A very nice cabernet that shows well for its age. There were an unusual amount of tartrate crystals on the cork. Nice berry scents and a bit of cherry. Smooth finish. It should last a few more years.
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Although it is pushing the ten year guideline for average CA cabernets, it is still a very nice wine, with good fruit up front and a smooth finish. Kudos to Sebastiani. I took the other bottle out of my cellar's "drink soon" section.
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Last bottle from an old purchase. Wine did not lay-down as well as I would have hoped. Past its prime. Tasting notes after decanting for an hour. Cork heavily crystallized with tartrates. A balanced flavor profile with a touch of fruit in the front. Still a little hot even after decanting. Very thin on tannins. No depth to this wine, with a watery mouth feel and almost no finish.
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A solid cab that is drinking about as balanced and smooth as this wine will likely get. Dark dried fruit such as prune and raisin, a pleasant earthy mid-palate with licorice and shitake mushrooms notes on the finish. The tannins are mostly integrated with a little dustiness at the end. We have two more bottles, which we should drink within the next year.
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This was way too alcoholic and heavy - my head wanted to explode after drinking this. Big, oaky, fruit flavour on the nose and almost balsamic sweetness on the palate. For this price, should have been much better balanced. This either needs a lot of time or very heavy BBQ to support it. Otherwise - forget it! Cheers!
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Dark purple, brick edges; mint, herbaceous, jam and berry nose; good body and structure. Purchased a case at $18 a bottle and have been enjoying it with beef dishes ever since. They were producing consistently good value, quality wines in the middle of the last decade.
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Our notes are different then 3 months ago. Overall a smooth drinking cab with a mild dark fruit nose. Blueberry and black rashberry flavors, tasting no tobacco like our last notes, very little mid-palate and a mild but smooth tannic finish.
Finished drinking this two days later. While our notes are the same, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this wine was tasting after sitting for two days. This wine will definately benefit by decanting for a couple of hours before drinking.
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Last bottle of '04 and it was a good one. Not sure about others who note bottle inconsistencies. Consistent with my previous notes. Decanted for 30 mins. Juicy raspberry and strawberry jam the whole way. Notes of plum pudding, mocha, tobacco, mulling spices. Had with bbq steak and asparagus. Time to move onto the '05s.
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Opened and poured. Very nice cab that's drinking very well. Nice nose. Nice fruit and mild tannins in the mouth. Nice finish. Excellent wine for the money. My guess is, though, that won't last many years in the cellar. Not as good second night. Nose muted, fruit muted, finish cut short. Would have scored the bottle about an 87.
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Butterscotch, oak and blackberry on the nose, sweet vanilla, raspberry, oak and spices. Showing some heat on the finish as well as plentiful tannins. This wine could use several more years of aging.
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Off balance, acidity out of control, out of the bottle and only got worse. Given that this is my 9th bottle of the 2004, it seems like there is a lot of bottle variation with these. Disappointing given that this isn't some cheap $8.99 bottle of wine.
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Lacks the punch of the ' 01 and '02. Strong (everpresent) oak influence, good fruit on the nose, smooth and sweet on tasting, mild tannin and chewy finish. Certainly in line with Rich Cuneo's vision for this cuvee. A nice lingering finish caps off a nice bottle.
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Medium-bodied with notes of cherries, cassis, herbs, and oak. Enjoyable but lacking a little structure (more of a round sweet ftuir profile) and not up to the standards of past vintages.
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This bottle is particularly aromatic on opening. Ripe fruit nose and vanilla oak. Currants, wild berries, plum with a touch of mocha and creaminess on the finish.
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We would be interested in other's comments on the state of Sebastiani wines over the past two years. It seems their initial efforts to make high quality/low production wine seems a bit lacking over the past few years. Those who enjoyed earlier vintages say 00-02 of their Alexander or Cherryblock know that what they had is no longer there. This one had some nice fruit but I could not take it as seriously as some of the past vintages.
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Lots of dark cherry with a thick coating of tannin. This needs some time in the cellar but it should develop into a very nice wine. Definitely one to put away if you can find it on sale. the 04 is going for $4 more than the 01, sale price.
