Drank with Rack of Lamb. Wine from my cellar since 2001 kept @ 56*. Beautiful with total fruit and full body. Still have 1 left and will drink in another year
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28.2.2020:++ Großartig, sehr guter gereifter CabS, Bordeaux-Stil, Rosen, Nelken, leichte Sauerkirsche, etwas Zimt und Zartbitterschokolade, sehr sehr gut!
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Not at the end of its life as the forecasts suggest. Very balanced, smooth with long reasonably complex finish. Has many good years left; I would not worry for another five or more. Good color without bricking, subtle floral nose. The soft long finish were the most distinctive parts.
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Had this wine with friends while cooking Risotto. Was the consensus wine of the night. I didnt think a 98 would be any good, however this was excellent. This actually beat out a 99 far niente, 95 chateau montelena estate etc... The nose started with some vanilla and then had nice barnyard smells- like a barnyard in Indiana. Grasses jumped out of the glass as well. The fruit was there for all to enjoy. It was velvety and had a pleasant finish . Would recommend purchasing now at less than 60 its well worth it.
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Nose is starting to get some bottle bouquet, but still primarily driven by red fruit, cassis, and hints of leather. The wine is rather simple and straight-forward. Tannins are subdued and the wine is round, but primary. I would let these lay around for a few more years to see if some secondary characteristics start to show up and improve the wine.
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Tasting note from memory. This bottle was a bit of a disappointment for me. Simple and straightforward with little distinct fruit. Best during it’s first 30 minutes, decanting for any length of time would be a mistake.
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Not decanted. This opened up after a short time in the glass. Red fruit, spice, pepper, a delicious black licorice note. Medium bodied, long finish, maybe a bit too much alcohol at the end. Some sediment. Some soft tannins are still present -- it can last a bit longer.
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This wine is an unqualified success from the unloved 1998 Napa vintage. Color is a beautiful red/purple and a nice nose of cabernet fruit with a bit of oak. Well-balanced between fruit, acid and tannin, the palate shows a touch of vanilla, with good fruit and complexity. Good lingering finish with no off tastes. This isn't highly extracted, but it is delicious and went great with a steak and fries and a languorously drawn-out cheese course. Between myself, the owner of Fringale and others who got "tastes" this bottle didn't last very long.
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1/22/2022 - topaz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank with Rack of Lamb. Wine from my cellar since 2001 kept @ 56*. Beautiful with total fruit and full body. Still have 1 left and will drink in another year
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2/28/2020 - sortcode Likes this wine: 95 Points
28.2.2020:++ Großartig, sehr guter gereifter CabS, Bordeaux-Stil, Rosen, Nelken, leichte Sauerkirsche, etwas Zimt und Zartbitterschokolade, sehr sehr gut!
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4/24/2018 - grumi62 wrote: 93 Points
excellent cabernet from shafer and not even hillside select! only have 1 left.
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2/24/2018 - AlexHop Likes this wine: 95 Points
Gorgeous. Sweet complex nose. Spicy and beautiful. Long finish.
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5/6/2016 - AlexHop wrote: flawed
Corked.
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3/15/2014 - monomonlite Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful red but still a bit purple, good aroma close to classic Bordeaux, good balance, strong tannin medium-long finish.
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5/15/2012 - keithgg wrote: 92 Points
very impressive for the vintage and still going strong.
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10/26/2011 - grapejuicedrinker Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is still in great shape. Very balanced with hints of spice that I did not anticipate. The finish is long and remains smooth.
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6/26/2011 - greyhound93 wrote: 88 Points
Would have expected more of this producer if it wasn't for the vintage. Still tight and tannic, mid-fruit with lots of sediment.
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5/22/2011 - Sleahy511 wrote: 92 Points
I had major reservations about this being a 98 but wow!
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12/28/2010 - JulienGraves wrote: 92 Points
Not at the end of its life as the forecasts suggest. Very balanced, smooth with long reasonably complex finish. Has many good years left; I would not worry for another five or more. Good color without bricking, subtle floral nose. The soft long finish were the most distinctive parts.
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4/11/2010 - Yack Man wrote: 90 Points
Good wine, nice price $39 - Still drinking well and I have one more to go!
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2/14/2009 - cabguy99 wrote: 93 Points
Had this wine with friends while cooking Risotto. Was the consensus wine of the night. I didnt think a 98 would be any good, however this was excellent. This actually beat out a 99 far niente, 95 chateau montelena estate etc... The nose started with some vanilla and then had nice barnyard smells- like a barnyard in Indiana. Grasses jumped out of the glass as well. The fruit was there for all to enjoy. It was velvety and had a pleasant finish . Would recommend purchasing now at less than 60 its well worth it.
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11/8/2008 - FakeAccount wrote: 86 Points
Similar, but inferior to the last bottle (see previous TN).
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8/15/2008 - bflood wrote: 92 Points
great night of wine.
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4/22/2008 - Lainie wrote:
Soft, supple, smooth, slightly swampy
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10/7/2007 - FakeAccount wrote: 89 Points
Nose is starting to get some bottle bouquet, but still primarily driven by red fruit, cassis, and hints of leather. The wine is rather simple and straight-forward. Tannins are subdued and the wine is round, but primary. I would let these lay around for a few more years to see if some secondary characteristics start to show up and improve the wine.
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9/13/2007 - marcSl wrote: 95 Points
Wow
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6/24/2007 - Mark wrote: 87 Points
Tasting note from memory. This bottle was a bit of a disappointment for me. Simple and straightforward with little distinct fruit. Best during it’s first 30 minutes, decanting for any length of time would be a mistake.
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4/28/2007 - JBVino wrote:
better than expected...solid fruit a bit of complexity maybe a bit too much oak still showing but overall solid effort
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11/26/2005 - dehbach wrote: 90 Points
Not decanted. This opened up after a short time in the glass. Red fruit, spice, pepper, a delicious black licorice note. Medium bodied, long finish, maybe a bit too much alcohol at the end. Some sediment. Some soft tannins are still present -- it can last a bit longer.
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7/20/2004 - PaulH wrote: 90 Points
This wine is an unqualified success from the unloved 1998 Napa vintage. Color is a beautiful red/purple and a nice nose of cabernet fruit with a bit of oak. Well-balanced between fruit, acid and tannin, the palate shows a touch of vanilla, with good fruit and complexity. Good lingering finish with no off tastes. This isn't highly extracted, but it is delicious and went great with a steak and fries and a languorously drawn-out cheese course. Between myself, the owner of Fringale and others who got "tastes" this bottle didn't last very long.
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6/4/2002 - Double-A Likes this wine:
Black cherry, currant, herb and smoke with a leesy note on the nose. Flavourful, smoky currant palate; balanced tannin and alcohol; good finish.
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