Wow were the drink windows off on this one. Opened last night. Exploded with intensity. Still a very big wine with tons of richness and flavor. Probably would have made it at least another 5 years if cellared properly. Last of the lot. Too bad. Great wine.
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This Magnificat was magnificent. The drinking window on CT ending in 2011 is not correct. Parker gave it until 2013. I can tell you in July of 2016 its still full of fruit and body. The tannins have softened and there is a bit of residual chalkiness in the sediment. Otherwise this is Napa cab at its core. The flavor profile will transport you to whatever tasting room you first had a delicious, sweet, full bodied, well oaked Cali cab or blend. Yum. Wish I could get more of this vintage.
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Bought a 6 pack in a wooden case about 10 years ago from the winery. Based on Cellartracker, it said I should have drank this by 2011. Opened the first bottle of the six pack tonight and it was delicious. Wine has been stored in my basement. Drank it with a nice filet I grilled on the Green Egg. My wife says I hogged the wine. It was drinking nicely, and could probably go a few more years, no problem. Very soft, no tannins, fruit is still there.
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Opens with blueberries. Develops into earth, leather and toasty oak. Tannins are still firm and finish is warm. A balanced wine at this stage of maturity.
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Somehow, the blending of these grapes creates something of a chameleon. I don't think I would have picked this out as a cab dominated blend, with the bulk of the rest being merlot. Medium bodied with a fair amount of acidity. For whatever reason, this struck me as more "Italian" than "Napa" in character. Thanks to Dennis for cracking this one tonight. Seems to be drinking at it's peak, but should hold nicely for several years.
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Absolutely Magnificat! We had this with ribs and that didn't do it justice. Should have done with a big, fat juicy steak. This could compare to wines $100 or more.
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Delicious. Rich. Black cherry and milk chocolate. Tannins are fully integrated and acidity is right on. I think it will hold on a while longer, but why wait? Drinking just beautifully right now.
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Didn't take notes during the dinner so comments are sparse. Reminded me of the more traditional California (old school) that I loved so much. Nuanced and dry - I like not getting smacked in the face with ripe fruit.
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Wow; for me it smells Violets, cherry - oakville smell. Light at tasting, dry tannins - if you have some do drink them soon now. The smell is a 95 and the taste is a 92. But i will let it breath for a while as I drink it inmediatly after opening
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Simply put, a beautiful expression of Napa Valley (and one that is becoming quite rare). Extraordinary, decadent and deep nose of sois bois, cocoa powder, cherries, and hints of freshly ground coffee. Smooth, full and seemless in the mouth from the attack through the exceptionally long and layered finish of cocoa powder, earth, and brilliantly balanced dry fruit and oak. This was such a fabulous bottle--certainly a candidate for my favorite tasting of 2010.
Drink now and over the next four years. 93 -JRS
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This wine is drinking wonderfully. Great color, nose, and balance of fruit and tannins. It may be at its best right now. Decanted and tasted over 3 hrs.
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Consistently delicious, this has a touch of volatile acidity that pushes the complexity up a notch. Concentrated, big boned, and filling out with air, a perfectly decadent cab for a nice occasion with steaks. Well done, and priced right.
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2008 Epcot Food and Wine Vertical Tasting: 70% Cab Sauv, 29% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Fist time with 100% new oak. Very tight nose. Bigger wine with good concentration and teeth coating, mouth gripping tannins. Typical plum, spice, vanilla, and a hint of minerality. Needs time to mellow, but a nice wine as it is now. (B-).
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This has really turnedout to be a vey siprising wine. It has a buttery textur and flavor that compliments the berry baskbone. Prominent finish yet not over the top. Jus a great effort and reaaly has evolved. May buy more.
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Suprised me. It is now drinking well. Must have entered it's 'dumb period' (albeit rahter short). Had it with tuna steak and bbq chicken (why wouldn't yah!)Smooth as silk at first pour. Did not decant (knowledge from a previous experience). Actually had old world nuances that really made this exciting. Sadly, an hour or so later, started to lose its "allure" and became pretty pasty.
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Just beginning to enter its drinking window, with the peak several years off, this offers a medium intensity nose of cassis and oak, with solid fruit flavors and hints of tea and mint, so complexity is coming. Astringent tannins take over after about an hour, but the next day it is even better. I'm betting on holding 2 years...we'll see if I can wait.
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OK, not great; bit of a fruit bomb and very new world meritage. Would never be mistaken for a 'real' bordeaux. Not good QPR. Lacking in complexity and fairly one-dimensional.
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Hoping this would turn out like the '99, but no such luck. Medium weight, nose of red fruits, somewhat closed, medium weight palate, red fruits and tannin, a touch of mature cassis but not much, medium finish. I will age the rest hoping they will open some day. More tannic than expected.
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Had this with a marinated flank seak with exceptional sides of corn on the cob & cucumber salad. Decanted for only a half hour. first glass was velvetty smooth. Delicate bouquet of berries and lasting yet subtle finish. Was very pleased until the end of the meal, it began to go flat. Texture changed as did the lack of finish. Tannins picked up to the point of leaving that pasty after taste. Conclusion: Don't decant and drink it faster. (is that possible?)Time to drink this wine. Cellaring won't improve this wine.