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7/4/2020 - bradfriedlander Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still drinking very well. Has some prune on the nose and taste, but still retains the dark cherry notes. Long finish and soft tannins.
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2/7/2015 - Capitolhack Likes this wine: 88 Points
A very nice cabernet that shows well for its age. There were an unusual amount of tartrate crystals on the cork. Nice berry scents and a bit of cherry. Smooth finish. It should last a few more years.
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11/15/2014 - shellylowen Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium body, silky smooth, medium finish, black and blue berry, tar.
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9/24/2014 - Capitolhack Likes this wine: 89 Points
Although it is pushing the ten year guideline for average CA cabernets, it is still a very nice wine, with good fruit up front and a smooth finish. Kudos to Sebastiani. I took the other bottle out of my cellar's "drink soon" section.
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8/22/2013 - Mtnmd1 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Still holding up but likely to start tasting "old" soon
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6/15/2013 - seamudbug Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark, berry fruit cabernet. Very smooth with hardly and discernible tannins. Enjoyable, tasty but not complex.
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5/24/2012 - seamudbug wrote: 90 Points
Medium bodied. Plum color. Tannins soft. Good fruit in nose and on palate. Nice elegant finish.
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6/25/2011 - djlevin wrote: 82 Points
Last bottle from an old purchase. Wine did not lay-down as well as I would have hoped. Past its prime. Tasting notes after decanting for an hour. Cork heavily crystallized with tartrates. A balanced flavor profile with a touch of fruit in the front. Still a little hot even after decanting. Very thin on tannins. No depth to this wine, with a watery mouth feel and almost no finish.
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6/19/2011 - Bob in NC wrote: 88 Points
A solid cab that is drinking about as balanced and smooth as this wine will likely get. Dark dried fruit such as prune and raisin, a pleasant earthy mid-palate with licorice and shitake mushrooms notes on the finish. The tannins are mostly integrated with a little dustiness at the end. We have two more bottles, which we should drink within the next year.
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2/17/2011 - AN wrote: 79 Points
This was way too alcoholic and heavy - my head wanted to explode after drinking this. Big, oaky, fruit flavour on the nose and almost balsamic sweetness on the palate. For this price, should have been much better balanced. This either needs a lot of time or very heavy BBQ to support it. Otherwise - forget it! Cheers!
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2/14/2011 - sdwineguru wrote: 89 Points
Dark purple, brick edges; mint, herbaceous, jam and berry nose; good body and structure. Purchased a case at $18 a bottle and have been enjoying it with beef dishes ever since. They were producing consistently good value, quality wines in the middle of the last decade.
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8/15/2010 - SyrahQueen wrote: 90 Points
Wonderfully smooth cabernet. Had a slight bit of fruit and very mild tennis. Thoroughly enjoyed this Sonoma Cab.
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7/28/2010 - shellylowen wrote: 90 Points
Excellent
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5/31/2009 - Bob in NC wrote: 89 Points
Our notes are different then 3 months ago. Overall a smooth drinking cab with a mild dark fruit nose. Blueberry and black rashberry flavors, tasting no tobacco like our last notes, very little mid-palate and a mild but smooth tannic finish.
Finished drinking this two days later. While our notes are the same, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this wine was tasting after sitting for two days. This wine will definately benefit by decanting for a couple of hours before drinking.
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3/23/2009 - Bob in NC wrote: 89 Points
Dark raspberrry, vanillized oak with cigar tobacco. Tannis are medium but not fully integrated. Should be better in a year or two.
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3/7/2009 - jwolf99 wrote: 92 Points
Last bottle of '04 and it was a good one. Not sure about others who note bottle inconsistencies. Consistent with my previous notes. Decanted for 30 mins. Juicy raspberry and strawberry jam the whole way. Notes of plum pudding, mocha, tobacco, mulling spices. Had with bbq steak and asparagus. Time to move onto the '05s.
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3/7/2009 - plow68 wrote: 87 Points
Still a little closed. Needs another year or two and make sure to decant a good hour before consuming. A very good Sonoma Cab.
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2/22/2009 - brewking wrote: 88 Points
this started to show on day two
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2/7/2009 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
very nice, smooth and always reliable bottle
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2/4/2009 - bvwino wrote: 86 Points
Didn't do much for me today.
