Luis Does Tilia (Tilia, Mpls): Deep purple color. Followed a glass over an hour. Big and ripe, but green nose, all black fruits, pretty intense. The palate is really extrracted, ultra sappy, blackberry liqueur, Port-like, oak, full bodied with nice soft tannins, but showing the heat on the mid and back end. I know a lot people will likely still enjoy this. For me this is a tough style to begin with as it just doesn't have the kind of balance I prefer. To that point, I don't think this weill be served well by further aging - and was probably better a few years ago. Drink up.
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Back at TIlia with Luis' group: The alcohol is fairly pronounced. This wine is more of a berry liqueur to me. It is trying to be flashy, and there's positive new world Napa cab qualities to it, but the balance suffers as a result.
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Started off with ripe fruit, then mellowed out and integrated. Very clean and controlled profile. Medium bodied, the most developed more after the alcohol burned off.
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As usual, the Kenefick Ranch cab is full of blue and purple fruits, lush in texture (even eight years after the vintage), and a delicious Napa cab from start to finish.
I really like the Quivet line for its diversity of flavor profiles across the vineyard designate wines, and for the consistent vineyard character from vintage to vintage.
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Followed over several hours. Very large scaled but hides the alcohol. Dark fruited, quite plush and ripe, but retained some freshness. Does border on being over ripe but seems to keep it together. Not sure where this is going. This was my last bottle.
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Popped and poured, followed over three nights. The first night it was a little big and forward, the second night it had calmed some and was much smoother. Very dark in the glass, dark fruit on the palate, a little earth. Very good.
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OMG this is a great Cabernet! Make sure to drink at the right temperature. My first glass was at cellar temperature - not right for this wine. At temp, the wine opens up, nice balance and nose. Some Cabernet are too woody or acidic, this is a pleasant, balanced wine.
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Opened this wine for New Year's Eve dinner, but ended up going out for drinks and dinner instead. So, a long decant of 6 hours, then covered until New Year's Day eve! Having with Beef Stew for dinner, served at room temperature. Enjoying a pre-dinner glass - full, pleasant nose, but not overpowering. First taste had strong wood, but then balanced by fruit and acidity on the back of my tongue. Nice floral and cherry aroma with each pull. Bright red cherry color. It's a good time to drink this wine, though it will likely continue to mature.
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Interesting how this wine has changed from earlier in the year - chameleon like. More of a dark red and black fruit profile instead of the bluer fruit that I got earlier in the year - dark cherry, dark currants, blackberry, and dark raspberry. Smooth mid-palate coupled with solid depth. Nice flavors of dark berries and a little spice. In addition, this bottle wasn't as rich/sweet. Fairly long finish. Decanted for one hour and drank over another three. Not much improvement with time but at a nice drinking point. Really enjoyable but once again I thought this vintage was tremendous really young as the vibrant/full flavors of dark blue/black fruit and spice box were something special.
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Boy did this puppy fill out since my last bottle over 2 years ago! Had as a cocktail prior to the bird. Daaaaamn. So good. Has gotten deeper and more complex...quite a substantially. Not a huge textural masterpiece but it is nicely proportioned. Inviting aromas of dark berries and spice but nary a trace of oak on the palate. It's there, just buried under the fruit.
Better than the 13 and 14 IMO. Can go for another few years I believe.
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This was quite impressive. Decanted and followed over 5hrs. Dark fruit on the nose with red fruit highlights. palate is forward, concentrated, and plush, with fins sweet fruit and soft texture as being the defining characteristics. That is not to say flabby, as it had a nice acidic lift and crispness, to the otherwise wide palate. Long finish, sweet tannins, with just a touch of vanilla mixed in. Very good, enjoyable now in an approachable vintage.
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Honestly still a bit underwhelming for a Mike Smith project. Better than the first bottle though which I probably scored too high. Actually enjoyed this more after it sat for 2 days so probably still drinking too early. Was more mellow and had a nice smoky currant flavor develop. Probably my last Quivet though since I didn't like them enough to purchase again. Wife's opinion similar - decent but nothing to get excited over.
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A ripe and round modern Cabernet that is drinking beautifully right now. Dark purple in color, full in body, enticing nose of boysenberry, tree bark, and pencil shavings. Tastes of ripe blueberry, raspberry, cedar, and licorice, with a sweet and integrated finish (read: dusty tannins, but not very imposing). 15.2% alcohol. This is the best Quivet I've tasted so far, though it is a touch too tart and sweet for me. At the same time, I was charmed by the depth of fruit - while maintaining balance. Drink now or in next few years.
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I decided to put this next to the 2010 vintage to see how they compare. Blue and black fruit - blackberry, blueberry, and currants. Smooth mid-palate with decent depth but not as deep as the 2010 vintage. Fairly rich and sweet. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep. In my opinion, this vintage was much better really young with fuller/deeper fruit and bigger/fuller flavors. In addition, it continues to get richer and sweeter as the tannins continue to soften. Still a nice wine though but the 2010 vintage was more my style - not as rich/sweet and also a bigger/fuller cab.
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This really needs more red fruit in it. Mostly devoid of this profile, the blue fruit is overwhelming to my palate. Some black fruit is there but in the background. I am hoping blue goose is right about the 2013 or I will be offloading a few bottles. Still, a well made wine.
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Very much an earthy nose. Light hit of black currant on introduction. Then, maybe something like clove. “Dustiness” re-appears mid-palate. However, leather may be a better description. Tannin kind of sneaks up on you. It’s not until the rear palate that it becomes noticeable. Fairly tart—but that’s a good thing for some of us.
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Deep rich blue and black fruit flavors with just the right amount of oak and spice. A subtle sweetness and roundness along with great mouth feel. In a word, delicious!
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I agree somewhat with Bluegoose's last note however, for me, the mid-palate and finish are a bit thin but the aromas this wine generates while in the decanter are phenomenal. Not as fruit forward as the Pellet but it showcases more depth and character. Could use more bottle time, I would imagine. Currently, more red than black fruits on the palate.
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Took this to a party. Double-decanted about 3 hours prior to party and popped cork back in. Let breathe for an hour prior to serving.
A real crowd pleaser. This was more restrained and had more fruit than the 2012 Frank Family reserve cab that was the alternative wine. I only got one small pour - looking forward to another bottle soon that I can enjoy in isolation.
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2015 Napa Trip - Day 2: This stood out as a bigger wine than the 2011 Myriad Dr. Crane. Just jumps out of the glass. More red in color. More alcohol, but no heat. Bigger finish. Finish on this wine is fantastic - really lingers, and leaves you wanting more. I can see this as a real crowd pleaser in the near term. Will disappear quickly.
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2 hr decant. Big bold nose of blackberry, dark cherry, baking spice and cedar notes. Full bodied and creamy with black fruits, semi sweet chocolate and baking spices on the finish. Possibly my favorite Quivet to date.
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Just fantastic. The key to really getting this wine to sing is to let it slowly open up. Slow ox this for several hours and then decanted. The result is a sumptuous, decadent treat for the senses.
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With New Years dinner. Interesting nose, oak was a bit prominent with not as much fruit showing as I would have preferred. Counter to some I think a bit more time will help integrate this a bit more. I'll wait at least a year before next.
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Wow!! What a change from the 2011 and May surpass the incredible 2010. I should have ordered more. The complexity and depth of this wine is astounding, especially considering the price point. Although one doesn't think of a QPR at $60+, this wine performs better straight out of the bottle than many wines 2-3 times this price after collaring for several years.
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Wow this is good, drinks well right out of the gate, deep dark fruit,spice licorice and gingerbread even... Great balance and extraction. Drink now or hold for 5, but I think this is a better early drinker
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Pop and pour and served with food (marinated steak tips, in case you were wondering). Wonderful nose of ripe black cherries and some vanilla notes. What stands out is the feel of the wine in the mouth - rich and full bodied and like velvet. While rich in flavor, it remains well balanced and inviting. Delicious.
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This has been an all time favorite of mine year to year and this one does not disappoint. I would like to think I could spot it by aromatics alone if placed blind among the whole Quivet lineup. Nose of sweet red cassis with a touch of cardamom. Such an elegant and refined wine that I hear rumors women tend to flock to. I guess that is where I want to flock too. Wow.
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1/19/2023 - rocknroller wrote: 88 Points
Luis Does Tilia (Tilia, Mpls): Deep purple color. Followed a glass over an hour. Big and ripe, but green nose, all black fruits, pretty intense. The palate is really extrracted, ultra sappy, blackberry liqueur, Port-like, oak, full bodied with nice soft tannins, but showing the heat on the mid and back end. I know a lot people will likely still enjoy this. For me this is a tough style to begin with as it just doesn't have the kind of balance I prefer. To that point, I don't think this weill be served well by further aging - and was probably better a few years ago. Drink up.
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1/19/2023 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Back at TIlia with Luis' group: The alcohol is fairly pronounced. This wine is more of a berry liqueur to me. It is trying to be flashy, and there's positive new world Napa cab qualities to it, but the balance suffers as a result.
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9/6/2021 - jc510 Likes this wine:
Started off with ripe fruit, then mellowed out and integrated. Very clean and controlled profile. Medium bodied, the most developed more after the alcohol burned off.
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4/18/2020 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
As usual, the Kenefick Ranch cab is full of blue and purple fruits, lush in texture (even eight years after the vintage), and a delicious Napa cab from start to finish.
I really like the Quivet line for its diversity of flavor profiles across the vineyard designate wines, and for the consistent vineyard character from vintage to vintage.
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9/24/2019 - King Cab wrote:
beautiful
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2/12/2019 - Forest Floor wrote: 88 Points
Winter Winetasting February 2019; 7 California Cabernet and 1 Merlot Blind; 8 Tasters: Very big, nice in its way. Impressive on the nose, chocolate. In the mouth, a little awkward, too big, a little disjointed. More time? B+
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9/22/2018 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Followed over several hours. Very large scaled but hides the alcohol. Dark fruited, quite plush and ripe, but retained some freshness. Does border on being over ripe but seems to keep it together. Not sure where this is going. This was my last bottle.
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9/2/2018 - Mtpisgah Likes this wine:
Popped and poured, followed over three nights. The first night it was a little big and forward, the second night it had calmed some and was much smoother. Very dark in the glass, dark fruit on the palate, a little earth. Very good.
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5/23/2018 - oceanspirit Likes this wine: 93 Points
OMG this is a great Cabernet! Make sure to drink at the right temperature. My first glass was at cellar temperature - not right for this wine. At temp, the wine opens up, nice balance and nose. Some Cabernet are too woody or acidic, this is a pleasant, balanced wine.
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2/12/2018 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 94 Points
A beautiful cab that is just coming into its prime. Loved it.
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1/1/2018 - oceanspirit Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened this wine for New Year's Eve dinner, but ended up going out for drinks and dinner instead. So, a long decant of 6 hours, then covered until New Year's Day eve! Having with Beef Stew for dinner, served at room temperature. Enjoying a pre-dinner glass - full, pleasant nose, but not overpowering. First taste had strong wood, but then balanced by fruit and acidity on the back of my tongue. Nice floral and cherry aroma with each pull. Bright red cherry color. It's a good time to drink this wine, though it will likely continue to mature.
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12/1/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 93 Points
Interesting how this wine has changed from earlier in the year - chameleon like. More of a dark red and black fruit profile instead of the bluer fruit that I got earlier in the year - dark cherry, dark currants, blackberry, and dark raspberry. Smooth mid-palate coupled with solid depth. Nice flavors of dark berries and a little spice. In addition, this bottle wasn't as rich/sweet. Fairly long finish. Decanted for one hour and drank over another three. Not much improvement with time but at a nice drinking point. Really enjoyable but once again I thought this vintage was tremendous really young as the vibrant/full flavors of dark blue/black fruit and spice box were something special.
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11/23/2017 - Mech-E wrote: 93 Points
Boy did this puppy fill out since my last bottle over 2 years ago! Had as a cocktail prior to the bird. Daaaaamn. So good. Has gotten deeper and more complex...quite a substantially. Not a huge textural masterpiece but it is nicely proportioned. Inviting aromas of dark berries and spice but nary a trace of oak on the palate. It's there, just buried under the fruit.
Better than the 13 and 14 IMO. Can go for another few years I believe.
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10/14/2017 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was quite impressive. Decanted and followed over 5hrs. Dark fruit on the nose with red fruit highlights. palate is forward, concentrated, and plush, with fins sweet fruit and soft texture as being the defining characteristics. That is not to say flabby, as it had a nice acidic lift and crispness, to the otherwise wide palate. Long finish, sweet tannins, with just a touch of vanilla mixed in. Very good, enjoyable now in an approachable vintage.
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8/13/2017 - Venezia wrote: 95 Points
black and blue fruits prevail with full mouthful of fruit explosion. Oak level is nice. tannins are present but subtle. Nice job Mike!
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7/27/2017 - MOCGator wrote: 95 Points
Young. Beautiful. Big. An excellent Mike Smith wine.
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4/18/2017 - yeti575rider wrote: 90 Points
Honestly still a bit underwhelming for a Mike Smith project. Better than the first bottle though which I probably scored too high. Actually enjoyed this more after it sat for 2 days so probably still drinking too early. Was more mellow and had a nice smoky currant flavor develop. Probably my last Quivet though since I didn't like them enough to purchase again. Wife's opinion similar - decent but nothing to get excited over.
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4/2/2017 - ageverett Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pop and splash decant. Opened right up. Consistent with prior notes - very solid stuff and drinking well now.
Not sure that additional cellar time is going to do a ton for this - will be in a pretty sweet spot for the next 2-4 years.
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2/26/2017 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great wine. Got more black fruit this bottle. Currant, oak. Nice mouth feel with long finish. Love Kenefick fruit.
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2/14/2017 - msuwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
A ripe and round modern Cabernet that is drinking beautifully right now. Dark purple in color, full in body, enticing nose of boysenberry, tree bark, and pencil shavings. Tastes of ripe blueberry, raspberry, cedar, and licorice, with a sweet and integrated finish (read: dusty tannins, but not very imposing). 15.2% alcohol. This is the best Quivet I've tasted so far, though it is a touch too tart and sweet for me. At the same time, I was charmed by the depth of fruit - while maintaining balance. Drink now or in next few years.
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1/28/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 92 Points
I decided to put this next to the 2010 vintage to see how they compare. Blue and black fruit - blackberry, blueberry, and currants. Smooth mid-palate with decent depth but not as deep as the 2010 vintage. Fairly rich and sweet. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep. In my opinion, this vintage was much better really young with fuller/deeper fruit and bigger/fuller flavors. In addition, it continues to get richer and sweeter as the tannins continue to soften. Still a nice wine though but the 2010 vintage was more my style - not as rich/sweet and also a bigger/fuller cab.
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10/28/2016 - Rktekt3 wrote: 90 Points
This really needs more red fruit in it. Mostly devoid of this profile, the blue fruit is overwhelming to my palate. Some black fruit is there but in the background. I am hoping blue goose is right about the 2013 or I will be offloading a few bottles. Still, a well made wine.
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7/25/2016 - EMark Likes this wine:
Very much an earthy nose. Light hit of black currant on introduction. Then, maybe something like clove. “Dustiness” re-appears mid-palate. However, leather may be a better description. Tannin kind of sneaks up on you. It’s not until the rear palate that it becomes noticeable. Fairly tart—but that’s a good thing for some of us.
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3/6/2016 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first bottle - been hard to hold off. Excellent! I got a lot of blue fruits. Long finish. Deep and brooding with full mouthfeel.
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2/8/2016 - Wine_in_HD wrote: 95 Points
Deep rich blue and black fruit flavors with just the right amount of oak and spice. A subtle sweetness and roundness along with great mouth feel. In a word, delicious!
