I have been a fan of Melka for so many years. As I recall, this was one of his earlier projects - and I just loved the wines. Not sure what happened, but the 2004-2008 just weren't drinking well over the past few years. But this bottle was Back on track - after day 2!
On day 1, with no decanting, the wine was just a bit confusing. Some heat, and disjointed flavors, unintegrated oak, and unclear tannin structure. on day 2 however, the flavors aggregated towards black cherry & cassis, menthol, cedar, and licorice flavored raisins. This is no Caymus, but it's not Bordeaux either....
I believe that a bit more decanting would give the wine an opportunity to define itself more clearly and provide a better experience - and higher rating. For my money and taste, the going rate for this wine provides a Way to drink economically and happily.
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This has been a funny wine over the course of 12 bottles, it was tannic coming out of the shoot and now it's drinking really nice, although I will drink my last 3 in the next year. Tannins are settling down lots of berries, tobacco it's really good
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This is the vintage that started my Parallel obsession. Great Napa Cab, the wau it should be. Smoke, pepper, leather and earth combined with bi red fruit. Sorry to see you go my friend but others will live on.
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This wine has matured nicely and is really delicious, especially when going up against a big rib-eye. The edginess from years passed is gone and this wine is velvety smooth. Plum and blackberry lead the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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best bottle of Parallel to date - wonderful, rich nose - a bit tart on initial pour, really opened up and got smoother with about an hour of air. One more left ...
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This wine continues to mature and is really delicious, especially when going up against a big rib-eye. Plum and blackberry lead the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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Very nice Napa cab. Decanted for an hour and was much better than last bottle. Tannins have integrated and shows red fruit, some earth and a hint of vanilla on the pallet.
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notes after about an hour decant - restrained nose, some minerality/bramble - a bit tart on the initial taste, cassis, lingers for a good 20 seconds - some definite fruit flavors, but am tasting more tart then fruit/sweet - overall a nice cab, great QPR at the PLCB sale price, not so much if I had paid full price though. Have 5 more in the cellar, will see how they evolve over the next few years.
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I thought this was strong fruit forward cab with good complexity and balance particularly if one decants for an 1/2 hour or so. Soft notes of bright red fruits on the front with nice layers of vanilla, and some degree of chocolate in the midpalate, finish is solid with a medium lasting finish. Pleasant and I thought was very good for the price point. Its probably close to peak but has the potential to improve with 1 or 2 more years. Low 90s. -S
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It's been over 2 years since I tasted this and the time in the bottle has really given this wine a chance to blossom. Plum and blackberry led the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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Opened with sugar coated raisins. The sweetness calmed down somewhat and revealed toasty oak and cherry cola. After a couple of hours some dark chocolate emerged. Nice full mouthfeel and long finish. The tannins have resolved quite a bit since having it at the tasting room a year ago but still some astringency and tartness in the finish. Overall a nice wine and will buy again but too disjointed to score any higher.
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Didn't really enjoy this. Too jammy and too much creamy oak, without any real sense of place or complexity. May be a stylistic thing (although I do generally enjoy Napa cabs quite a bit) but for $40-50, I expected a lot more.
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Lovely bottle from start to finish. No decant and drank with filets at Mortons in San Jose. Nothing good to say about SJ's Mortons, but this wine was singing.
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Decanted 2 hours. Very rich and creamy, cassis fruit, raspberry, tobacco, spices. Drinking perfectly with some air. First time with this wine, and it delivered.
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Previous note/score still stands, Melka's influence is obvious. Further integration over past year has made it silkier, Drink now or hold 2-3 more years.
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Decanted about 5 hours. Creamy vanilla and oak, sweet dark fruit, integrated just right to the extent that neither is is overly pronounced but you know they are there to be called upon whenever you think it. Loooog finish. Magic juice!
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Sweet oak, hints of lavender, vanilla and nutmeg. Bright berry and cherry fruit on the palate but really smooth texture that coats through the finish. Love the potential this wine may have with a few more years.
