Color: deep ruby Nose: currant, Smokey, herbs Taste: vanilla, cocoa, blackberry and cherry with a hint of cigar box
I forgot about this in my cellar and it would seem time helped. The flavors are well integrated with a creamy vanilla overtone. I would guess this was an oak bomb early on. The tannins are well integrated with a nice lingering finish.
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Gonna give credit - this bottle came off much better than the previous two, which I fairly aggressively panned. Typical high end Napa Cab, cherry, currant, mint, chocolate, saddle and refined tannin. Took its age nicely - in a great window. If I was holding more I'd feel good about drinking them soon.
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Drank at a 1989 BDX tasting event with a large wine group. This wine was tasted next to a Corliss Cab prior to the tasting. Both seemed over-done - over-extracted, over-oaked, too much alcohol. This wine will not drop the fat or integrate the alcohol and oak before it totally falls apart. I'll drink my other one soon as a weekday whatever wine, or better probably donate to an auction and take the tax break. Seems harsh but you can't drink the label, only the wine inside.
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In the glass, this looks much younger than its 10 years. Beautiful, deep velvety purple, lightening to dark red at the rim. On pop and pour, there are attractive musky floral aromas, although the wine seems a little tight initially. With air, the fruit comes roaring to the forefront of the nose. The palate is rich, with dark cherry, cassis, a warm alcoholic note and a whisper of wood smoke on the finish. I suspect this is just at the front end of its window and will be a delight over at least the next 5-6 years.
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Essentially, popped and poured this without decanting. Tannins had really softened. There was some fruit left with the soft tannins, but not much. Was almost like drinking a bordeaux. Drink up as this won't get better, but most likely decline.
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Bring it, Big Reds Mini Offline (My House): Nose: Crushed cherries and big cassis with some floral and mineral undertones. Later on a cedar arrives in the mix. Palate: Firm yet accessible tannins and a combination of red and dark fruits. Acidity is still high suggesting this still has plenty of life ahead. After aeration this became very elegant. Really nice example of Cali Cab at the high end.
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Bring it Big Reds, Mini Offline (Matt's): Purple color. Nose is absolutely gorgeous, singing with flowers and creme de cassis, blackberries, cedar, and earth coming through late. The palate is inky, with black fruits, cassis and dark berries shining through the spices and oak. Tannins are prominent, but not overbearing. Long finish. Decanted about 1.5 hr and drank over 3 hours. 93+pts.
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Surprisingly good. Compared against a raymond 03 and a reckless 05. This held it's own against the Raymond. It is an elegant wine with full body and a nice medium finish. However against the reckless the mid pallet of this wine left something to be desired and seemed a bit dull.
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Beautiful nose. First few sips were very impressive, showing nice fruit and strong tannins. Decanted for 2 hours hoping the tannins would smooth out. Tasting two hours later, the tannins were still very evident, but not overwhelming. Dusty, complex wine that should continue to evolve for years. Lots of sediment.
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No formal notes but this absolutely hands down beat a 2000 Caymus. Very complex, layered, structured and overall an amazing wine! I second the need to decant it.
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Beautiful nose and palate with cedar, blackberry and currant. Still tannic, but very smooth. Well structured, balanced and not a bit overdone. I would recommend decanting. I wasn't home and didn't have a decanter available.
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Decanted two hours. A very nice Calif Cab. Smoooth and well balanced, nice nose with medium finish. For the discounted WTSO price. a solid deal....for the original price, I would be sad.
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Huge, beautiful nose of tobacco, flint and dark fruit. Good balance of tannin and fruit, with a hint of pepper. Long finish. A very nice Cab that is drinking well right now. I poured from fridge (58 degrees) into decanter, but from first glass it was showing well.
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I'll kick it up a point over the last bottle, excellent 2nd bottle with Xmas eve prime rib after a very good 96 Mondavi Reserve. Again, well-integrated, solid wine. Drinking very well, don't know that it will improve as it was open for business right upon opening, pop and pour. Bottle emptied pretty quickly, no one seemed willing to evaluate the modest length of the finish...we were all too busy taking our next sip.
