We went to the wine club dinner at the club and had to PNP. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long. Not as good as the 2016 I had the night before but still a good bottle of wine.
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We went to a BYOB and had to PNP.. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long.
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Initial notes follow a one hour decant. Dark, tight nose softens on the palate. Dry tannins overpower the blue and black fruit peeking out from the background and leave a 15-20 sec finish that will double as this reaches maturity. 92+ today - now eth 2 hrs of air - with the ability to add 2+pts with more age or air.
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Our Club had its steak and seafood night so after having some chardonnay at the house our group went to the club and proceeded to drink three bottles of cabernet. This, a 2014 Realm Tempest and a 2010 Schrader. This was a pnp when we ran out of wine toward the end of dinner. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage and the finish was moderate to long.
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Big flavors, but soft on the palate. Fruit is forward, easy to see why this wine is a favorite. Probably one of their best vintages. Graphite, blueberry, oak, and light hint of licorice
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From a magnum opened a few hours before dinner and then slowly consumed over the evening. Dark fruit with hints of mocha on the nose. The palate were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and mocha. The finish was moderate to long.
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Tasted at a Vine Vault tasting in Austin.......nose of fortified port wine, maybe an odd bottle, maybe not the right decant? Walnut, says Melissa....maybe some almond brittle? Moderate finish with good acidity holding it together so apparently it has more time left, but will it improve? I don't know based on this bottle.
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Two hour slow ox. Deep dark ruby magenta color. Fortified port and cherry almond brittle on the slightly aged nose. Smooth, dry palate. Firm tannins on the longish finish.
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The group drank 3 bottles at lunch. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long.
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We went to a friends house for dinner. So I opened a magnum and let it sit for around 4 hours, recorked it and took it to dinner where we slowly consumed it over 4 hours. Dark fruit and hints of mocha on the nose. The palate was dark berries, tobacco, leather and mocha. The finish was moderate to long. Served at first with a platter of duck arancini followed by grilled lamb burgers and a Greek salad.
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Opened Tuesday and finished yesterday along with a 2014 SBR Merlot. Dark berries on the nose. The palate was dark berries, a hint of tobacco and coffee. The finish was moderate to long.
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Rich vibrant bouquet of dark cassis, blueberry/blackberry compote, some smoke and a touch of graphite. Medium to large-scaled on the palate, with tannins well integrated by a wall of fruit and a long spicy finish. Fairly balanced for its size, really nice bottle of wine. I had not had switchbacks cabernet in a long time (7 years with the 2007 vintage) and really enjoyed this vintage. Decanted 1.5 hours and consumed over the next hour.
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Score is based on the 2nd day. I have a few bottles of the 375ml and thought I would try one. This was nowhere near ready so I opened another bottle for our dinner. I took it out to our wine tasting today and it was terrific after a night in the bottle. This needs more time and even though all my bottles are small, I will wait at least 3-5 years before opening another one. Had notes of blue and black fruit with black cherry and blueberry being predominate for me. A hint of cocoa and chocolate on the palate. I enjoyed this a lot the second day after a sluggish start. Hold if you have them. You will thank me.
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Wow I am going to up the scores. Just followed a blackbird illustration 2016. It was good but this was better.
The aroma's are all black cherry and pressed blueberry. On the palette it is so creamy and smooth. The mouthfeel is where this wine shines as it is all velvet and soft. Cedar wood, sweet cherries, and blueberry at the mid palette with a finish of lively acidty and tart cherry.
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For a business colleagues son's graduation dinner (unfortunately he could not partake because while he is old enough to drive, vote and die for his country he is not old enough to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner under parental supervsion - oh well there was more for me) I opened a magnum 4 hours in advance to slow ox and then brought to the club. So the nose is dark fruit with a hint of chocolate. The palate was dark berries, tobacco and mocha. The finish was moderate to long. I decided to open this one because I have a bunch of magnums and I had only tried it in the .375 format. This is better and I can see the potential. This will easily be as 93/94 in about 5 years. I am still drinking my 2010's and starting on the 12's. In my opinion for what its worth. SBR's need 8 to 10 years to really develop. Its a really good wine 91++ and unfortunately the young man headed to Penn State could not enjoy it with us. I will put away a bottle for his 21st birthday.
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A bit hot. Alcohol on the nose and palate after a 90 minute decant. Probably has longer to go. Taste of dark red fruits. A good Cabernet but may be better in a few years.
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Since our dinner guests (socially distanced of course) drank most of our dinner wine we decided to open a half bottle to watch tv with. I took it out of the wine fridge opened it and let it sit for an hour to get to a proper drinking temperature. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate is berry, tobacco and mocha. The finish is moderate to long.