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12/19/2008 - brucegolfer wrote: 90 Points
After the wine opens up, it shows dark fruits and a smmothness that makes it very drinkable - with or without food.
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12/9/2008 - bvwino wrote: 88 Points
Drank at the monthly poker game
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11/12/2008 - bvwino wrote: 89 Points
Drank at a poker game. Went very well with "chips".
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11/4/2008 - bvwino wrote: 90 Points
Opened and poured. Very nice cab that's drinking very well. Nice nose. Nice fruit and mild tannins in the mouth. Nice finish. Excellent wine for the money. My guess is, though, that won't last many years in the cellar.
Not as good second night. Nose muted, fruit muted, finish cut short. Would have scored the bottle about an 87.
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10/20/2008 - jcbrand wrote: 89 Points
Bottle variation with these is crazy.
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10/13/2008 - N2Vin wrote: 89 Points
Butterscotch, oak and blackberry on the nose, sweet vanilla, raspberry, oak and spices. Showing some heat on the finish as well as plentiful tannins. This wine could use several more years of aging.
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7/12/2008 - sachsen wrote: 92 Points
Showed very well after 90+ mins of full air in glass, though not so special when bottle was first opened.
Excellent QPR here, sadly my last.
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6/13/2008 - jcbrand wrote:
Satiated the crowd at the rehersal dinner...
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5/3/2008 - jcbrand wrote: 74 Points
Off balance, acidity out of control, out of the bottle and only got worse. Given that this is my 9th bottle of the 2004, it seems like there is a lot of bottle variation with these. Disappointing given that this isn't some cheap $8.99 bottle of wine.
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12/1/2007 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
really nice bottle tonight.
Nuff said. previous notes say it all.
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11/15/2007 - N2Vin wrote: 89 Points
Lacks the punch of the ' 01 and '02. Strong (everpresent) oak influence, good fruit on the nose, smooth and sweet on tasting, mild tannin and chewy finish. Certainly in line with Rich Cuneo's vision for this cuvee. A nice lingering finish caps off a nice bottle.
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11/4/2007 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
again a great value
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9/3/2007 - raadams wrote: 86 Points
Medium-bodied with notes of cherries, cassis, herbs, and oak. Enjoyable but lacking a little structure (more of a round sweet ftuir profile) and not up to the standards of past vintages.
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8/24/2007 - jcbrand wrote: 90 Points
Tannic and gripping with undertones of tar, herbs, and black cherry.
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8/13/2007 - texaswino wrote: 93 Points
This bottle is particularly aromatic on opening. Ripe fruit nose and vanilla oak. Currants, wild berries, plum with a touch of mocha and creaminess on the finish.
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8/13/2007 - jcbrand wrote: 91 Points
Much better after about an hour of air exposure. Much better than a few months ago.
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8/4/2007 - DNABog wrote:
We would be interested in other's comments on the state of Sebastiani wines over the past two years. It seems their initial efforts to make high quality/low production wine seems a bit lacking over the past few years. Those who enjoyed earlier vintages say 00-02 of their Alexander or Cherryblock know that what they had is no longer there. This one had some nice fruit but I could not take it as seriously as some of the past vintages.
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6/1/2007 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
consistently great value. Can't go wrong with this at the price. Better than many $60+ Cabs I have had.
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5/4/2007 - texaswino wrote: 90 Points
only a 90 ptr tonight. Popped and poured. Should have given it a little time to decant. still nice though
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4/17/2007 - BonnieM wrote:
Lots of dark cherry with a thick coating of tannin. This needs some time in the cellar but it should develop into a very nice wine. Definitely one to put away if you can find it on sale. the 04 is going for $4 more than the 01, sale price.
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4/2/2007 - texaswino wrote:
excellent value from Sebastiani. Smooth creamy texture with nice varietal character. Just ordered another 6 pack.
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4/1/2007 - raadams wrote: 87 Points
No notes.
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3/15/2007 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
The streak goes on. This wine has yet to disappoint me since 1999. Great value cabernet
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11/24/2006 - jwolf99 wrote:
berry jam, kirsch cherries, licorice, smoky oak nose; ripe plums, fruit filled flavors; supple, balanced, well-integrated tannins
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