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Popped and poured. Deep garnet cherry hue. Forward aromas of blackberry, black cherry, creme de cassis, vanilla bean and toasted oak. Medium-plus body, with nice concentration. Big and chewy on the palate, with black fruits, ripe currant, and oak. Herbaceous notes develop with air. Not complex in any way, but the fruit is pure and it finishes strong. Tannins are a bit chunky, keeping in line with the 2003 vintage. Probably best to drink over the next 2-5 years before the fruit begins to fade. Nice effort for the vintage.
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Not impressed with this cab. Served with a ribeye and it didn't support the red meat as I had expected. It lacked the full-body that I would expect from a Napa cab and left me wondering if it would improve over time. I doubt it but I will keep the other bottle for another year and hope for the best.
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Got this for what I thought was a deal from WTSO. Popped and gave it about 20 minutes of air in the glass. Big oak on the nose. Decent fruit, soft structure. Ready to go, no need to wait. I'd be pretty bummed at $100++, but was pretty happy with it at $45...but don't think I'd get more. Nonetheless, I'm finding 2003 cali cabs in a pretty good spot right now for near-term drinking.
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Dissappointed. Decanted and drank over 6 hours, the wine evolved over that time, but never came together. At one point was thin and syruppy, almost medicial notes. At the end the tanins were there, but the fruit had wafted off. Bummed, expected better based on CT reviews, but confirmed by fellow wine afficianado who tried a few weeks ago. Pass on paying $42 via WTSO, its a deal, but the wine is not there.
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Decanted 1 hour. Dark ruby, beautiful color, some sediment. Paired with French lentil bacon salad and sourdough sausage apple stuffing. "This wine is baller!" says my friend.
Big nose of rich, dense, pure fruit; blackberry, currant, plum, lilacs, spice. Great coffee/bourbon barrel complexity, caramelized sugar, minty notes coming through with some chocolate. Probably the best aspect of this wine. Somewhat fruit-driven but very elegant and without a hint of artificiality.
Full-bodied with sweet mocha, black fruit, smoke, clove(?). Tight but approachable tannins. Long silky finish. Great bottle of wine, glad I have another. Too bad you have to spend $40-100+ to get a truly outstanding Napa Cab that doesn't get cloying or fake. 92-93 points.
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9/23/2020 - smahk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Color: deep ruby
Nose: currant, Smokey, herbs
Taste: vanilla, cocoa, blackberry and cherry with a hint of cigar box
I forgot about this in my cellar and it would seem time helped. The flavors are well integrated with a creamy vanilla overtone. I would guess this was an oak bomb early on. The tannins are well integrated with a nice lingering finish.
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6/1/2018 - hankj wrote: 92 Points
Gonna give credit - this bottle came off much better than the previous two, which I fairly aggressively panned. Typical high end Napa Cab, cherry, currant, mint, chocolate, saddle and refined tannin. Took its age nicely - in a great window. If I was holding more I'd feel good about drinking them soon.
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4/26/2016 - hankj wrote: 86 Points
Drank at a 1989 BDX tasting event with a large wine group. This wine was tasted next to a Corliss Cab prior to the tasting. Both seemed over-done - over-extracted, over-oaked, too much alcohol. This wine will not drop the fat or integrate the alcohol and oak before it totally falls apart. I'll drink my other one soon as a weekday whatever wine, or better probably donate to an auction and take the tax break. Seems harsh but you can't drink the label, only the wine inside.
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11/22/2015 - Jerry 3 wrote: 88 Points
strong hints of smoke including nose; seemed stronger alcohol content.
maybe we should have decanted longer than 45 minutes.
wasn't terrible but just ok
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8/9/2015 - ejca wrote:
ok, expected more
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12/8/2013 - ejca Likes this wine:
took time, but this wine finally came around. Maybe not worth the price but was very good.
