Cork was a bit dry and crumbled (bought this on auction) but wine was still intact. Dark fruits was still present on the nose and palate, along with the expected secondary notes of cedar and vanilla, and the tertiary notes of earth, tobacco, an stone. This blend has held up well and adds some lovely subtle cocoa and spice to the mix. 18 year old Sonoma red blend for $40? No brainer.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow! What a nice surprise. Fruit still strong and full (blackberry, plum, cassis), full bodied, wish I had a couple more bottles but if you have some open one up, decant no more than an hour and then let ‘er rip. The wine looks garnet colored. There is no sediment in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Retail $75. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. Cinq Cépages is a blend of all five main Bordeaux varieties and it is fairly rare that one reaches at least 75% as this vintage did. Dark in the glass with oodles of black fruit (blackberry, cassis, plum) along with black pepper and spice on the nose. The palate is glorious: good fruit, integrated tannins, balanced acidity. Just an Outstanding wine from top to bottom. Whoa. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and decanted 3 hours but didn’t drink. Poured it back in the bottle and stuffed the cork back in. Drank the next evening. Classic Bordeaux blend. Dark garnet, browning on the rim Black currant and tobacco nose consistent flavors, integrated tannins. Probably at its peak. Just as well, it’s my last bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bu au chalet de Bulle (René) avec la gang des Fouduvin pour ce beau souper weekend Annuel. Ample et costaud, mures et cassis avec des poivrons et un peu de café. Tanins charnus et bien enrobés avec une finale d'une belle longueur.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bu au resto AVV La Suite avec le club de dégustation de Sherbrooke, il y avait les FOUDUVIN, Bulle, Bordeaux70, Meursault, FrançoisD et MikeLM. Le nez est dense et assez intense. De la fumée avec beaucoup de fruits rouges, du cèdre et une pointe de terre. En bouche, super satiné et velouté. Un peu de bois bien dosé avec des cerises et des bleuets. Les tannins sont bien enrobés et la finale Est super longue, riche et généreuse. Très bon et encore bien en forme. Merci Bordeaux70
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A treasured gift from Richard N at Bethel. Lovely. Really lovely. Absolutely true to color with no rusting at the rim with a blackberry mocha bouquet and pomegranate, cassis, tar and earth joining in on the palate. Fine-grained tannins. And a finish rich in aged tobacco, integrated oak and burnished saddle leather. This still has legs to go another decade in the cellar. What a treat. (������= Outstanding)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
-- popped and poured -- -- tasted non-blind over approx. 1 hour --
Red-fruited and oaky Nose. Medium-light to medium bodied on the palate: no tannin; smooth, but not thick; very oaky; hint of coffee; I think the oak is going to win the race over the fruit here, and – actually – the oak is already in the lead; past prime without being tired. Drink Now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Nose of plum, black cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, tobacco, and currant. On the palate, lush but not jammy with currant, plum, mocha, and tobacco flavors. Long finish. I think this is as good as this gets. Drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Held up well - nice ruby color, no bricking. No detailed tasking notes.... but it was very enjoyable, smooth and well integrated. Not sure it would be getting any better with age - but it was still nice now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep dark near black color. Delightfully aromatic fruit. The texture is silky but well framed by ample acidity and drying tannin that remains juicy in the mouth. Overall, the wine is smooth and very well balanced with good concentration and delicious fruit featuring blackberry along with black cherry, plum, and black raspberry. Not yet at its peak, and has all it needs to continue improving for the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank along side a 2005 Ledson Cepage but are very nice blends. The guests prefered the more fruit forward Ledson, I would lean toward the Cinq. It showed me a bit more structure and complexity but needed 2 hours to really open up. Neither struck me as being late in their drinking windows. Enjoy!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over two nights. Decanting still needed. IMHO, started showing up well towards third hour. Overall, I would say very good- but not my 'cab of the year' material (It would have probably had a spot on a cab of the year list, but not in the top 3 or 6). To my personal preference, it has somewhat too much of the 'oak' (smoke/toast) oak on the nose and palate. That said, it is compensated by a combi of red and brick on the color ,and nice currant and floral on the nose. It is certainly one that brings to the front more of the cigar, dust and earthy notes. Reminded me of other more 'earthy' style at young age sonoma cabs I had before. This is actually the second time I had it (first one was @ St. Jean library tasting earlier this year). I think it's a matter of palate and preference to smoke/oak taste.
Pros: Medium plus finish, nice 'warm' feeling Subject to interpretation: more oak/toast notes that I usually have with Sonoma wines.
91+. Very good, but not my top cab of the years (maybe closing a top 10 list, but in that case I'd may take the '96 St. Jean)
Edited (10-11-15): There was a little leftover (~ one small glass) shared this evening. Still very good, though did not get better than it was on the 10th. Good work.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
And the second half of my Friday night half bottle bachelor blow-out. Like a few previous bottles, I'm really liking this. This bottle has prominent leather aromas and flavors. There's also dark berry, spice, and a complimentary green edge flavor. Maybe I should find another half bottle to open....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was very similar to my last bottle on 04/19/14. It filled out well through dinner. It was particularly juicy as well with comparable flavors as before with prominent spices (cinnamon and clove) on the last glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Once again this wine does not disappoint. Dark juice glorious nose layers of aromas and flavors it keeps on going long lasting silky finish. Favorite of ours highest accolades
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seymour Wine Club Meeting 11/15/14 (Home of the Slywka's): Tasted blind. Interesting aromas of black currant, cherry, herb and cigar box. Another wine with a very expressive nose. The palate revealed flavors of currant, blackberry, herb and cherry. Ended with a long finish, longer than any of the previous wines. I guessed Sonoma for this one and I was right. This was my wine of the night and finished second in the voting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Paired with roasted chicken for lunch with Jim and Judy Voelz. Still plenty of fruit; but nice and complex and Bordeaux-like. Very elegant wine for a decent price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. I thought this one would be over-the-hill, but it was firing on all cylinders. From a split. Oak and tannins have integrated well and this is ready to pop and pour.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a well-made wine. It has the color, structure, acidity and other characteristics. Yet, the wine has no personality and it did not improve over time. I would not purchase again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really enjoyed this upon first opening though the mid-palate did fill out nicely during dinner.
Dark brooding color; dark berries could be smelled immediately after the cork was pulled; medium body with many flavors including red and dark berry, cocoa, ripe bell pepper, anise/licorice.
