Nose of blackberry and eucalyptus. Refreshingly less than full bodied. Finish is simple, but the acids are reasonably well integrated, which I don't always find to be the case when South Australian cabs take on age. P.S. Not surprisingly, the finish is a bit more firm and structured out of a smaller glass, but at the expense of losing some of the nose relative to a larger glass.
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This is still humming. Tannins and acid profile, touch of fruit, bit of alcohol bite on the back palate. Little thin, but not unexpected at the age. I’m enjoying it.
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delightful with notes of violet, dark fruit, and blue fruits that reminds you of mulberries. Still has a surprising amount of structure in the bottle. Fairly rich flavors but not a very long finish.
A good time to drink now but will not be declining anytime soon.
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PNP and under cork for 3 days with consistent notes. If I were tasting this wine blind, I would guess this is an excellent Amarone with deep rich berry, prunes and caramel. This wine is drinking perfectly for my taste.
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Eðalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 vor 2015 (Marbakkabraut 12): Fyrsta vínið í seinni hluta blindsmakks. Þá voru smökkuð betri vín frá sömu löndum og í fyrri hluta smakksins. Það er að segja frá BNA, Ástralíu og Argentínu. Þetta vín var frekar dökkt á litinn. Orðið örlítið brúnt í jöðrum. Svo var komið að ilminum. Í örstutta stund var hann þægilegur með ristuðum tónum. Það entist mjög stutt og í staðinn kom lykt svipað og af soðnu káli. Mjög óspennandi. Þegar við smökkuðum á víninu þá var það líka mjög óspennandi. Flestir voru þeirrar skoðunar að vínið væri ónýtt. Bolli prófaði samt að umhella víninu nokkrum sinnum milli glasa og benti okkur svo á að prófa aftur. Þá kom í ljós að við að umhella víninu eða þyrla víninu rösklega þá hvarf þessi óþefur og óbragð. Eftir þyrlun/umhellingu fannst mér þetta vín alveg hörkugott. Ekki voru nú samt allir sammála um það. Fyrir umhellingu hefði ég gefið þessu víni 60-65 stig. Eftir umhellingu þá fannst mér það skríða yfir 90. Ótrúleg umbreyting sem varð á víninu. Í öllu óðagotinu í sambandi við að finna út úr þessu öllu saman þá gleymdist að skrá niður nánari nótur eftir að vínið hafði jafnað sig. Ég fletti þessu svo upp eftirá og svona galli á víni er vel þekktur. Lausnin við honum er að láta lofta vel um vínið og þá hverfur hann. Þetta var, fannst mér, mjög lærdómsríkt því ég hafði aldrei rekist á vín með þessum ágalla áður.
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Just when I was beginning to really doubt the ability of Australian Cabs to hold up, I run across a really wonderful bottle with plenty of life left. Impressive.
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Decanted for 90+ min. Took a while to open up, but drinking nicely. Surprisingly firm but enjoyable tannins, with a long and lengthy finish. Enjoyable, but was expecting a lot given the pedigree.
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This was fantastic stuff. it really needed some time to open up though - four hours really helped this wine along and it is something i have found with all the older D'Arenburg wines.the alcohol has settled nicely and the tannins are really well integrated.
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Over-extracted and overpriced. Like all d'Arenberg wines, extremely fruit driven - like an alcoholic blackberry juice. Once the fruit has gone, there's nothing left. Exceedingly one dimensional and no finesse whatsoever.
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Surprisingly youthful for age 14, this was a good (if not great) Cab and shows 2 things: that AUS can make good Cab and that it does age. While not terribly complex it was balanced with plenty of balckberry and currant like fruit.
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This is really good. Like a shiraz-tasting cab. Lots of red fruit and minty cassis on the nose. Great fruit envelope with super smooth tannins and a touch of eucalyptus. Great smooth finish. I am thoroughly impressed with this wine.
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Terrific depth again and balanced - really its as if its just coming into its drinking window now. High menthol notes then a concentrated rich dark fruit body. Still, a nice firmness on the palate, but unmistakably Oz. Fluctuates mildly through a long finish.
