N: Fairly fragrant, RIPE berries & flowers with notes of vanilla; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt (suspect threshold R.S.) which evolves into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy, very, VERY slightly bitter/swt finish with a DISTINCT swtness to the inoffensive, dusty tannins. For now & into, poss through, '20. NICELY done for what it aspires to be: friendly & easy drinking. My VG+/EXC-. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12. [This vendor's $8.95 is now $1 < wine-searcher's next lowest listing.]
Note: Also tasted on 12/30/2017, 5/5/2018, 8/11/2018, & 12/22/2018 with similar TNs.
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N: RIPE berries with smoke slightly atop; Poss notes of choc? Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S. likely) met by some puckerish astringency which loses its snap as it morphs into the LONG, bitter/swt choc finish. For now & 3 yrs more, + POSS still improving? My VG/VG+, the higher arguably for the QPR of this vendor's $8.95, which beats all but about 15% of wine-searcher's large, surprisingly skewed listing. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12.
Note: Also tasted on 12/30/2017, 5/5/2018, & 8/11/2018 with similar TNs.
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N: Very slightly closed; Ripe, jammy berries with notes of smoke & pyrazines
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by some almost "swtish" pucker which morphs into a LONG finish with a tangy/swtness (40:60) to the dusty tannins. Approachable now with food, DESERVES another 12-18 mos, then drinking for another 3 yrs? My VG+. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12. [This vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 15% of wine-searcher's large, surprisngly skewed listing.]
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P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt [Threshold R.S.?] met by SOME puckerish astringency though, by the time of the LONG finish, the dusty tannins have taken on the swtness of the entry. Likely to improve somewhat through '18, then drink nicely (in a ripe, threshold swtness style) for POSS 3 yrs more. My VG for this crowd pleasing style. 89 pts WS & 88 WE. [This vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 10% of wine-searcher's LARGE listing.]
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The nose gives you a sense that this is a good tasting wine that you didn't spend much money on. It is what you expect - a great tasting fruity wine with a medium finish. The legs were medium to long with a ruby color to the wine. At $8 for the bottle, it is a definite "like it" and will buy it again.
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N: Ripe, jammy, with smoky vanilla & undertones of pyrazines
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt NICELY off-set by a very, VERY finely tannic pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, ult almost swtish finish with the barest hint of tang & occasionally very, VERY fine tannins. Excellent QPR [this vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 10% of winesearcher's LARGE listing] for now & through '19, + might well improve thru Spring '18. 89 pts WS & 88 WE.
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A very solid cab option in the $10 range. The medium nose carries above average punch and complexity with interesting notes such as creme, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruits. The palate is good, but not great. The body and balance are nice throughout most of the palate. But the finish feels just a bit off with some grainy tannins appearing and a lingering note of something slightly burnt. I think the 14 Hands Merlot was superior to the Cabernet. www.vincrush.com
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A very acceptable value Cabernet, good character and fruit. Very slightly sweet and a bit light but the structure is nice and acidity appropriate, the flavors are not green and are lovely.
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A perfectly acceptable big fruit bomb with raspberry, plum, and dill, and-ready-for-drinking-without-offending lack of structure. A reasonably good simple "Cab." [vintage uncertain]
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7/1/2022 - wpatricia8171 Likes this wine: 88 Points
awesome wine!
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2/9/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 02/09/19, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 89.5% C.S., 6.5% Merlot, 2% Syrah, & 2% other select varieties aged for several mos in a combination of AM & FR oak barrels; 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH.
N: Fairly fragrant, RIPE berries & flowers with notes of vanilla; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt (suspect threshold R.S.) which evolves into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy, very, VERY slightly bitter/swt finish with a DISTINCT swtness to the inoffensive, dusty tannins. For now & into, poss through, '20. NICELY done for what it aspires to be: friendly & easy drinking. My VG+/EXC-. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12. [This vendor's $8.95 is now $1 < wine-searcher's next lowest listing.]
Note: Also tasted on 12/30/2017, 5/5/2018, 8/11/2018, & 12/22/2018 with similar TNs.
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1/28/2019 - RMapou Likes this wine: 85 Points
A bit of a fruit bomb but paired well with smoked chicken, roasted cauliflower, and cranberry sauce.
