Brought by a friend to dinner at a restaurant with both our families. Decanted at 3:30 and tasted from 7-8pm mostly. Medium to dark garnet color. Nose has black licorice, blackberry and black cherry notes. Palate echoes the nose with the addition some plum, leathery notes and a little crushed rose petals. Slightly tart and moderately long on the finish. Elegant and reserved. Not sure if this got too much air or not enough. Will check on the remainder tomorrow.
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Wine is drying up. Good nose, great color , but now has a short dry finish. Drink up. Has become a pizza wine. For the alcohol content the wine is not hot and very easy to drink but I would not wait too long! But is it just be going through an awkward stage like some bordeaux I have had. I will save a bottle or two to hopefully be surprised. Makes me want to open the 1998 and see what is happening.
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As Napa Valley California Cabernet as it gets. Dark red fruit with subtle soft tannins, impeccable balance and decent finish. So pure. Drinks perfectly now and likely to stay at this level for few years.
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Wow, not what I was expecting at all. Usually, these wines are more Bordeaux in style but this vintage had more savory herbs, bell pepper and olive notes with some eucalyptus. Interesting.
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Deep, dark reddish-purple garnet in color with ever-so-slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with classic cigar box overtones of cedar & tobacco, leather, earthy/dusty, some herbal notes of mint, coffee/cocoa, minerals, some spices & a hint of oak/vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with cocoa, herbs, minerals, spices & a hint of oak/vanilla in the background. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & extended airing. At 15 years of age, it still has some potential for further development if cellared properly.
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A couple of more years has meaningfully benefited the wine. Still deep crimson. Decanted for 45 minutes -- needed the time to open and continued to evolve for the following 3 hours. Licorice, camphor, plums and raspberry nose. Loads of fruit in this big wine. Currants, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, some licorice and ripe peach underneath. A long finish with a touch of alcoholic heat at the end. A bit astringent during the first couple of hours, but that resolved more pleasantly after a time. This huge wine has needed time. Like many of these big CA cabs, they are well too much of a fruit bomb to be drunk in the middle years. Without the time, the wines are unbalanced and unpleasant. This one is no different. If you've been patient, you'll be happy.
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Strawberry and camphor on the nose. On the palate, cherry and currant with notes of earth and old leather, with no detectable tannins and moderate acidity on the medium finish. This appears to be reaching the end of its peak, and if this is a representative bottle it's time to drink these. This was an average to good value at about $80.
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Deep garnet, fruity nose - cherries and raspberries, with earth and leather underneath. Decanted for 45 minutes. Continued to open throughout the next 2 hours. Fresh and lifted from bright acids and a lovely structure. Fruit was forward but neither heavy nor cloying. Earth tones followed the red fruits. This is hitting its stride and can age for several more years.
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Day 1 I would have given this an 85 but day 2, where I had ~70% left of this bottle was a totally different experience. Day 1 it was more astringent and had a green/herb streak that overshadowed any fruit. Day 2 (corked and stored in the fridge and then removed from fridge and left to get to room temp) sees all those day 1 characteristics gone and what was left was lightly sweet tannins and nice mature red fruit. What a difference a day makes!
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Decanted at 5:30pm and drunk over 6 hours and the next day. Medium to dark nearly opaque garnet with a little purple hue and no bricking. Higher ABV than typical for Forman I think at 14.6%. On the nose I get graphite, mocha, blackberry, dried violets and some spice. Very complex and layered on the palate with fairly smooth fine grained, mostly integrated tannins. Flavors include peppery spices, graphite, flowers, tarry chocolate mocha and ripe blackberries. Delicious! If there is a slight disappointment it is in the finish which is fairly short and didn't add any depth. Overall a wonderful bottle of wine that went great with grilled Prime steaks.
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Oh hello. We had this with friends who brought a Haut Brion 88. And we all agreed this was the more enjoyable wine. It is gaining more and more complexity with age. Can it keep improving. Definitely drink now but leave a bottle until 2025 just to see what happens
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Just continues to surprise how good this is given vintage. Shows Californian Cab can age well. No signs this is losing its edge but equally I don't see it getting better
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Classic, mature California cabernet with at least 5+ years left in it. Lovely cassis currant fruit, soft tannins and plenty of velvety fruit to handle the 14.6 alc.
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Magnum. Wonderful and elegant cab that was a joy to drink. Opened at a large dinner party near end of night and barely got touched. Drank most on day two and the wait seemed to have been a good idea.
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Ric Forman's elegantly styled Cabernet provided the same wonderful qualitative experience as last time, just a year later and with a point higher rating as the wine is getting even better with time.
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Very interesting. Seemed flat at first, but then got more and more enjoyable. Dense, concentrated and complex. Low aciditiy. Lots of earthy flavors like tar and graphite.
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Beautiful color and nose of violets. Tons of flavor upfront featuring blueberry, rasberry, and plum flavors. Nice mid-palate with some chocolate mixed in and a melt away finish. This cabernet is more about finesse than muscle and it really worked for me.
