Let me state the obvious: I waited too long. This was one of those back of the cellar, what is this, oops type of finds. As we opened it, I was expecting it to be long gone. The cork fell apart as a pulled it out. I ended up double decanting it, partly to get the cork remnants out.
That being said: my notes: 1). Very dark ruby red color. A deep intense red/purple color. Very intense color. 2). The nose was exactly what I remember this wine being when I last tasted it. Slight prune smell to the nose. Complex smell, very typical of the big wines from Napa. Gave me hope that the wine was still drinkable 3). On taste, my first taste out of the bottle was troubling, but optimistic. Initial cab franc taste, but vinegary aftertaste. However, not spoiled. I double decanter it, and let us sit for 90 minutes. First real taste proved the wine has survived. Prune and blackberries. Very deep taste. The more is sat, the more the taste deepened. Very dry, strong tannins. Powerful.
If you have a bottle of this vintage, drink it soon.
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I have drank many bottles of this wine in the last year and all have been fantastic, this one however may have had a slight oxidative quality. Not bad enough to not enjoy but definitely different from others. It still had very nicely integrated tannins and a great mid palate of herbs de provence led by nice plush berries.
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11/25/2021 - Lord Montgomery Likes this wine: 92 Points
Let me state the obvious: I waited too long. This was one of those back of the cellar, what is this, oops type of finds. As we opened it, I was expecting it to be long gone. The cork fell apart as a pulled it out. I ended up double decanting it, partly to get the cork remnants out.
That being said: my notes:
1). Very dark ruby red color. A deep intense red/purple color. Very intense color.
2). The nose was exactly what I remember this wine being when I last tasted it. Slight prune smell to the nose. Complex smell, very typical of the big wines from Napa. Gave me hope that the wine was still drinkable
3). On taste, my first taste out of the bottle was troubling, but optimistic. Initial cab franc taste, but vinegary aftertaste. However, not spoiled. I double decanter it, and let us sit for 90 minutes. First real taste proved the wine has survived. Prune and blackberries. Very deep taste. The more is sat, the more the taste deepened. Very dry, strong tannins. Powerful.
If you have a bottle of this vintage, drink it soon.
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3/30/2013 - Basche Likes this wine: 89 Points
I have drank many bottles of this wine in the last year and all have been fantastic, this one however may have had a slight oxidative quality. Not bad enough to not enjoy but definitely different from others. It still had very nicely integrated tannins and a great mid palate of herbs de provence led by nice plush berries.
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1/21/2012 - ajaros wrote: 84 Points
Should have drank this one earlier. It's ok but not remarkable.
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