Deep garnet ruby with earthy tones of damp mountain soil leading to eucalyptus, blueberry and blackberry. The palate is medium body and this is where the mountain juice expresses itself. There is fine structure with a remarkable balance. The tannins are well rounded and the finish is terrific. Highly recommend Keenan to anyone visiting Napa. It’s a family owned winery producing classy vintages.
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Dense red black - ready aromas of black cherry, scorched earth, graphite, and minty herbalness - concentrated palate where the tannins and tartness suspend and extend focus of flavors well closing in a balanced yum without harshness or bitterness of any sort. Played nice with Xmas rib roast - no surprise.
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Lovely stuff. Extremely similar to their '17 Napa Merlot I wrote a note for recently; this was showing just somewhat darker shades of fruit and a touch more density (also maybe a bit more tannic ruggedness). I'm not sure if it was $15-$20 better than the Merlot right now, but I think it has a slightly longer life ahead. Both are built for aging.
No decant- I thought it was honestly best right at opening, as the tannins increased in strength throughout the tasting. This needs a cellar nap more than a decant. Lots and lots of cedary oak, but it doesn't bury the fresh blackberry/black plum fruit. Dense, but not even remotely jammy or hot, and thankfully, not "green" either save for a very subtle, well-integrated touch of tobacco. The palate has solid weight and acidity; the tannins are definitely a bit coarse on the finish once the fruit finally fades.
I slightly preferred their '16 Cab, which felt a touch more polished, without sacrificing elegance. It's possible this vintage showed the fruit a bit more over the oak. I've really enjoyed the wines I've tried from Keenan so far; they feel like a combination of a rich, unapologetic Napa flavor profile with the seriousness and structure of Bordeaux.
Much better than a bottle opened earlier but could still use some more time. Decanting and aeration helped, then a beautiful nose of cassis and tobacco with a touch of gravel. A more restrained style but significant fruit (plum and cassis) if swirled in mouth. Inky finish and the tannin comes out Very enjoyable now but give it at least another year.
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PnP. Aromas of pomegranate and stewed fruit. Some gravel. Tart on the tongue, understated red fruit. Lighter bodied, medium tannins. Finish rather short.
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Another Fermented recommend wine (store) spot on. This is wonderful. The Aroma is of the Wymans Blueberry juice. (high compliment) and a Creamy vanilla. Flavor is wonderful and both deep and wide. Blueberry, Blackberry, vanilla, black licorice, leather white pepper, not black. High tannin, but not overly gritty. This will do well with more age and I'll be looking to put some away.
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Muted nose, with hints of sweet fruit and a touch of cedar and graphite. Sweet fruit on the palate, with firm tannins and some oak. Modern, lush style Cali Cab with decades of drinking ahead. A well made wine.
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DUMOL Mencia has nothing on their Mencia I am being told. And this has some savory graphtie to it. This is the reserve. THe selection, they spend the most time blending this. Palate is massive and tannic with an expanding mid palate of tannin. 10% Franc. That's big stuff.
Fresh on the nose and stern on the palate. And straight cab of five cab clones in there and a dozen different vineyard sites. 15 - 16 month mark the begin the recombination process. 25% from the Pope valley which gives it a bit of a taming affect.
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Family Winemakers Tasting 2021, nose of black berry, tasty, touch simple, young, needs 4 years to peak, lots of soft tannins, good acid, big body, medium/long finish.
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Medium dark garnet red. Pleasant, candied red fruit nose. Big tannins on this wine are hiding the fruit. Will be some time for this wine to balance out.
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Deep ruby color. Earthy, oak smoke aromas. Tannic and dry to the finish with clay and black cherry tastes. Got a great price of $25 at Central Market, putting a few bottles away to taste a in a couple years. Could be great.
1/3/2024 - Kashvino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep garnet ruby with earthy tones of damp mountain soil leading to eucalyptus, blueberry and blackberry. The palate is medium body and this is where the mountain juice expresses itself. There is fine structure with a remarkable balance. The tannins are well rounded and the finish is terrific. Highly recommend Keenan to anyone visiting Napa. It’s a family owned winery producing classy vintages.