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Floral and black cherry aromas followed by blueberry and red cherry flavors, anise and black currant. Still a bit young, but will drink is ell for at least 5 years, likely 10.
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Decanted for 2 hours but it was still very tight and tannic. Aromatics were of violets and black fruit. Didn’t expect the minerality but it was there with every taste. I’ll wait 3-5 years before I taste it again.
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Similar to my notes of August. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate is berry, tobacco and mocha. The finish is moderate to long. Served wit a simple roast chicken.
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From a 375 opened two hours before tasting and drank over two days. Dark fruit on the nose with hints of mocha. On the palate dark berries, tobacco and mocha. The glass on the second day accentuated the tobacco. Moderate to long finish
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Surprised after reading other reviews, this wine is similar to other switchback wines. Big bold dark and delicious fruit. Still has time to develop. Give it some time
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Can appearances can be deceiving? After tasting this wine, the answer is absolute yes! From first appearances this Cab looked to be a winner, the color was a dazzling rich deep emerald purple color, really stunning and by all appearance I anticipated a wine that would be rich, robust and intense. On the palate, the story changed to being just a very ordinary red wine with really nothing noteworthy going on. The wine was mute, perhaps shut down for business, in a dead phase. Even after a couple of days there was nothing showing here. If you have this wine you really need to allow it enough time to come around. Pretty disappointing actually.
Nose: blackberry jam, cherry, raspberry, oak, tar and vanilla bean. Palate: Dense palate with a rich glycerin led feel. Packed with blueberry, cherry jam, toasted brioche and toasted oak. Alcohol quite noticeable. Finish: Some alcohol coming through right now with more sweet dark fruit and smokey oak.
15.5% alcohol on this really shows. I usually find this wine rich, but retaining good balance. Looks like SBR had issues with raisiny fruit in 2015. Pop when you really want a full throttle wine.
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5/6/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
We went to the wine club dinner at the club and had to PNP. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long. Not as good as the 2016 I had the night before but still a good bottle of wine.
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1/28/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
We went to a BYOB and had to PNP.. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long.
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12/25/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Initial notes follow a one hour decant. Dark, tight nose softens on the palate. Dry tannins overpower the blue and black fruit peeking out from the background and leave a 15-20 sec finish that will double as this reaches maturity. 92+ today - now eth 2 hrs of air - with the ability to add 2+pts with more age or air.
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11/27/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Our Club had its steak and seafood night so after having some chardonnay at the house our group went to the club and proceeded to drink three bottles of cabernet. This, a 2014 Realm Tempest and a 2010 Schrader. This was a pnp when we ran out of wine toward the end of dinner. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage and the finish was moderate to long.
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11/3/2021 - chuckos77 wrote: 95 Points
Big flavors, but soft on the palate. Fruit is forward, easy to see why this wine is a favorite. Probably one of their best vintages. Graphite, blueberry, oak, and light hint of licorice
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9/7/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a magnum opened a few hours before dinner and then slowly consumed over the evening. Dark fruit with hints of mocha on the nose. The palate were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and mocha. The finish was moderate to long.
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8/14/2021 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at a Vine Vault tasting in Austin.......nose of fortified port wine, maybe an odd bottle, maybe not the right decant? Walnut, says Melissa....maybe some almond brittle? Moderate finish with good acidity holding it together so apparently it has more time left, but will it improve? I don't know based on this bottle.
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8/12/2021 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 94 Points
Two hour slow ox. Deep dark ruby magenta color. Fortified port and cherry almond brittle on the slightly aged nose. Smooth, dry palate. Firm tannins on the longish finish.
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8/3/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
The group drank 3 bottles at lunch. Dark berries on the nose. The palates were dark berries, plums, wood, tobacco and sage. Finish was moderate to long.
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5/16/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
We went to a friends house for dinner. So I opened a magnum and let it sit for around 4 hours, recorked it and took it to dinner where we slowly consumed it over 4 hours. Dark fruit and hints of mocha on the nose. The palate was dark berries, tobacco, leather and mocha. The finish was moderate to long. Served at first with a platter of duck arancini followed by grilled lamb burgers and a Greek salad.
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3/17/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened Tuesday and finished yesterday along with a 2014 SBR Merlot.
Dark berries on the nose. The palate was dark berries, a hint of tobacco and coffee. The finish was moderate to long.
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2/2/2021 - bubbachumps wrote: 94 Points
Rich vibrant bouquet of dark cassis, blueberry/blackberry compote, some smoke and a touch of graphite. Medium to large-scaled on the palate, with tannins well integrated by a wall of fruit and a long spicy finish. Fairly balanced for its size, really nice bottle of wine. I had not had switchbacks cabernet in a long time (7 years with the 2007 vintage) and really enjoyed this vintage. Decanted 1.5 hours and consumed over the next hour.
