I just picking up these bottles through a friend that's retiring from the wine trade, I was itching to pull the first bottle from the collection.
Single owner provenance. Perfect cork condition. Floral with sweet tannins with secondary notes at PNP. Baked strawberry red fruits with hints of plum. The slightest tertiary flavors as the wine was opening up. This was fantastic for the price paid.
In a great spot to open now as I'm sure the fruit will only continue to fade at this point of the journey but will continue to age gracefully for another decade plus.
95
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Wow! Blown away. Tobacco, Tobacco, Black cherry, Leather, Black Licorice, What a value and wonderful wine. long, finish. Plenty of time on this....read several years. Tannins fully integrated with an hour decant.
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30 minutes of air. Candied blackberries and black cherries on the nose with touch of menthol. On the palate the jammy black fruits were not candied but did provide some nice touches of eucalyptus, sweet Oak, and cassis. Very smooth with a 20 second finish.
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Slow ox 2 hours. Dark color core to rim. Loads of black fruits on nose but also some green veggies, in a good way. On palate much of the same in waves. Very smooth - velvety. Some sweet Oak. A very interesting wine with a 30 second finish.
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Big and overripe fruit driven wine, but not a fruit bomb. It reminded me of some Foley productions and not as much as some other Forman vintages I've had. Very smooth and enjoyable. Almost no sediment to speak of and in a few more years I expect some complexity out of it as the secondary elements are just lurking in the background right now.
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Classic Napa cab, aging very well. Still 5+ easy from peak. Green bell pepper, earth, leather, iron and plum dominate. Plenty of tannin left but more than enough fruit to compensate. A treat.
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Plum and eucalyptus on the nose. On the palate, cherry, blackberry, cassis, and notes of black pepper and citrus, with light tannins, good acidity, and a touch of coconut that fades away over half an hour or so. This is in the early part of its early drinking window. Good value for money at about $60.
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2 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberry, cassis, smoke and a strong earthy floral note. Medium plus body of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate and more earth on the finish. Moderate tannins and a long finish.
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California Cabernets (Vin Vino Wine, Palo Alto, CA): dark red with purple hues in the color. spicy, dark fruit, riverbed rocks, green bean, faint ginger cola, on the nose. blackberry, cherry, clove, bitter chocolate, on the palate. light mouth-feel, with low acid and tannins on the finish.
WOW. The sister bottle I have will stay on the rack for a while. One of the best California Reds I have had in a long time. It probably has another five years left.
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Rich and delicious licorice coated dark berries with chocolate and black currants, plush textures and a long, mouth filling, jammy plum finish are found in this wine.
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This had a distinctly different nose than most cali cabs, not better or worse, just different. It could not have paired better than with the beef tenderloin. Everyone at the table commented on how wonderfully they matched each other. Very nice mouthfeel and long finish. Not sure how it would do as a quaffer, but with food, I don't think it gets much better. Structure is very bordeaux-like. Will be buying more. No real need for a decant, if anything 1 hour in a decanter.
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Cabernet Hedonism (Rob & Bev's place): Decanted 3 hours prior to tasting. This wine had a completely different nose than any other wine at this tasting, almost to the point that I thought it was a bit off. But it was perfectly stored and no signs of defect were noticed in the cork. The aroma was immediately very astringent and vegetal, with green notes leading into mint, olives, stems, and some hotness coming through from the alcohol. On the palate, black pepper and spice, wet soil, saddle leather; then more vegetal flavors; then plums and chocolate on the mid palate. The finish was pleasant and balanced, but the flavors that had developed were neither what I was accustomed to nor ready for. Very pleasant wine. I will try the remaining wine again in a day or two to see if it develops into something more special. Definitely the last place wine in this flight for me, at this point. 89 pts.
Tasted again 2 days later from this partially consumed bottle. I must say, I was disappointed when I found out this wine was the Forman, because it had been a long time favorite producer of mine, and it did not show as I expected (that's why we do these blind). Once again, the nose was atypical for a Napa cabernet, however, the alcohol seems to have blown off with some time. The minerality and mint is more noticeable than 2 days prior, as well as an herbaceousness that I enjoy. On the palate, almost identical to the above note, with refreshing acidity and a persistent spicy herbaceousness. This wine almost says "Cab Franc" to me, more than Cab Sauv. In looking at the winemaker's note, it has 15% Cab Franc, which is perhaps what I am picking up (also 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new French oak). This wine has plenty of time left (10+ years) of enjoyable drinking. I am inching my score to 90 pts.
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Dad popped while I was at a client dinner. Had been open for a few hours when I arrived. Again, a classic Napa: Lovely dark fruit flavors. filled with Bordeaux like profiles: Pencil lead, leather and cassis. Well integrated into the wine. This one will age for a while.