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10/3/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and splash decanted. Opened right up, and was excellent. Ripe red fruits wrapped in soft leather. Very food friendly and gorgeous to enjoy now.
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9/9/2015 - Mech-E Likes this wine: 92 Points
I agree somewhat with Bluegoose's last note however, for me, the mid-palate and finish are a bit thin but the aromas this wine generates while in the decanter are phenomenal. Not as fruit forward as the Pellet but it showcases more depth and character. Could use more bottle time, I would imagine. Currently, more red than black fruits on the palate.
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6/12/2015 - pakabear Likes this wine: 94 Points
More like my first bottle, dark fruit, cooking spices, integrated oak and camphor. Great balance and texture, love this bottle and went way too fast.
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5/28/2015 - jaxpaj wrote:
Hold off. Not ready to drink
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4/25/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine: 93 Points
Took this to a party. Double-decanted about 3 hours prior to party and popped cork back in. Let breathe for an hour prior to serving.
A real crowd pleaser. This was more restrained and had more fruit than the 2012 Frank Family reserve cab that was the alternative wine. I only got one small pour - looking forward to another bottle soon that I can enjoy in isolation.
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4/10/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine: 95 Points
2015 Napa Trip - Day 2: This stood out as a bigger wine than the 2011 Myriad Dr. Crane. Just jumps out of the glass. More red in color. More alcohol, but no heat. Bigger finish. Finish on this wine is fantastic - really lingers, and leaves you wanting more. I can see this as a real crowd pleaser in the near term. Will disappear quickly.
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3/16/2015 - jaxpaj wrote: 94 Points
This is starting to show itself better. If you have a few, it is worth popping a cork. The other 2 LOVED it and would of given it 95-96pts.
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3/7/2015 - pakabear Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consistent with other notes
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2/17/2015 - bobpsi Likes this wine: 94 Points
2 hr decant. Big bold nose of blackberry, dark cherry, baking spice and cedar notes. Full bodied and creamy with black fruits, semi sweet chocolate and baking spices on the finish. Possibly my favorite Quivet to date.
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2/6/2015 - DaButtah Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just fantastic. The key to really getting this wine to sing is to let it slowly open up. Slow ox this for several hours and then decanted. The result is a sumptuous, decadent treat for the senses.
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2/6/2015 - jaxpaj wrote: 92 Points
This needs time to show the richness and depth I know is there. Traditionally this is one of my favorite wines. Give this time it will come around.
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2/1/2015 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Closer to the first bottle I had, let it decant for 4 hours first as its smokey and oaky at first, fruit develops with time.
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12/31/2014 - yeti575rider wrote: 90 Points
With New Years dinner. Interesting nose, oak was a bit prominent with not as much fruit showing as I would have preferred. Counter to some I think a bit more time will help integrate this a bit more. I'll wait at least a year before next.
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12/20/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not as good as previous bottle, much more toast and less acidity.
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12/11/2014 - conga523 wrote: 94 Points
Wow!! What a change from the 2011 and May surpass the incredible 2010. I should have ordered more. The complexity and depth of this wine is astounding, especially considering the price point. Although one doesn't think of a QPR at $60+, this wine performs better straight out of the bottle than many wines 2-3 times this price after collaring for several years.
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11/26/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow this is good, drinks well right out of the gate, deep dark fruit,spice licorice and gingerbread even... Great balance and extraction. Drink now or hold for 5, but I think this is a better early drinker
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11/14/2014 - t_moderne wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour and served with food (marinated steak tips, in case you were wondering).
Wonderful nose of ripe black cherries and some vanilla notes. What stands out is the feel of the wine in the mouth - rich and full bodied and like velvet. While rich in flavor, it remains well balanced and inviting. Delicious.
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6/30/2014 - King Cab wrote:
This has been an all time favorite of mine year to year and this one does not disappoint. I would like to think I could spot it by aromatics alone if placed blind among the whole Quivet lineup. Nose of sweet red cassis with a touch of cardamom. Such an elegant and refined wine that I hear rumors women tend to flock to. I guess that is where I want to flock too. Wow.
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