The cork was very solid with no saturation, but some sediment collected on the bottom of the cork. The wine was decanted and had very, very little sediment. The wine was gently decanted then enjoyed immediately and over the next 90 minutes. The color is very dark red, but not purple with significant lightening at the rim and the slightest hint of bricking. The nose is fantastic with aromas of sweet black cassis, cherry liqueur, dark roses, violets, black rocks/graphite, and sandalwood. The tannins are completely resolved, yet the mouthfeel is full and lucious. The acids are in balance causing a smooth yet mouthwatering finish. The wine is a touch hot, but in a great place for 14.5% ABV. Thank you to Acker, Merrall, Condit for this fantastic wine purchased at auction that produced an elite QPR drinking experience.
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Started with low acidity and was muted. After 1 hour in the glass, the wine opened up and showed how lively it still is. Full bodied and nice character. Still has at least 3 years left in top form.
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Wish I had more! Great nose of cherry and cedar. Rich cherry and cassis on the palate, tannins well integrated with good acid balance. Drank without aeration or decanting. This one has hit its stride and could go longer, but extremely enjoyable now.
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Always consistent, this Duckhorn did not disappoint. Lots of sediment, would have liked to decant, but didn't have one available. Nice berry/currant nose, mild tannins and good balanced flavors some fruit and maybe a hint of mocha. We had grilled ribeye steaks with this wine, a perfect pairing.
If you have any bottles of this 2000 laying around, I say drink now!
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Some months ago I brought a botttle of this to a french household with a wink: try some California for a changhe. They would have none of it, so we drank saint emilion with a great moroccan dinner. Today we dropped by, and they had open the bottle two days ago and apologetically served the dregs of it, not remembering we had brought it. It was holding steady and it was still beautiful wine. Far superior to that saint emilion. What's with Napa wine that makes you wish there were some food to go with it? What do you eat with it?
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As usual did not disappoint. A bit hot in the first hour but with decanting (lots of sediment) got better and better as we got closer to the end over 3 hours, or so. Nice cherry nose, full bodied dark red fruits with mocha and round tannins. Lingering blackberry finish. A perpetual winner. Need to get some more.
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Great Cab! Very dark rich purple color. A little tight when first opened, but 1 hr after decanting really opened up. Lots of currant, charcoal, and a little leather. Was also surprized by a little pepper on the long lasting finish. Smooth like velvet.
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The first time we had this, in April 2004, we had a magnum at Mortons. I was very new to fine wine and needless to say it was a wonderful introduction! I gave my husband a bottle for Christmas that year. We decided to open our bottle with dinner last night, to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We decanted the wine for an hour prior to drinking. He started with a salad of tomatoes with red wine vinegar, red onions, and plenty of blue cheese crumbles. I had a salad of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar. For dinner I grilled thick ribeye steaks, and made skillet potatoes with caramelized onions, garlic and cherry peppers. The wine paired beautifully with both salads, particularly the mozzarella in my salad, which surprised me. It seemed to be an obvious choice for the ribeye and potatoes and we were not disappointed. The wine had a beautiful bouquet, and prior to each sip, we lingered on the wonderful aroma. It had a full mouth feel, with was seemed to be rich berry, and currant fruit flavors, subtle tannins and a magnificent long finish. We truly relished this bottle, and I still would take pleasure in having another.
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One of the best 2000's ever. Decanted for about 2 hours in traditional decanter, server in Riedel. Served with Ribeyes and grilled asparagus. Tannins were quite mellowed, with fruit to match, not overpowing, just nice. Boquet of floral scents, and berries. The fruit is good to go for a while, the structure was still thee.
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Opened and decanted. Dark purple, nose of flowers, chocolate, spice and vanilla. Tight but opened up after an hour to reveal a smooth, dark, woodsy, wet earth taste, with orange blossoms and licorice on the nose. Good.
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This cabernet was ready to go. The tannins have softened nicely and everything was nicely balanced. While I don't have enough experience with this wine to say it has "peaked"...it's in really good drinking condition right now. Having shed most of its tannins, I can't see it getting much better.
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One of the best 2000's I have tasted. I think the wine has reached the plateau, as this is the 2nd one I have drank in 6 months. Again served with Strip and greens, opens quickly.
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one of the better 2000 CS I have had the pleasure of enjoying. heavy sediment, did not decant, due to primitive settings. Nice fruit, not overpowering, black cherry, tannins just there enough for structure, no heat just fruit with some hints of earth. Have two more bottle, will hold.
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5/5/2018 - DavidBrost Likes this wine: 93 Points
The cork was very solid with no saturation, but some sediment collected on the bottom of the cork. The wine was decanted and had very, very little sediment. The wine was gently decanted then enjoyed immediately and over the next 90 minutes.
The color is very dark red, but not purple with significant lightening at the rim and the slightest hint of bricking.
The nose is fantastic with aromas of sweet black cassis, cherry liqueur, dark roses, violets, black rocks/graphite, and sandalwood.
The tannins are completely resolved, yet the mouthfeel is full and lucious. The acids are in balance causing a smooth yet mouthwatering finish. The wine is a touch hot, but in a great place for 14.5% ABV.