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Brownish red in color. Edges are faint. Nose of burnt apple. Burnt raspberry with a hint of dull wood. This wine has lost it's fruit forwardness. However, paired well with steak, raspberry came through strongly. If you have it, better drink it, this wine is fading fast.
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Wow! what a difference compared to the bottle we had in January ... had this wine again last nite and it had a really nice bouquet of mellow black cherry fruit, earth and anise... much more juicy than the earlier bottle from january ... really got to see what this wine is about ... I love Australian Cabernet ... this is not on a par with Noon Reserve Cabs, but is a solid effort. Took this to a party and it got sucked down quick...cheers!
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This wine is on the downhill slope of its life. The fruit is fading. Enough acidity to make it food friendly, but it has seen better days ... flat nose and not much that's distinctive on the palate
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My bottles of this wine have generally disappointed. Not enough fruit, too much acidity. Maybe additional bottle time will help? Better after 3 hours but definitely still out of balance.
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Lovely bottle of this. The concentration, poise and length all excellent. Very easy to drink. Perhaps a touch too much "brackish" acidity at the moment.
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Was very curious about this bottle given the highly mixed press. It appears the provenance was good here, as this wine was decanted and exhibited a great dark red color with a very concentrated nose. The nose here included red fruit, leather, spice (nutmeg), and some vanilla. The taste was very rich and concentrated, and gave way to many different textures throughout the night. The finish was long and impressive. Overall, this seems like it is still drinking very well.
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From blind-cue. 88;60, very mature looking but thick and dark. Very impressive looking. Nose had intense high fruit. Mouthfeel a bit hard at first but fattened up a bit later. Excellent balance, very sweet intense fruit, high acid and a good tannic back-bone in the end. On the palate it had great intensity and lots of aromatics. Long afteraste. Very impressive wine, only drawback it is may be a bit simple but very delicious. Best bottle yet of this wine.
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Opaque ruby body with a garnet rim; pronounced high sherbet, ripe black fruits, sous bois, caramel and a stone-ish character I can't really place; zesty bright palate but with full fruit and texture to carry it; a bit tannic at this stage but with medium+ length it has all the components to develop even more - definitely worth tracking the others over time.
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Battle of the 1999's; 9/28/2007-9/30/2007 (My house): Was one of the first wines of the evening and was simply excellent. Hints of cocco, and dark ripe fruit on the nose, with breeies, ripe fruit and teryaki on the palate. Mouthfeel was excellent and nice finish.
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Very dissapointed, this was nothing like the bottle I tasted over a year ago. This bottle must have hit it's peak in 2005. Decanted for 2.5 hours. Nose of leather, dark fruit, and a hint of spice. Flavor was muted and disjointed. Certainly not as fruit forward as the bottle I drank in 2005.
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I was dissapointed. On opening, it was oaky and unbalanced. Got better with time and was much better the next day. Still, this wine was fairly hyped. I don't get it.
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Unbalanced, tannic, with an uninteresting nose. ....... ...EDIT: This wine really opened up after 2-3 hours, with better balance and more prominent berry fruit. Remained tannic. I bumped it from 86 to 89.
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Bouquet of black licorice. Black raspberry with a very long finish. Blind tasted against 97 Insignia, 96 Chateau Pontet-Canet, 99 Blanket estate, and 78 BV Georges de Latour. Came in 2nd to 97 Insignia. Great Cab
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Tasted as part of a blind tasting of "cabs 1999 and older". This wine finished tied for 2nd, and was my #2 favorite as well. An ebullient bouquet of dark fruits that had me convinced it was from Napa or Sonoma. Somewhat light on the attack, but then finishes with a great intensity. The concentration of berry and cassis fruit on the back end is very impressive and bodes well for further aging. Some interesting bay leaf notes, as well. Drink 2008 through 2012.
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survivor opening night. was a little tight. very dark in color and somewhat tangy. should do better with some more time. has an estancia meritage 2002 scott brought with him afterward, was good. spicey.
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3/14/2024 - juffer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of blackberry and eucalyptus. Refreshingly less than full bodied. Finish is simple, but the acids are reasonably well integrated, which I don't always find to be the case when South Australian cabs take on age.