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After Izzy and Kim shared an awesome Zin with me (Thanks brad for the great choice), we moved on to desert and a great Cab. Always makes for a great pop & pour big wine that doesn't overpower what you pair it with. Smooth enough to drink solo but, goes well with food.. This one was aromatic without the heavily over alcohol'd bite. Smooth at the start, middle and finish. Got a nice current on the nose with a lot of complex secondary scents. Love it, love, love it.
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A very good limited production Napa cab done with assistance from wine consultant Philippe Melka enjoyed earlier tonight at the Ruth's Chris restaurant in Princeton NJ with Kim and good friend and annerk / Anne Ryan's husband Jim. Too expensive to be a great QPR, still definitely recommend this wine. Very dark, medium bodied, reasonably well balanced for what is still a relatively young wine, short aftertaste, significant cellaring potential left with a solid oak core and plenty of tannins left. Nose of dark cherry, licorice and cardemum with primary flavor profiles of balanced burnt oak, very typical Napa cassis, earth, black fruit and some licorice and tar developing late on the palate.
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Pop & pour. Slightly funky nose. Seemed not together initially (perhaps by accompanying seafood dinner). But started to hum after an hour. Will get another to try.
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Cabernet Time - Silver Oak & Friends (Wine Exchange. Orange, CA): Just a tad hot on the nose. On the palette the wine is oh so smooth with excellently concealed tannins. I was expecting more concentration from this wine. Persistent. Broccoli on the finish.
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50+5+14+17+7 Excellent Cali cab. Dark cherry and blackberry on the nose. Cherry, blackberry, cocoa, and a hint of cinnamon in the mouth. Medium finish with a bit of meral at the end. Decanted for an hour, very smooth, no heat. Drank like a wine with a much higher pricetag!
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2009 Family Winemakers of California San Diego Tasting (Del Mar Fairgrounds): Very attractive on the nose with crushed fruit aromas of currant and blackberry along with hints of leaves and earth. Very big on the palate but also quite bright with sweet blackberry and raspberry fruit. Actually quite elegant and balanced, especially on the finish. This has great style for a Napa Cab and I find it to be very good with little oak showing.
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thought I'd try one of the small bottle from this unknown label. very nice nose- dark fruits, smoky, cassias, coffee. mouth wind up very tight, lots of fruit, coffee, some cinnamon but alot of heat. the wine flavors might evolve to something rather special, but I'm not sure the heat will dissipate. save some for tomorrow, we'll see.
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1/12/2024 - kkuzminski wrote:
Full round tart red. Dry. Cherry. Hints of barnyard on nose. Needs food
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7/21/2017 - dougdelporto Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have been a fan of Melka for so many years. As I recall, this was one of his earlier projects - and I just loved the wines. Not sure what happened, but the 2004-2008 just weren't drinking well over the past few years. But this bottle was Back on track - after day 2!
On day 1, with no decanting, the wine was just a bit confusing. Some heat, and disjointed flavors, unintegrated oak, and unclear tannin structure. on day 2 however, the flavors aggregated towards black cherry & cassis, menthol, cedar, and licorice flavored raisins. This is no Caymus, but it's not Bordeaux either....
I believe that a bit more decanting would give the wine an opportunity to define itself more clearly and provide a better experience - and higher rating. For my money and taste, the going rate for this wine provides a Way to drink economically and happily.
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8/14/2016 - breadman Likes this wine: 94 Points
This has been a funny wine over the course of 12 bottles, it was tannic coming out of the shoot and now it's drinking really nice, although I will drink my last 3 in the next year. Tannins are settling down lots of berries, tobacco it's really good
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4/2/2016 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is the vintage that started my Parallel obsession. Great Napa Cab, the wau it should be. Smoke, pepper, leather and earth combined with bi red fruit. Sorry to see you go my friend but others will live on.
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3/17/2016 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine has matured nicely and is really delicious, especially when going up against a big rib-eye. The edginess from years passed is gone and this wine is velvety smooth. Plum and blackberry lead the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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12/9/2014 - Reblin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smooth, balanced, but not great depth or finish. Solid but not exceptional fruit.