Thank you to Acker, Merrall, Condit for this fantastic wine purchased at auction that produced an elite QPR drinking experience.
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1/9/2017 - curtr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Started with low acidity and was muted. After 1 hour in the glass, the wine opened up and showed how lively it still is. Full bodied and nice character. Still has at least 3 years left in top form.
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6/12/2011 - Mugwump wrote: 93 Points
Wish I had more! Great nose of cherry and cedar. Rich cherry and cassis on the palate, tannins well integrated with good acid balance. Drank without aeration or decanting. This one has hit its stride and could go longer, but extremely enjoyable now.
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12/25/2010 - nemloc wrote: 91 Points
Took a little time to open up after decanting. Currant, pepper, and cherries in the mouth, a little light on the nose.
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11/7/2008 - ayoshida wrote: 89 Points
Always consistent, this Duckhorn did not disappoint. Lots of sediment, would have liked to decant, but didn't have one available. Nice berry/currant nose, mild tannins and good balanced flavors some fruit and maybe a hint of mocha. We had grilled ribeye steaks with this wine, a perfect pairing.
If you have any bottles of this 2000 laying around, I say drink now!
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9/27/2008 - viscalbarsa wrote: 90 Points
Some months ago I brought a botttle of this to a french household with a wink: try some California for a changhe. They would have none of it, so we drank saint emilion with a great moroccan dinner. Today we dropped by, and they had open the bottle two days ago and apologetically served the dregs of it, not remembering we had brought it. It was holding steady and it was still beautiful wine. Far superior to that saint emilion. What's with Napa wine that makes you wish there were some food to go with it? What do you eat with it?
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8/9/2008 - nanenberg wrote:
Jim and Pam Levin at The Ritz in Newport Beach
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2/18/2007 - kennyg wrote: 93 Points
As usual did not disappoint. A bit hot in the first hour but with decanting (lots of sediment) got better and better as we got closer to the end over 3 hours, or so. Nice cherry nose, full bodied dark red fruits with mocha and round tannins. Lingering blackberry finish. A perpetual winner. Need to get some more.
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12/24/2006 - ajlalvani wrote: 93 Points
Great Cab! Very dark rich purple color. A little tight when first opened, but 1 hr after decanting really opened up. Lots of currant, charcoal, and a little leather. Was also surprized by a little pepper on the long lasting finish. Smooth like velvet.
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12/16/2006 - scottmlew wrote: 98 Points
The first time we had this, in April 2004, we had a magnum at Mortons. I was very new to fine wine and needless to say it was a wonderful introduction! I gave my husband a bottle for Christmas that year. We decided to open our bottle with dinner last night, to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We decanted the wine for an hour prior to drinking. He started with a salad of tomatoes with red wine vinegar, red onions, and plenty of blue cheese crumbles. I had a salad of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar. For dinner I grilled thick ribeye steaks, and made skillet potatoes with caramelized onions, garlic and cherry peppers. The wine paired beautifully with both salads, particularly the mozzarella in my salad, which surprised me. It seemed to be an obvious choice for the ribeye and potatoes and we were not disappointed. The wine had a beautiful bouquet, and prior to each sip, we lingered on the wonderful aroma. It had a full mouth feel, with was seemed to be rich berry, and currant fruit flavors, subtle tannins and a magnificent long finish. We truly relished this bottle, and I still would take pleasure in having another.
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11/5/2006 - auto wrote: 93 Points
One of the best 2000's ever. Decanted for about 2 hours in traditional decanter, server in Riedel. Served with Ribeyes and grilled asparagus. Tannins were quite mellowed, with fruit to match, not overpowing, just nice. Boquet of floral scents, and berries. The fruit is good to go for a while, the structure was still thee.
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4/28/2006 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened and decanted. Dark purple, nose of flowers, chocolate, spice and vanilla. Tight but opened up after an hour to reveal a smooth, dark, woodsy, wet earth taste, with orange blossoms and licorice on the nose. Good.
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12/25/2005 - pkwoods wrote:
This cabernet was ready to go. The tannins have softened nicely and everything was nicely balanced. While I don't have enough experience with this wine to say it has "peaked"...it's in really good drinking condition right now. Having shed most of its tannins, I can't see it getting much better.
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10/15/2005 - auto wrote: 93 Points
One of the best 2000's I have tasted. I think the wine has reached the plateau, as this is the 2nd one I have drank in 6 months. Again served with Strip and greens, opens quickly.
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9/12/2005 - auto wrote: 93 Points
one of the better 2000 CS I have had the pleasure of enjoying. heavy sediment, did not decant, due to primitive settings. Nice fruit, not overpowering, black cherry, tannins just there enough for structure, no heat just fruit with some hints of earth. Have two more bottle, will hold.
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6/12/2005 - tanglenet wrote:
Took to Izzy's in SF to go with the steak dinners. A little tight but opens up and softens quickly. Great wine, but a little pricey for what you get.
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9/13/2004 - kooks wrote:
Gift from Lila and Frank for Spencer's 30th bday
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