same sentiment as previous note. the fruit comes across to me as more black/dark fruit than red and as said before this isn't anywhere near a contemplative thinker of a wine...............but it's not grape koolaid with alcohol either, and at $10 that is difficult to find in a cali cab.
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This was very good. Paired with Thai food while traveling in Chattanooga. Nice plum and blackberry on the nose with oak notes. Plum, blackberry, and pronounced oak on the palate with some spice and caramel. I just love this wine! Well Done!
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9/30/2009 Cassis and oak on the nose. Lots of oak and some dark fruits on the palate. I don't mind oak, so I sorta like the wine. But it does taste manufactured, not like real wine. 88
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I love this producer, it appears almost everything we've had from them is really, really good, this issue I have is that it was a restaurant purchase of $47.95, and if it were available at the LCBO, it would probably retail for $24, more than doulbe that of US prices it would appear, an absolute travesty!! - Dark, well concentrated with a nose of black fruit, plum and vanilla, simple, yet well made, balanced, very tasty, smooth on the finish with very good length (88 Points).
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For $11. you can't beat this. Creamy, fruity, balanced with a decent finish. Great to drink on it's own w/o food. Maybe a tiny tad sweet but I liked it. I agree w/ Dave 124, I found myself looking at the punt thru the neck at the end of the night (and it was a school night too!)
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somewhat muted nose but gives way to some faint red fruits- really nice body- great fruit forward wine that games complexity and can border on an 88 pointe wine- there is a touch of sweetness on this but a well made well integrated wine and has nice enough oak for a touch of vanilla- bought 6 more- not as good as the petite but this can be opened for a large group
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Becky and I paired with grilled T-Bones. Consistent with 2005 vintage - fruit forward wine with nicely integrated oak and good acidity. Moderate finish with some heat. Very good steak wine (or by itself) and a great QPR value!
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When I want to open a bottle and drink it all in one night, this is the stuff. Not too complex and not too thin. Perfect price. I try to keep this one in the cellar to have without food. Yum.
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For $8.50, this is a nice effort. Typical cab aroma with nice balance an structure on the palate. Of similar quality to the 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cab, but with much less oak / vanilla.
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Now this was interesting. I've had wines that have an enjoyable nose, but don't give much on the palate. This may be the first time I've ever had the opposite... not much on the nose, all on the palate. And unfortunately, most of it is hidden behind the oak. What little I can pick up on the nose is all oak/butter/vanilla with a hint of black cherry. Thankfully, on the palate there are some nice blueberry and cherry notes. But again, the oak takes center stage... at least it gives the fruit notes a sweet side. I think this wine is a little heavy-handed on the oak... and I enjoy oak (so that's saying a lot). If they had toned it down, I'd rate this higher. But as is, I'd rate this Good.
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possibly the best cab i've had in the $10 range. oak/butter/toffee bomb for sure, but this has a bit of structure and complexity as well. excellent weekday drink or "please the masses" wine, but not a "thinker" by any means
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50+4+12+16+5 Somewhat closed nose with anise and blueberry as the dominant notes. The first taste fille your palate with smoke that gives way to cherry and aok. Blueberry appears on the finish. Unfortunately a lot of acid appears late in teh finish, and the overall effect is disjointed. Time will not be friendly to this wine, I'd suggest making sure this vintage is gone within the next 18 months or so. not bad if you find it on sale, wouldn't pay full price for it.
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Upon opening this bottle the nose was pleasantly full of ripe cherries. The taste was a gigantic fruit bomb with little complexity. After being opened for a few minutes and paired with a ricotta spinach pasta, I discovered a slight taste of oak and more structure. For the price, this is a winner in my book. Slightly too sweet but I could have easily consumed the entire bottle in one sitting. This would be great for a person discovering reds.
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9/3/2013 - Dasher wrote: 86 Points
good everyday wine.
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4/10/2011 - BATWine wrote: 86 Points
Not as smokey as it sits.
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3/18/2011 - scottmlew wrote: 86 Points
Had with cheese and crackers. Good and reliable.
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7/21/2010 - gmctall wrote: 79 Points
Alcoholism. Weird approach, decent finish
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5/30/2010 - BATWine wrote: 88 Points
Love the smoky essence of this wine. Paired very well with a delicious hot-smoked salmon with crackers and raspberry chipotle cream cheese. Great QPR.
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3/12/2010 - ukfan wrote: 86 Points
Nice affordable Csb.
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3/6/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Touches of woodsmoke to the nose, fine palate, sweet on the back end, works at $9.
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3/6/2010 - WagesOfZin Likes this wine: 86 Points
same sentiment as previous note. the fruit comes across to me as more black/dark fruit than red and as said before this isn't anywhere near a contemplative thinker of a wine...............but it's not grape koolaid with alcohol either, and at $10 that is difficult to find in a cali cab.
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10/18/2009 - AndrewWB wrote: 86 Points
Enjoyable - more structured than the merlot - nice one to buy again.