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Californian wines (FOF): Dark red color with a purple hue. Cool black currant nose, with some tobaco, stalks and newly mown grass. On the palate it has black currant and licorise, and a herbaceous note, like green pepper fruit, on the midpalate. Ending with some bitterness, dark chocolate, but still fruity sweetness. Good length, but moderate tannins.
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Easily the worst 2004 Cabernet I have had. Flat, flavorless. Was recommended Forman by a friend - have to admit this was the first 2004 that I didn't like.
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This bottle had been opened for over 24 hours when I got to taste it. Dark purple color. The nose had cherry and dark fruit aromas with notes of earth and oak. The palate revealed lavors of blackberries, currants, cherries and a dusty earth nuance. Very rich and full bodied with a medium to long finish. Excellent cab, and my WOTN.
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12/13/2023 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light to medium....easy drinking
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7/31/2022 - oldwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought by a friend to dinner at a restaurant with both our families. Decanted at 3:30 and tasted from 7-8pm mostly. Medium to dark garnet color. Nose has black licorice, blackberry and black cherry notes. Palate echoes the nose with the addition some plum, leathery notes and a little crushed rose petals. Slightly tart and moderately long on the finish. Elegant and reserved. Not sure if this got too much air or not enough. Will check on the remainder tomorrow.
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3/3/2022 - JackCMac Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wine is drying up. Good nose, great color , but now has a short dry finish. Drink up. Has become a pizza wine. For the alcohol content the wine is not hot and very easy to drink but I would not wait too long! But is it just be going through an awkward stage like some bordeaux I have had. I will save a bottle or two to hopefully be surprised. Makes me want to open the 1998 and see what is happening.
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10/15/2021 - Milos Likes this wine: 92 Points
see my notes of 2021 01 29; very enjoyable
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6/3/2021 - Rhodes wrote:
Amazing. Drsnk calvins 57 bday
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1/29/2021 - Milos Likes this wine: 92 Points
As Napa Valley California Cabernet as it gets. Dark red fruit with subtle soft tannins, impeccable balance and decent finish. So pure. Drinks perfectly now and likely to stay at this level for few years.
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6/13/2020 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow, not what I was expecting at all. Usually, these wines are more Bordeaux in style but this vintage had more savory herbs, bell pepper and olive notes with some eucalyptus. Interesting.
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12/8/2019 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep, dark reddish-purple garnet in color with ever-so-slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with classic cigar box overtones of cedar & tobacco, leather, earthy/dusty, some herbal notes of mint, coffee/cocoa, minerals, some spices & a hint of oak/vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with cocoa, herbs, minerals, spices & a hint of oak/vanilla in the background. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & extended airing. At 15 years of age, it still has some potential for further development if cellared properly.
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11/30/2019 - PDavisMarble wrote: 94 Points
A couple of more years has meaningfully benefited the wine. Still deep crimson. Decanted for 45 minutes -- needed the time to open and continued to evolve for the following 3 hours. Licorice, camphor, plums and raspberry nose. Loads of fruit in this big wine. Currants, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, some licorice and ripe peach underneath. A long finish with a touch of alcoholic heat at the end. A bit astringent during the first couple of hours, but that resolved more pleasantly after a time. This huge wine has needed time. Like many of these big CA cabs, they are well too much of a fruit bomb to be drunk in the middle years. Without the time, the wines are unbalanced and unpleasant. This one is no different. If you've been patient, you'll be happy.
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9/20/2019 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was somewhat less aged than a previous one; there is some bottle variation here.
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9/14/2019 - RichardP wrote: 90 Points
Strawberry and camphor on the nose. On the palate, cherry and currant with notes of earth and old leather, with no detectable tannins and moderate acidity on the medium finish. This appears to be reaching the end of its peak, and if this is a representative bottle it's time to drink these. This was an average to good value at about $80.
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7/9/2019 - alamoave wrote: 92 Points
Great balance with firm tannins. Plenty of fruit for the long run. At least 5 good years left.
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9/4/2017 - PDavisMarble wrote: 93 Points
Deep garnet, fruity nose - cherries and raspberries, with earth and leather underneath. Decanted for 45 minutes. Continued to open throughout the next 2 hours. Fresh and lifted from bright acids and a lovely structure. Fruit was forward but neither heavy nor cloying. Earth tones followed the red fruits. This is hitting its stride and can age for several more years.
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5/25/2017 - alamoave wrote: 92 Points
Vinturi or decant for an hour or both. Excellent bottle. 10 years ahead of it, easily.
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1/15/2017 - Trader79 wrote: 92 Points
Day 1 I would have given this an 85 but day 2, where I had ~70% left of this bottle was a totally different experience. Day 1 it was more astringent and had a green/herb streak that overshadowed any fruit. Day 2 (corked and stored in the fridge and then removed from fridge and left to get to room temp) sees all those day 1 characteristics gone and what was left was lightly sweet tannins and nice mature red fruit. What a difference a day makes!