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10/10/2020 - travelme wrote: 94 Points
Score is based on the 2nd day. I have a few bottles of the 375ml and thought I would try one. This was nowhere near ready so I opened another bottle for our dinner. I took it out to our wine tasting today and it was terrific after a night in the bottle. This needs more time and even though all my bottles are small, I will wait at least 3-5 years before opening another one. Had notes of blue and black fruit with black cherry and blueberry being predominate for me. A hint of cocoa and chocolate on the palate. I enjoyed this a lot the second day after a sluggish start. Hold if you have them. You will thank me.
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8/13/2020 - tomoem Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow I am going to up the scores. Just followed a blackbird illustration 2016. It was good but this was better.
The aroma's are all black cherry and pressed blueberry. On the palette it is so creamy and smooth. The mouthfeel is where this wine shines as it is all velvet and soft. Cedar wood, sweet cherries, and blueberry at the mid palette with a finish of lively acidty and tart cherry.
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8/7/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
For a business colleagues son's graduation dinner (unfortunately he could not partake because while he is old enough to drive, vote and die for his country he is not old enough to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner under parental supervsion - oh well there was more for me) I opened a magnum 4 hours in advance to slow ox and then brought to the club. So the nose is dark fruit with a hint of chocolate. The palate was dark berries, tobacco and mocha. The finish was moderate to long. I decided to open this one because I have a bunch of magnums and I had only tried it in the .375 format. This is better and I can see the potential. This will easily be as 93/94 in about 5 years. I am still drinking my 2010's and starting on the 12's. In my opinion for what its worth. SBR's need 8 to 10 years to really develop. Its a really good wine 91++ and unfortunately the young man headed to Penn State could not enjoy it with us. I will put away a bottle for his 21st birthday.
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7/5/2020 - Gregmonroe Likes this wine:
A bit hot. Alcohol on the nose and palate after a 90 minute decant. Probably has longer to go. Taste of dark red fruits. A good Cabernet but may be better in a few years.
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5/17/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Since our dinner guests (socially distanced of course) drank most of our dinner wine we decided to open a half bottle to watch tv with. I took it out of the wine fridge opened it and let it sit for an hour to get to a proper drinking temperature. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate is berry, tobacco and mocha. The finish is moderate to long.
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4/25/2020 - jcampano Likes this wine: 91 Points
Floral and black cherry aromas followed by blueberry and red cherry flavors, anise and black currant. Still a bit young, but will drink is ell for at least 5 years, likely 10.
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3/20/2020 - jcampano Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted for 2 hours but it was still very tight and tannic. Aromatics were of violets and black fruit. Didn’t expect the minerality but it was there with every taste. I’ll wait 3-5 years before I taste it again.
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11/19/2019 - grayfont Likes this wine: 92 Points
Terrific. Very dark in color but bright in the mouth, especially front palate. Rich around the sides of the tongue. Love it.
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11/11/2019 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Similar to my notes of August. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate is berry, tobacco and mocha. The finish is moderate to long. Served wit a simple roast chicken.
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8/14/2019 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a 375 opened two hours before tasting and drank over two days.
Dark fruit on the nose with hints of mocha. On the palate dark berries, tobacco and mocha. The glass on the second day accentuated the tobacco. Moderate to long finish
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8/1/2019 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Surprised after reading other reviews, this wine is similar to other switchback wines. Big bold dark and delicious fruit. Still has time to develop. Give it some time
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5/26/2018 - Yack Man wrote: 87 Points
Can appearances can be deceiving? After tasting this wine, the answer is absolute yes! From first appearances this Cab looked to be a winner, the color was a dazzling rich deep emerald purple color, really stunning and by all appearance I anticipated a wine that would be rich, robust and intense. On the palate, the story changed to being just a very ordinary red wine with really nothing noteworthy going on. The wine was mute, perhaps shut down for business, in a dead phase. Even after a couple of days there was nothing showing here. If you have this wine you really need to allow it enough time to come around. Pretty disappointing actually.
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5/17/2018 - RockinCabs wrote: 88 Points
Nose: blackberry jam, cherry, raspberry, oak, tar and vanilla bean. Palate: Dense palate with a rich glycerin led feel. Packed with blueberry, cherry jam, toasted brioche and toasted oak. Alcohol quite noticeable. Finish: Some alcohol coming through right now with more sweet dark fruit and smokey oak.
15.5% alcohol on this really shows. I usually find this wine rich, but retaining good balance. Looks like SBR had issues with raisiny fruit in 2015. Pop when you really want a full throttle wine.
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