Nicely integrated. While one would call it a typical Napa Cab, nothing is out of place. Perhaps better as a sipper than something that improves with food.
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I have given very few wines a 93. This is *almost* there, but I'm giving it a 92. Great fruit, complexity, and finish. I didn't look at my cost until just as I'm writing this, but I think it was a very good deal. I was fortunate enough to have a 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cab last night, and I think this compares nicely. I would say 1st world problems, but I have no problems with these wines.
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A 1 hour decant releases a delicious and elegant old world profile with nods to the modern world.
Driven by its Howell Mountain energy and ripeness, on a scale from Dunn to Caymus it falls closer to Dunn, which is no surprise given that Phillipe Melka was involved. A clean nose leads to dark berries and cocoa on the full, creamy, bold palate. Well-integrated tannins, acidity, and minerality tail off slowly on the finish. Well done for $60 and in a great drinking zone but no rush, it's got years left.
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Opened this bottle on new years eve. I was wowed by this wine. Smelled like blackberries when the cork was popped. Above average in character. Layers of flavor with a long finish. Decanted with aeration. It had a bit of a edge to it for quite a while but just delicious anyway. Overnight with a vacuum stopper and was smooth smooth smooth. I had forgotten how much I paid for it ($60) but it was every penny.
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Initially decanted an hour. Good balance of fruit, tannins, and acid. But after another hour, the depth and complexity took this cab to a new level. Outstanding length of fruit on finish.
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Excellent juice still holding that youthful burgundy purple hue with lots of dry leather, tobacco, and violet scents. Intensely concentrated dark fruit, cassis, with hints of cocoa, coffee, and earthy minerals. An extremely long full mouth drying finish leaves you blissfully salivating for that next sip. Very approachable now with plenty of Quality Time Remaining! 94 points.
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At the "Breakfast Club" during PNV week. Wine was tasted solo (no PNV lot)...tasted the 12 last year at Melka tasting...
Dark fruits, floral aromas, coffee, chocolate...tannins softer than most of the 13s, not nearly as hard, will be accessible at an earlier age. Still primary (as expected) but very nice now. Would wait 3 years before trying again...good upside with this wine 93++
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1/19/2024 - W0nj Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was more interesting/better the next day
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9/9/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nicely integrated. While one would call it a typical Napa Cab, nothing is out of place. Perhaps better as a sipper than something that improves with food.
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9/3/2023 - westcoastwannabe wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour. Still testing great, with rich black cherry and impressive depth. Long finish. Really nice cab.
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8/9/2023 - rehulk wrote: 93 Points
excellent does not disappoint
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4/16/2023 - rehulk Likes this wine: 91 Points
not as good as last time but still a ver nice cab
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1/29/2023 - rehulk Likes this wine: 93 Points
great wine
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10/7/2022 - rehulk Likes this wine: 92 Points
bold and good
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10/21/2021 - pickhardt Likes this wine: 92 Points
I have given very few wines a 93. This is *almost* there, but I'm giving it a 92. Great fruit, complexity, and finish. I didn't look at my cost until just as I'm writing this, but I think it was a very good deal. I was fortunate enough to have a 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cab last night, and I think this compares nicely. I would say 1st world problems, but I have no problems with these wines.
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6/28/2021 - Ricky C Likes this wine:
Very good wine. I will try to buy it again.
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5/2/2021 - GQG wrote: 93 Points
A 1 hour decant releases a delicious and elegant old world profile with nods to the modern world.
Driven by its Howell Mountain energy and ripeness, on a scale from Dunn to Caymus it falls closer to Dunn, which is no surprise given that Phillipe Melka was involved. A clean nose leads to dark berries and cocoa on the full, creamy, bold palate. Well-integrated tannins, acidity, and minerality tail off slowly on the finish. Well done for $60 and in a great drinking zone but no rush, it's got years left.
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1/2/2021 - dzal808@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Opened this bottle on new years eve. I was wowed by this wine. Smelled like blackberries when the cork was popped. Above average in character. Layers of flavor with a long finish. Decanted with aeration. It had a bit of a edge to it for quite a while but just delicious anyway. Overnight with a vacuum stopper and was smooth smooth smooth. I had forgotten how much I paid for it ($60) but it was every penny.
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12/25/2020 - westcoastwannabe wrote: 91 Points
Initially decanted an hour. Good balance of fruit, tannins, and acid. But after another hour, the depth and complexity took this cab to a new level. Outstanding length of fruit on finish.
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11/23/2020 - SPLJEG Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine looks purple colored. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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11/21/2020 - CoryDean44 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent juice still holding that youthful burgundy purple hue with lots of dry leather, tobacco, and violet scents. Intensely concentrated dark fruit, cassis, with hints of cocoa, coffee, and earthy minerals. An extremely long full mouth drying finish leaves you blissfully salivating for that next sip. Very approachable now with plenty of Quality Time Remaining! 94 points.
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11/20/2020 - MrSkimo Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a good place right now. Don’t wait...
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2/19/2016 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
At the "Breakfast Club" during PNV week. Wine was tasted solo (no PNV lot)...tasted the 12 last year at Melka tasting...
Dark fruits, floral aromas, coffee, chocolate...tannins softer than most of the 13s, not nearly as hard, will be accessible at an earlier age. Still primary (as expected) but very nice now. Would wait 3 years before trying again...good upside with this wine 93++
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