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better than I recalled. medium bodied, nice fruit on the nose. soft tannins. sl. oak., lingering aftertaste. very nice wine. will drink my other 2 w/i 2yrs.
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I love this wine. A beautiful creamy meritage, red and black fruit, with choclate on the long creamy finish. I have never been disappointed with this wine.
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8/10/2021 - Jkuryak Likes this wine: 92 Points
wow, 20 years old and still in great shape. Popped and it drank great with a dry aged ny strip steak.
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11/26/2020 - mydi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wow were the drink windows off on this one. Opened last night. Exploded with intensity. Still a very big wine with tons of richness and flavor. Probably would have made it at least another 5 years if cellared properly. Last of the lot. Too bad. Great wine.
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8/23/2015 - bsclemson wrote: 90 Points
Soft, fruity bouquet. Smooth tannins. Blackberry and cherry notes. Hint of licorice.
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7/11/2015 - discoverwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
This Magnificat was magnificent. The drinking window on CT ending in 2011 is not correct. Parker gave it until 2013. I can tell you in July of 2016 its still full of fruit and body. The tannins have softened and there is a bit of residual chalkiness in the sediment. Otherwise this is Napa cab at its core. The flavor profile will transport you to whatever tasting room you first had a delicious, sweet, full bodied, well oaked Cali cab or blend. Yum. Wish I could get more of this vintage.
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4/18/2015 - Jkuryak Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bought a 6 pack in a wooden case about 10 years ago from the winery. Based on Cellartracker, it said I should have drank this by 2011. Opened the first bottle of the six pack tonight and it was delicious. Wine has been stored in my basement. Drank it with a nice filet I grilled on the Green Egg. My wife says I hogged the wine. It was drinking nicely, and could probably go a few more years, no problem. Very soft, no tannins, fruit is still there.
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12/31/2012 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is a really decent blend!
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5/22/2012 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
The consensus was that this was just great... but could go another 5-10 years! Couldn't overtake or compete with the 87 Cab Reserve though!
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2/5/2012 - CCWhino wrote: 90 Points
well rounded. nice finish. still has strong fruit
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1/3/2012 - sakemakibug wrote: 90 Points
Cinderella's Bday. Nice!
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12/28/2011 - Rcorrao wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well. Big ripe fruit. Nice balance and decent finish. This will certainly not disappoint.
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12/26/2011 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine showed well amongst strong competition! Seemed like it has a lot of life left as well!
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9/17/2011 - juneau bob wrote: 90 Points
Opens with blueberries. Develops into earth, leather and toasty oak. Tannins are still firm and finish is warm. A balanced wine at this stage of maturity.
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7/21/2011 - vanpe003 wrote: 90 Points
Somehow, the blending of these grapes creates something of a chameleon. I don't think I would have picked this out as a cab dominated blend, with the bulk of the rest being merlot. Medium bodied with a fair amount of acidity. For whatever reason, this struck me as more "Italian" than "Napa" in character. Thanks to Dennis for cracking this one tonight. Seems to be drinking at it's peak, but should hold nicely for several years.
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6/19/2011 - WineSnobs wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely Magnificat! We had this with ribs and that didn't do it justice. Should have done with a big, fat juicy steak. This could compare to wines $100 or more.
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3/7/2011 - Baylorwine wrote: 91 Points
Great QPR. Fruit is still there, and tannins are integrated. Drink up, I don't know if it will last too much longer.
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2/13/2011 - swittersMN wrote: 92 Points
Delicious. Rich. Black cherry and milk chocolate. Tannins are fully integrated and acidity is right on. I think it will hold on a while longer, but why wait? Drinking just beautifully right now.
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1/16/2011 - nrau wrote: 92 Points
Currently drinking very well. Smooth and structured.
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8/25/2010 - BDofMSP wrote: 90 Points
Didn't take notes during the dinner so comments are sparse. Reminded me of the more traditional California (old school) that I loved so much. Nuanced and dry - I like not getting smacked in the face with ripe fruit.
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6/11/2010 - pudljmpr wrote: 92 Points
See last note
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6/11/2010 - pudljmpr wrote: 91 Points
This is drinking perfectly right now
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5/9/2010 - sgamiz wrote:
Wow; for me it smells Violets, cherry - oakville smell. Light at tasting, dry tannins - if you have some do drink them soon now. The smell is a 95 and the taste is a 92. But i will let it breath for a while as I drink it inmediatly after opening
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4/7/2010 - CdP in NYC wrote: 93 Points
Simply put, a beautiful expression of Napa Valley (and one that is becoming quite rare). Extraordinary, decadent and deep nose of sois bois, cocoa powder, cherries, and hints of freshly ground coffee. Smooth, full and seemless in the mouth from the attack through the exceptionally long and layered finish of cocoa powder, earth, and brilliantly balanced dry fruit and oak. This was such a fabulous bottle--certainly a candidate for my favorite tasting of 2010.