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Elegant, balanced and classic. A wine that integrates well with food. Its derivative is classically Bordeaux. Delicious and approachable by anyone at anytime with anything.
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Elegant classic Forman crafted Cabernet, downright delicious - especially after some air. This has great potential to develop into something even more special...l
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Decanted for 3 hours prior to dinner. Lovely dark fruit flavors. filled with Bordeaux like profiles: Pencil lead, leather and cassis. Well integrated into the wine. This one will age for a while. Only flaw was serving it with Thanksgiving dinner. Would have been much better served with a braised ribs or Osso Bucco.
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Recent TNs, mostly CA cabs; 9/7/2009-9/28/2009 (New York): Lots of chalky slate on the nose, slight barnyard, rich red currant fruit. Palate is a bit simpler - sweet red fruit with decent acidity, oak apparent . Not quite worth the $$. Would like to see it in 5 yrs though. 90-91
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Mature blackcurrants, minty herbal notes, cedre tree, a bit of chocolate, dust and gravel. Good concentration and nice balance with fine tannins. Not huge, but easy to like.
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3/8/2024 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 95 Points
I just picking up these bottles through a friend that's retiring from the wine trade, I was itching to pull the first bottle from the collection.
Single owner provenance. Perfect cork condition. Floral with sweet tannins with secondary notes at PNP. Baked strawberry red fruits with hints of plum. The slightest tertiary flavors as the wine was opening up. This was fantastic for the price paid.
In a great spot to open now as I'm sure the fruit will only continue to fade at this point of the journey but will continue to age gracefully for another decade plus.
95
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7/6/2023 - Highlander wrote:
Wow! Blown away. Tobacco, Tobacco, Black cherry, Leather, Black Licorice,
What a value and wonderful wine. long, finish. Plenty of time on this....read several years. Tannins fully integrated with an hour decant.
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5/29/2023 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 93 Points
30 minutes of air. Candied blackberries and black cherries on the nose with touch of menthol. On the palate the jammy black fruits were not candied but did provide some nice touches of eucalyptus, sweet Oak, and cassis. Very smooth with a 20 second finish.
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10/29/2022 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slow ox 2 hours. Dark color core to rim. Loads of black fruits on nose but also some green veggies, in a good way. On palate much of the same in waves. Very smooth - velvety. Some sweet Oak. A very interesting wine with a 30 second finish.
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7/30/2022 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big and overripe fruit driven wine, but not a fruit bomb. It reminded me of some Foley productions and not as much as some other Forman vintages I've had. Very smooth and enjoyable. Almost no sediment to speak of and in a few more years I expect some complexity out of it as the secondary elements are just lurking in the background right now.
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12/15/2020 - spacewrangler Likes this wine: 94 Points
Classic Napa cab, aging very well. Still 5+ easy from peak. Green bell pepper, earth, leather, iron and plum dominate. Plenty of tannin left but more than enough fruit to compensate. A treat.
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6/28/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
In vertical. Ripe and plush black fruit with both sweet and savory spice. Very tasty indeed, but a sense of warmth on finish that didn’t thrill me.
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5/24/2020 - Miami_wine_guy wrote: 91 Points
A bit disappointing. 1 hour decant. Medium bodied. Nice fruit, but not much depth or character.
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9/10/2019 - Elkcims Likes this wine: 94 Points
Old world earth in background - new world fruit in complete balance. Lovely.
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12/22/2018 - Fosgrove Likes this wine: 95 Points
In a perfect place - fantastic balance of fruit and tannins. Much better than when opened a couple of years ago. Shows the benefit of waiting...
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7/15/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 90 Points
Fruit fading a little to secondaries of oak.
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9/12/2016 - Bauman Likes this wine: 93 Points
smoky blackberry aftertaste. great legs. great color
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3/15/2016 - RichardP wrote: 93 Points
Plum and eucalyptus on the nose. On the palate, cherry, blackberry, cassis, and notes of black pepper and citrus, with light tannins, good acidity, and a touch of coconut that fades away over half an hour or so. This is in the early part of its early drinking window. Good value for money at about $60.
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3/15/2016 - Fosgrove Likes this wine: 91 Points
V Good Bordeaux style Cali cab but not quite the wow factor of Spottswoode that preceded it
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1/10/2015 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
Nice maturing bordeaux lighter style wine.
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2/26/2014 - bobpsi Likes this wine: 92 Points
2 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberry, cassis, smoke and a strong earthy floral note. Medium plus body of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate and more earth on the finish. Moderate tannins and a long finish.
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8/25/2013 - shiel wrote: 92 Points
Sweet fruit tones. Well balanced. Drinking great.
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2/21/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 85 Points
California Cabernets (Vin Vino Wine, Palo Alto, CA): dark red with purple hues in the color. spicy, dark fruit, riverbed rocks, green bean, faint ginger cola, on the nose. blackberry, cherry, clove, bitter chocolate, on the palate. light mouth-feel, with low acid and tannins on the finish.