P.S. Not surprisingly, the finish is a bit more firm and structured out of a smaller glass, but at the expense of losing some of the nose relative to a larger glass.
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3/8/2024 - mrwineface Likes this wine:
This is still humming. Tannins and acid profile, touch of fruit, bit of alcohol bite on the back palate. Little thin, but not unexpected at the age. I’m enjoying it.
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9/30/2021 - Taronti wrote:
Waited a bit long in this one. Still drinkable but ha seen much better days.
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2/3/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Good Wine with a Boring Super Bowl (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Social walk-around tasting, brief note. Enjoyable aromas with ripe fruit and balancing savory spice. Riper palate with a sweeter and imperfectly balanced finish.
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1/9/2019 - sung251 Likes this wine: 90 Points
delightful with notes of violet, dark fruit, and blue fruits that reminds you of mulberries. Still has a surprising amount of structure in the bottle. Fairly rich flavors but not a very long finish.
A good time to drink now but will not be declining anytime soon.
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8/9/2016 - shutto1992@gmail.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
PNP and under cork for 3 days with consistent notes. If I were tasting this wine blind, I would guess this is an excellent Amarone with deep rich berry, prunes and caramel. This wine is drinking perfectly for my taste.
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5/11/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
I really think that for whatever reason the shiraz from Australia outlasts their cab. This was pleasant to drink, by on a downward slide!
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10/18/2015 - jimmieL wrote:
Way past its prime, not corked but old. If you have any I'd suggest opening right away.
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3/13/2015 - bitdrerik wrote: 91 Points
Eðalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 vor 2015 (Marbakkabraut 12): Fyrsta vínið í seinni hluta blindsmakks. Þá voru smökkuð betri vín frá sömu löndum og í fyrri hluta smakksins. Það er að segja frá BNA, Ástralíu og Argentínu.
Þetta vín var frekar dökkt á litinn. Orðið örlítið brúnt í jöðrum. Svo var komið að ilminum. Í örstutta stund var hann þægilegur með ristuðum tónum. Það entist mjög stutt og í staðinn kom lykt svipað og af soðnu káli. Mjög óspennandi. Þegar við smökkuðum á víninu þá var það líka mjög óspennandi. Flestir voru þeirrar skoðunar að vínið væri ónýtt. Bolli prófaði samt að umhella víninu nokkrum sinnum milli glasa og benti okkur svo á að prófa aftur. Þá kom í ljós að við að umhella víninu eða þyrla víninu rösklega þá hvarf þessi óþefur og óbragð. Eftir þyrlun/umhellingu fannst mér þetta vín alveg hörkugott. Ekki voru nú samt allir sammála um það.
Fyrir umhellingu hefði ég gefið þessu víni 60-65 stig. Eftir umhellingu þá fannst mér það skríða yfir 90. Ótrúleg umbreyting sem varð á víninu. Í öllu óðagotinu í sambandi við að finna út úr þessu öllu saman þá gleymdist að skrá niður nánari nótur eftir að vínið hafði jafnað sig.
Ég fletti þessu svo upp eftirá og svona galli á víni er vel þekktur. Lausnin við honum er að láta lofta vel um vínið og þá hverfur hann. Þetta var, fannst mér, mjög lærdómsríkt því ég hafði aldrei rekist á vín með þessum ágalla áður.
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2/4/2015 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just when I was beginning to really doubt the ability of Australian Cabs to hold up, I run across a really wonderful bottle with plenty of life left. Impressive.
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3/13/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 87 Points
red, orange, in color. brett, soil, berry, on the nose. old leather, dirt, stems, tar, on the palate. mild acid, on the finish.
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12/25/2013 - folsomarndt wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 90+ min. Took a while to open up, but drinking nicely. Surprisingly firm but enjoyable tannins, with a long and lengthy finish. Enjoyable, but was expecting a lot given the pedigree.
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11/20/2013 - calgarywino wrote: 94 Points
This was fantastic stuff. it really needed some time to open up though - four hours really helped this wine along and it is something i have found with all the older D'Arenburg wines.the alcohol has settled nicely and the tannins are really well integrated.