This is very good that tastes like its in its prime drinking window. I am very happy to have more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opaque indigo color. Floral aroma. Medium bodied, soft and round with notes of red berries, mocha and a hint of clove. Not a very long finish but drinking nicely right now. I tend to hold this tool long and ten years seems about right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine did not benefit from aging. The wine still had a youthful appearance; but the flavors were very dull. Fine wine but I did not enjoy as much as the bottle from 2 years ago. I don't think it will come around due the abscence of tannins and acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened two days ago. Have had a glass nightly. Remarkably intact the third day. Have liked this wine since 1995 and it's still very good although I mostly liked it at $26 a copy. Never forgave the Spectator for that wine of the year rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had with sheepshead fish. Wine opened nicely and continued to improve throughout the two hour meal. Notes of dark berries and currant with many layers and depth. A great wine from a good producer. Also a good value for a bordeaux style wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow! Drank this following the '05 Cinq Cepages. The '04 was deeper and more robust than the '05. Full bodied with notes of sour cherry, tobacco and chocolate on the palate. Served side y side with '05 Freemark Abbey Bosche. The Cinq Cepages was not as complex or layered as the Freemark but stood up very well to a Thanksgiving dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served with steak. Popped and poured. Very nice on the nose with a strong sour cherry nose along with currants, hints of tobacco, and plum. On the palate, really nice with sour cherry, black currant, menthol, and hints of tobacco. Balanced finish, tannins completely resolved. At $35 bones, this is a good value, at winery prices, I think I would pass. Drink over the near term, don't think it gets any better from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last bottle. Breathed about a hour. Still a lot of fruit, other notes as in my past from 2010, 2012. Should have been better, but a fair to good showing for a Calif Cab. Round tannins, long simple finish. Sturdy and needs food with it. Fair complexity in the mouth; likable. Can age a long while yet, but not sure how it will evolve. Nothing wrong with this wine but I think it has not lived up to the expectations or price (40$+).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slow-O 6 hours, served double-blind. Finished dead last at the 3 hr long tasting. In fairness, it was up against some pretty good competition (in the $50/bottle tier, this was paired against a 2004 Pintia), but still, it never showed more than a solid $25 bottle might have. Moments of enjoyment, and a good pairing with the grilled lamb, but I can think of hundreds of other wines I'd rather be drinking for far less money than this cost. Not a cellar candidate, but not going to fall off any time soon, either; best before 2016, be sure to give this an hour of air before serving.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very tight when opened. Almost too much on the first day. Has mellowed out the second day, much more approachable. Somewhat muted on the nose with tannins overdone to amount to more than mid 80's. I'm with Spectator on this one. [50 + 5 + 10 + 14 + 7 = 86].
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still getting better, but might be near the end of its improving years - enjoyed with bone-in veal chops. A hint of brown on the edges, but no oxidation noticeable. Full fruit, still complex and subtle - not overpowering. Ready to drink now for sure - 4 more bottles - yum!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Same as before. Needed some significant air to open up but a very enjoyable, if not spectacular wine. Glad I didn't pay full price for it, but at the reduced rate I bought it at, I'd buy more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured, decent nose with plum, black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, and cedar. On the palate silky with black cherry, plum, hints of tobacco, cedar, and herbs. Balanced with finish with decent grip. Not a life changer but certainly a nice drink with a meal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank from a split. Lovely start to the New Year's Eve celebration. Nothing spectacular but might continue to benefit with another year or two, which I'm a little surprised by given the small format.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pulled out the magnum for a party. Didn't care for it at first, thought had a sour taste, and was worried the wine had gone bad. Decanted it and after 2 hours it softed up considerable. Drank throughout the night, and it was a perfect pairing with our steak dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Liquorice, mushrooms and coco powder on the nose. Fine, dusty tannins with nice structure and a definite old world style. The fruit was in the background with the earthy flavors more prominent. Black pepper on the finish with some balanced oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
this a rich wine with a hot blend of aromas which include mushrooms. It is soft and full with a lasting finish with a slight powder. Overall this is balanced and full.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Poured in glass for one hour. Very nice on the nose with red and black fruits, mocha, plum, and a nice herbal tang. On the palate rich flavor of sour cherry, plum, red currant, mocha, with hints of mint and tobacco. Finishes with decent acidity and good structure. Drink anytime over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP from a 375ml. Wow, this wine was singing. Deep dark fruits and casis, Wine had a couple of waves of flavor. Dark Chocolate, and a super long finish. I think this wine is in a pretty good spot right now. Long smooth finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep dark center, red rim with only moderate signs of age. Sweet cassis up front, then plums and smoke, creamy notes mingled with alcohol, a very slight vegetal overtone, very herby on the finish. Rich and smooth in the mouth, plums and cherries rather than cassis up front, bacon and stewed red fruits, good creamy finish with cassis and herbs. Drinks well now, a good touch of the Bordeaux in here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This may only be an 89 pt wine, but I like it. It is aging nicely and sitll has fruit to go with the round mouthfeel and med long finish. Served with baked ham and taters. Good balance and good flavors. This is a mature wine, so fruit is subdued, other characteristics are up front. Very tasty. One left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still young with black cherry, olives and good dose of menthol. Still tannic, and somewhat rustic with slightly thinner mouthfeel than better vintages. I will hold on to my last bottle for 3-5 years, in hopes that it integrates further.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2nd day, tons of vanilla extract, hints of plum in the nose, tart bitter plum. cassis, raspberries, and vanilla on the palate. Seems evolved and intergrated, drink over the next few years!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Elegant and balanced, with cassis and smoky oak spice notes showing in the nose and mouth. Power is there, but not so overpowering as one finds in Napa; this shows how Sonoma's elegance is the counterpoint to Napa's power.
