Cork was dry, never a good sign, and I had to push this into the bottle; it would not come out. Some fruit on the nose, but on first tasting this seems over the hill, like a Bdx that has past its prime. Fruit has faded, oak is subliminal, but the alcohol smacks you in the face. It's drinkable and halfway decent but not remarkable. Certainly not worth that I paid which is too embarrassing to confess.
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this was one of the best surprises in recent tastings ... just a pleasure to drink and really reminded me of the Burgess' from the 80's that i so fell in love with. A wonderful mouthful of howell mnt flavor, character and structure ... drink 'em up now!
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a bit of sulfur on the first glass ... even after 1 hour open in bottle. recommendation is to decant this puppy for a couple of hours and really use a big-mouth glass to let the air get the most of it
medium structure with fair palate ... nothing that will knock your socks off
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Opened and drink - not much on the nose, light friut, but not much. Smooth with some dark fruit. Nice finish with moderate tannins. Disappointing as I expected more.
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Textbook Napa Cab that we had on Memorial Day. Dark Violet color, nose of cassis, dark fruits, some blueberry. Smooth refined tannins with a medium finish. Overall just what I was looking for to match with some grilled steak.
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taste: excellent medium feel with tobacco, dark cherries, black currants, cedar, and cranberry tones
overall: An excellent classically driven cabernet. Balance is the key to this and while it has bordeaux characteristics, you still know its from california when you smell and taste it as there is that feel that california cabs bring. This is right up my alley, but probably isn't for everyone
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10/24/2015 - mdfuller wrote: 89 Points
was not as deep /complex as i was hoping for (or remembered from the last tasting)
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5/18/2015 - skurtz wrote: 85 Points
Cork was dry, never a good sign, and I had to push this into the bottle; it would not come out. Some fruit on the nose, but on first tasting this seems over the hill, like a Bdx that has past its prime. Fruit has faded, oak is subliminal, but the alcohol smacks you in the face. It's drinkable and halfway decent but not remarkable. Certainly not worth that I paid which is too embarrassing to confess.
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7/27/2013 - mdfuller wrote: 88 Points
just wasn't up to snuff ... light and weak
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1/1/2013 - PourSomeRed wrote: 90 Points
I agree with "mdfuler". This was a nice surprise. A really nice bottle of wine.
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12/30/2012 - mdfuller Likes this wine: 91 Points
this was one of the best surprises in recent tastings ... just a pleasure to drink and really reminded me of the Burgess' from the 80's that i so fell in love with. A wonderful mouthful of howell mnt flavor, character and structure ... drink 'em up now!
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9/4/2012 - mdfuller Likes this wine: 89 Points
a bit of sulfur on the first glass ... even after 1 hour open in bottle. recommendation is to decant this puppy for a couple of hours and really use a big-mouth glass to let the air get the most of it
medium structure with fair palate ... nothing that will knock your socks off
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3/14/2010 - newworldman wrote: 90 Points
After a 1 and 1/2 decant the wine just exploded with flavor. Berry, tobacco, cherry. wonderful wine yet again.
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12/25/2009 - yeti575rider wrote: 87 Points
No nose to really speak of. Not a lot of fruit, bit much on the oak but somehow still not bad. Decanted 1hr.
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12/12/2009 - newworldman wrote: 89 Points
I really think this is a good wine. The balance is wonderful. Fruit up front, but tannic on the finish. Drinking wonderfully now.
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8/29/2009 - dontime wrote: 87 Points
Opened and drink - not much on the nose, light friut, but not much. Smooth with some dark fruit. Nice finish with moderate tannins. Disappointing as I expected more.
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8/23/2009 - Arch57 wrote: 87 Points
Last bottle on a long night so no formal notes.
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7/19/2009 - Arch57 wrote: 88 Points
Good but did not hit me as much as the earlier bottle. Seemed to have a shorther finish this time.
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5/25/2009 - Arch57 wrote: 90 Points
Textbook Napa Cab that we had on Memorial Day. Dark Violet color, nose of cassis, dark fruits, some blueberry. Smooth refined tannins with a medium finish. Overall just what I was looking for to match with some grilled steak.
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5/16/2009 - Kevin_C wrote: 87 Points
Fruity, high-toned bouquet with a rubbery mineral note. Smooth but lacking a little depth on the finish. [86-87]
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11/7/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 89 Points
Binny's California Night (Binny's, Highland Park IL): nose: really good depth on the nose with tobacco, dark cherries, cedar, and cranberry tones. Really good balance on the nose that melds together
taste: excellent medium feel with tobacco, dark cherries, black currants, cedar, and cranberry tones
overall: An excellent classically driven cabernet. Balance is the key to this and while it has bordeaux characteristics, you still know its from california when you smell and taste it as there is that feel that california cabs bring. This is right up my alley, but probably isn't for everyone
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