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3/2/2014 - dontime wrote:
Very nice indeed. Classic Napa Cab flavors with integrated tannins and a smooth finish. If scoring 91-93.
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10/27/2013 - AngryPrez wrote: 91 Points
best bottle of Parallel to date - wonderful, rich nose - a bit tart on initial pour, really opened up and got smoother with about an hour of air. One more left ...
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8/11/2013 - ChewCoco wrote:
Fantastic and crowd pleaser
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3/26/2013 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine continues to mature and is really delicious, especially when going up against a big rib-eye. Plum and blackberry lead the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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3/7/2013 - MarkMich wrote: 92 Points
Very nice Napa cab. Decanted for an hour and was much better than last bottle. Tannins have integrated and shows red fruit, some earth and a hint of vanilla on the pallet.
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11/9/2012 - AngryPrez wrote: 90 Points
notes after about an hour decant - restrained nose, some minerality/bramble - a bit tart on the initial taste, cassis, lingers for a good 20 seconds - some definite fruit flavors, but am tasting more tart then fruit/sweet - overall a nice cab, great QPR at the PLCB sale price, not so much if I had paid full price though. Have 5 more in the cellar, will see how they evolve over the next few years.
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7/16/2012 - cck wrote: 93 Points
Glad I held onto this last bottle a couple extra years. The time rewarded us with a fantastic cabernet at its peak.
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3/10/2012 - sasvino wrote: 93 Points
I thought this was strong fruit forward cab with good complexity and balance particularly if one decants for an 1/2 hour or so. Soft notes of bright red fruits on the front with nice layers of vanilla, and some degree of chocolate in the midpalate, finish is solid with a medium lasting finish. Pleasant and I thought was very good for the price point. Its probably close to peak but has the potential to improve with 1 or 2 more years. Low 90s. -S
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2/17/2012 - awineo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice red. Good fruit and balanced tannins. A little pricey vs other choices.
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12/31/2011 - chateaunoname wrote: 90 Points
A nice cab, but not a very good QPR.
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12/26/2011 - krhaugh wrote: 94 Points
It's been over 2 years since I tasted this and the time in the bottle has really given this wine a chance to blossom. Plum and blackberry led the fruit. Earth, smoke, leather and pepper with a great cab finish. Decanted about 2 hours and this was ready to go. We really enjoyed this.
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12/24/2011 - goofy Yno wrote: 91 Points
much improved. fairly simple wine, but with god balance and fruit. very enjoyable
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11/23/2011 - Etonian wrote: 93 Points
Opened with sugar coated raisins. The sweetness calmed down somewhat and revealed toasty oak and cherry cola. After a couple of hours some dark chocolate emerged. Nice full mouthfeel and long finish. The tannins have resolved quite a bit since having it at the tasting room a year ago but still some astringency and tartness in the finish. Overall a nice wine and will buy again but too disjointed to score any higher.
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10/30/2011 - atwkite wrote: 93 Points
Fruit forward but balanced, really good. Similar to 2008 Caymus.
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9/12/2011 - EMTAME wrote: 87 Points
Didn't really enjoy this. Too jammy and too much creamy oak, without any real sense of place or complexity. May be a stylistic thing (although I do generally enjoy Napa cabs quite a bit) but for $40-50, I expected a lot more.
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4/17/2011 - jimmythesaint wrote:
Lovely bottle from start to finish. No decant and drank with filets at Mortons in San Jose. Nothing good to say about SJ's Mortons, but this wine was singing.
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2/27/2011 - RPerro wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Very rich and creamy, cassis fruit, raspberry, tobacco, spices. Drinking perfectly with some air. First time with this wine, and it delivered.
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11/19/2010 - Surfdoc wrote: 89 Points
Rich, fruit forward style with flavors of cassis and oak. Typical Napa cab without anything special to distinguish it from the crowd.
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9/4/2010 - annerk wrote: 93 Points
Previous note/score still stands, Melka's influence is obvious. Further integration over past year has made it silkier, Drink now or hold 2-3 more years.