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11/10/2013 - EMTAME wrote: 93 Points
In the glass, this looks much younger than its 10 years. Beautiful, deep velvety purple, lightening to dark red at the rim. On pop and pour, there are attractive musky floral aromas, although the wine seems a little tight initially. With air, the fruit comes roaring to the forefront of the nose. The palate is rich, with dark cherry, cassis, a warm alcoholic note and a whisper of wood smoke on the finish. I suspect this is just at the front end of its window and will be a delight over at least the next 5-6 years.
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4/13/2013 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Essentially, popped and poured this without decanting. Tannins had really softened. There was some fruit left with the soft tannins, but not much. Was almost like drinking a bordeaux. Drink up as this won't get better, but most likely decline.
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3/9/2013 - Chriskrueger wrote: 93 Points
Still youthful - great body w some nice tannis
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12/8/2012 - gmbdds wrote:
Previously scored a 94. I didn't focus as much this time and didn't score but it still struck me as being high quality with plenty life left.
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10/7/2012 - Ashwini wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful full bodied wine. Strong on tannins. Would have tasted better in 2-3 years. But a gorgeous wine!
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9/1/2012 - bmartz1 wrote: 90 Points
Typical Hartwell cab color, mouthfeel, and aroma. Still tasted surprisingly tannic, with less fruit than I'd expected. Could still sit for 2-3 yrs.
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8/23/2012 - shine wrote:
off bottle
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6/22/2012 - redman77 wrote: 94 Points
wow big big high end cali cab that was fluent in 7 languages...this wine speak to us...last bottle but glad to share with great friends
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2/20/2011 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
Bring it, Big Reds Mini Offline (My House): Nose: Crushed cherries and big cassis with some floral and mineral undertones. Later on a cedar arrives in the mix. Palate: Firm yet accessible tannins and a combination of red and dark fruits. Acidity is still high suggesting this still has plenty of life ahead. After aeration this became very elegant. Really nice example of Cali Cab at the high end.
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2/20/2011 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Bring it Big Reds, Mini Offline (Matt's): Purple color. Nose is absolutely gorgeous, singing with flowers and creme de cassis, blackberries, cedar, and earth coming through late. The palate is inky, with black fruits, cassis and dark berries shining through the spices and oak. Tannins are prominent, but not overbearing. Long finish. Decanted about 1.5 hr and drank over 3 hours. 93+pts.
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1/21/2011 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
Rich and sweet, a slight grassy note that is pleasant. Overall, a decent effort but I don't feel it justifies the price.
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12/25/2010 - Deelirious wrote: 89 Points
Surprisingly good. Compared against a raymond 03 and a reckless 05. This held it's own against the Raymond. It is an elegant wine with full body and a nice medium finish. However against the reckless the mid pallet of this wine left something to be desired and seemed a bit dull.
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12/25/2010 - Dvclifford wrote: 92 Points
Had for xmas dinner with rib roast
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11/27/2010 - schuey wrote: 88 Points
Beautiful nose. First few sips were very impressive, showing nice fruit and strong tannins. Decanted for 2 hours hoping the tannins would smooth out. Tasting two hours later, the tannins were still very evident, but not overwhelming. Dusty, complex wine that should continue to evolve for years. Lots of sediment.
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5/16/2010 - argento007 wrote: 93 Points
No formal notes but this absolutely hands down beat a 2000 Caymus. Very complex, layered, structured and overall an amazing wine! I second the need to decant it.
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5/14/2010 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
Did not take detailed notes - much better with air time so decant if you drink today. Very well made wine. Excellent with grilled ribeye.
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4/24/2010 - gmbdds wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful nose and palate with cedar, blackberry and currant. Still tannic, but very smooth. Well structured, balanced and not a bit overdone. I would recommend decanting. I wasn't home and didn't have a decanter available.
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4/9/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 87 Points
NIce currant/dark fruit with an earthy finish. A hint of wet leaves and eucalyptus.
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2/14/2010 - redman77 wrote: 90 Points
Decanted two hours. A very nice Calif Cab. Smoooth and well balanced, nice nose with medium finish. For the discounted WTSO price. a solid deal....for the original price, I would be sad.