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9/22/2013 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
I really have no idea how long this will age. It is in a wonderful place right now!
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7/23/2013 - JeandeTroyes Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Over-extracted and overpriced. Like all d'Arenberg wines, extremely fruit driven - like an alcoholic blackberry juice. Once the fruit has gone, there's nothing left. Exceedingly one dimensional and no finesse whatsoever.
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1/28/2013 - Stirling wrote: 90 Points
Surprisingly youthful for age 14, this was a good (if not great) Cab and shows 2 things: that AUS can make good Cab and that it does age. While not terribly complex it was balanced with plenty of balckberry and currant like fruit.
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9/15/2012 - cshall wrote: 80 Points
Disappointing. Recent purchase - previous owner "cooked" it, it seems. Brown in color. If we had gravy with dinner it would have been more use...
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7/5/2012 - andtheodor wrote: 89 Points
Ripe, jammy blackberry, oak, strawberry nose. Flowers and melted candy on the fruit bomb palate. Fairly well contained but really far out...decent.
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5/6/2012 - jonradus wrote: 94 Points
This is really good. Like a shiraz-tasting cab. Lots of red fruit and minty cassis on the nose. Great fruit envelope with super smooth tannins and a touch of eucalyptus. Great smooth finish. I am thoroughly impressed with this wine.
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1/17/2012 - rob1869 wrote: 92 Points
Terrific depth again and balanced - really its as if its just coming into its drinking window now. High menthol notes then a concentrated rich dark fruit body. Still, a nice firmness on the palate, but unmistakably Oz. Fluctuates mildly through a long finish.
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9/22/2011 - calgarywino wrote: 91 Points
Great wine. Still had a good nose of fruit and black pepper and a hint of menthol/eucalyptus. Drinking great right now.
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8/20/2011 - VashonWine wrote: 93 Points
This wine may be peaking, so drink now. Still very nice. Rounded tannins and balanced finish. Pretty ruby color, soft nose for a cab.
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5/7/2011 - lewisrise wrote: 85 Points
Brownish red in color. Edges are faint. Nose of burnt apple. Burnt raspberry with a hint of dull wood. This wine has lost it's fruit forwardness. However, paired well with steak, raspberry came through strongly. If you have it, better drink it, this wine is fading fast.
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4/25/2011 - SyrahSaurus wrote: 93 Points
Wow is right pretty amazing stuff with beef short ribs.
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4/9/2011 - Le Nez wrote: 91 Points
Wow! what a difference compared to the bottle we had in January ... had this wine again last nite and it had a really nice bouquet of mellow black cherry fruit, earth and anise... much more juicy than the earlier bottle from january ... really got to see what this wine is about ... I love Australian Cabernet ... this is not on a par with Noon Reserve Cabs, but is a solid effort. Took this to a party and it got sucked down quick...cheers!
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1/5/2011 - Le Nez wrote: 89 Points
This wine is on the downhill slope of its life. The fruit is fading. Enough acidity to make it food friendly, but it has seen better days ... flat nose and not much that's distinctive on the palate
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12/12/2010 - dsimmons Likes this wine:
My bottles of this wine have generally disappointed. Not enough fruit, too much acidity. Maybe additional bottle time will help? Better after 3 hours but definitely still out of balance.
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10/17/2010 - alamoave wrote: 86 Points
Pruny and tannins mostly gone. Lacks definition.
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4/23/2010 - davidlaurence wrote: 90 Points
Had this wine with dinner: Rare roast beef.
Colour: Distinctly browning. Still strong colour but it has lost the vibrant purple.
Nose: Very intense. Fruit still there but with strong bottle aged characteristic. Almost jammy and tarry.
Palate: Good length. Well balanced. Acid still very apparent.
Worked well withthe beef roast.
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1/6/2010 - rob1869 wrote: 91 Points
Lovely bottle of this. The concentration, poise and length all excellent. Very easy to drink. Perhaps a touch too much "brackish" acidity at the moment.
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11/1/2009 - Grinner wrote: 90 Points
13th Annual Lyon 10 year Retrospective (Eugene, Oregon): This wine stood out as different in the flight for the exuberent, jammy fruit. Some wondered Washington? Fun to drink, but not challenging/ cerebral.
