Decanted this one for 90 minutes. Tasted it along the way and it improved each time. Solid fruit forward wine with earthy finish. Acidity and tannins both well balanced. No real oak notes on this and a good expression of a cab. Not a lot of zip on the front of the wine and definitely showing some age.
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Right out of the bottle, the savory notes dominate, especially if you are expecting Cali cab— tobacco, leather, tar, charcoal, with some sweet fruit on the back end. Definitely some green bell pepper notes (which I like). Still showing a youthful color.
I think there is nice fruit that will come out with a bit of air time. Negative is a bitter note on the finish which I hope fades with time.
Update: Vac Sealed and consumed over two more days. The savory notes mellowed quite a bit and were more in balance with soft fruit. I didn't pick up much of the astringent/bitter tone on the finish. I suggest at least an hour or in a decanter.
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Far better on day 2 (it sat vacuum sealed at cellar temp overnight with one glass removed). Very slight green bell pepper notes, with mint and tobacco which I find in balance with the the fruit. Long finish. Certainly displaying an aged cab profile which I enjoy but may not be for all.
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I enjoyed this for the red fruit in balance with significant secondary characteristics, acid and soft tannins. The wine continued to drink well for 3 days. I think it has the ability to continue developing and delivering pleasure. However, for my wife who prefers more fruit and power this was probably a bit beyond its peak.
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Aromas of floral berry fruit permeated the room as soon as the cork was extracted from the bottle. Dark ruby colored, medium to full bodied, black fruits were accented by subtle tones of earth, creosote and graphite with hints of pepper and spice. At various points, a whisper of mocha emerged over the course of the evening. The finish was smooth and elegant with soft silky tannins.
The emergence of the non-fruit layer might suggest the fruit is starting to give way as this seventeen year old vintage bottle starts to enter the later stage of life and end of its prime drinking window.
Nice example of a good CA Cabernet. Still fairly tannic, so maybe I needed to give it more than 30 minutes after decanting. Nice dusty notes and a good amount of fruit for a 17 year old wine.
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Tasted side by side with a 1999 Hartwell, and while the wines were very different, both were excellent in their own way. Expressive nose, showing some cab franc in the blend and a bit of volatility. Bone dry, balanced acidity, tannins not fully resolved. Very Bordeaux-like in taste and structure, the wine seemed quite young still and, properly stored, should continue to age well for several years.
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Nose of burnt cherry and sandalwood. Needed three hours of decanting to hit it's stride. Slightly vegetal after the first two hours Hbut blossomed in the third hour. Dark fruit with hints of chocolate on the finish. Long glycerin finish that coats your mouth.
I visited this winery on my honeymoon and met the owners. They were a cute and gracious couple.
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If I hadn't waited a second night, it might have only been a 92. Opens up nicely and first night was an interesting mix of fruit and pepper and maybe a hint of the vegetal characteristics referenced in other notes, but in such a way that it wasn't a negative, more a refined old world sort of taste. After pumping and then opening up last 1/3 of bottle on night two, after sitting out another hour +, it is just fabulous. Softer and with all the interesting flavors and then some. Still drinking just fine; I think this is fully mature but could go on a while yet
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lovely, still drinking well - exceptionally smooth, tannins have resolved - wonderful complex nose, just a hint of secondary flavors - two more left ...
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Needed some time in the decanter..About 60 minutes was perfect. Deep red fruit. Great balance and layers of complexity still well evident. Stilll remember meeting th eowners at the SoBe Food and Wine festival when they were dressed like Thurston Howell and Lovey..
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I have waited a LOOOONG time for this baby to get drinkable. It has probably been 4 or 5 years since I had tried one. All earlier tastings were dreadful - green pepper, herbal, tannic. But, wow, was I surprised now. Balanced, tannins have resolved (lots of sediment!) and fruit finally is visible. Soft, mature cabernet. Not sure how long it will stay this way. I have one left and will be drinking it soon.
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Inky purple in the glass. Full of dark fruit, pencil lead and coffee. Opened after 2 hour to reveal notes of pepper and spice. Very unexpected and absolutely outstanding.
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Shades of herbal and green on Day 1, this one didn't show it's stuff until Day 2. Made in an elegant style, good balance of fruit and structure. Medium bodied with long finish. One of 3 btls in the PHX Cab tasting @ Stafford's.
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WIML90,PURPLE89,WA87?,WS92 Tasted February 10, 2006 at an offline at Lola's in Dallas, TX. Opened and served immediately in Riedel restaurant stemware after decanting through an aerating funnel. Beautiful dark color, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, dried herbs, Rutherford dust and potpourri. Simplistic flavors of red cherries with some spiciness over an earthy frame. Least favorite of the evening. I'd pass myself.
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3/12/2022 - khoney Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted this one for 90 minutes. Tasted it along the way and it improved each time. Solid fruit forward wine with earthy finish. Acidity and tannins both well balanced. No real oak notes on this and a good expression of a cab. Not a lot of zip on the front of the wine and definitely showing some age.
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7/24/2018 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Right out of the bottle, the savory notes dominate, especially if you are expecting Cali cab— tobacco, leather, tar, charcoal, with some sweet fruit on the back end. Definitely some green bell pepper notes (which I like). Still showing a youthful color.
I think there is nice fruit that will come out with a bit of air time. Negative is a bitter note on the finish which I hope fades with time.
Update: Vac Sealed and consumed over two more days. The savory notes mellowed quite a bit and were more in balance with soft fruit. I didn't pick up much of the astringent/bitter tone on the finish. I suggest at least an hour or in a decanter.
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12/30/2017 - n2wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Flavors of leather and smoke. Very soft tannins.
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10/3/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 93 Points
Balance of fruit with earth, tobacco, herb and a bit of green pepper. A little savory. Really enjoyed this.
