Currant, blackberry, and some leather in the nose with a little spice. These continue in the flavor with a vibrant finish. Not showing much of its age, a lovely wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last of my magnums. The nose on this wine is to die for. Similar notes to my last bottle, but maybe a little less fruit. Ultra smooth and a velvety texture. I would agree with other users that this need to be drank now and enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a very good Meritage which is finally hitting its stride. JL on WS gave it only a 83 in 2008 and said that it should be drunk then through 2012. Well. I'm here to tell you that this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is drinking great now and has quite a few years left to go. Stylish, and supple.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pleasantly surprised how good this was. Decanted two hours served with strip steak and brussell sprouts. Deep purple in color, no bricking as described by others. On the nose dark berries and a hint of tobacco. On the palate this wine shined! Dark berry fruit along with dark chocolate. Almost creamy in nature. No tannins and no oak. It has aged perfectly. At the time it seemed pricey but considering what 90+ point Bordeaux blends and Cali Cabs go for now it was not unreasonable. Drink now!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, opaque ruby. Elegantly rich, dry, and structured, still showing signs of adolescence. Reticent, woody bouquet of cherries, red currants, blackberries, pencil, carob, and dark chocolate. Displayed ample weight, texture, and flavors, with a back note of red pepper flakes and a classy, spice box finish. It opened up nicely and kept developing layers of depth and complexity throughout the night. My last glass was ruined by a giant moth splashing inside my glass, leaving a nasty, powdery residue floating in the wine. Wanker.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a magnum. Popped the cork around 7:00AM and decanted around 6:30PM. Wonderful aroma of rich chocolate cherries with still a hint of youth. In the glass it was wonderful and spot on to ESB's notes. I am glad I still have one more magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Magnum. This was excellent. It had powerful, mature, secondary fruit of mostly tobacco. It was very pure ripe Cabernet even though it's a five grape bdx blend. I was surprised how ready it was considering its age, and the large format bottle, but Alexander Valley Cabernet seems to mature relatively quickly and it was almost 8 years old. It improved slightly with air, had no/very light tannin, a ripe, generous, plush feel and a classy overall impression. Now as a pop and pour. Perfect next day.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Deep garnet-red color with browning at the rim. Lovely, classic, new world nose of ripe plums, spice, and dusty earth. Ripe and full on the palate with ample fruit and decent acidity. Very nice but not profound. Served from magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From magnum. Nice fruit, earth and chocolaty finish. Fully integrated, no decant needed. Being from magnum, this tells me the wine is probably at peak, and won't be improving any. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was outstanding. We paired it with marinated grilled lamb sirloin chops and roasted vegetables - a recipe we'd seen to pair with this wine. We'd bought the 3 L bottle at a silent auction and decanted it about 30 minutes before dinner and to screen any sediment (quite a bit). We probably could have decanted longer, but it also lasted for quite a while. It continued to improve in complexity over the evening. Good fruit, very smooth. I suspect that the 750's are definitely ready to drink. This would have held for a few more years but it was my birthday and I'm happy we opened it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From magnum, popped and poured. Lots of oak on this one, but great fruit! Very smooth and fruit-forward to begin with, becoming more tannic on the finish as the night wore on. Blackberry, blueberry and vanilla oak flavors. Quite tasty, and very well-integrated. Even with the tannins showing strongly after 3+ hours of air, this was a nice wine! Will hold my last magnum for another couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
No decant; 30 minutes in oversized bdx glass prior to dinner. Once again, super-heavy sedimentation in neck of bottle/against cork, but lovely nose of vanilla, tobacco and red fruit. A bit tight at present. I'm drinking these up soon...bottle shoulder is too high to interleave on Eurocave shelf and these take up way too much space for a 90-pointer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop & pour at restaurant, no decant. Heavy sediment against cork & in neck of bottle makes decant a must... heat not quite so pronounced in this bottle; seemed more balanced than last try.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this while, tearing down after a trade show yesterday. Nose of casis, sweet oak/vanilla, dark chocolate and tobacco, very nice. The guy in the booth next to me popped this and poured...and was kind enough to give me a glass. Very tightly wound, , but this is flat out delicious. A classic blend, w/cab running the show at 72% I believe, if memory serves me right. Full bodied, rich and hedonistic, should age well for many years. Hope to pick some up, and decant for several hours next time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