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2/27/2009 - skinowdrinklater wrote: 95 Points
Was very curious about this bottle given the highly mixed press. It appears the provenance was good here, as this wine was decanted and exhibited a great dark red color with a very concentrated nose. The nose here included red fruit, leather, spice (nutmeg), and some vanilla. The taste was very rich and concentrated, and gave way to many different textures throughout the night. The finish was long and impressive. Overall, this seems like it is still drinking very well.
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12/3/2008 - dsimmons wrote: 92 Points
Give this wine a couple hours of decanter time.
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11/23/2008 - rob1869 wrote: flawed
1st night: a little muted on this 2nd outing; potentially slightly corked or damaged. 2nd night: TBA
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10/12/2008 - deanda wrote: 92 Points
very nice right nw; not over the top or too bold; friuty and conplex
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6/19/2008 - phenricsson wrote: 95 Points
From blind-cue. 88;60, very mature looking but thick and dark. Very impressive looking. Nose had intense high fruit. Mouthfeel a bit hard at first but fattened up a bit later. Excellent balance, very sweet intense fruit, high acid and a good tannic back-bone in the end. On the palate it had great intensity and lots of aromatics. Long afteraste. Very impressive wine, only drawback it is may be a bit simple but very delicious. Best bottle yet of this wine.
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12/2/2007 - rob1869 wrote: 92 Points
Opaque ruby body with a garnet rim; pronounced high sherbet, ripe black fruits, sous bois, caramel and a stone-ish character I can't really place; zesty bright palate but with full fruit and texture to carry it; a bit tannic at this stage but with medium+ length it has all the components to develop even more - definitely worth tracking the others over time.
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11/15/2007 - etirer wrote:
on my birthday
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9/30/2007 - cvvhrn wrote: 94 Points
Battle of the 1999's; 9/28/2007-9/30/2007 (My house): Was one of the first wines of the evening and was simply excellent. Hints of cocco, and dark ripe fruit on the nose, with breeies, ripe fruit and teryaki on the palate. Mouthfeel was excellent and nice finish.
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1/14/2007 - lewisrise wrote: 86 Points
Very dissapointed, this was nothing like the bottle I tasted over a year ago. This bottle must have hit it's peak in 2005. Decanted for 2.5 hours. Nose of leather, dark fruit, and a hint of spice. Flavor was muted and disjointed. Certainly not as fruit forward as the bottle I drank in 2005.
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9/23/2006 - transpodude wrote: 87 Points
I was dissapointed. On opening, it was oaky and unbalanced. Got better with time and was much better the next day. Still, this wine was fairly hyped. I don't get it.
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7/28/2006 - shelt wrote: 89 Points
Unbalanced, tannic, with an uninteresting nose. ....... ...EDIT: This wine really opened up after 2-3 hours, with better balance and more prominent berry fruit. Remained tannic. I bumped it from 86 to 89.
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12/21/2005 - lewisrise wrote: 96 Points
Bouquet of black licorice. Black raspberry with a very long finish. Blind tasted against 97 Insignia, 96 Chateau Pontet-Canet, 99 Blanket estate, and 78 BV Georges de Latour. Came in 2nd to 97 Insignia. Great Cab
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12/19/2005 - otisabdul wrote: 93 Points
Tasted as part of a blind tasting of "cabs 1999 and older". This wine finished tied for 2nd, and was my #2 favorite as well. An ebullient bouquet of dark fruits that had me convinced it was from Napa or Sonoma. Somewhat light on the attack, but then finishes with a great intensity. The concentration of berry and cassis fruit on the back end is very impressive and bodes well for further aging. Some interesting bay leaf notes, as well. Drink 2008 through 2012.
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2/17/2005 - Beachwine wrote:
survivor opening night. was a little tight. very dark in color and somewhat tangy. should do better with some more time. has an estancia meritage 2002 scott brought with him afterward, was good. spicey.
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2/1/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 93 Points
STILL IN NEED OF TIME, THERE WAS DEEP BERRY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR WITH A TOUCH OF LICORICE. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A LONG FINISH.
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