Love the producer, love the wine. Visual bricking and color separation. At twelve plus years, the effects of the the cool and rainy vintage are starting to hit with full force: austere red currant, dried cherries, cooked raspberries, green tobacco leafiness, baking spices and wet forest soil. Tannin, acids and fruits are well integrated, but structural components are still in tact, and can support further cellaring. Drink through 2026. Enjoyed with a grilled ribeye, asparagus, and sautéed mushrooms. Old school style.
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Generally consistent with my notes 4.5 years ago, but much more accessible and evolved. Paired nicely with broiled filet and roasted garlic potatoes. Drink 2024-2028. Technical score: 89. Enjoyment score: 91.
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Earthy tones, with cherries and berries with a hint of vanilla. A bit skinny in the mouth. Still Tannic and would still age well. Alas, my last bottle. More expensive than it is warrants, in my opinion.
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Just the way I like Napa Cabs: Old School, a bit austere, lots of red currant, structured, big finish. Still developing with 5-7 years of cellar potential. Perennially always consistent.
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Opened and decanted an hour ahead of grilled burgers, potato salad, and summer fixings. Dark crimson color with a purple hue. The nose brings candied cherries, cherry blossoms, pipe tobacco, cigar, dried leather, and blackberry pie. The palate is medium-full, acidic, compact, and tight, bringing cherries, raspberries, redcurrant, blackberry custard, dark plums, charred campfire wood, and candied strawberries into the tannic finish. Drink 2022-2030. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment Score: 92.
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Lean but not green. Shows red fruit with restraint and a hint of black olive on the finish. Very enjoyable now. Not very tannic, just enough to hold it together.
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Red currant, jalapeño, sour berry, green celery, and big green herbs dominate the nose with taunt leather, leafy tobacco, spicy red berry, dried cherry, powdered cocoa, all wrapped around a chewy tannic core. Shortish finish. Very well done considering the vintage.
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Given the wet and cool vintage conditions, Nils did a relatively good job with the 2011 Oakville Cabernet. His Cabs have a tendency to be austere and lean, even in the good years, so it's no surprise this starts in the decanter very earthy and a bit green and develops and reflects his signature style: spicy red currant, dried cherry, tart plum, with some green sage, crisp celery stick, mulchy cedar and chewy leafiness underscored with firm tannins. Enough acidity and structure to support 4-6 years of cellaring; however, the fruit is sparser than usual. Long finish, should work well with fatty red meat. May have som future upside potential.
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4/28/2024 - wmccone54 wrote:
Love the producer, love the wine. Visual bricking and color separation. At twelve plus years, the effects of the the cool and rainy vintage are starting to hit with full force: austere red currant, dried cherries, cooked raspberries, green tobacco leafiness, baking spices and wet forest soil. Tannin, acids and fruits are well integrated, but structural components are still in tact, and can support further cellaring. Drink through 2026. Enjoyed with a grilled ribeye, asparagus, and sautéed mushrooms. Old school style.
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2/3/2024 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Generally consistent with my notes 4.5 years ago, but much more accessible and evolved. Paired nicely with broiled filet and roasted garlic potatoes. Drink 2024-2028. Technical score: 89. Enjoyment score: 91.
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12/31/2023 - Cabernetdreams wrote:
NYE 2023
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12/31/2021 - Zola25 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Earthy tones, with cherries and berries with a hint of vanilla. A bit skinny in the mouth. Still Tannic and would still age well. Alas, my last bottle. More expensive than it is warrants, in my opinion.
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10/19/2019 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
Just the way I like Napa Cabs: Old School, a bit austere, lots of red currant, structured, big finish. Still developing with 5-7 years of cellar potential. Perennially always consistent.
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7/14/2019 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened and decanted an hour ahead of grilled burgers, potato salad, and summer fixings. Dark crimson color with a purple hue. The nose brings candied cherries, cherry blossoms, pipe tobacco, cigar, dried leather, and blackberry pie. The palate is medium-full, acidic, compact, and tight, bringing cherries, raspberries, redcurrant, blackberry custard, dark plums, charred campfire wood, and candied strawberries into the tannic finish. Drink 2022-2030. Technical score: 92. Enjoyment Score: 92.
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9/1/2018 - WineCPA wrote: 90 Points
Lean but not green. Shows red fruit with restraint and a hint of black olive on the finish. Very enjoyable now. Not very tannic, just enough to hold it together.
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5/20/2017 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
Red currant, jalapeño, sour berry, green celery, and big green herbs dominate the nose with taunt leather, leafy tobacco, spicy red berry, dried cherry, powdered cocoa, all wrapped around a chewy tannic core. Shortish finish. Very well done considering the vintage.
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8/22/2016 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
Given the wet and cool vintage conditions, Nils did a relatively good job with the 2011 Oakville Cabernet. His Cabs have a tendency to be austere and lean, even in the good years, so it's no surprise this starts in the decanter very earthy and a bit green and develops and reflects his signature style: spicy red currant, dried cherry, tart plum, with some green sage, crisp celery stick, mulchy cedar and chewy leafiness underscored with firm tannins. Enough acidity and structure to support 4-6 years of cellaring; however, the fruit is sparser than usual. Long finish, should work well with fatty red meat. May have som future upside potential.
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1/9/2016 - billwine5 wrote: 89 Points
Big Oakville flavor for <100/btl. Licorice root and dark fruits and bacon fat and currants on palate. Great value wine for game meats.
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