May I add my kudos to Mark Lyon, now of Eco Terreno Wines, for his early masterworks @ Sebastiani. This wine is still so very vibrant, with sweet fruit, warm berry compote on the nose and palate, plus a wonderful melding of oak underpinning that seals it all around. This is a triumph 19 years later and, at an original cost around $15, some value. If you have any--well stored of course--enjoy! No rush!!
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Still a great wine. Blackberry, vanilla, and some mint. Grainy tannins which go away fairly quickly with air. Pretty remarkable for such an old wine $15 wine.
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Amazing wine, still holding up. Structure is still there due to still present tannins. Bouquet of red fruits, palate shows blackberry and cassis, nice complexity and length. What a QPR this was!!!!!
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Brother in law left this at my house. He was afraid to bring it along as there was a formidable lineup in tow. He forgot to take it home and well...I was thirsty today. If I recall correctly, Wine Spectator rated this a "Best Buy" with a high 80's score. Its not bad at all. Actually, it is quite good. Doesn't bring it home like a Jordan Cab, but then again, its a lot easier on the wallet. Nice dark fruits and is pretty smooth at this point. Has a good feel to it.
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Wow, what a wine for the value! For those collectors who agonize about what to buy by the case for parties and everyday drinking, you can't do much better than the basic Sebastiani cab. Load up!
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Still a great bottle of wine, but drink now. Wonderful aromas of dark fruits, including black cherry. Blackberry and cherry on the palate, vanilla oak, tannins very soft. The fruit is fading, so don't wait much longer to drink. Great value.
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Showing some age. Fruits have faded tremendously, but the smooth vanilla and oak still make it enjoyable. Very soft, still drinking well, but don't wait much longer.
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Same as I remember - coconut, vanilla, and oak fruit bomb...and the best nose on any $16 red wine. Glad I drank my last one though...don't think this one is going to make it much longer...but it went great this night with grilled leg of lamb.
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Good, although I have to say this bottle didn't live up to some of the better bottles I've had. A little hot going down. This bottle didn't have the great nose of sweet oak and coconut that others had, but was still very tasty.
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The more I drink of Sebastiani, the more I appreciate the things they do so well. One thing is consistency. I have never had a bad bottle or vintage among the dozens I have tasted over the years. Unabashadly oaky, their wines are also seem to have great purity of fruit and balanced tannin. This wine has gotten better and better over the last two years. With their success though have come higher prices and more difficulty finding their wine, particularly pinot noir. This is very good stuff. If you have more, no need to hurry. I expect this will be as good or better in 2010 with proper cellaring.
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i want to love this wine but damn it, it is so overoaked. typical california-follow-the-market-and-overdo-it formula. however i must admit they did a wonderful job otherwise. good for the price.
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I opened another bottle of this wonderful wine this evening, it's mouthfeel, tannic structure, fruit, and oak are extremely well integrated. This is proably my 6th bottle drunk, and it was excellent without any decanting. I think this one is ready now right out of the bottle. What separates this $12-15 bottle from a $60-80 California Cab is the pleasant but relatively weak nose, and that it is smooth and pleasant, but doesn't explode in your mouth like some of the really memorable Cab's do.
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I like this wine more every time I drink it. It needs plenty of time to breath, I opened the bottle about 3 hours before consumption, but I think a day would have improved it. Fruity and oaky with a hint of sweetness.
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I drank this bottle over three days. It was so-so on opening, the sweet oak and fruit came out a little more each day. By the third day it was very good
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A fine cab for the $$. Gobs of oak and fruit, vanilla,spice and floral scents. Very drinkable now. Soft velvety tanins. No particularly long or expressive finish.
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Winery Tasting: Sebastiani (Sonoma, CA): [$17] jammy blackberry on the nose and palate; mild, integarated tannins; one of the better cabs for <$20 available
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Cherry, earth, and plum nose; a bit alcoholic. Easy plummy start, light balance. Vanilla comes into the middle. Short/Medium finishing with caramel and some tannin. Not distinctive, but well-balanced and easy drinking.
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I've thought this wine to be one of the better QPR California cabernets. The 2000 was very nice - dark fruit, acid, great balance. This one, in a supposedly better vintage, falls short of the 2000. The oak is overpowering and masks what appears to be some nice fruit. The wine seemed flabby, not enough acid to balance the oak and fruit. Disappointing given my experience with the 2000.
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ruby red. medium bodied, very vanilla oaky, kinda overpowers the fruit. Is typical Sebastiani cab. nicely balanced and drinking well now. prefer the 1997 and 2000 version of this wine. QPR still good here
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This has all the elements that one needs, nice cab fruit, nice structure and great price. Drank 2 with consistent notes, this may be the finest house wine you can find for the price
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Consumed at home with broiled flank steak (wrapping mushrooms and bacon). Bright disc. Opaque black/purple robe with purple rim. Clean nose, showing quite intense aromas of black cherry, currants, meat and creamy-textured oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity and medium sweet tannins. The flavors (which mirror the nose) become somewhat diluted in the middle palate and the finish is somewhat terse. A very nice match with the food.