Drinking well now, should show well for another 5 years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I agree this is at its peak and more evolved than expected. This is delicious with nice fruit balanced by some earthiness and fennel. This is not huge on structure and while it should go a few years I wouldn't age this long. I don't see any upside. Soft and nicely balanced, but not extraordinary or super complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Since last tasting over 2 years ago, this wine has aged beautifully. Depth and complexity good with no harshness or overpowering notes - if anything still a little light; other comments about resembling a Bordeaux are consistent with our experience. Probably at its peak, at least for ours, as there is just a hint of brown on the edges of the dark ruby coloring. Improved slightly over the evening; amazingly we had some left the next night and it was still good. Not real heavy in berry flavors,
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I thought this wine was completely closed down. I had a bottle of this back in late 09 or early 2010 and I thought it was coming together, but in my opinion it was muted. I even decanted the wine for an hour. I have four bottles left and I will probably put them away for a few more years. The wine looked great in the glass, but its bouquet was unimpressive. My wife who really likes CA C/S thought it tasted like a wine from Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is in a very good window. I'm glad I bought a case of these 375s. Dark, cocoa powder, black cherry, subtle notes of earth. Not terribly complex but not lacking either. Tannins in the background and supportive with a lingering, plesant finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Taste from Johnny's 375 ml at S&W. Great way for him to start the meal leading up to the Hourglass Cab Franc. Thick weighty fruit on the front end followed with big spice driven baked goods. A little hot on the back end but nice and well endowed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friends and I had this with a pork roast dinner on 5/30/11. It had a very balanced and appealing bouquet of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, cedar, tobacco, spice and sage aromas. The palate was smooth, soft and round with flavors that followed the nose. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Yeah, similar to my first bottle...the fruit has largely retreated. Still good wine but you can tell it just hints at where it was a couple years back. Tannins standing their ground.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very tannic upon opening. After several hours the tannins had softened, but the wine that was revealed at that point was somewhat non-descript. It wasn't a bad wine, but it just wasn't memorable. My last bottle, and I can't say that I am sad to see it go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Minneapolis Wine Club: Napa Cabernet: Another reason I love 04 which is my favorite Cab/Blend vintage. Cigar, dust, cherry, oak and vanilla on the nose and palate. Tannins are soft and the wine is showing off a lot of flavor on the finish. This wine is really drinking well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Minneapolis Wine Club Does Cali Cabs (Gail's House): Purle red color. Nose is lovely with wet forest floor, black cherry, black currant, leather, cedar, and developing a nice tobbaco leaf note later. The palate is consistent with the nose and shows concentrated fruit, nice round tannin structure and a long finish. Very well made and balanced fruit and secondary characteristics. This can go some. 92+pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Corks: Bordeaux (Rossford, OH): New world nose, but restrained. Very smooth, round and creamy. Delicious. Medium tannins, medium+ acid, slightly on the sour side. $60
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Explosive nose of sweet cherries and red licorice. Unfolds in the glass to reveal secondary aromas of smoke and warm saddle leather. Red fruit and vanilla on the palate with hints of cedar and licorice. Gripping tannins leading to a 40+ second finish. A solid effort drinking near its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice wine. Lots of weight here. From a 375, popped and poured. Classic cabernet flavors--a bit of bell pepper and oak. Medium length finish. Definitely a food wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
we really enjoy this wine. We are down to our last 2 bottles. The wine is Inky colored and medium bodied. It smells like Plum, and Strawberry. The wine is silky smooth and has a medium finish. This wine is very drinkable now and we'll probably finish our supply in the next 12 months.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
8 months on and it seems the same but with a hint more tannin in the mouth. Needs to breathe a bit more. I'll hold my others another 2-3 years to see how it develops. I don't think it is shot yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not their best, but better than many... understated fruit with oak and a bit of anise. Sub-90 rating may be due to pop & pour on my part. This is one of my favorite Sonoma cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 30min, a little musty nose, that blew off after some swirling in the glass, cassis, currants, a little chocolate, somewhat understated, but smooth and enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good stuff! This is the kind of wine that makes you sit up and take notice. A lot of licorice on the nose; very dark, and it delivers on the palate. Lots of oak, lots of fruit. Tons of fruit, offset by oak and soft tannins. Just a pleasure to drink. This will not disappoint. Can't think of anything better in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Detected chocolate on the back end this time around. Ironically it tightens with air. I found the first glass to be more inspired than the last. This has a long life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Anniversary wine for us tonight. Decanted for 2 hours and enjoyed on it's own - outstanding tonight...it reminded me of a young right-bank bordeaux. This as years of life remaining - too bad this was my last bottle and I won't be able to enjoy the evolution...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very nice wine that shows dark fruits, cedar and licorice in a balanced, medium to full bodied profile. Not overly complex or lush, but well made and elegant. It really compliments a meal nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep red. Cassis with hints of blueberry in the nose, but with overlying vanilla from teh American oak. A bit too much oak. Good acids and tannin in the mouth; good grip. Medium full body with enough fruit to make it interesting, but it is not a fruit bomb by any standard. Tannins are fairly round in the mouth, but not silky. Very good balance. No heat. Long finish with some fruit and some nice tannic feel, but mostly just a nice sense of a well balanced, proper blend of reds. This wine is a sentimental favorite of mine so I may have scored it a point high, but I think it is a very good wine, a fair value and worth holding for another couple of years. Served with beef stew, which was a good accompaniment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Balanced medium bodied cabernet blend, solid fruit on the front, crisp and soft tannins, finish has good legs, not overly complex but easy drinking fruit forward style, red berry fruit in the front with hints of boysenberry, the midpalate was vanillla dominate with mocha undertones, I sense some cedar and licorice near the end. My sense is that it is close to peaking now. Low 90s. -S
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a wine that does a lot of things good, but does not do anything particularly great. Medium bodied, nice medium ruby color, dark cherry aromatics followed my a dark fruit profile of cherry, current, with a balanced oak profile. All of it is in its place, good balance and not over the top. Not particularly complex, decent in the mouth, medium finish. Tight at first, required an hour of air. Good daily drinker if you get it at a price that makes sense. Great with a seasoned flank steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine ruby in color, medium to dark intensity. Very pretty nose once it loosened up, with notes of blackberries and currant. Medium bodied, drying tannins and bright black fruit flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice dark notes to this wine, not big and bright but round and supple, good tannins and long flavor, very tasty, elegant even. Decanted and poured back into the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tightly wound at first, used Vinturi to aerate and mellowed quite nicely. Great complement with medium rare steak and sauteed onions. A split poured two perfect bordeaux style glasses. Dark fruit (currant, black cherry) mild cedar, some mild pepper, well rounded. Ready to drink, wonder how it will age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Duck with raspberry sauce, dinner for 8: decanted for 2 hours, all thought it stood up to the duck fine; still a little tight; mild fruit. Good wine with full flavor; wonder if it will mellow with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
dark purple. ripe cherry and blackberries, with light spice box and dominant cedar, (which thankfully, eventually blew off into the background.) This wine had great structure sweet tannins , and a fine persistent finish. My only complaint was the wood treatment was a little too much, but this was the antithesis of everything I dislike in nearly all CA wines. This wine could easily be mistaken for a classified Pauillac. 92++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark fruits and still very tightly wound. Dusty, more so than I have ever experienced with this wine. I liked it. Popped and poured, so it showed very angular and seemingly one dimensional. Good none the less. Have had previously and will score based off of that tasting when it was given proper time to release its true flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very solid wine. The dark fruit, Dust, and Toasty oak jump right out of the glass, followed by subtle aromas of tobacco leaf. Full bodied and lively tannins that firm up on finish leaving a lasting impression of fruit . (Best from 2010-2013) - JD93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tight out of the bottle. Needs at least 60 minutes in the decanter. Vanilla, raspberry on the nose, but evolves to the dark side after some time in the glass. This could be a 91 or 92 with some patience. She wasn't "winemaker of the year" for nothing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed this with Korean BBQ tonight. Didn't take any notes but I thought it was a very well made wine. Great bargain at $29 but I would be disappointed if I paid over $50 for this as retail suggests. Glad to have 5 more!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
thank god the restaurant had this for half price, for what used to a big time california wine, I don't know happened here. No finish, overoaked, tasted like bluebeery juice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cigar smoke, blackberry, cedar and perhaps dark cherry on the nose w/ full bodied palate. I've always liked this wine and am surprised, but happy to find the price coming down.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Four of us shared this after 1 hour decanting with tenderloin, Yukon Gold tiny potatoes and caramelized Brussels sprouts; stood up very well to the beef, without being harsh or overpowering; still can benefit from at least a couple more years; tannins not at all noticeable; lots of subtle fruit - blackberry, a hint of cassis. The proof will be in the aging - it could remain light and amusing, or might deepen to be really interesting. We have 4 bottles left - we'll try one each year through 2012 and hope for increasing improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite a bit more approachable than the past vintages. Still has a rich, full bodied core of bold black fruits, cassis, cedar, and smoke. The tannins are there, not obtrusive, with nice acidity to boot. I think better balanced overall than in the past.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had a five year vertical -- 2004 was one of the best. Big, but not too harsh on the palate. Wonderful for a big production wine. Still have another 01, 02 and 03.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark red colour. Nice old-world nose of spicy red fruits, tobacco and herbs with some green pepper. Palate is medium bodied with more red fruits, tobacco and herbs, good acidity and firm tannins leading to a medium length, slightly long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/28/2023 - mshellow wrote: 91 Points
Nothing wrong, just very muted. Waited too long to enjoy all that it had to offer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2022 - gpcoleman Likes this wine: 92 Points
The drink by date was 2016, however, this wine was excellent. Full bouquet of dark fruits followed by a very smooth finish. I wish I had more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2022 - Stufts wrote: 91 Points
Cork was a bit dry and crumbled (bought this on auction) but wine was still intact. Dark fruits was still present on the nose and palate, along with the expected secondary notes of cedar and vanilla, and the tertiary notes of earth, tobacco, an stone. This blend has held up well and adds some lovely subtle cocoa and spice to the mix. 18 year old Sonoma red blend for $40? No brainer.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2021 - ecolon Likes this wine:
Lots of fruit still present!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2020 - colowino wrote: 93 Points
Wow! What a nice surprise. Fruit still strong and full (blackberry, plum, cassis), full bodied, wish I had a couple more bottles but if you have some open one up, decant no more than an hour and then let ‘er rip.
