Wow. What a wine! Had this with a Ribeye and it was truly outstanding. The aromas are of plum, black cherry with some herbs. This is dark in color with high acidity and smooth tannins. The flavors are of blackberry, black raspberry and dark chocolate on an incredible lengthy finish. This is just entering its primary drinking window and will stay that way for a while.
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The Nearly Annual Lyon 10 Year Retro Tasting #24, Wines of Washington (Lyon Again, Eugene, OR): This was somehow familiar, but I haven't bought Leonetti in 15 years (Thanks Joe/Kyla for this one). Great texture, but on a very solid base. Currants, black plum, coffee, earth/ stone, and oak that linger like a political ad (but this was pleasant!). 95+ down to 93+ on day 2. Now- 2027.
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Drank with Reverse Seared NY Strip steaks cooked over post oak & lump charcoal. Dark fruit, velvety tannins, lush mouthfeel. Notes of cedar, earth & smoke. Long finish. Drinking beautifully.
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Enjoyed at a family Easter cookout with grilled Fajitas, etc. Nicely balanced, great fruit concentration, lengthy finish, and lots of complexity. Drinking really well at this juncture.
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Ruby red, youthful color for its vintage. Medium+ classic cab nose. Truffle, pencil led, black fruits and balanced French oak evolve and persist for ~ minute, but grew noticeably shorter after 3 hours. Sensational cabernet with ample longevity remaining.
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A little underwhelmed to be honest. Disjointed is probably the best way to describe in my mind... here's the fruit, here's the oak, here's the booze. Maybe just too young. Have another vintage or two, maybe i'll sit on those for a few more years but not sure I'll keep actively buying.
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Decanted >2 hours. It has been more than 2 years since last tasting this vintage. The wine is maturing nicely. Very smooth but with some “Cabby” edge to it. Big red fruit, hints of smoke & earth. Really enjoyed this bottle.
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Ruby-garnet color, medium nose. Suggest short decant. Finishes with lengthy parade of classic cab markers-black fruits, cassis and currant with green olive, chocolate & sawdust notes. Enjoy now thru 2025.
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This wine was incredible, started with some appetizers and ultimately paired with some NY Steak. It opened up within about an hour and was continuing to open up when it was unfortunately gone! Consumed over about 4 1/2 hours after opening an hour prior. Tasted against the 2012 Doubleback and this one gets a slight edge. It opened up a little earlier and developed wonderfully throughout the evening.
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An hour of air at room temp and this wine blossoms. Dark fruit, briar nose, dark ruby in the glass, clean entry with a noticeable pickup in weight with air time. Light to start out, medium to heavy an hour later. Tannins are still very prevalent, acidity is still biting. Black fruit is smoothing out nicely. This still has a nice long life ahead of it. By far the best Washington state wine I've ever had. Thank you, Reiner!
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Too Young even with an hour and a half decant. Dark fruit on the nose. Blackberry and Dark Cherry on the palate with hints of dried spices. A long smooth finish. Give this few years in the cellar and you will be hitting a 94/95.
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Outstanding and on the edge of decadent. Pitch dark, intense and deep flavor, impressive acid and restraint. Easy enough to drink on its own. Brilliant wine. I would revisit in three years.
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3 hour decant. Deep, dark burgundy color (not quite "inky"). Black cherry, dates, pencil lead and anise. Viscous palate with high acidity that was fruit and had some baking soda notes. There was some leather at the back end. Medium long finish with we firm, mouth filling tannins. This has five years to go before hitting its prime. It will be a 95 or 96 at that point.
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Lots of red berries with nuances of leather, tobacco, and earth. Flavors rounded out with a decent amount of oak and strong tannins. On its way to greatness but definitely needs another several years in the bottle before the potential starts to show.
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Decanted >2 hours. After reading other reviews I was expecting something special. Paired with grilled T-bones and sweet potatoes. Typical Walla Walla cab with big red fruit, hints of smoke & earh. Nice and smooth but I was expecting more. Same vintage Doubleback is better in my opinion. I'll wait awhile before trying again.
While I don't drink a lot of Cabernet I do like to grab a bottle or two every now and then. This one I got as a dear friend's wine store was closing. While I did get it at a great price this bottle certainly supported its stated value. Beautiful dark fruit with tobacco and leather embedded in a supple and smooth delivery. Rich and robust aromas enticed me but the round and inviting palate was the show stopper. Great fruit and such a lasting finish. It definitely had me wanting for more after the last drop. Excellent!!
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Drank first bottle after resting in cellar for over 6 month. I would put this up again any Napa cab, anywhere. No giant fruit forward bomb rather pure fruit with incredible complexity and balance for such a young age, and will keep on going for a long time. Should have bought more!