HEAVY sedimentation; decant is a must for this inky-dark blend! Brief red fruit on decant then nose closed down. Minor heat flaw will undoubtedly fade over time; but a classic California cab in most respects, if a bit oak-heavy for my taste right now. I'll hold a bit longer before popping another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Open in the bottle for two hours. Color was dark royal purple / black - opaque at the center. Nose showed classic California creme de cassis, blackberries, vanilla, oak, camphor and cigar box. Palate showed some heat and could have displayed better balance, but the dark fruit coupled with a nice mouth feel garnered some merit. Quite nice from this large producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very pleased with this well balanced blend. David Ramey has had an immediate impact consulting on this wine. The 2005 was better than the past several vintages. Velvety smooth with good fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Four Young Cali Cab Flights, Various Price Points (Snooth, NYC): Alcohol again! After time it blows off, but don't put your nose directly over the glass right away. The sweetness comes through eventually, but not much. Smooth, long finish. Dry tannins. My #3 of the flight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/12/2016 - WinoTim wrote: 88 Points
Think this is beyond its peak. Depth has significantly lessened. But still very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2016 - leachriscellar wrote: 93 Points
Currant, blackberry, and some leather in the nose with a little spice. These continue in the flavor with a vibrant finish. Not showing much of its age, a lovely wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2015 - SC OLY Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine is aging well. Much smoother than my last bottle. A really nice big flavor. Had with a steak and it really complimented the meat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2015 - VinoHunter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last of my magnums. The nose on this wine is to die for. Similar notes to my last bottle, but maybe a little less fruit. Ultra smooth and a velvety texture. I would agree with other users that this need to be drank now and enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2015 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is a very good Meritage which is finally hitting its stride. JL on WS gave it only a 83 in 2008 and said that it should be drunk then through 2012. Well. I'm here to tell you that this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is drinking great now and has quite a few years left to go. Stylish, and supple.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2015 - fritza wrote: 92 Points
Pleasantly surprised how good this was. Decanted two hours served with strip steak and brussell sprouts. Deep purple in color, no bricking as described by others. On the nose dark berries and a hint of tobacco. On the palate this wine shined! Dark berry fruit along with dark chocolate. Almost creamy in nature. No tannins and no oak. It has aged perfectly. At the time it seemed pricey but considering what 90+ point Bordeaux blends and Cali Cabs go for now it was not unreasonable. Drink now!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2014 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Deep, opaque ruby. Elegantly rich, dry, and structured, still showing signs of adolescence. Reticent, woody bouquet of cherries, red currants, blackberries, pencil, carob, and dark chocolate. Displayed ample weight, texture, and flavors, with a back note of red pepper flakes and a classy, spice box finish. It opened up nicely and kept developing layers of depth and complexity throughout the night. My last glass was ruined by a giant moth splashing inside my glass, leaving a nasty, powdery residue floating in the wine. Wanker.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2014 - VinoHunter wrote: 92 Points
From a magnum. Popped the cork around 7:00AM and decanted around 6:30PM. Wonderful aroma of rich chocolate cherries with still a hint of youth. In the glass it was wonderful and spot on to ESB's notes. I am glad I still have one more magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2012 - esb wrote: 92 Points
Magnum. This was excellent. It had powerful, mature, secondary fruit of mostly tobacco. It was very pure ripe Cabernet even though it's a five grape bdx blend. I was surprised how ready it was considering its age, and the large format bottle, but Alexander Valley Cabernet seems to mature relatively quickly and it was almost 8 years old. It improved slightly with air, had no/very light tannin, a ripe, generous, plush feel and a classy overall impression. Now as a pop and pour. Perfect next day.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2012 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 90 Points
Popped and V'd. Nice nose and finish. Good legs, pleasant wine. Probably just ok for price point. Finished day 2, no difference.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2012 - tomandlu wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Deep garnet-red color with browning at the rim. Lovely, classic, new world nose of ripe plums, spice, and dusty earth. Ripe and full on the palate with ample fruit and decent acidity. Very nice but not profound. Served from magnum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/8/2012 - jkbrawley wrote: 90 Points