The wine looks garnet colored. There is no sediment in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2020 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 90 Points
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2020/10/broad-diverse-flight-of-big-reds.html?spref=tw
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
Retail $75. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. Cinq Cépages is a blend of all five main Bordeaux varieties and it is fairly rare that one reaches at least 75% as this vintage did. Dark in the glass with oodles of black fruit (blackberry, cassis, plum) along with black pepper and spice on the nose. The palate is glorious: good fruit, integrated tannins, balanced acidity. Just an Outstanding wine from top to bottom. Whoa. thedrunkencyclist.com
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2020 - Don Roberto Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened and decanted 3 hours but didn’t drink. Poured it back in the bottle and stuffed the cork back in. Drank the next evening. Classic Bordeaux blend. Dark garnet, browning on the rim Black currant and tobacco nose consistent flavors, integrated tannins. Probably at its peak. Just as well, it’s my last bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2019 - maxima wrote: 91 Points
Bu au chalet de Bulle (René) avec la gang des Fouduvin pour
ce beau souper weekend Annuel.
Ample et costaud, mures et cassis
avec des poivrons et un peu de café.
Tanins charnus et bien enrobés avec une finale
d'une belle longueur.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2019 - Bottledrainer Likes this wine: 91 Points
After opening up a bit this wine really showed its power and structure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2018 - tsdv Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pretty good, but as with previous bottles this still had a slightly sharp oakey stemmy seedy edge that won't go away with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2018 - maxima wrote: 91 Points
Bu au resto AVV La Suite avec le club de dégustation de Sherbrooke,
il y avait les FOUDUVIN, Bulle, Bordeaux70, Meursault, FrançoisD et MikeLM.
Le nez est dense et assez intense.
De la fumée avec beaucoup de fruits rouges, du cèdre et une pointe de terre.
En bouche, super satiné et velouté. Un peu de bois bien dosé avec des cerises et des bleuets.
Les tannins sont bien enrobés et la finale
Est super longue, riche et généreuse.
Très bon et encore bien en forme. Merci Bordeaux70
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2018 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is really good. Soft and mature. Drinking excellent right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2018 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Identical to my last bottle from 06/12/15.
This half bottle has prominent leather aromas and flavors. There's also dark berry, spice, and a complimentary green edge flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2017 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
A treasured gift from Richard N at Bethel. Lovely. Really lovely. Absolutely true to color with no rusting at the rim with a blackberry mocha bouquet and pomegranate, cassis, tar and earth joining in on the palate. Fine-grained tannins. And a finish rich in aged tobacco, integrated oak and burnished saddle leather. This still has legs to go another decade in the cellar. What a treat. (������= Outstanding)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2017 - mlawren1 wrote: 92 Points
Has matured nicely. Stone fruit with hints of cherries, currants, and plums. Finishes with some herbal hints.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2016 - grafstrb wrote:
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over approx. 1 hour --
Red-fruited and oaky Nose. Medium-light to medium bodied on the palate: no tannin; smooth, but not thick; very oaky; hint of coffee; I think the oak is going to win the race over the fruit here, and – actually – the oak is already in the lead; past prime without being tired. Drink Now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2016 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of plum, black cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, tobacco, and currant. On the palate, lush but not jammy with currant, plum, mocha, and tobacco flavors. Long finish. I think this is as good as this gets. Drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2016 - Ecoenophile wrote: 91 Points
Held up well - nice ruby color, no bricking. No detailed tasking notes.... but it was very enjoyable, smooth and well integrated. Not sure it would be getting any better with age - but it was still nice now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2016 - randyscheffel Likes this wine: 92 Points
A very fine wine. On its last leg
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2016 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points
Deep dark near black color. Delightfully aromatic fruit. The texture is silky but well framed by ample acidity and drying tannin that remains juicy in the mouth. Overall, the wine is smooth and very well balanced with good concentration and delicious fruit featuring blackberry along with black cherry, plum, and black raspberry. Not yet at its peak, and has all it needs to continue improving for the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2015 - pittwife wrote: 95 Points
Wow tasted great with a roast! One of the best wines from Chateau St Jean.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2015 - mlawren1 wrote: 91 Points
This is aging well. Cedar gives way to cherries, currants and plums.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2015 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
A typical St. Jean Cinq, well structured with nice complexity and smooth tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2015 - danscellar wrote: 90 Points
Drank along side a 2005 Ledson Cepage but are very nice blends. The guests prefered the more fruit forward Ledson, I would lean toward the Cinq. It showed me a bit more structure and complexity but needed 2 hours to really open up. Neither struck me as being late in their drinking windows. Enjoy!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2015 - odds Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consumed over two nights. Decanting still needed.
IMHO, started showing up well towards third hour. Overall, I would say very good- but not my 'cab of the year' material (It would have probably had a spot on a cab of the year list, but not in the top 3 or 6). To my personal preference, it has somewhat too much of the 'oak' (smoke/toast) oak on the nose and palate. That said, it is compensated by a combi of red and brick on the color ,and nice currant and floral on the nose. It is certainly one that brings to the front more of the cigar, dust and earthy notes. Reminded me of other more 'earthy' style at young age sonoma cabs I had before.
