From magnum last week. Just stunning for it's balance if not it's ferocity. It took 15-20 minutes to open up and in an hour had really come into it's own. Lots of dark blue fruits, the oak fully integrated. The fruit subtle yet broad and very food friendly. This wine strikes a wonderful balance. Each of the last few times I've opened one I've thought well it's not going to get any better and yet it has. Not in the classical sense of the oak subsiding and allowing the fruit to shine. Rather it's all become subdued and you can see how good each component is/was.
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Decanted for an hour. This wine is almost fully resolved. The tannins are integrated and the dark berry fruits are rich. If this year was ever intended to be massive, it is no more. Rather it's a lovely medium bodied cab.
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Nose of ripe blackberry and earth. Dark fruit, leather, light tar, integrated tannins. Long finish. I have one bottle left and I'm loath to part with it. Oakford made such great wine...so sorry they are no more.....
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This really surprised me. Cherry and a little vanilla on the nose. Integrated fruit, tannins - everything in balance after an hour in the glass. Two left - I'll drink them both sometime in the next year. Really beautiful wine.
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wine is still great but it took 4 hours to open thanks to the previous reviews i decanted early the fruit finally came trough and the tannins are all there 4 left and happy about it
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Sad to see my last bottle go as it has continued to mature over the last 3-4 years and seems near its peak. Lush red fruits dominate but there is some sweet oak with a nice backbone of soft tannin and light acidity.A touch of leather. Finish is medium.
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Fully mature, medium bodied but still a fair amount of oak. After an hour decant the fruit starts to tease out and you get red berries and cassis as well. Well balanced and not particularly alcoholic, a pleasure to drink with a steak.
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Upon opening a great chocolate nose. Decanted for about 10min and began drinking, and...nice body and no tannins left so very smooth, but not very complex. While still very drinkable I'd say this peaked a year or two ago.
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Close to being outstanding ... Thi sbottle is ready to be drunk over the next 12-18 months. Great nose as the bottle opens - strong fruit especially black currant. Velvety taste with long, smotth tannins. We enjoy a bottle every other week and has gotten better over the last 6 months. Absolutely love it !!!!
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Cabernet Smackdown (Steve T's, Vernon Hills IL): nose: has a high toned and perfumed quality to it with round tones of black currants, red cherries, dark spices, and some good tones of red fruits. Well balanced with good depth
taste: Smooth medium/full feel with balanced tones of red currants, black currants, red cherries, red fruits, and some oak that creeps up on the end. Good supporting tannins
overall: seems to be drinking well, and could've probably used more air then it got before it was put in blind. Seems like it would be more enjoyable by itself
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WOTN against other cabs from US and Argentina. Really balanced and great with steak with mushrooms in a wine reduction. Structure, acidity and fruit were all in harmony. Medium body. Drinking well with 30 minute decant.
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Nice, Dark Color on sight. Drank over 2 hours. Popped and poured with mouth full of tannins. Very smooth and feminine. Last of my bottles, will not be looking to replenish.
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12/22/2016 - Barnaby33 wrote:
From magnum last week. Just stunning for it's balance if not it's ferocity. It took 15-20 minutes to open up and in an hour had really come into it's own. Lots of dark blue fruits, the oak fully integrated. The fruit subtle yet broad and very food friendly. This wine strikes a wonderful balance. Each of the last few times I've opened one I've thought well it's not going to get any better and yet it has. Not in the classical sense of the oak subsiding and allowing the fruit to shine. Rather it's all become subdued and you can see how good each component is/was.
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5/24/2015 - Barnaby33 wrote:
Decanted for an hour. This wine is almost fully resolved. The tannins are integrated and the dark berry fruits are rich. If this year was ever intended to be massive, it is no more. Rather it's a lovely medium bodied cab.
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8/3/2013 - Zingrrl wrote: 92 Points
Nose of ripe blackberry and earth. Dark fruit, leather, light tar, integrated tannins. Long finish. I have one bottle left and I'm loath to part with it. Oakford made such great wine...so sorry they are no more.....
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7/17/2013 - Zingrrl wrote: 91 Points
This really surprised me. Cherry and a little vanilla on the nose. Integrated fruit, tannins - everything in balance after an hour in the glass. Two left - I'll drink them both sometime in the next year. Really beautiful wine.
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7/26/2012 - Rudderowb wrote: 91 Points
Breathed for three hours, took another two to open up, but great tannin structure, intense but food friendly. Drink soon.
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1/31/2012 - sergiozy wrote:
wine is still great but it took 4 hours to open thanks to the previous reviews i decanted early the fruit finally came trough and the tannins are all there 4 left and happy about it
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1/21/2012 - iamandyc wrote: 90 Points
Sad to see my last bottle go as it has continued to mature over the last 3-4 years and seems near its peak. Lush red fruits dominate but there is some sweet oak with a nice backbone of soft tannin and light acidity.A touch of leather. Finish is medium.
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12/16/2011 - Zingrrl wrote: 91 Points
No tasting notes. Just good. Penny and I drank with an old friend, Charlotte and she loved it.
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8/8/2011 - Barnaby33 wrote:
Fully mature, medium bodied but still a fair amount of oak. After an hour decant the fruit starts to tease out and you get red berries and cassis as well. Well balanced and not particularly alcoholic, a pleasure to drink with a steak.
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12/1/2010 - bullmrkt wrote: 85 Points
Upon opening a great chocolate nose. Decanted for about 10min and began drinking, and...nice body and no tannins left so very smooth, but not very complex. While still very drinkable I'd say this peaked a year or two ago.
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8/10/2010 - Jordan7T wrote: 90 Points
Peaking - nice, simple cabernet with great flavor and consistency
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6/11/2010 - Jordan7T wrote: 91 Points
Slightlow smokey and no tannins - this is peaking right now and is a fabulous wine. Will not overwhelm lighter foods.
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4/3/2010 - iamandyc wrote: 90 Points
Not as good as the last bottle but was the third of 3 big cabs tasted. Sensed more oak and rougher tannins than last time.
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3/11/2010 - Jordan7T wrote: 94 Points
Close to being outstanding ... Thi sbottle is ready to be drunk over the next 12-18 months. Great nose as the bottle opens - strong fruit especially black currant. Velvety taste with long, smotth tannins. We enjoy a bottle every other week and has gotten better over the last 6 months. Absolutely love it !!!!
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11/6/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
Cabernet Smackdown (Steve T's, Vernon Hills IL): nose: has a high toned and perfumed quality to it with round tones of black currants, red cherries, dark spices, and some good tones of red fruits. Well balanced with good depth
taste: Smooth medium/full feel with balanced tones of red currants, black currants, red cherries, red fruits, and some oak that creeps up on the end. Good supporting tannins
overall: seems to be drinking well, and could've probably used more air then it got before it was put in blind. Seems like it would be more enjoyable by itself
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12/19/2008 - iamandyc wrote: 92 Points
WOTN against other cabs from US and Argentina. Really balanced and great with steak with mushrooms in a wine reduction. Structure, acidity and fruit were all in harmony. Medium body. Drinking well with 30 minute decant.
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9/6/2008 - KLwines wrote: 88 Points
Nice, Dark Color on sight.
Drank over 2 hours. Popped and poured with mouth full of tannins.
Very smooth and feminine.
Last of my bottles, will not be looking to replenish.
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3/23/2007 - Filippo wrote: 91 Points
Impressed by its harmony more than its power. Caressing and elegant. It's satisfying and yet it doesn't tire your taste buds.
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5/27/2006 - jaymeplace wrote: 93 Points
Really exceptional cab. Black cherry, firm tannins, lots of layers, and a long, smooth finish.
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