Dark ruby color, good legs and body.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/10/2011 - thurwich wrote: 90 Points
Good fruit balance. Blackberry with hints of vanilla.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2011 - RPerro wrote: 90 Points
From magnum. Nice fruit, earth and chocolaty finish. Fully integrated, no decant needed. Being from magnum, this tells me the wine is probably at peak, and won't be improving any. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2011 - RJandGB wrote: 93 Points
This was outstanding. We paired it with marinated grilled lamb sirloin chops and roasted vegetables - a recipe we'd seen to pair with this wine. We'd bought the 3 L bottle at a silent auction and decanted it about 30 minutes before dinner and to screen any sediment (quite a bit). We probably could have decanted longer, but it also lasted for quite a while. It continued to improve in complexity over the evening. Good fruit, very smooth. I suspect that the 750's are definitely ready to drink. This would have held for a few more years but it was my birthday and I'm happy we opened it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2011 - RoryMcI wrote: 85 Points
Was not impressed.... drank two glasses and decided not to finish the bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2011 - Slics wrote: 88 Points
Huge fruit on nose and palate but hot, not great balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2011 - RPerro wrote: 90 Points
From magnum, popped and poured. Lots of oak on this one, but great fruit! Very smooth and fruit-forward to begin with, becoming more tannic on the finish as the night wore on. Blackberry, blueberry and vanilla oak flavors. Quite tasty, and very well-integrated. Even with the tannins showing strongly after 3+ hours of air, this was a nice wine! Will hold my last magnum for another couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2010 - robertdtwo wrote: 90 Points
No decant; 30 minutes in oversized bdx glass prior to dinner. Once again, super-heavy sedimentation in neck of bottle/against cork, but lovely nose of vanilla, tobacco and red fruit. A bit tight at present. I'm drinking these up soon...bottle shoulder is too high to interleave on Eurocave shelf and these take up way too much space for a 90-pointer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2010 - PatCox wrote:
Having this one Mo O Rordog Nicole Kittie and Wayne
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2010 - robertdtwo wrote: 90 Points
Pop & pour at restaurant, no decant. Heavy sediment against cork & in neck of bottle makes decant a must... heat not quite so pronounced in this bottle; seemed more balanced than last try.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2010 - wineaboutit wrote: 93 Points
Had this while, tearing down after a trade show yesterday. Nose of casis, sweet oak/vanilla, dark chocolate and tobacco, very nice. The guy in the booth next to me popped this and poured...and was kind enough to give me a glass. Very tightly wound, , but this is flat out delicious. A classic blend, w/cab running the show at 72% I believe, if memory serves me right. Full bodied, rich and hedonistic, should age well for many years. Hope to pick some up, and decant for several hours next time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2010 - robertdtwo wrote: 89 Points
HEAVY sedimentation; decant is a must for this inky-dark blend! Brief red fruit on decant then nose closed down. Minor heat flaw will undoubtedly fade over time; but a classic California cab in most respects, if a bit oak-heavy for my taste right now. I'll hold a bit longer before popping another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2010 - beezer6 wrote: 89 Points
Open in the bottle for two hours. Color was dark royal purple / black - opaque at the center.
Nose showed classic California creme de cassis, blackberries, vanilla, oak, camphor and cigar box.
Palate showed some heat and could have displayed better balance, but the dark fruit coupled with a nice mouth feel garnered some merit. Quite nice from this large producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2009 - Millercg68 wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2009 - tk54 wrote: 92 Points
very nice cab dominated Bdx blend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2009 - razziz wrote: 75 Points
Rough, unbalanced, probably not ready to drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2008 - bigdomer wrote: 91 Points
Very pleased with this well balanced blend. David Ramey has had an immediate impact consulting on this wine. The 2005 was better than the past several vintages. Velvety smooth with good fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2008 - Cheryl wrote:
Four Young Cali Cab Flights, Various Price Points (Snooth, NYC): Alcohol again! After time it blows off, but don't put your nose directly over the glass right away. The sweetness comes through eventually, but not much. Smooth, long finish. Dry tannins. My #3 of the flight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2008 - Millercg68 wrote: 91 Points
Intense and meaty. Large cabernet and very well built.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment