bottle has past its' peak. I have one left & don't know if I should give it away or throw it away.
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11/20/2006 - Hollowleg wrote: 89 Points
STUPID ME! The rating refers to the very first glass straight out of the bottle (opened an hour before). Great nose of black fruit & in the mouth. Nice backbone going down. Why did I decant at that point? I felt I could reduce the acidity somewhat but I ended up taking the life out of the wine. While the last glass is usually the best, because of the decanting it was falling apart. I'll pour my last two '01's straight from the bottle to the glass. K.I.S.S.!
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9/7/2006 - win wrote: 90 Points
Very solid wine that reminded me more of the 1997 Napa, as opposed to the 1996, which I thought was much better. Glad I have more for the future.
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8/28/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 89 Points
Notes consistent with the prior bottle. Bumping up a point for the slightly rounder tannins in this bottle. The green note still concerns me for the future.
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7/28/2006 - Yogi8938 wrote: 90 Points
Paired wonderfuly wtih grilled ribeye steak ... Nice black fruits and smooth finish. Plenty of fruit still on the nose as I finish the last glass...20 sec plus finish(two hours bottle time). Will save the last botlele for at least one more year.
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6/18/2006 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine. Probably needs more time but it opened nicely. I may have noticed some hints of green, but overall a solid effort.
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6/11/2006 - win wrote: 90 Points
Very fruit forward, but I think that it will be more interesting with a few more years on it.
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5/28/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 88 Points
On the nose, nice dark fruit and telltale vanilla oak. On the palate, blackberries, currant and cherries, with a creamy vanilla component and just a background hint of green. Finish was shorter than I expected, not quite to what I would consider medium in length. Tannins softened with time in the glass, but the green note worries me.
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4/18/2006 - smokie wrote: 89 Points
Very modern in style. Too modern at present. Lots of oak, low tannins, low acidity. Not sure how long this will last. Let's see what it is like in a year.
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1/2/2006 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted. Out of the bottle, dry, spicy, slightly tannic with a little heat. Hopefully it will open up in the glass / bottle.
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11/4/2005 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted. This is a easy drinking wine right out of the bottle. Nice nose of dark fruit. Paired with chicken soup, so it's hard to tell what else is going on. My only complaint is that I feel like the price is getting beyond their drinkable value.
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10/6/2005 - tanglenet wrote: flawed
Corked!
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7/13/2005 - rlysecky wrote: 92 Points
Aromas of dark cherries and blackberries, with touches of chocolate, green peppers, and vanilla. Similar flavors with a well balanced touch of oak. Finishes nicely with the faintest hint of toffee.
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5/8/2005 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened, not decanted. Corseted in a cherry color, gartered with legs in the glass, grape and berry tasting that is tight but softens nicely with a lovely long finish on the palate.
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5/7/2005 - du Beaune wrote: 92 Points
Nose of dark cherries, blackberries, a bit of plumb with touches of chocolate. Excellent suprise on the palate: same touches of fruit as nose with a bit of caramel. Very nice finish, no heat, low tannin. Will get more of this for the price.
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11/26/2004 - Hunterkm wrote: 89 Points
Tasted at winery and thought is was a good wine. Certainly the Insignia was smoother but this is a very respectable Cab.
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9/17/2004 - strulock wrote: 91 Points
Dinner with Eric and Jen at Bob's Steak & Chop House in Dallas. Great cab to go with our steaks. Plenty of fruit, cedar-caramel nose. Not very tannic, but full of fresh berry and caramel candy. Long, pleasant finish that mellowed and got richer through the meal.
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7/31/2004 - Eric wrote: 84 Points
My trip to Napa, Part 4: Montelena, Phelps, Darioush, lunch at Tra Vigne, Dinner at Bouchon and a nightcap (Napa Valley, California, USA): Deep color. This shows green olive, black fruit and some heat. The palate is spicy with nice structure and an interesting vegetal edge. Then this finishes out somewhat cumbersome, too sweet with raspy tannins. Perhaps the 2001 Merlot tasted prior dragged my palate down.
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7/31/2004 - Siggy wrote: 86 Points
Reticent nose of melted caramel. Medium bodied, with notes of grape candy and mocha. Moderate tannins and mellow acidity. Not as rich or extracted as I had expected given the producer and vintage. I don't think it's underripe fruit... maybe it's going through a closed phase?
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5/14/2004 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry, chocolate and mocha.
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5/4/2004 - Double-A wrote:
Saturated, vanilla, black currant, mineral, bitter chocolate and toast nose. Full-bodied with tight grained tannins and good acidity; long, curranty finish.
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