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9/13/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Far better on day 2 (it sat vacuum sealed at cellar temp overnight with one glass removed). Very slight green bell pepper notes, with mint and tobacco which I find in balance with the the fruit. Long finish. Certainly displaying an aged cab profile which I enjoy but may not be for all.
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9/11/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 92 Points
I enjoyed this for the red fruit in balance with significant secondary characteristics, acid and soft tannins. The wine continued to drink well for 3 days. I think it has the ability to continue developing and delivering pleasure. However, for my wife who prefers more fruit and power this was probably a bit beyond its peak.
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9/1/2017 - IndyTom wrote: 86 Points
Not worth the price. It was my only bottle, so hopefully this was an off bottle.
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3/12/2017 - lesz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great bottle
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11/11/2016 - 1961Vintage wrote: 93 Points
Simply beautiful. Tannins have softened leaving wonderful red fruit with nice balance and appropriate acidity.
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9/29/2016 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aromas of floral berry fruit permeated the room as soon as the cork was extracted from the bottle. Dark ruby colored, medium to full bodied, black fruits were accented by subtle tones of earth, creosote and graphite with hints of pepper and spice. At various points, a whisper of mocha emerged over the course of the evening. The finish was smooth and elegant with soft silky tannins.
The emergence of the non-fruit layer might suggest the fruit is starting to give way as this seventeen year old vintage bottle starts to enter the later stage of life and end of its prime drinking window.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/10/constant-diamond-mountain-cabernet-1999.html
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9/16/2016 - IndyTom Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice example of a good CA Cabernet. Still fairly tannic, so maybe I needed to give it more than 30 minutes after decanting. Nice dusty notes and a good amount of fruit for a 17 year old wine.
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3/5/2016 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic bottle with more room to grow.
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11/1/2014 - Guy Des Rosiers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted side by side with a 1999 Hartwell, and while the wines were very different, both were excellent in their own way. Expressive nose, showing some cab franc in the blend and a bit of volatility. Bone dry, balanced acidity, tannins not fully resolved. Very Bordeaux-like in taste and structure, the wine seemed quite young still and, properly stored, should continue to age well for several years.
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4/11/2014 - lewisrise wrote: 93 Points
Nose of burnt cherry and sandalwood. Needed three hours of decanting to hit it's stride. Slightly vegetal after the first two hours Hbut blossomed in the third hour. Dark fruit with hints of chocolate on the finish. Long glycerin finish that coats your mouth.
I visited this winery on my honeymoon and met the owners. They were a cute and gracious couple.
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2/9/2014 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still holding up well. Indigo in color. Full bodied with dark sour cherry, chocolate and toasted oak. We'll balanced with a long finish.
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1/16/2014 - ddingley Likes this wine: 94 Points
If I hadn't waited a second night, it might have only been a 92. Opens up nicely and first night was an interesting mix of fruit and pepper and maybe a hint of the vegetal characteristics referenced in other notes, but in such a way that it wasn't a negative, more a refined old world sort of taste. After pumping and then opening up last 1/3 of bottle on night two, after sitting out another hour +, it is just fabulous. Softer and with all the interesting flavors and then some. Still drinking just fine; I think this is fully mature but could go on a while yet
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5/8/2013 - AngryPrez Likes this wine: 91 Points
lovely, still drinking well - exceptionally smooth, tannins have resolved - wonderful complex nose, just a hint of secondary flavors - two more left ...
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2/9/2013 - 1961Vintage wrote: 92 Points
Needed some time in the decanter..About 60 minutes was perfect. Deep red fruit. Great balance and layers of complexity still well evident. Stilll remember meeting th eowners at the SoBe Food and Wine festival when they were dressed like Thurston Howell and Lovey..
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2/2/2013 - lewisrise wrote: 84 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Very disappointed. Vegetal streak throughout.
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11/7/2012 - davidcbaker wrote: 92 Points
I have waited a LOOOONG time for this baby to get drinkable. It has probably been 4 or 5 years since I had tried one. All earlier tastings were dreadful - green pepper, herbal, tannic. But, wow, was I surprised now. Balanced, tannins have resolved (lots of sediment!) and fruit finally is visible. Soft, mature cabernet. Not sure how long it will stay this way. I have one left and will be drinking it soon.
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10/28/2012 - wconnolly wrote: 93 Points
Inky purple in the glass. Full of dark fruit, pencil lead and coffee. Opened after 2 hour to reveal notes of pepper and spice. Very unexpected and absolutely outstanding.
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2/29/2012 - sakemakibug wrote: 90 Points
nice
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12/7/2010 - sakemakibug wrote: 93 Points
menthol nose, pencil lead too, nice finish, great w ribeye
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1/9/2010 - thirstyman wrote:
slight green streak/herbiness. Not a bad cab, but not worth the money considering the green streak.
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1/16/2007 - vanpe003 wrote: 93 Points
Shades of herbal and green on Day 1, this one didn't show it's stuff until Day 2. Made in an elegant style, good balance of fruit and structure. Medium bodied with long finish. One of 3 btls in the PHX Cab tasting @ Stafford's.
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11/9/2006 - wcooper wrote: 91 Points
decanted for 1 1/2 hours. I liked this wine, but it needs more time. I will not try again until 2008.
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2/10/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90,PURPLE89,WA87?,WS92
Tasted February 10, 2006 at an offline at Lola's in Dallas, TX. Opened and served immediately in Riedel restaurant stemware after decanting through an aerating funnel. Beautiful dark color, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, dried herbs, Rutherford dust and potpourri. Simplistic flavors of red cherries with some spiciness over an earthy frame. Least favorite of the evening. I'd pass myself.
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2/1/2006 - traveler wrote:
Overpriced & not much to write about.
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