This is actually the second time I had it (first one was @ St. Jean library tasting earlier this year). I think it's a matter of palate and preference to smoke/oak taste.
Pros: Medium plus finish, nice 'warm' feeling
Subject to interpretation: more oak/toast notes that I usually have with Sonoma wines.
91+. Very good, but not my top cab of the years (maybe closing a top 10 list, but in that case I'd may take the '96 St. Jean)
Edited (10-11-15): There was a little leftover (~ one small glass) shared this evening. Still very good, though did not get better than it was on the 10th. Good work.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2015 - Naomi Oreskes wrote: 90 Points
A very fine wine, very smooth, round. Ijust wish I could remember what I paid for it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2015 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 91 Points
And the second half of my Friday night half bottle bachelor blow-out. Like a few previous bottles, I'm really liking this. This bottle has prominent leather aromas and flavors. There's also dark berry, spice, and a complimentary green edge flavor. Maybe I should find another half bottle to open....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2015 - TallDan Likes this wine:
Drank very nicely with grilled steak and asparagus.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2015 - mlawren1 wrote: 88 Points
fruit is fading. But if stone fruit and then leather and earth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2014 - Racer117 wrote: 91 Points
This was very similar to my last bottle on 04/19/14. It filled out well through dinner. It was particularly juicy as well with comparable flavors as before with prominent spices (cinnamon and clove) on the last glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2014 - RCBAROLO wrote: 92 Points
Once again this wine does not disappoint. Dark juice glorious nose layers of aromas and flavors it keeps on going long lasting silky finish. Favorite of ours highest accolades
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2014 - slywka7 wrote: 91 Points
Seymour Wine Club Meeting 11/15/14 (Home of the Slywka's): Tasted blind. Interesting aromas of black currant, cherry, herb and cigar box. Another wine with a very expressive nose. The palate revealed flavors of currant, blackberry, herb and cherry. Ended with a long finish, longer than any of the previous wines. I guessed Sonoma for this one and I was right. This was my wine of the night and finished second in the voting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2014 - jbehrendt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Paired with roasted chicken for lunch with Jim and Judy Voelz. Still plenty of fruit; but nice and complex and Bordeaux-like. Very elegant wine for a decent price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2014 - Matt T Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow. I thought this one would be over-the-hill, but it was firing on all cylinders. From a split. Oak and tannins have integrated well and this is ready to pop and pour.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2014 - djdaqm wrote: 89 Points
This is a well-made wine. It has the color, structure, acidity and other characteristics. Yet, the wine has no personality and it did not improve over time. I would not purchase again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2014 - vino_per_tutti Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark crimson color. Blackberries, cassis dominate the nose; blackberry, leather on the palate. Medium finish. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2014 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I really enjoyed this upon first opening though the mid-palate did fill out nicely during dinner.
Dark brooding color; dark berries could be smelled immediately after the cork was pulled; medium body with many flavors including red and dark berry, cocoa, ripe bell pepper, anise/licorice.
This is very good that tastes like its in its prime drinking window. I am very happy to have more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2014 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opaque indigo color. Floral aroma. Medium bodied, soft and round with notes of red berries, mocha and a hint of clove. Not a very long finish but drinking nicely right now. I tend to hold this tool long and ten years seems about right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2014 - miadelt Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine did not benefit from aging. The wine still had a youthful appearance; but the flavors were very dull. Fine wine but I did not enjoy as much as the bottle from 2 years ago. I don't think it will come around due the abscence of tannins and acid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2014 - capacious Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened two days ago. Have had a glass nightly. Remarkably intact the third day. Have liked this wine since 1995 and it's still very good although I mostly liked it at $26 a copy. Never forgave the Spectator for that wine of the year rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2014 - lkatz Likes this wine: 90 Points
very enjoyable...you can drink it with everything
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2014 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had with sheepshead fish. Wine opened nicely and continued to improve throughout the two hour meal. Notes of dark berries and currant with many layers and depth. A great wine from a good producer. Also a good value for a bordeaux style wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2013 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wow! Drank this following the '05 Cinq Cepages. The '04 was deeper and more robust than the '05. Full bodied with notes of sour cherry, tobacco and chocolate on the palate. Served side y side with '05 Freemark Abbey Bosche. The Cinq Cepages was not as complex or layered as the Freemark but stood up very well to a Thanksgiving dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2013 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Served with steak. Popped and poured. Very nice on the nose with a strong sour cherry nose along with currants, hints of tobacco, and plum. On the palate, really nice with sour cherry, black currant, menthol, and hints of tobacco. Balanced finish, tannins completely resolved. At $35 bones, this is a good value, at winery prices, I think I would pass. Drink over the near term, don't think it gets any better from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2013 - ravbik wrote: 90 Points
Agree with others. Probably overpriced for whats in bottle. Better on second day with flavors integrated. Nothing unique.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2013 - MindMuse wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, especially after some aeration. Raspberry, red plum, cedar box, spice. In a nice place. The somms were favoring it. 89-90
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2013 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com Likes this wine: 89 Points
Last bottle. Breathed about a hour. Still a lot of fruit, other notes as in my past from 2010, 2012. Should have been better, but a fair to good showing for a Calif Cab. Round tannins, long simple finish. Sturdy and needs food with it. Fair complexity in the mouth; likable. Can age a long while yet, but not sure how it will evolve. Nothing wrong with this wine but I think it has not lived up to the expectations or price (40$+).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Slow-O 6 hours, served double-blind. Finished dead last at the 3 hr long tasting. In fairness, it was up against some pretty good competition (in the $50/bottle tier, this was paired against a 2004 Pintia), but still, it never showed more than a solid $25 bottle might have. Moments of enjoyment, and a good pairing with the grilled lamb, but I can think of hundreds of other wines I'd rather be drinking for far less money than this cost. Not a cellar candidate, but not going to fall off any time soon, either; best before 2016, be sure to give this an hour of air before serving.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2013 - roybivens wrote: 86 Points
Very tight when opened. Almost too much on the first day. Has mellowed out the second day, much more approachable. Somewhat muted on the nose with tannins overdone to amount to more than mid 80's. I'm with Spectator on this one. [50 + 5 + 10 + 14 + 7 = 86].