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Hennepin Lake Tasting (Uptown): A small pour at a tasting. Great balance and firm tannins. This made me want to try an older one. I'm not sure I'd pay this much for it, but it was a pleasure to drink.
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Hennepin Lake Charity Tasting Event - Current Releases (Mpls, MN): Tasting pour. Very,very good. Nice core of black fruit on the nose, The palate follows well with tannins that are currently firm as you would expect. shows nicely and has very good potential. give it 5 years.
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Maybe because I just love Bordeaux, but this was utterly unimpressive to me. Smoke, barbequed meat, and tar were evident on the nose, but that quickly blew off to leave very normal cab notes. I would hold the skylite cab and the seven hills damn near as high for a fraction of the price. Pass.
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Just arrived and had to try it. Way too young but has good potential 93 to 94 points now. Will try to wait 2 to 3 more years before opening the next bottle.
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4/28/2024 - Casablanca77 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow. What a wine! Had this with a Ribeye and it was truly outstanding. The aromas are of plum, black cherry with some herbs. This is dark in color with high acidity and smooth tannins. The flavors are of blackberry, black raspberry and dark chocolate on an incredible lengthy finish. This is just entering its primary drinking window and will stay that way for a while.
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12/25/2022 - gmbdds wrote: 94 Points
Structured with dark fruit and anise. Unfolds and changes. A class act and fine wine.
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11/5/2022 - Grinner wrote: 95 Points
The Nearly Annual Lyon 10 Year Retro Tasting #24, Wines of Washington (Lyon Again, Eugene, OR): This was somehow familiar, but I haven't bought Leonetti in 15 years (Thanks Joe/Kyla for this one). Great texture, but on a very solid base. Currants, black plum, coffee, earth/ stone, and oak that linger like a political ad (but this was pleasant!). 95+ down to 93+ on day 2. Now- 2027.
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6/11/2022 - Bryan49 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank with Reverse Seared NY Strip steaks cooked over post oak & lump charcoal.
Dark fruit, velvety tannins, lush mouthfeel. Notes of cedar, earth & smoke. Long finish. Drinking beautifully.
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4/17/2022 - wmccone54 wrote: 94 Points
Enjoyed at a family Easter cookout with grilled Fajitas, etc. Nicely balanced, great fruit concentration, lengthy finish, and lots of complexity. Drinking really well at this juncture.
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1/25/2022 - Tosti-Lane wrote: flawed
I think this was a heat spoiled bottle, disappointing, little fruit, a bit ascerbic. Based on other notes here, I’ll chalk it up to bottle variation.
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10/3/2021 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine continues to mature. No rough edges. Still time if cellared properly but drinking very well right now.
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9/14/2021 - shorty01 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not as focused and balanced as I had expected. However, it did have lush fruit. But, for my palate it was a bit flabby.
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8/8/2021 - Dman51 Likes this wine:
Drank W/Carol & Tim
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11/23/2020 - JElk wrote: 93 Points
Coravin. Not a huge WA fan, but know people love this bottle. Drinking really well right now.
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10/3/2020 - Lemari Likes this wine: 97 Points
Ruby red, youthful color for its vintage. Medium+ classic cab nose. Truffle, pencil led, black fruits and balanced French oak evolve and persist for ~ minute, but grew noticeably shorter after 3 hours. Sensational cabernet with ample longevity remaining.
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7/28/2020 - ddmhunter Likes this wine: 94 Points
Has aged beautifully, still holding to some medium tannins which I enjoy
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3/20/2020 - domco wrote:
A little underwhelmed to be honest. Disjointed is probably the best way to describe in my mind... here's the fruit, here's the oak, here's the booze. Maybe just too young. Have another vintage or two, maybe i'll sit on those for a few more years but not sure I'll keep actively buying.
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1/13/2020 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted >2 hours. It has been more than 2 years since last tasting this vintage. The wine is maturing nicely. Very smooth but with some “Cabby” edge to it. Big red fruit, hints of smoke & earth. Really enjoyed this bottle.
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12/26/2019 - sophiesmom Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened two hours before prime rib Christmas dinner...delicious
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10/4/2019 - Lemari Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ruby-garnet color, medium nose. Suggest short decant. Finishes with lengthy parade of classic cab markers-black fruits, cassis and currant with green olive, chocolate & sawdust notes. Enjoy now thru 2025.
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9/14/2019 - stevetsukuno wrote:
Gift to Damian for helping to negotiate fabrication costs
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6/29/2019 - Jamesgold wrote: 96 Points
Drinking really well.
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12/15/2018 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 95 Points
tasting perfectly right now
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12/9/2018 - forcumba Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine was incredible, started with some appetizers and ultimately paired with some NY Steak. It opened up within about an hour and was continuing to open up when it was unfortunately gone! Consumed over about 4 1/2 hours after opening an hour prior. Tasted against the 2012 Doubleback and this one gets a slight edge. It opened up a little earlier and developed wonderfully throughout the evening.