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6/2/2012 - KonaPichon wrote: 95 Points
WOW. The sister bottle I have will stay on the rack for a while. One of the best California Reds I have had in a long time. It probably has another five years left.
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5/2/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Rich and delicious licorice coated dark berries with chocolate and black currants, plush textures and a long, mouth filling, jammy plum finish are found in this wine.
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4/22/2012 - fine137 wrote: 94 Points
This had a distinctly different nose than most cali cabs, not better or worse, just different. It could not have paired better than with the beef tenderloin. Everyone at the table commented on how wonderfully they matched each other. Very nice mouthfeel and long finish. Not sure how it would do as a quaffer, but with food, I don't think it gets much better. Structure is very bordeaux-like. Will be buying more. No real need for a decant, if anything 1 hour in a decanter.
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1/13/2012 - drrobvino wrote: 90 Points
Cabernet Hedonism (Rob & Bev's place): Decanted 3 hours prior to tasting. This wine had a completely different nose than any other wine at this tasting, almost to the point that I thought it was a bit off. But it was perfectly stored and no signs of defect were noticed in the cork. The aroma was immediately very astringent and vegetal, with green notes leading into mint, olives, stems, and some hotness coming through from the alcohol. On the palate, black pepper and spice, wet soil, saddle leather; then more vegetal flavors; then plums and chocolate on the mid palate. The finish was pleasant and balanced, but the flavors that had developed were neither what I was accustomed to nor ready for. Very pleasant wine. I will try the remaining wine again in a day or two to see if it develops into something more special. Definitely the last place wine in this flight for me, at this point. 89 pts.
Tasted again 2 days later from this partially consumed bottle. I must say, I was disappointed when I found out this wine was the Forman, because it had been a long time favorite producer of mine, and it did not show as I expected (that's why we do these blind). Once again, the nose was atypical for a Napa cabernet, however, the alcohol seems to have blown off with some time. The minerality and mint is more noticeable than 2 days prior, as well as an herbaceousness that I enjoy. On the palate, almost identical to the above note, with refreshing acidity and a persistent spicy herbaceousness. This wine almost says "Cab Franc" to me, more than Cab Sauv. In looking at the winemaker's note, it has 15% Cab Franc, which is perhaps what I am picking up (also 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new French oak). This wine has plenty of time left (10+ years) of enjoyable drinking. I am inching my score to 90 pts.
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12/30/2010 - sirswami wrote: 92 Points
Same thoughts as previous (and very recent) tasting note...definitely want to give this one some air if your evening permits.
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12/5/2010 - gschneider wrote: 94 Points
Dad popped while I was at a client dinner. Had been open for a few hours when I arrived. Again, a classic Napa: Lovely dark fruit flavors. filled with Bordeaux like profiles: Pencil lead, leather and cassis. Well integrated into the wine. This one will age for a while.
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12/5/2010 - pepmi wrote: 90 Points
Elegant, balanced and classic. A wine that integrates well with food. Its derivative is classically Bordeaux. Delicious and approachable by anyone at anytime with anything.
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12/4/2010 - sirswami wrote: 92 Points
Elegant classic Forman crafted Cabernet, downright delicious - especially after some air. This has great potential to develop into something even more special...l
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11/26/2010 - gschneider wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 3 hours prior to dinner. Lovely dark fruit flavors. filled with Bordeaux like profiles: Pencil lead, leather and cassis. Well integrated into the wine. This one will age for a while. Only flaw was serving it with Thanksgiving dinner. Would have been much better served with a braised ribs or Osso Bucco.
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9/21/2009 - Slvrfish wrote: 95 Points
paired perfectly with braised short ribs and truffle fries
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9/8/2009 - amateurwino wrote: 90 Points
Recent TNs, mostly CA cabs; 9/7/2009-9/28/2009 (New York): Lots of chalky slate on the nose, slight barnyard, rich red currant fruit. Palate is a bit simpler - sweet red fruit with decent acidity, oak apparent . Not quite worth the $$. Would like to see it in 5 yrs though. 90-91
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6/7/2009 - gorm wrote: 92 Points
Mature blackcurrants, minty herbal notes, cedre tree, a bit of chocolate, dust and gravel. Good concentration and nice balance with fine tannins. Not huge, but easy to like.
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5/16/2009 - Wolfgang wrote: 88 Points
Nose of forrest floor after a rain, garden herbs, evolves to dark chocolate. medium body with smooth tannins.
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1/24/2009 - bigdomer wrote: 87 Points
High alcohol taste. Not very impressed.
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4/12/2008 - vinole wrote: 92 Points
Crown Spring Upscale Tasting (Boca Raton, FL): Earthy, slightly funky nose, but then medium body rich fruit flavors, with a smooth long, polished finish.
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