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2013 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Mature with cigar, dust, raspberries, menthol and pepper. Medium finish and complex. Very nice buy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2013 - vino_per_tutti Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a 375ml: Blackberry, cassis, leather and a little herbal on the nose; blackberry and leather on the palate. Delicious! Great value at $20.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2013 - europat55 wrote: 89 Points
Took 30+ minutes to open up. From 375ml.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2013 - KC Lawyer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still getting better, but might be near the end of its improving years - enjoyed with bone-in veal chops. A hint of brown on the edges, but no oxidation noticeable. Full fruit, still complex and subtle - not overpowering. Ready to drink now for sure - 4 more bottles - yum!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2013 - Spl232 wrote: 89 Points
Same as before. Needed some significant air to open up but a very enjoyable, if not spectacular wine. Glad I didn't pay full price for it, but at the reduced rate I bought it at, I'd buy more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured, decent nose with plum, black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, and cedar. On the palate silky with black cherry, plum, hints of tobacco, cedar, and herbs. Balanced with finish with decent grip. Not a life changer but certainly a nice drink with a meal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2013 - Breguet wrote: 92 Points
Big wine that needs some decanting or glass time after opening. Great value and drinking wonderfully now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2013 - Backdoctor wrote: 90 Points
Solid Bordeaux style. Some graphite and pencil shavings noted
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2013 - RDAwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
reliable cinqs, always a great bottle. drinking good now or later, second bottle for linda's 50bd. not a bad wine day in a blizzard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2013 - Matt T wrote: 88 Points
From a split. Seems to have faded significantly in the last year. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2012 - Spl232 wrote: 88 Points
Drank from a split. Lovely start to the New Year's Eve celebration. Nothing spectacular but might continue to benefit with another year or two, which I'm a little surprised by given the small format.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2012 - Boom Baby! wrote:
I have to agree with Saxual, this wine is past it's prime, still you can taste the shadow of what was a terricfic wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/16/2012 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
BLACK CHERRIES AND BLACK BERRIES IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2012 - saxual wrote:
A little past its peak, still okay-- only drank half, unfortunately-- Kari
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2012 - Matt T wrote: 91 Points
Really nice showing from a split. Big blackberry and vanilla with a fairly long finish. Tannins have softened and this has just enough acid. At peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2012 - mhenry wrote: 91 Points
Pulled out the magnum for a party. Didn't care for it at first, thought had a sour taste, and was worried the wine had gone bad. Decanted it and after 2 hours it softed up considerable. Drank throughout the night, and it was a perfect pairing with our steak dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2012 - td1836 wrote: 90 Points
Liquorice, mushrooms and coco powder on the nose. Fine, dusty tannins with nice structure and a definite old world style. The fruit was in the background with the earthy flavors more prominent. Black pepper on the finish with some balanced oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2012 - wdlohr wrote: 91 Points
this a rich wine with a hot blend of aromas which include mushrooms. It is soft and full with a lasting finish with a slight powder. Overall this is balanced and full.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2012 - DTWOB wrote: 92 Points
Outstanding!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2012 - Wolfgang wrote: 92 Points
Black cherries and cocoa powder on the nose. Fine tannins with well integrated oak and an herbal finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2012 - jwalt wrote: 91 Points
Bottle open 2 hrs before decanting at which time I began consuming. Moderate nose and nice finish. Will buy more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
Poured in glass for one hour. Very nice on the nose with red and black fruits, mocha, plum, and a nice herbal tang. On the palate rich flavor of sour cherry, plum, red currant, mocha, with hints of mint and tobacco. Finishes with decent acidity and good structure. Drink anytime over the next 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2012 - Coupe 60 wrote: 92 Points
PnP from a 375ml. Wow, this wine was singing. Deep dark fruits and casis, Wine had a couple of waves of flavor. Dark Chocolate, and a super long finish. I think this wine is in a pretty good spot right now. Long smooth finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2012 - miadelt Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine outperformed. Great balance and great flavors coming through. Did not get much from the nose. Still youthful, open next in 2015.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2012 - pdadams66 wrote: 90 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with only moderate signs of age.
Sweet cassis up front, then plums and smoke, creamy notes mingled with alcohol, a very slight vegetal overtone, very herby on the finish.
Rich and smooth in the mouth, plums and cherries rather than cassis up front, bacon and stewed red fruits, good creamy finish with cassis and herbs.
Drinks well now, a good touch of the Bordeaux in here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2012 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
This may only be an 89 pt wine, but I like it. It is aging nicely and sitll has fruit to go with the round mouthfeel and med long finish. Served with baked ham and taters.
Good balance and good flavors. This is a mature wine, so fruit is subdued, other characteristics are up front. Very tasty. One left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2012 - Matt T wrote: 88 Points
From a split. This has really mellowed. Chocolate and blackberry dominate with a medium length finish. Drink up in the next 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2012 - rmodak wrote: 87 Points
Still young with black cherry, olives and good dose of menthol. Still tannic, and somewhat rustic with slightly thinner mouthfeel than better vintages. I will hold on to my last bottle for 3-5 years, in hopes that it integrates further.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2011 - wineshaman wrote: 89 Points
2nd day, tons of vanilla extract, hints of plum in the nose, tart bitter plum. cassis, raspberries, and vanilla on the palate. Seems evolved and intergrated, drink over the next few years!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2011 - THaas wrote: 92 Points
Elegant and balanced, with cassis and smoky oak spice notes showing in the nose and mouth. Power is there, but not so overpowering as one finds in Napa; this shows how Sonoma's elegance is the counterpoint to Napa's power.
Drinking well now, should show well for another 5 years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2011 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 90 Points
I like this wine very much. Comparable: Moises Alou.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2011 - macawmom&dad wrote: 92 Points
Superb, balanced, minimal tannins and drinking great
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2011 - winegr wrote: 91 Points
I agree this is at its peak and more evolved than expected. This is delicious with nice fruit balanced by some earthiness and fennel. This is not huge on structure and while it should go a few years I wouldn't age this long. I don't see any upside. Soft and nicely balanced, but not extraordinary or super complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2011 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Drank these guys over Sept-Oct 2011. Some were a little off but most were delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2011 - Matt T wrote: 88 Points
Lots of vanilla, raspberry, and oak. Tannins and alcohol in this add a bit of a rough edge. Better with more air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2011 - KC Lawyer wrote: 92 Points
Since last tasting over 2 years ago, this wine has aged beautifully. Depth and complexity good with no harshness or overpowering notes - if anything still a little light; other comments about resembling a Bordeaux are consistent with our experience. Probably at its peak, at least for ours, as there is just a hint of brown on the edges of the dark ruby coloring. Improved slightly over the evening; amazingly we had some left the next night and it was still good. Not real heavy in berry flavors,
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2011 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2011 - VinoServant wrote: 87 Points
I thought this wine was completely closed down. I had a bottle of this back in late 09 or early 2010 and I thought it was coming together, but in my opinion it was muted. I even decanted the wine for an hour. I have four bottles left and I will probably put them away for a few more years. The wine looked great in the glass, but its bouquet was unimpressive. My wife who really likes CA C/S thought it tasted like a wine from Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2011 - treidling wrote: 89 Points
Cassis on the nose, medium tannins, finish a touch short with the fruit falling away before the tannins. Fruit opened after 20-30 minutes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2011 - HBvino wrote: 89 Points
Another nice example of CC consistency. Suggestions of cherry and blackberry. The finish is finesse.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2011 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Consistent with previous. 1/2 bottles are great. Had a 1/2 of billecart followed by this Cinq cepages. Perfect.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2011 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Consistent - I've had around 4 of these since last week. So small and sweet, just a great bottle to watch a couple of sitcoms with before night-night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2011 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
This wine is in a very good window. I'm glad I bought a case of these 375s. Dark, cocoa powder, black cherry, subtle notes of earth. Not terribly complex but not lacking either. Tannins in the background and supportive with a lingering, plesant finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 91 Points
Taste from Johnny's 375 ml at S&W. Great way for him to start the meal leading up to the Hourglass Cab Franc.