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7/29/2010 - communion wrote: 95 Points
Decanted about 5 hours. Creamy vanilla and oak, sweet dark fruit, integrated just right to the extent that neither is is overly pronounced but you know they are there to be called upon whenever you think it. Loooog finish. Magic juice!
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6/19/2010 - cabdrinker wrote: 92 Points
Sweet oak, hints of lavender, vanilla and nutmeg. Bright berry and cherry fruit on the palate but really smooth texture that coats through the finish. Love the potential this wine may have with a few more years.
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4/24/2010 - pkbackman wrote: 94 Points
This bottle was Outstanding. Velvety smooth tannins, with big creamy dark fruit and some vanilla toasted oak lingering on the finish
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3/27/2010 - difran wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well now. Drink next time in a year or so, only to get better.
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1/24/2010 - Colia wrote: 92 Points
Cassi, cinnamon and black cherry. It's very big, smooth and velvety. Just a touch of astringency on the finish.
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12/19/2009 - pwferret wrote: 90 Points
After Izzy and Kim shared an awesome Zin with me (Thanks brad for the great choice), we moved on to desert and a great Cab. Always makes for a great pop & pour big wine that doesn't overpower what you pair it with. Smooth enough to drink solo but, goes well with food.. This one was aromatic without the heavily over alcohol'd bite. Smooth at the start, middle and finish. Got a nice current on the nose with a lot of complex secondary scents. Love it, love, love it.
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12/18/2009 - ikkaariainen wrote: 89 Points
A very good limited production Napa cab done with assistance from wine consultant Philippe Melka enjoyed earlier tonight at the Ruth's Chris restaurant in Princeton NJ with Kim and good friend and annerk / Anne Ryan's husband Jim. Too expensive to be a great QPR, still definitely recommend this wine. Very dark, medium bodied, reasonably well balanced for what is still a relatively young wine, short aftertaste, significant cellaring potential left with a solid oak core and plenty of tannins left. Nose of dark cherry, licorice and cardemum with primary flavor profiles of balanced burnt oak, very typical Napa cassis, earth, black fruit and some licorice and tar developing late on the palate.
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11/13/2009 - krhaugh wrote: 90 Points
Great color, deep taste and feel
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10/11/2009 - communion wrote: 90 Points
Pop & pour. Slightly funky nose. Seemed not together initially (perhaps by accompanying seafood dinner). But started to hum after an hour. Will get another to try.
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9/16/2009 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 76 Points
R&R Marketing 2009 Gala (Atlantic City, NJ): Green nose with some oak. Ok.
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8/1/2009 - djdaqm wrote: 91 Points
Cabernet Time - Silver Oak & Friends (Wine Exchange. Orange, CA): Just a tad hot on the nose. On the palette the wine is oh so smooth with excellently concealed tannins. I was expecting more concentration from this wine. Persistent. Broccoli on the finish.
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4/3/2009 - annerk wrote: 93 Points
50+5+14+17+7 Excellent Cali cab. Dark cherry and blackberry on the nose. Cherry, blackberry, cocoa, and a hint of cinnamon in the mouth. Medium finish with a bit of meral at the end. Decanted for an hour, very smooth, no heat. Drank like a wine with a much higher pricetag!
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3/15/2009 - Badfish wrote: 93 Points
2009 Family Winemakers of California San Diego Tasting (Del Mar Fairgrounds): Very attractive on the nose with crushed fruit aromas of currant and blackberry along with hints of leaves and earth. Very big on the palate but also quite bright with sweet blackberry and raspberry fruit. Actually quite elegant and balanced, especially on the finish. This has great style for a Napa Cab and I find it to be very good with little oak showing.
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12/31/2008 - krhaugh wrote: 90 Points
Very tasty - more mature than the 05 at this point in time
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11/20/2008 - goofy Yno wrote: 86 Points
thought I'd try one of the small bottle from this unknown label. very nice nose- dark fruits, smoky, cassias, coffee. mouth wind up very tight, lots of fruit, coffee, some cinnamon but alot of heat. the wine flavors might evolve to something rather special, but I'm not sure the heat will dissipate. save some for tomorrow, we'll see.
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