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12/25/2023 - Tgood wrote:
Dense red black - ready aromas of black cherry, scorched earth, graphite, and minty herbalness - concentrated palate where the tannins and tartness suspend and extend focus of flavors well closing in a balanced yum without harshness or bitterness of any sort. Played nice with Xmas rib roast - no surprise.
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9/18/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely stuff. Extremely similar to their '17 Napa Merlot I wrote a note for recently; this was showing just somewhat darker shades of fruit and a touch more density (also maybe a bit more tannic ruggedness). I'm not sure if it was $15-$20 better than the Merlot right now, but I think it has a slightly longer life ahead. Both are built for aging.
No decant- I thought it was honestly best right at opening, as the tannins increased in strength throughout the tasting. This needs a cellar nap more than a decant. Lots and lots of cedary oak, but it doesn't bury the fresh blackberry/black plum fruit. Dense, but not even remotely jammy or hot, and thankfully, not "green" either save for a very subtle, well-integrated touch of tobacco. The palate has solid weight and acidity; the tannins are definitely a bit coarse on the finish once the fruit finally fades.
I slightly preferred their '16 Cab, which felt a touch more polished, without sacrificing elegance. It's possible this vintage showed the fruit a bit more over the oak. I've really enjoyed the wines I've tried from Keenan so far; they feel like a combination of a rich, unapologetic Napa flavor profile with the seriousness and structure of Bordeaux.
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12/4/2022 - gstutz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much better than a bottle opened earlier but could still use some more time. Decanting and aeration helped, then a beautiful nose of cassis and tobacco with a touch of gravel. A more restrained style but significant fruit (plum and cassis) if swirled in mouth. Inky finish and the tannin comes out Very enjoyable now but give it at least another year.
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9/11/2022 - Dagman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just now coming together but approachable.
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6/10/2022 - anjanbagchee Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bold and dry with a nose of tobacco, dark fruits, and leather. Balanced and structured tanins
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2/23/2022 - Glenn228 wrote:
PnP. Aromas of pomegranate and stewed fruit. Some gravel. Tart on the tongue, understated red fruit. Lighter bodied, medium tannins. Finish rather short.
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1/6/2022 - Gregboch wrote: 92 Points
Another Fermented recommend wine (store) spot on. This is wonderful. The Aroma is of the Wymans Blueberry juice. (high compliment) and a Creamy vanilla.
Flavor is wonderful and both deep and wide. Blueberry, Blackberry, vanilla, black licorice, leather white pepper, not black. High tannin, but not overly gritty. This will do well with more age and I'll be looking to put some away.
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12/27/2021 - kkleg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Muted nose, with hints of sweet fruit and a touch of cedar and graphite. Sweet fruit on the palate, with firm tannins and some oak. Modern, lush style Cali Cab with decades of drinking ahead. A well made wine.
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11/5/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
A bit stern but very powerful.
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10/26/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
DUMOL Mencia has nothing on their Mencia I am being told. And this has some savory graphtie to it. This is the reserve. THe selection, they spend the most time blending this. Palate is massive and tannic with an expanding mid palate of tannin. 10% Franc. That's big stuff.
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10/26/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Fresh on the nose and stern on the palate. And straight cab of five cab clones in there and a dozen different vineyard sites. 15 - 16 month mark the begin the recombination process. 25% from the Pope valley which gives it a bit of a taming affect.
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9/22/2021 - Ecoenophile wrote: 89 Points
PnP. Nice, not complex but put together well. No detailed notes but enjoyable and on target for its price point.
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8/22/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Family Winemakers Tasting 2021, nose of black berry, tasty, touch simple, young, needs 4 years to peak, lots of soft tannins, good acid, big body, medium/long finish.
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7/21/2021 - Lee Fining wrote: 90 Points
Medium dark garnet red. Pleasant, candied red fruit nose. Big tannins on this wine are hiding the fruit. Will be some time for this wine to balance out.
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2/7/2021 - Glenn228 wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color. Earthy, oak smoke aromas. Tannic and dry to the finish with clay and black cherry tastes. Got a great price of $25 at Central Market, putting a few bottles away to taste a in a couple years. Could be great.
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