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12/3/2016 - oldwines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted at 5:30pm and drunk over 6 hours and the next day. Medium to dark nearly opaque garnet with a little purple hue and no bricking. Higher ABV than typical for Forman I think at 14.6%. On the nose I get graphite, mocha, blackberry, dried violets and some spice. Very complex and layered on the palate with fairly smooth fine grained, mostly integrated tannins. Flavors include peppery spices, graphite, flowers, tarry chocolate mocha and ripe blackberries. Delicious! If there is a slight disappointment it is in the finish which is fairly short and didn't add any depth. Overall a wonderful bottle of wine that went great with grilled Prime steaks.
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5/13/2016 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Mature and drinking very nice.
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5/12/2016 - Sonoffalstaff wrote: 93 Points
Oh hello. We had this with friends who brought a Haut Brion 88. And we all agreed this was the more enjoyable wine. It is gaining more and more complexity with age. Can it keep improving. Definitely drink now but leave a bottle until 2025 just to see what happens
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3/25/2016 - alamoave wrote: 90 Points
The fruit is still quite primary. Try again in 3 years.
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2/15/2016 - SoCal wrote:
Just a lovely napa cab. Fruity but not over ripe and flabby. Well made and balanced.
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1/17/2016 - Sonoffalstaff wrote: 91 Points
Just continues to surprise how good this is given vintage. Shows Californian Cab can age well. No signs this is losing its edge but equally I don't see it getting better
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6/4/2015 - Sonoffalstaff wrote: 92 Points
Third bottle and this is showing really well now. Rich and complex without being jammy. Definately a full case wine on the HJ scale. Enjoy!
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2/27/2015 - nortonnose wrote: 91 Points
Dry, dusty, understated in a very charming way. Restrained, elegant Napa cab. Ric Forman is a genuine artist! 91-92 pts
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4/24/2014 - gesusser wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding with great peppercorn crusted filet and aged ribeye, in it's Prime Drinking window, very nice finish
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4/11/2014 - gesusser wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding after 1+ hour decant! soft tannins yet had that cab bite, dark cherries, nice colour, nice legs, has plenty of life left
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3/26/2014 - sirswami wrote: 93 Points
The 2004 Revana took WOTN status among three outstanding 2004 Napa Cabs that also included Forman & Jones Family...
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3/21/2014 - michael47 wrote: 93 Points
Classic, mature California cabernet with at least 5+ years left in it. Lovely cassis currant fruit, soft tannins and plenty of velvety fruit to handle the 14.6 alc.
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1/26/2014 - maxfischer wrote: 92 Points
Youthful, cherries on the nose, good grip, depth and structure on the way down, sweet tannins to close it out. Very good juice.
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12/31/2012 - caswine wrote:
- Purple color - Xmas eve dinner 2012 excellent!
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8/11/2012 - sirswami wrote: 92 Points
Another wonderful experience with this wine...very consistent with 4 previous tastings over past three years.
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6/13/2012 - Big Daddy wrote: 94 Points
This wine is really rockin now. No need to decant.
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5/12/2012 - sirswami wrote: 92 Points
I really like this wine, it has been consistently wonderful across multiple experiences...
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2/20/2012 - bomba503 wrote: 92 Points
Magnum. Wonderful and elegant cab that was a joy to drink. Opened at a large dinner party near end of night and barely got touched. Drank most on day two and the wait seemed to have been a good idea.
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12/4/2010 - sirswami wrote: 93 Points
Ric Forman's elegantly styled Cabernet provided the same wonderful qualitative experience as last time, just a year later and with a point higher rating as the wine is getting even better with time.
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7/11/2010 - CobraKahn wrote: 90 Points
Very interesting. Seemed flat at first, but then got more and more enjoyable. Dense, concentrated and complex. Low aciditiy. Lots of earthy flavors like tar and graphite.
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1/6/2010 - Slvrfish wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful color, good nose, old world in style yet but good napa qualities. Very rich and full bodied with a medium to long finish. Excellent cabernet
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6/20/2009 - sirswami wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful color and nose of violets. Tons of flavor upfront featuring blueberry, rasberry, and plum flavors. Nice mid-palate with some chocolate mixed in and a melt away finish. This cabernet is more about finesse than muscle and it really worked for me.
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3/24/2008 - yotaiwan wrote: 92 Points
strong dense and smooth tannins, not much fragrence but good intensity.
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2/26/2008 - Terkel wrote: 89 Points
Californian wines (FOF): Dark red color with a purple hue. Cool black currant nose, with some tobaco, stalks and newly mown grass. On the palate it has black currant and licorise, and a herbaceous note, like green pepper fruit, on the midpalate. Ending with some bitterness, dark chocolate, but still fruity sweetness. Good length, but moderate tannins.
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2/24/2008 - Mallards wrote: 81 Points
Easily the worst 2004 Cabernet I have had. Flat, flavorless. Was recommended Forman by a friend - have to admit this was the first 2004 that I didn't like.
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11/23/2007 - domingo wrote: 86 Points
Fairly well balanced with neutral tannins and rich fruit flavors
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7/20/2007 - last chance wrote: 93 Points
This bottle had been opened for over 24 hours when I got to taste it. Dark purple color. The nose had cherry and dark fruit aromas with notes of earth and oak. The palate revealed lavors of blackberries, currants, cherries and a dusty earth nuance. Very rich and full bodied with a medium to long finish. Excellent cab, and my WOTN.
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