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12/22/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 12/22/18, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 89.5% C.S., 6.5% Merlot, 2% Syrah, & 2% other select varieties aged for several mos in a combination of AM & FR oak barrels; 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH.
N: RIPE berries with smoke slightly atop; Poss notes of choc? Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S. likely) met by some puckerish astringency which loses its snap as it morphs into the LONG, bitter/swt choc finish. For now & 3 yrs more, + POSS still improving? My VG/VG+, the higher arguably for the QPR of this vendor's $8.95, which beats all but about 15% of wine-searcher's large, surprisingly skewed listing. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12.
Note: Also tasted on 12/30/2017, 5/5/2018, & 8/11/2018 with similar TNs.
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8/11/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 08/11/18, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 89.5% C.S., 6.5% Merlot, 2% Syrah, & 2% other select varieties aged for several mos in a combination of AM & FR oak barrels; 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH.
N: Very slightly closed; Ripe, jammy berries with notes of smoke & pyrazines
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by some almost "swtish" pucker which morphs into a LONG finish with a tangy/swtness (40:60) to the dusty tannins. Approachable now with food, DESERVES another 12-18 mos, then drinking for another 3 yrs? My VG+. 89 pts WS & 88 with a "Best Buy" from WE @ $12. [This vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 15% of wine-searcher's large, surprisngly skewed listing.]
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5/5/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 05/05/18, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 89.5% C.S., 6.5% Merlot, 2% Syrah, & 2% other select varieties aged for several mos in a combination of AM & FR oak barrels; 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH.
N: Slightly closed; Ripe, smoky, poss jammy
P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt [Threshold R.S.?] met by SOME puckerish astringency though, by the time of the LONG finish, the dusty tannins have taken on the swtness of the entry. Likely to improve somewhat through '18, then drink nicely (in a ripe, threshold swtness style) for POSS 3 yrs more. My VG for this crowd pleasing style. 89 pts WS & 88 WE. [This vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 10% of wine-searcher's LARGE listing.]
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4/4/2018 - Sbourn Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a solid cab sab at a very reasonable price. Great with a nice grilled beef tenderloin.
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2/5/2018 - mlutsky67 Likes this wine: 85 Points
The nose gives you a sense that this is a good tasting wine that you didn't spend much money on. It is what you expect - a great tasting fruity wine with a medium finish. The legs were medium to long with a ruby color to the wine. At $8 for the bottle, it is a definite "like it" and will buy it again.
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2/2/2018 - Cureo wrote:
Nice, long & smooth finish.
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12/30/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 12/30/17, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 89.5% C.S., 6.5% Merlot, 2% Syrah, & 2% other select varieties aged for several mos in a combination of AM & FR oak barrels; 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH.
N: Ripe, jammy, with smoky vanilla & undertones of pyrazines
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt NICELY off-set by a very, VERY finely tannic pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, ult almost swtish finish with the barest hint of tang & occasionally very, VERY fine tannins. Excellent QPR [this vendor's $8.95 beats all but about 10% of winesearcher's LARGE listing] for now & through '19, + might well improve thru Spring '18. 89 pts WS & 88 WE.
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11/28/2017 - VinCrush Likes this wine: 88 Points
A very solid cab option in the $10 range. The medium nose carries above average punch and complexity with interesting notes such as creme, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruits. The palate is good, but not great. The body and balance are nice throughout most of the palate. But the finish feels just a bit off with some grainy tannins appearing and a lingering note of something slightly burnt. I think the 14 Hands Merlot was superior to the Cabernet. www.vincrush.com
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11/5/2017 - maderay wrote: 86 Points
Slight citrus flavors
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10/27/2017 - Slony Likes this wine: 89 Points
Excellent wine for the price
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10/17/2017 - Colorado3G wrote: 86 Points
Just okay (MEH).....not the WS Value that I had hoped it would be. My weekday wine standby still is Columbia Crest Grand Estates or H3!
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10/15/2017 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 85 Points
A very acceptable value Cabernet, good character and fruit. Very slightly sweet and a bit light but the structure is nice and acidity appropriate, the flavors are not green and are lovely.
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9/16/2017 - indiscriminate palate wrote:
A perfectly acceptable big fruit bomb with raspberry, plum, and dill, and-ready-for-drinking-without-offending lack of structure. A reasonably good simple "Cab." [vintage uncertain]
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