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2/12/2010 - lowereastscott wrote: 90 Points
Huge, beautiful nose of tobacco, flint and dark fruit. Good balance of tannin and fruit, with a hint of pepper. Long finish. A very nice Cab that is drinking well right now. I poured from fridge (58 degrees) into decanter, but from first glass it was showing well.
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1/20/2010 - hankj wrote:
Very typical Napa Cab character. Doesn't taste over-manufactured, which is good. Doesn't taste like great fruit either.
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12/25/2009 - blaine wrote: 90 Points
I'll kick it up a point over the last bottle, excellent 2nd bottle with Xmas eve prime rib after a very good 96 Mondavi Reserve. Again, well-integrated, solid wine. Drinking very well, don't know that it will improve as it was open for business right upon opening, pop and pour. Bottle emptied pretty quickly, no one seemed willing to evaluate the modest length of the finish...we were all too busy taking our next sip.
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12/25/2009 - Golfun4844 wrote:
Outstanding, especially at the WTSO price.
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12/20/2009 - *Vine* wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured. Deep garnet cherry hue. Forward aromas of blackberry, black cherry, creme de cassis, vanilla bean and toasted oak. Medium-plus body, with nice concentration. Big and chewy on the palate, with black fruits, ripe currant, and oak. Herbaceous notes develop with air. Not complex in any way, but the fruit is pure and it finishes strong. Tannins are a bit chunky, keeping in line with the 2003 vintage. Probably best to drink over the next 2-5 years before the fruit begins to fade. Nice effort for the vintage.
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11/30/2009 - Pinot Joe wrote: 88 Points
Not impressed with this cab. Served with a ribeye and it didn't support the red meat as I had expected. It lacked the full-body that I would expect from a Napa cab and left me wondering if it would improve over time. I doubt it but I will keep the other bottle for another year and hope for the best.
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11/28/2009 - rdsboca wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine, good fruit balance with oak. Just missing the extra punch to make it memorable.
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11/25/2009 - andtheodor wrote: 92 Points
Gobs of rich fruit on the nose. Healthy dose of oak - bourbon barrel, toffee, vanilla - too much for some. Big, in-your-face Cali style Cab.
Nice coffee and charcoal complexity, decent structure. Long graceful finish. I really like this.
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11/23/2009 - blaine wrote: 89 Points
Got this for what I thought was a deal from WTSO. Popped and gave it about 20 minutes of air in the glass. Big oak on the nose. Decent fruit, soft structure. Ready to go, no need to wait. I'd be pretty bummed at $100++, but was pretty happy with it at $45...but don't think I'd get more. Nonetheless, I'm finding 2003 cali cabs in a pretty good spot right now for near-term drinking.
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11/2/2009 - Black Pearl wrote: 88 Points
Dissappointed. Decanted and drank over 6 hours, the wine evolved over that time, but never came together. At one point was thin and syruppy, almost medicial notes. At the end the tanins were there, but the fruit had wafted off. Bummed, expected better based on CT reviews, but confirmed by fellow wine afficianado who tried a few weeks ago. Pass on paying $42 via WTSO, its a deal, but the wine is not there.
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10/25/2009 - andtheodor wrote: 92 Points
No one? I'll take a stab...
Decanted 1 hour. Dark ruby, beautiful color, some sediment. Paired with French lentil bacon salad and sourdough sausage apple stuffing. "This wine is baller!" says my friend.
Big nose of rich, dense, pure fruit; blackberry, currant, plum, lilacs, spice. Great coffee/bourbon barrel complexity, caramelized sugar, minty notes coming through with some chocolate. Probably the best aspect of this wine. Somewhat fruit-driven but very elegant and without a hint of artificiality.
Full-bodied with sweet mocha, black fruit, smoke, clove(?). Tight but approachable tannins. Long silky finish. Great bottle of wine, glad I have another. Too bad you have to spend $40-100+ to get a truly outstanding Napa Cab that doesn't get cloying or fake. 92-93 points.
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