Thick weighty fruit on the front end followed with big spice driven baked goods. A little hot on the back end but nice and well endowed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2011 - JS199 wrote: 90 Points
Very smooth and somewhat polished, but not much else going on. Haven't had a great Cinq Cepages since the '96 & '97.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2011 - dmitchell4 wrote: 91 Points
More like Bordeaux then California .
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2011 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
Friends and I had this with a pork roast dinner on 5/30/11. It had a very balanced and appealing bouquet of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, cedar, tobacco, spice and sage aromas. The palate was smooth, soft and round with flavors that followed the nose. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2011 - Matt T wrote: 89 Points
This took a little while to open up. Dark berry fruit with some spice and an interesting, somewhat tarry finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2011 - drsprosty wrote:
Awesome 2001.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2011 - jeffal66 wrote: 89 Points
Yeah, similar to my first bottle...the fruit has largely retreated. Still good wine but you can tell it just hints at where it was a couple years back. Tannins standing their ground.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2011 - Brewcreu wrote: 85 Points
Very tannic upon opening. After several hours the tannins had softened, but the wine that was revealed at that point was somewhat non-descript. It wasn't a bad wine, but it just wasn't memorable. My last bottle, and I can't say that I am sad to see it go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2011 - Matt T wrote: 92 Points
Really nicely integrated with notes of cherries and milk chocolate and a long finish. The oak was far less apparent in this bottle than the last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2011 - Ecumming wrote: 90 Points
Very bold and toasty. Smooth. High-five!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2011 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club: Napa Cabernet: Another reason I love 04 which is my favorite Cab/Blend vintage. Cigar, dust, cherry, oak and vanilla on the nose and palate. Tannins are soft and the wine is showing off a lot of flavor on the finish. This wine is really drinking well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2011 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club Does Cali Cabs (Gail's House): Purle red color. Nose is lovely with wet forest floor, black cherry, black currant, leather, cedar, and developing a nice tobbaco leaf note later. The palate is consistent with the nose and shows concentrated fruit, nice round tannin structure and a long finish. Very well made and balanced fruit and secondary characteristics. This can go some. 92+pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2011 - joshwoodward wrote: 93 Points
Corks: Bordeaux (Rossford, OH): New world nose, but restrained. Very smooth, round and creamy. Delicious. Medium tannins, medium+ acid, slightly on the sour side. $60
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2010 - matthyson wrote: 92 Points
Explosive nose of sweet cherries and red licorice. Unfolds in the glass to reveal secondary aromas of smoke and warm saddle leather. Red fruit and vanilla on the palate with hints of cedar and licorice. Gripping tannins leading to a 40+ second finish. A solid effort drinking near its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2010 - Matt T wrote: 89 Points
Very nice wine. Lots of weight here. From a 375, popped and poured. Classic cabernet flavors--a bit of bell pepper and oak. Medium length finish. Definitely a food wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2010 - emdub wrote: 88 Points
Least favorite out of a vertical tasting. Nice front palate, but fades on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2010 - jfox724 wrote: 92 Points
we really enjoy this wine. We are down to our last 2 bottles. The wine is Inky colored and medium bodied. It smells like Plum, and Strawberry.
The wine is silky smooth and has a medium finish. This wine is very drinkable now and we'll probably finish our supply in the next 12 months.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2010 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
8 months on and it seems the same but with a hint more tannin in the mouth. Needs to breathe a bit more.
I'll hold my others another 2-3 years to see how it develops. I don't think it is shot yet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2010 - jeffal66 wrote: 88 Points
Hmmph. Some fruit has seeped out. A little flat, past glow, not its former glorious self. Drink up, folks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2010 - robertdtwo wrote: 89 Points
Not their best, but better than many... understated fruit with oak and a bit of anise. Sub-90 rating may be due to pop & pour on my part. This is one of my favorite Sonoma cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2010 - wineshaman wrote: 89 Points
Decanted 30min, a little musty nose, that blew off after some swirling in the glass, cassis, currants, a little chocolate, somewhat understated, but smooth and enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2010 - BodegaDan wrote: 88 Points
Drank with Meurig after his sonoma trip. Good not great
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2010 - Dmeunier wrote: 91 Points
A real stand out. Multiple layers, nice smooth finish, just the right amount of fruit up front.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2010 - daver852 wrote: 93 Points
Good stuff! This is the kind of wine that makes you sit up and take notice. A lot of licorice on the nose; very dark, and it delivers on the palate. Lots of oak, lots of fruit. Tons of fruit, offset by oak and soft tannins. Just a pleasure to drink. This will not disappoint. Can't think of anything better in this price range.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2010 - asaselzer Likes this wine: 91 Points
firm integrated tannins complement the ample fruit and oak in this well drinking wine. cinq cepages vertical
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2010 - Hollowleg wrote:
Detected chocolate on the back end this time around. Ironically it tightens with air. I found the first glass to be more inspired than the last. This has a long life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2010 - Philly NQ King wrote: 92 Points
Anniversary wine for us tonight. Decanted for 2 hours and enjoyed on it's own - outstanding tonight...it reminded me of a young right-bank bordeaux. This as years of life remaining - too bad this was my last bottle and I won't be able to enjoy the evolution...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2010 - krmcgrath wrote: 90 Points
A very nice wine that shows dark fruits, cedar and licorice in a balanced, medium to full bodied profile. Not overly complex or lush, but well made and elegant. It really compliments a meal nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2010 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Deep red. Cassis with hints of blueberry in the nose, but with overlying vanilla from teh American oak. A bit too much oak.
Good acids and tannin in the mouth; good grip. Medium full body with enough fruit to make it interesting, but it is not a fruit bomb by any standard. Tannins are fairly round in the mouth, but not silky. Very good balance. No heat. Long finish with some fruit and some nice tannic feel, but mostly just a nice sense of a well balanced, proper blend of reds.
This wine is a sentimental favorite of mine so I may have scored it a point high, but I think it is a very good wine, a fair value and worth holding for another couple of years.