Drink now and over the next four years. 93 -JRS
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2/3/2010 - craigi wrote: 92 Points
This wine is drinking wonderfully. Great color, nose, and balance of fruit and tannins. It may be at its best right now. Decanted and tasted over 3 hrs.
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1/17/2010 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
not bad, not exceptional. Not as disappointing as other franiscan wines. God varietal flavors. Held up well.
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12/23/2009 - Philly-O wrote:
Gave to The Drew for X-mas
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7/28/2009 - what3v3r wrote: 90 Points
Fine pale color. Nose: grassy and melon with herbs. Palate: tart but very smooth. Melon, citrus. Prevelant alcohol.
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6/16/2009 - littletimmy wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well. Great structure and balance. opulent and a great pair with grilled steaks and vegetables
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5/31/2009 - GMcAdam wrote: 93 Points
This was really good with some bbq'd New York steaks. Excellent wine.
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5/2/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 91 Points
Consistently delicious, this has a touch of volatile acidity that pushes the complexity up a notch. Concentrated, big boned, and filling out with air, a perfectly decadent cab for a nice occasion with steaks. Well done, and priced right.
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10/26/2008 - Combee1 wrote: 88 Points
2008 Epcot Food and Wine Vertical Tasting: 70% Cab Sauv, 29% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Fist time with 100% new oak. Very tight nose. Bigger wine with good concentration and teeth coating, mouth gripping tannins. Typical plum, spice, vanilla, and a hint of minerality. Needs time to mellow, but a nice wine as it is now. (B-).
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10/26/2008 - Philly-O wrote: 89 Points
This has really turnedout to be a vey siprising wine. It has a buttery textur and flavor that compliments the berry baskbone. Prominent finish yet not over the top. Jus a great effort and reaaly has evolved. May buy more.
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9/6/2008 - Phin wrote: 92 Points
Held together well for age. Dark fruit and very dry finish.
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8/17/2008 - Philly-O wrote: 88 Points
Suprised me. It is now drinking well. Must have entered it's 'dumb period' (albeit rahter short). Had it with tuna steak and bbq chicken (why wouldn't yah!)Smooth as silk at first pour. Did not decant (knowledge from a previous experience). Actually had old world nuances that really made this exciting. Sadly, an hour or so later, started to lose its "allure" and became pretty pasty.
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8/6/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 91 Points
Just beginning to enter its drinking window, with the peak several years off, this offers a medium intensity nose of cassis and oak, with solid fruit flavors and hints of tea and mint, so complexity is coming. Astringent tannins take over after about an hour, but the next day it is even better. I'm betting on holding 2 years...we'll see if I can wait.
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7/6/2008 - jbeauprez wrote: 85 Points
OK, not great; bit of a fruit bomb and very new world meritage. Would never be mistaken for a 'real' bordeaux. Not good QPR. Lacking in complexity and fairly one-dimensional.
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5/17/2008 - ScubaSommelier wrote: 89 Points
Drinking well now. A little heavy tannins for my liking, but still very solid.
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12/19/2007 - dino_mike wrote: 90 Points
Great red cherry flavors, smokey and sweetly oaky.
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10/5/2007 - ginfizz wrote: 89 Points
Hoping this would turn out like the '99, but no such luck. Medium weight, nose of red fruits, somewhat closed, medium weight palate, red fruits and tannin, a touch of mature cassis but not much, medium finish. I will age the rest hoping they will open some day. More tannic than expected.
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6/2/2007 - Philly-O wrote: 87 Points
Had this with a marinated flank seak with exceptional sides of corn on the cob & cucumber salad. Decanted for only a half hour. first glass was velvetty smooth. Delicate bouquet of berries and lasting yet subtle finish. Was very pleased until the end of the meal, it began to go flat. Texture changed as did the lack of finish. Tannins picked up to the point of leaving that pasty after taste. Conclusion: Don't decant and drink it faster. (is that possible?)Time to drink this wine. Cellaring won't improve this wine.
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2/15/2007 - ajr wrote: 88 Points
better than I recalled. medium bodied, nice fruit on the nose. soft tannins. sl. oak., lingering aftertaste. very nice wine. will drink my other 2 w/i 2yrs.
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11/29/2006 - sjt wrote:
I love this wine. A beautiful creamy meritage, red and black fruit, with choclate on the long creamy finish. I have never been disappointed with this wine.
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8/6/2006 - billyb wrote: 88 Points
maybe needs a little more age
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2/28/2006 - ET wrote: 91 Points
Clear nose, crystal red color, bursting with fruit
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1/7/2006 - jmd60611 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice bottle at restaurant..Smooth, mellow and balanced a very welcoming ready wine that probably has very little ageability
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1/2/2006 - Philly-O wrote: 87 Points
Tastes best right after opening. loses nose, finish and achieves an ovrall flatness within a half hour. Won't purchase again.
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7/8/2005 - socidelvino wrote:
Absolutely beautiful meritage blend. Tasted with rocquefort crusted sirloin. Outstanding match!
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