Not bad for an engineered supermarket wine, though slightly overpriced for what you get.
Blackberry, anise, lavender, herbs, toasted oak and vanilla from nose to maw here, with a flickering of red fruit preserves, chocolate and fig on the palate to keep things lively. Balanced and showing all the typical qualities of a generic Cali cab. The full-leaning body, medium tannins, bold vibes and polite finish all play to a velvety and plush mouthfeel with good posture. Sure, it might taste notably manipulated, but the quality is pretty solid as long as you forget about the better QPR options from the region.
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Over manipulation here, I think a lot of the 2020s are going to be like this one. Over vanilla toasted oak…no tannis, and $15 over priced @$30. Sad, this is usually a go to drinker and terrific. Beware of the 2020s, lots of smoke in the area so they are most likely sourced grapes from who knows where and quality. Not a rebuy
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Mid to dark colour. Generic Cali Cab profile, trending more towards Josh or J’Lohr more than better Cali cabs. While it improved with time - it never lost that fake oak/vanilla profile you get from engineered wines.
Had with the Louis Martini Napa, which was significantly better.
Day 1: This is a simple Cabernet Sauvignon made from the worst Napa Vintage in 20 years. Sweet fruits almost sugar like, chocolate and some spice. This tastes like a Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells from an off vintage. Glad I only paid $15 for it. 84 points Day 2: Still that sweeter style Napa. Blackberries, smoke, spices, ripe cherry and milk chocolate. While this is drinkable it should not cost $30 plus. 85 points Day 3: Similar experience. While not getting a lot of smoke taint it could be hiding behind the sweetness of the wine. This would be a good value at $15.00 a bottle. 85 points Recommendation: Don't pay more than $15 or just buy a Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells. Day 4: Sometimes you just need a day 4 to get a wine to show potential. This is better and more balanced. Lost that sweet fruit feel. Earth, blueberries, minerals, spice, baking chocolates and floral notes. Medium finish and very satisfying. Love to see a wine improve like this. 90 points
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Bu en succ. Surpris par l'équilibre de ce vin en jeunesse, fort approchable! Un peu de poivron mais surtout un beau fruit. Cerises et mures avec un peu d'épices et les tannins bien enrobés. Finale bien longue sur des relents de chocolat. J.aime bien, fort prometteur!
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4/29/2024 - Metalhorns wrote: 87 Points
Not bad for an engineered supermarket wine, though slightly overpriced for what you get.
Blackberry, anise, lavender, herbs, toasted oak and vanilla from nose to maw here, with a flickering of red fruit preserves, chocolate and fig on the palate to keep things lively. Balanced and showing all the typical qualities of a generic Cali cab. The full-leaning body, medium tannins, bold vibes and polite finish all play to a velvety and plush mouthfeel with good posture. Sure, it might taste notably manipulated, but the quality is pretty solid as long as you forget about the better QPR options from the region.
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4/23/2024 - Ddm12 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great wine for the money
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4/7/2024 - Jayarr wrote: 90 Points
Slightly bitter but has promise. Ill check back is 6 months or so. Seems a bit disjointed at this stage.
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3/29/2024 - Gkautry Likes this wine: 90 Points
Getting the same black fruits and vanilla as others. Not picking up much oak. Drinking well, should improve with time.
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3/23/2024 - moorewine3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good with a beef filet and grilled potatoes.
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2/15/2024 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 91 Points
aromatic, blackberry, cassis, vanilla, nice mouth feel, long finish, great QPR
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12/29/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Ripe dark black fruit to the nose. And on the palate as well.
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12/28/2023 - TheSagePalate Likes this wine: 89 Points
Another consistent bottle of this, big black fruits, oak, vanilla. A great commuter and a great value.
Not on par with the Knights Valley Reserve which is much more smooth and balanced, but these are great at half the price of KVR.
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11/17/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 86 Points
This is not bad but not great. Bad vintage with muted fruits, spice, earth and some floral notes.
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11/13/2023 - pmcdonald Likes this wine: 90 Points
Easy drinking
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11/11/2023 - Marysuedrinksvino Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice bottle of wine- beautiful deep color, jammy bouquets, smooth mouthfeel and easy to drink
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10/12/2023 - Craigvb wrote: 90 Points
Got some for $20/bottle. Great QPR. Smooth finish.
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6/17/2023 - wino121 wrote: 86 Points
Over manipulation here, I think a lot of the 2020s are going to be like this one.
Over vanilla toasted oak…no tannis, and $15 over priced @$30.
Sad, this is usually a go to drinker and terrific.
Beware of the 2020s, lots of smoke in the area so they are most likely sourced grapes from who knows where and quality.
Not a rebuy
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5/18/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 86 Points
For sure fruit forward effort and not as good as the last bottle. Plum, ripe cherries, mild spice and rose petals. Short to medium finish.
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4/23/2023 - Vino Loco wrote: 88 Points
Mid to dark colour. Generic Cali Cab profile, trending more towards Josh or J’Lohr more than better Cali cabs. While it improved with time - it never lost that fake oak/vanilla profile you get from engineered wines.
Had with the Louis Martini Napa, which was significantly better.
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4/19/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Day 1: This is a simple Cabernet Sauvignon made from the worst Napa Vintage in 20 years. Sweet fruits almost sugar like, chocolate and some spice. This tastes like a Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells from an off vintage. Glad I only paid $15 for it. 84 points
Day 2: Still that sweeter style Napa. Blackberries, smoke, spices, ripe cherry and milk chocolate. While this is drinkable it should not cost $30 plus. 85 points
Day 3: Similar experience. While not getting a lot of smoke taint it could be hiding behind the sweetness of the wine. This would be a good value at $15.00 a bottle. 85 points
Recommendation: Don't pay more than $15 or just buy a Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells.
Day 4: Sometimes you just need a day 4 to get a wine to show potential. This is better and more balanced. Lost that sweet fruit feel. Earth, blueberries, minerals, spice, baking chocolates and floral notes. Medium finish and very satisfying. Love to see a wine improve like this. 90 points
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4/1/2023 - maxima wrote: 90 Points
Bu en succ.
Surpris par l'équilibre de ce vin
en jeunesse, fort approchable!
Un peu de poivron mais surtout
un beau fruit. Cerises et mures avec
un peu d'épices et les tannins
bien enrobés. Finale bien longue sur
des relents de chocolat.
J.aime bien, fort prometteur!
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12/28/2022 - CBC52 wrote:
Not tasted
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