Was not expecting to be surprised, given an over-the-top Chalk Hill 2008 Cabernet that made me wonder about last decade's California wines. Perfectly balanced, lively and fruit-forward but not candied or extreme, with enough freshness to make it a classic. California wine made well. Decadent would be the word. Ain't that America?
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Really wanted to like this more than I did, although still a pretty good wine. Nice up front creamy texture to it with dried cherry, black currant, and plum fruit. Good core of cocoa and earth an interesting 'dustiness' to it. Has a mix of mineral and sage flavors and ends up with some dry tannins on the end. Good wine, not great.
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Probably waited too long to drink this. Color is a gorgeous deep indigo, suggesting few, if any age issues. Nose has an astringent alcohol aroma. On the palate this has lots of earthy, mineral notes but very limited fruit and a hint of caramelization on the finish. Would have expected this to last longer. It did improve after an hour so will see what this is like tomorrow.
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This was an unusual DAV cab in that the wine was missing the hallmark upfront Napa fruit I expect from this producer. Mid palate and finish were fine but Napa cab without a lot of upfront fruit is just meh.
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We had this at a friends 4/5/14 smoked rib dinner. It had a deep, rich bouquet of black currant, black cherry, cocoa, mocha, sage and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense, elegant and dry with flavors that followed the nose.
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Really yummy although I think the 'peak' of the 2006's was back in the summer and these seem to be coming out of that super strong phase. Still get really luscious black fruits though - blackberries are predominant. There's a nice earthy-dustiness to the wine that makes it feel more muted. And a kindof simple elegance without too strong of a tannin at the end.
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At Gary's Grand Tasting. DA is always a great wine, in my experience This one is going into a good zone.
Dark color. Brooding style - Bordeaux-like graphite/pencil, earth. Dark cherry, raspberries, currant, cassis. Still drinking like a young wine, will have a few years ahead of it but ready now. Medium finish
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Very dark, almost opaque. Brooding with graphite, lead pencil, earth. Tight. Tannins well integrated but acid a bit out of kilter. Nose was shut down. No sweetness to the fruit. Perhaps too young. Opened some over 3 hours. Lots of potential.
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Tasted in a lineup with two 1147 vintages. this was first up and was very nice. color dark crimson, nose with typical dark cabernet fruit. very primary. on the palate this was voluptuous and rich, with no rough edges. finish medium long. very nice wine.
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3/30/2022 - Craig Shipley wrote: 88 Points
Wine held up very well. 6 years past drink by age. Some anise, good fruit, decent tannins. We’ll drink it slow and should open up.
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5/1/2020 - Simoncino wrote: 92 Points
Was not expecting to be surprised, given an over-the-top Chalk Hill 2008 Cabernet that made me wonder about last decade's California wines. Perfectly balanced, lively and fruit-forward but not candied or extreme, with enough freshness to make it a classic. California wine made well. Decadent would be the word. Ain't that America?
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1/3/2020 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Black cherries, blackberries, and currants in the nose and flavor along with licorice and hints of chocolate. Full bodied and a long finish.
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5/4/2017 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really wanted to like this more than I did, although still a pretty good wine. Nice up front creamy texture to it with dried cherry, black currant, and plum fruit. Good core of cocoa and earth an interesting 'dustiness' to it. Has a mix of mineral and sage flavors and ends up with some dry tannins on the end. Good wine, not great.
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9/3/2016 - wconnolly wrote: 84 Points
Probably waited too long to drink this. Color is a gorgeous deep indigo, suggesting few, if any age issues. Nose has an astringent alcohol aroma. On the palate this has lots of earthy, mineral notes but very limited fruit and a hint of caramelization on the finish. Would have expected this to last longer. It did improve after an hour so will see what this is like tomorrow.
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1/29/2015 - flashvictor wrote: 86 Points
This was an unusual DAV cab in that the wine was missing the hallmark upfront Napa fruit I expect from this producer. Mid palate and finish were fine but Napa cab without a lot of upfront fruit is just meh.
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4/5/2014 - garambler Likes this wine: 93 Points
We had this at a friends 4/5/14 smoked rib dinner. It had a deep, rich bouquet of black currant, black cherry, cocoa, mocha, sage and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense, elegant and dry with flavors that followed the nose.
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12/11/2013 - KeithSurg wrote: 90 Points
Nice integration of dark fruit, oak and earth. Slightly bitter tannins that stand out on the finish.
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11/30/2013 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really yummy although I think the 'peak' of the 2006's was back in the summer and these seem to be coming out of that super strong phase. Still get really luscious black fruits though - blackberries are predominant. There's a nice earthy-dustiness to the wine that makes it feel more muted. And a kindof simple elegance without too strong of a tannin at the end.
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10/3/2013 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
At Gary's Grand Tasting. DA is always a great wine, in my experience This one is going into a good zone.
Dark color. Brooding style - Bordeaux-like graphite/pencil, earth. Dark cherry, raspberries, currant, cassis. Still drinking like a young wine, will have a few years ahead of it but ready now. Medium finish
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9/17/2013 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Winorama with a surprise (engagement)!; 9/15/2013-9/18/2013 (Napa Valley California): Amazing what just giving a wine five years from release can do. Wild black cherries, raspberries - fruit is coming out quite nicely. It's still a young wine though and I suspect we'll wait a few more years to drink the one we got.
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9/11/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
California Wine Country with Jill for our 30th's; 9/9/2012-9/15/2012 (California): Private winery tour and tasting.
Gorgeous dark cherry sweeps down the palate. Aromas of cassis, chocolate and humidor.
Great precision with a clean finish. Elegant and royal styling. In line with DA house style.
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9/7/2012 - iamandyc wrote: 91 Points
Very dark, almost opaque. Brooding with graphite, lead pencil, earth. Tight. Tannins well integrated but acid a bit out of kilter. Nose was shut down. No sweetness to the fruit. Perhaps too young. Opened some over 3 hours. Lots of potential.
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4/28/2012 - brianofthevine wrote: 88 Points
Kind of disappointing. Black cherry and chocolate but very muted fruit. Not really any tannins here with an ok finish. Hmmm.
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5/31/2011 - chcook wrote: 90 Points
Tasted in a lineup with two 1147 vintages. this was first up and was very nice. color dark crimson, nose with typical dark cabernet fruit. very primary. on the palate this was voluptuous and rich, with no rough edges. finish medium long. very nice wine.
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5/9/2010 - curtr wrote: 90 Points
Tasted along side the Elevation 1147. Almost ready to drink (+1 yr). Not the degree of complexity, however still a treat on its own.
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