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6/9/2018 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 96 Points
An hour of air at room temp and this wine blossoms. Dark fruit, briar nose, dark ruby in the glass, clean entry with a noticeable pickup in weight with air time. Light to start out, medium to heavy an hour later. Tannins are still very prevalent, acidity is still biting. Black fruit is smoothing out nicely. This still has a nice long life ahead of it. By far the best Washington state wine I've ever had. Thank you, Reiner!
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4/29/2018 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Too Young even with an hour and a half decant. Dark fruit on the nose. Blackberry and Dark Cherry on the palate with hints of dried spices. A long smooth finish. Give this few years in the cellar and you will be hitting a 94/95.
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1/1/2018 - gpritsch Likes this wine: 93 Points
Love it.
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9/22/2017 - jeffal66 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding and on the edge of decadent. Pitch dark, intense and deep flavor, impressive acid and restraint. Easy enough to drink on its own. Brilliant wine. I would revisit in three years.
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8/27/2017 - Wedge Does not like this wine: 87 Points
The absolute most disappointing $100 I've ever spent. Not corked...but drab nose with pedestrian tasted. Purchased at Capital Cellars, Granite Bay.
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7/27/2017 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 92 Points
3 hour decant. Deep, dark burgundy color (not quite "inky"). Black cherry, dates, pencil lead and anise. Viscous palate with high acidity that was fruit and had some baking soda notes. There was some leather at the back end. Medium long finish with we firm, mouth filling tannins. This has five years to go before hitting its prime. It will be a 95 or 96 at that point.
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6/28/2017 - brianngibson wrote: 95 Points
Oak, vanilla, cassis, black raspberry, sweet tannins. Sexy. Easy 95.
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5/6/2017 - Jake112380 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Lots of red berries with nuances of leather, tobacco, and earth. Flavors rounded out with a decent amount of oak and strong tannins. On its way to greatness but definitely needs another several years in the bottle before the potential starts to show.
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4/29/2017 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted >2 hours. After reading other reviews I was expecting something special. Paired with grilled T-bones and sweet potatoes. Typical Walla Walla cab with big red fruit, hints of smoke & earh. Nice and smooth but I was expecting more. Same vintage Doubleback is better in my opinion. I'll wait awhile before trying again.
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4/21/2017 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 94 Points
wow!!!
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2/19/2017 - Tvall13 wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful fruit with dusty chalky tannins. Awesome!
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10/19/2016 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 94 Points
While I don't drink a lot of Cabernet I do like to grab a bottle or two every now and then. This one I got as a dear friend's wine store was closing. While I did get it at a great price this bottle certainly supported its stated value. Beautiful dark fruit with tobacco and leather embedded in a supple and smooth delivery. Rich and robust aromas enticed me but the round and inviting palate was the show stopper. Great fruit and such a lasting finish. It definitely had me wanting for more after the last drop. Excellent!!
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6/25/2016 - BordeauxBoy wrote: 95 Points
Drank first bottle after resting in cellar for over 6 month. I would put this up again any Napa cab, anywhere. No giant fruit forward bomb rather pure fruit with incredible complexity and balance for such a young age, and will keep on going for a long time. Should have bought more!
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1/6/2016 - El Tej wrote: 95 Points
Medium to full bodied. Wet asphalt, pepper and floral nose. Soft-tannins with ripe red and dark fruits on the palate. Good stuff.
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11/17/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Darn, this is out of this world.
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10/30/2015 - galewskj wrote:
Hennepin Lake Tasting (Uptown): A small pour at a tasting. Great balance and firm tannins. This made me want to try an older one. I'm not sure I'd pay this much for it, but it was a pleasure to drink.
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10/28/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Hennepin Lake Charity Tasting Event - Current Releases (Mpls, MN): Tasting pour. Very,very good. Nice core of black fruit on the nose, The palate follows well with tannins that are currently firm as you would expect. shows nicely and has very good potential. give it 5 years.
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8/19/2015 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 94 Points
outstanding, decanted and not disappointed.
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8/13/2015 - Johnfromspokane wrote: 92 Points
Maybe because I just love Bordeaux, but this was utterly unimpressive to me. Smoke, barbequed meat, and tar were evident on the nose, but that quickly blew off to leave very normal cab notes. I would hold the skylite cab and the seven hills damn near as high for a fraction of the price. Pass.
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3/27/2015 - thatrick wrote: 94 Points
Just arrived and had to try it. Way too young but has good potential 93 to 94 points now. Will try to wait 2 to 3 more years before opening the next bottle.
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