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10/14/2009 - Rick B wrote: 89 Points
This was very good. Paired with Thai food while traveling in Chattanooga. Nice plum and blackberry on the nose with oak notes. Plum, blackberry, and pronounced oak on the palate with some spice and caramel. I just love this wine! Well Done!
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10/13/2009 - Coleman wrote: 88 Points
9/30/2009
Cassis and oak on the nose. Lots of oak and some dark fruits on the
palate. I don't mind oak, so I sorta like the wine. But it does taste
manufactured, not like real wine. 88
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10/13/2009 - Coleman wrote: 89 Points
7/1/09
Typical McManis, which I like. Loads of cassis and blueberry. Adequate
tannins. Lots of oak, which lessens day 2. 89
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10/1/2009 - Tarrant wrote: 88 Points
I love this producer, it appears almost everything we've had from them is really, really good, this issue I have is that it was a restaurant purchase of $47.95, and if it were available at the LCBO, it would probably retail for $24, more than doulbe that of US prices it would appear, an absolute travesty!! - Dark, well concentrated with a nose of black fruit, plum and vanilla, simple, yet well made, balanced, very tasty, smooth on the finish with very good length (88 Points).
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10/1/2009 - Cjbaron wrote: 84 Points
Meh...
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9/25/2009 - NuTricks wrote: 89 Points
For $11. you can't beat this. Creamy, fruity, balanced with a decent finish. Great to drink on it's own w/o food. Maybe a tiny tad sweet but I liked it. I agree w/ Dave 124, I found myself looking at the punt thru the neck at the end of the night (and it was a school night too!)
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9/18/2009 - bigdomer wrote: 84 Points
No bad from a QPR standpoint for Cali cab. I prefer a bit more fruit, body and tannins than this could deliver.
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9/12/2009 - kahuna75 wrote: 87 Points
somewhat muted nose but gives way to some faint red fruits- really nice body- great fruit forward wine that games complexity and can border on an 88 pointe wine- there is a touch of sweetness on this but a well made well integrated wine and has nice enough oak for a touch of vanilla- bought 6 more- not as good as the petite but this can be opened for a large group
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8/30/2009 - Rick B wrote: 88 Points
Becky and I paired with grilled T-Bones. Consistent with 2005 vintage - fruit forward wine with nicely integrated oak and good acidity. Moderate finish with some heat. Very good steak wine (or by itself) and a great QPR value!
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8/29/2009 - Dave124 wrote: 87 Points
When I want to open a bottle and drink it all in one night, this is the stuff. Not too complex and not too thin. Perfect price. I try to keep this one in the cellar to have without food. Yum.
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8/28/2009 - JazzQueen wrote: 81 Points
Drinkable but overwhelmed with stewed fruit.
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8/13/2009 - mdaniel wrote: 88 Points
For $8.50, this is a nice effort. Typical cab aroma with nice balance an structure on the palate. Of similar quality to the 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cab, but with much less oak / vanilla.
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5/29/2009 - Tpety wrote: 86 Points
A very goor QPR for 11 bucks. A Parker QPR.
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4/18/2009 - mwagner7700 wrote:
Now this was interesting. I've had wines that have an enjoyable nose, but don't give much on the palate. This may be the first time I've ever had the opposite... not much on the nose, all on the palate. And unfortunately, most of it is hidden behind the oak. What little I can pick up on the nose is all oak/butter/vanilla with a hint of black cherry. Thankfully, on the palate there are some nice blueberry and cherry notes. But again, the oak takes center stage... at least it gives the fruit notes a sweet side. I think this wine is a little heavy-handed on the oak... and I enjoy oak (so that's saying a lot). If they had toned it down, I'd rate this higher. But as is, I'd rate this Good.
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4/12/2009 - WagesOfZin wrote: 86 Points
possibly the best cab i've had in the $10 range. oak/butter/toffee bomb for sure, but this has a bit of structure and complexity as well. excellent weekday drink or "please the masses" wine, but not a "thinker" by any means
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4/3/2009 - hiltondg wrote:
For $9 at Safeway, you can't go wrong. Oaked up cab with a pretty lush mouth feel.
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3/25/2009 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Cabby cab. Works at $9. Less sweet than the whites.
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3/20/2009 - annerk wrote: 87 Points
50+4+12+16+5
Somewhat closed nose with anise and blueberry as the dominant notes. The first taste fille your palate with smoke that gives way to cherry and aok. Blueberry appears on the finish. Unfortunately a lot of acid appears late in teh finish, and the overall effect is disjointed. Time will not be friendly to this wine, I'd suggest making sure this vintage is gone within the next 18 months or so. not bad if you find it on sale, wouldn't pay full price for it.
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1/22/2009 - Dave124 wrote: 87 Points
Upon opening this bottle the nose was pleasantly full of ripe cherries. The taste was a gigantic fruit bomb with little complexity. After being opened for a few minutes and paired with a ricotta spinach pasta, I discovered a slight taste of oak and more structure. For the price, this is a winner in my book. Slightly too sweet but I could have easily consumed the entire bottle in one sitting. This would be great for a person discovering reds.
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