This 2018 is OK but doesn't do anything to make you say wow or now we are talking. For a 2018, somewhat disappointing. It may come around but right now after being open for 6 hours, i’d say disappointing and not a good QPR, at this stage. If you own this, I'd wait another 5 years.
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PNP for dinner guests. Garnet red in the glass. Aromas of vanilla, earth and red fruit which follows to the flavor profile along with toasted bread, coconut and blue fruit undertones. Rich, thick mouthfeel yet with a silky, velvety texture and a pleasing, medium-length finish. Not yet fully resolved with more aging time needed to bring this wine into the optimum drinking window. So representative of the Stags Leap District appellation, this wine is a pleasure to drink.
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Decanted for ~30m and enjoyed over the course of ~4h.
Nose: Vanilla, red fruit, rose petals, baking spice.
Palate: Vanilla, red currant, red plums, baking spice, chocolate. Definitely a wine with the Napa profile but without any overripe fruit or over-extraction. Mouthfeel was soft and plush thanks in part to the ~20% Merlot in the blend. Acidity (medium) was nice and gave a pleasing feeling on the sides of the mouth and tongue. Tannins (medium) were a little rough to start but became more integrated after a few hours in the decanter. The wine was very well balanced and the finish was long. The wine lacked some complexity but was otherwise incredible.
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Clear deep ruby with some pigmented tartrate sediment. Bright dark fruit aromas and flavors Entering a nice drinking period, but with plenty of structure to last quite long. Lovely
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The 2016 Chimney Rock is the best between the 2018, the 2017 and the 16. It took a while to settle down but after and hour open and some swirling, the 2018 was very nice. I’d pass on the 17 and the 18 needs time.
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Day 2: This is showing really well and you should not rate this wine on a pop and pour as this needs some time. Dark cherry, menthol, baking chocolate, spice, oak, menthol, rose petals and spices. Super concentrated wine and long finish. A really good wine. 93+ points
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A heavy duty cab with intense tannins from the start, with not a lot of furit of complexity. Notes of vanilla, leather. At this price point, there are a lot better wines I prefer like ingelnook and beringer.
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Dee-licious! This is a mix (23% Merlot, 1% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc). Plenty of structure. James Suckling, who has built a business of shilling wine, provides the useless input that it needs time to soften. It won't harm it, but you can certainly drink this today and enjoy yourself mightily.
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This is earlier than I drink napa cabs, but there’s good stuffing here. Good fruit, silkiness, texture. A bit disjointed, but I think will come together in a few years nicely.
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Also on the rich side, with a complex combination of ripe plum, black cherry, sweet spice, vanilla and anise. Good heft and length, ending faintly sweet.
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4/8/2024 - Lakersguy wrote: 90 Points
This 2018 is OK but doesn't do anything to make you say wow or now we are talking. For a 2018, somewhat disappointing. It may come around but right now after being open for 6 hours, i’d say disappointing and not a good QPR, at this stage. If you own this, I'd wait another 5 years.
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3/15/2024 - BergerKing Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose is nice. Not as well rounded as the 2014, which I adored. It is good stuff, but may still a little more time to open or in the bottle.
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3/8/2024 - Nati Winos Likes this wine:
Very hardy. Heavy on the Oak. Good fruit.
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11/6/2023 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 92 Points
PNP for dinner guests. Garnet red in the glass. Aromas of vanilla, earth and red fruit which follows to the flavor profile along with toasted bread, coconut and blue fruit undertones. Rich, thick mouthfeel yet with a silky, velvety texture and a pleasing, medium-length finish. Not yet fully resolved with more aging time needed to bring this wine into the optimum drinking window. So representative of the Stags Leap District appellation, this wine is a pleasure to drink.
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10/22/2023 - djsaunde Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for ~30m and enjoyed over the course of ~4h.
Nose: Vanilla, red fruit, rose petals, baking spice.
Palate: Vanilla, red currant, red plums, baking spice, chocolate. Definitely a wine with the Napa profile but without any overripe fruit or over-extraction. Mouthfeel was soft and plush thanks in part to the ~20% Merlot in the blend. Acidity (medium) was nice and gave a pleasing feeling on the sides of the mouth and tongue. Tannins (medium) were a little rough to start but became more integrated after a few hours in the decanter. The wine was very well balanced and the finish was long. The wine lacked some complexity but was otherwise incredible.
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10/17/2023 - cos65 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Clear deep ruby with some pigmented tartrate sediment.
Bright dark fruit aromas and flavors
Entering a nice drinking period, but with plenty of structure to last quite long.
Lovely
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10/15/2023 - Vespasian Wines Likes this wine: 95 Points
It was amazing, fruit was there and drank incredibly smooth. This could age for a while for sure.
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9/23/2023 - Jhalpern27 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice cab, very short 30 min decant
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9/3/2023 - Southbound wrote: 88 Points
Guests liked it, but I wasn't all that impressed. Very smooth, not a lot of complexity going on
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7/2/2023 - Lakersguy wrote: 92 Points
The 2016 Chimney Rock is the best between the 2018, the 2017 and the 16. It took a while to settle down but after and hour open and some swirling, the 2018 was very nice. I’d pass on the 17 and the 18 needs time.
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7/1/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Day 2: This is showing really well and you should not rate this wine on a pop and pour as this needs some time. Dark cherry, menthol, baking chocolate, spice, oak, menthol, rose petals and spices. Super concentrated wine and long finish. A really good wine. 93+ points
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3/8/2023 - wino121 wrote:
Don’t rate this until 2026-28, yes it’s young and tight built for the long haul, please stop the whining.
It’s not the usual PNP caymus garbage
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12/23/2022 - Leidersdorff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very very young. However, it has great potential. A lot of tannins, so leave it for another 3-4 years
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11/30/2022 - tlogan9 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excelllent bottle. Great taste. Full bodied. Layered well. Would drink it nightly!
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10/2/2022 - BadOyster wrote: 90 Points
Intro to Noble Grapes Tasting: Tight still - needs time.
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9/24/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Chicago Gourmet Grand Cru (Harris Theater - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting. Rich black fruit with some roasted meat. Firm without showing overly assertive structure. Warm, yet manages good balance and restraint.
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8/21/2022 - Frank-H Likes this wine: 93 Points
93
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8/13/2022 - Pvaddadi wrote: 88 Points
A heavy duty cab with intense tannins from the start, with not a lot of furit of complexity. Notes of vanilla, leather. At this price point, there are a lot better wines I prefer like ingelnook and beringer.
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7/4/2022 - Vgiaconia wrote: 85 Points
Good, not great. Should either save the last bottle or make it either a weeknight or guest bottle.
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5/7/2022 - Brahning Likes this wine: 89 Points
Heavy, hot. Powerful wine but not much depth beyond the initial punch. Good wine but overpriced
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4/13/2022 - Francophile1 wrote:
Burgundy Al nailed the tasting note on this from 9/7/21. I have nothing to add. For my palate, not worth the price. Very good, but not great!
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3/27/2022 - LuisMaimoni@Yahoo.com Likes this wine:
Dee-licious! This is a mix (23% Merlot, 1% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc). Plenty of structure. James Suckling, who has built a business of shilling wine, provides the useless input that it needs time to soften. It won't harm it, but you can certainly drink this today and enjoy yourself mightily.
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2/27/2022 - Kaizah wrote: 89 Points
Never quite lived up to the price. Have a couple more and thinking time will be on the side of this wine.
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12/21/2021 - bonedoc wrote: 91 Points
This is earlier than I drink napa cabs, but there’s good stuffing here. Good fruit, silkiness, texture. A bit disjointed, but I think will come together in a few years nicely.
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9/7/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Also on the rich side, with a complex combination of ripe plum, black cherry, sweet spice, vanilla and anise. Good heft and length, ending faintly sweet.
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