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5/23/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
May I add my kudos to Mark Lyon, now of Eco Terreno Wines, for his early masterworks @ Sebastiani. This wine is still so very vibrant, with sweet fruit, warm berry compote on the nose and palate, plus a wonderful melding of oak underpinning that seals it all around. This is a triumph 19 years later and, at an original cost around $15, some value. If you have any--well stored of course--enjoy! No rush!!
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3/3/2020 - Coleman wrote: 89 Points
Still a great wine. Blackberry, vanilla, and some mint. Grainy tannins which go away fairly quickly with air. Pretty remarkable for such an old wine $15 wine.
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10/25/2016 - Coleman wrote: 90 Points
Amazing wine, still holding up. Structure is still there due to still present tannins. Bouquet of red fruits, palate shows blackberry and cassis, nice complexity and length. What a QPR this was!!!!!
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11/14/2011 - HollandHouse wrote: 89 Points
nice spicyness. went well with peppery dishes. enjoyable, even though many pointed it out as over the hill.
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3/29/2010 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Not that bad, considering the age and original cost.
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3/26/2010 - Winestache wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine. I assumed that this was over the hill when I opened it, but had tremendous balance.
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10/29/2009 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Really nice age on this bottle. However, the last glass of the bottle was dead and undrinkable three days later (no surprise, really).
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10/24/2009 - scog wrote: 86 Points
Should have drank the remaining bottles a year ago. Past it's prime. Only memories of how good it once was.
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6/3/2009 - pickhardt wrote: 80 Points
Past its prime, by far. Balance of the bottle went down the drain.
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5/17/2009 - pickhardt wrote:
Better that the 2002. Rounder, softer, richer fruit. Nice, but not exciting.
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4/1/2009 - Terran23 wrote:
Brother in law left this at my house. He was afraid to bring it along as there was a formidable lineup in tow. He forgot to take it home and well...I was thirsty today. If I recall correctly, Wine Spectator rated this a "Best Buy" with a high 80's score. Its not bad at all. Actually, it is quite good. Doesn't bring it home like a Jordan Cab, but then again, its a lot easier on the wallet. Nice dark fruits and is pretty smooth at this point. Has a good feel to it.
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2/26/2009 - cbbrown3 wrote: flawed
Corked
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1/28/2009 - biggwater wrote: 90 Points
i mean it...fantastic wine that was 13.99. Dense, long finish. Really has aged well and still has years
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1/27/2009 - biggwater wrote: 90 Points
What a great wine fo $13.99. Aged well..still has time...and really stands up to bottles 2 and3 times as much
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1/18/2009 - pickhardt wrote:
This seemed over the hill.
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12/20/2007 - Hi-Ho-Silver wrote: 87 Points
Would be a 90 if it had a bit less oak.
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12/2/2007 - Bobc7had wrote: 84 Points
Starting to fade Drink soon.
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11/28/2007 - marcb7 wrote: 89 Points
Solid cab for the price, reliable label in general for sub 20$ wine.
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9/7/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 86 Points
A little complexity and length. Decent flavors, but not special - not even above average.
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9/4/2007 - James B wrote: 90 Points
Wow, what a wine for the value! For those collectors who agonize about what to buy by the case for parties and everyday drinking, you can't do much better than the basic Sebastiani cab. Load up!
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8/28/2007 - pinotwinelover wrote: 91 Points
best under 15 cab maybe ever!
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8/24/2007 - Coleman wrote: 90 Points
Still a great bottle of wine, but drink now. Wonderful aromas of dark fruits, including black cherry. Blackberry and cherry on the palate, vanilla oak, tannins very soft. The fruit is fading, so don't wait much longer to drink. Great value.
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8/23/2007 - jjlobi wrote: 89 Points
Nice flavor and texture. This cab is suited to my taste.
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8/22/2007 - ml1 wrote: 87 Points
Showing some age. Fruits have faded tremendously, but the smooth vanilla and oak still make it enjoyable. Very soft, still drinking well, but don't wait much longer.
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8/15/2007 - pinotwinelover wrote: 91 Points
With a little age ridiculous QPR. This has gotten better!
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7/6/2007 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 89 Points
Same as I remember - coconut, vanilla, and oak fruit bomb...and the best nose on any $16 red wine. Glad I drank my last one though...don't think this one is going to make it much longer...but it went great this night with grilled leg of lamb.
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2/13/2007 - as2324 wrote: 91 Points
Best sub $20 cab I've had... time and again! Aromas of clay, blueberry, wood, and cherries w/nuts inside (does that make sense)?
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11/22/2006 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 89 Points
Good, although I have to say this bottle didn't live up to some of the better bottles I've had. A little hot going down. This bottle didn't have the great nose of sweet oak and coconut that others had, but was still very tasty.
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11/14/2006 - N2Vin wrote: 90 Points
The more I drink of Sebastiani, the more I appreciate the things they do so well. One thing is consistency. I have never had a bad bottle or vintage among the dozens I have tasted over the years.
Unabashadly oaky, their wines are also seem to have great purity of fruit and balanced tannin. This wine has gotten better and better over the last two years. With their success though have come higher prices and more difficulty finding their wine, particularly pinot noir. This is very good stuff. If you have more, no need to hurry. I expect this will be as good or better in 2010 with proper cellaring.
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11/12/2006 - Hi-Ho-Silver wrote: 90 Points
Smooth & balanced with great fruit and nice finish. If it had a bit less oak it would be a 92.
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8/26/2006 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 90 Points
very enjoyable (as always), sweet vanilla nose, great fruit, great length for the price - paired with grilled NY strip
4 bottles left!
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6/30/2006 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 91 Points
Great once again... still have 5 bottles left. Enjoy this one every time.
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5/22/2006 - Hi-Ho-Silver wrote: 90 Points
consistent!
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4/19/2006 - cormyr wrote: 89 Points
i want to love this wine but damn it, it is so overoaked. typical california-follow-the-market-and-overdo-it formula. however i must admit they did a wonderful job otherwise. good for the price.
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3/30/2006 - qcumber wrote: 90 Points
My last bottle, smooth and balanced, what a great value. I'll miss this one!
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2/3/2006 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 91 Points
I opened another bottle of this wonderful wine this evening, it's mouthfeel, tannic structure, fruit, and oak are extremely well integrated. This is proably my 6th bottle drunk, and it was excellent without any decanting. I think this one is ready now right out of the bottle. What separates this $12-15 bottle from a $60-80 California Cab is the pleasant but relatively weak nose, and that it is smooth and pleasant, but doesn't explode in your mouth like some of the really memorable Cab's do.
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12/26/2005 - MonkeyK wrote: 89 Points
I like this wine more every time I drink it. It needs plenty of time to breath, I opened the bottle about 3 hours before consumption, but I think a day would have improved it. Fruity and oaky with a hint of sweetness.
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12/20/2005 - MonkeyK wrote: 85 Points
I drank this bottle over three days. It was so-so on opening, the sweet oak and fruit came out a little more each day. By the third day it was very good
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12/18/2005 - jacobp wrote: 88 Points
Smooth, even, nice finish, low tannins; medium bodied for a cab. very nice
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11/5/2005 - jonnyeyes wrote: 86 Points
Light tannins and fruit. Not as good as other Calif. cabs. but not bad for the price and very consistant.
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9/25/2005 - amateurwino wrote: 86 Points
Decent value cab - tasted cherry and something syrupy/caramel perhaps? Worth trying again if I find a good deal, but otherwise won't rush to get this.
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9/12/2005 - 97mjr wrote:
oak soaked fruit; lacked balance; may have been a bad bottle; but found it undrinkable
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8/20/2005 - N2Vin wrote: 88 Points
A fine cab for the $$. Gobs of oak and fruit, vanilla,spice and floral scents. Very drinkable now. Soft velvety tanins. No particularly long or expressive finish.
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6/12/2005 - lalawchick wrote: 86 Points
Make sure you decant for a while, or will be too tannic. I agree with several of the community posts. Plummy with oak and vanilla.
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5/21/2005 - 97mjr wrote:
Winery Tasting: Sebastiani (Sonoma, CA): [$17] jammy blackberry on the nose and palate; mild, integarated tannins; one of the better cabs for <$20 available
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5/6/2005 - KenYz wrote: 85 Points
Cherry, earth, and plum nose; a bit alcoholic. Easy plummy start, light balance. Vanilla comes into the middle. Short/Medium finishing with caramel and some tannin. Not distinctive, but well-balanced and easy drinking.
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3/1/2005 - amoses wrote:
Hints of coffee and tobacco over cab fruit (but not too fruity); good balance, good finish. Very good wine for the cost.
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1/31/2005 - Tom E wrote: 86 Points
I've thought this wine to be one of the better QPR California cabernets. The 2000 was very nice - dark fruit, acid, great balance. This one, in a supposedly better vintage, falls short of the 2000. The oak is overpowering and masks what appears to be some nice fruit. The wine seemed flabby, not enough acid to balance the oak and fruit. Disappointing given my experience with the 2000.
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1/21/2005 - N2Vin wrote: 86 Points
ruby red. medium bodied, very vanilla oaky, kinda overpowers the fruit. Is typical Sebastiani cab. nicely balanced and drinking well now. prefer the 1997 and 2000 version of this wine. QPR still good here
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1/3/2005 - pinotwinelover wrote: 90 Points
This has all the elements that one needs, nice cab fruit, nice structure and great price. Drank 2 with consistent notes, this may be the finest house wine you can find for the price
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12/18/2004 - jwolf99 wrote:
creamy vanilla-scented oak; cookie dough, strawberry and blackberry flavors; well-focused, balanced, fine-grained tannins
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11/29/2004 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 87 Points
Consumed at home with broiled flank steak (wrapping mushrooms and bacon). Bright disc. Opaque black/purple robe with purple rim. Clean nose, showing quite intense aromas of black cherry, currants, meat and creamy-textured oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity and medium sweet tannins. The flavors (which mirror the nose) become somewhat diluted in the middle palate and the finish is somewhat terse. A very nice match with the food.
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