Served with beef stew, which was a good accompaniment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2010 - sasvino wrote: 92 Points
Balanced medium bodied cabernet blend, solid fruit on the front, crisp and soft tannins, finish has good legs, not overly complex but easy drinking fruit forward style, red berry fruit in the front with hints of boysenberry, the midpalate was vanillla dominate with mocha undertones, I sense some cedar and licorice near the end. My sense is that it is close to peaking now. Low 90s. -S
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2010 - VinoJestes wrote:
Ok. Big red, better than we remember.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2009 - oostexan wrote: 88 Points
This is a wine that does a lot of things good, but does not do anything particularly great. Medium bodied, nice medium ruby color, dark cherry aromatics followed my a dark fruit profile of cherry, current, with a balanced oak profile. All of it is in its place, good balance and not over the top. Not particularly complex, decent in the mouth, medium finish. Tight at first, required an hour of air. Good daily drinker if you get it at a price that makes sense. Great with a seasoned flank steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2009 - Tom_B wrote: 91 Points
This wine ruby in color, medium to dark intensity. Very pretty nose once it loosened up, with notes of blackberries and currant. Medium bodied, drying tannins and bright black fruit flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2009 - johnnyo wrote: 91 Points
Nice big California cab, well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2009 - kaahnman wrote: 92 Points
Nice dark notes to this wine, not big and bright but round and supple, good tannins and long flavor, very tasty, elegant even. Decanted and poured back into the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2009 - winebot wrote: 92 Points
Tightly wound at first, used Vinturi to aerate and mellowed quite nicely. Great complement with medium rare steak and sauteed onions. A split poured two perfect bordeaux style glasses. Dark fruit (currant, black cherry) mild cedar, some mild pepper, well rounded. Ready to drink, wonder how it will age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2009 - DTWOB wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Quite nice, but a little tight - should have aerated or decanted. Consumed at Braedon and Evan's birthday party - Evan's first.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2009 - Docdav wrote: 93 Points
currants, black cherry, pepper, mid body clear dark red
Acquire again
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2009 - wynnewood500 wrote: 91 Points
Terrific wine enjoyed at dinner by everyone. Full bodied and opaque. Fruity driven. Tannins were well integrated. Ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2009 - KC Lawyer wrote: 90 Points
Duck with raspberry sauce, dinner for 8: decanted for 2 hours, all thought it stood up to the duck fine; still a little tight; mild fruit. Good wine with full flavor; wonder if it will mellow with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2009 - cbuhlman wrote: 92 Points
dark purple. ripe cherry and blackberries, with light spice box and dominant cedar, (which thankfully, eventually blew off into the background.) This wine had great structure sweet tannins , and a fine persistent finish. My only complaint was the wood treatment was a little too much, but this was the antithesis of everything I dislike in nearly all CA wines.
This wine could easily be mistaken for a classified Pauillac. 92++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2008 - hudamang wrote:
Decent...but not worth over $35
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2008 - calplot wrote: 90 Points
THIS WINE WON OUR WINE TASTING HANDS DOWN. WELL BALANCED, NEEDED 2 HOURS OF DECANTING.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2008 - dougwine wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruits and still very tightly wound. Dusty, more so than I have ever experienced with this wine. I liked it. Popped and poured, so it showed very angular and seemingly one dimensional. Good none the less. Have had previously and will score based off of that tasting when it was given proper time to release its true flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2008 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 93 Points
Very solid wine. The dark fruit, Dust, and Toasty oak jump right out of the glass, followed by subtle aromas of tobacco leaf. Full bodied and lively tannins that firm up on finish leaving a lasting impression of fruit . (Best from 2010-2013) - JD93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2008 - Hollowleg wrote: 90 Points
Tight out of the bottle. Needs at least 60 minutes in the decanter.
Vanilla, raspberry on the nose, but evolves to the dark side after some time in the glass.
This could be a 91 or 92 with some patience.
She wasn't "winemaker of the year" for nothing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2008 - idrinkvino wrote: 90 Points
Well made with enough stuffing to compliment a chicken fried steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2008 - hudamang wrote: 90 Points
Consumed this with Korean BBQ tonight. Didn't take any notes but I thought it was a very well made wine. Great bargain at $29 but I would be disappointed if I paid over $50 for this as retail suggests. Glad to have 5 more!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2008 - the godfather wrote: 83 Points
thank god the restaurant had this for half price, for what used to a big time california wine, I don't know happened here. No finish, overoaked, tasted like bluebeery juice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2008 - kstoddard wrote: 88 Points
Last Tasting of Summer (Fine's Cellar, Scottsdale): Blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry and earth. Noticeable oak and tannin. Decent finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2008 - Bobo N wrote: 92 Points
Cigar smoke, blackberry, cedar and perhaps dark cherry on the nose w/ full bodied palate. I've always liked this wine and am surprised, but happy to find the price coming down.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2008 - KC Lawyer wrote: 91 Points
Four of us shared this after 1 hour decanting with tenderloin, Yukon Gold tiny potatoes and caramelized Brussels sprouts; stood up very well to the beef, without being harsh or overpowering; still can benefit from at least a couple more years; tannins not at all noticeable; lots of subtle fruit - blackberry, a hint of cassis. The proof will be in the aging - it could remain light and amusing, or might deepen to be really interesting. We have 4 bottles left - we'll try one each year through 2012 and hope for increasing improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2008 - jjclips2 wrote: 90 Points
Quite a bit more approachable than the past vintages. Still has a rich, full bodied core of bold black fruits, cassis, cedar, and smoke. The tannins are there, not obtrusive, with nice acidity to boot. I think better balanced overall than in the past.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/22/2008 - cpandmg wrote: 92 Points
Ruddy below says it is probably perfect with a steak. It is. Very dark color. Not too spicy. Full flavor with a fabulous finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2008 - winejnky wrote: 88 Points
Nose: Oak, spice, green, herbal
Taste: Brambly, still evolving red & black fruits
Structure: Light tannins
Balanc: Not quite knit together yet
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2008 - ruddy wrote: 88 Points
Big cassis/blackberry, but pretty well balanced. Easy to drink, but not a ton of complexity. Probably perfect with a steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2008 - bruce61 wrote: 93 Points
Had a five year vertical -- 2004 was one of the best. Big, but not too harsh on the palate. Wonderful for a big production wine. Still have another 01, 02 and 03.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2008 - bigdomer wrote: 89 Points
Very acidic. Improved once out of the bottle for 90 minutes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2008 - salil wrote: 90 Points
Dark red colour. Nice old-world nose of spicy red fruits, tobacco and herbs with some green pepper. Palate is medium bodied with more red fruits, tobacco and herbs, good acidity and firm tannins leading to a medium length, slightly long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2008 - DRoberts wrote: 89 Points
Extremely tasty - definitely one to have in your inventory.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2008 - soyhead wrote: 90 Points
nose- cigar, dark berry. Still tannic. Good midpalate and long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2007 - Jack wrote:
Taste of the Vine 10/21 (Kierland): Tart and acidic. Needs time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment