This is my 5th and final bottle and, like the others, was extraordinary! The wines from Laura Zahtila/Laura Michael are consistently great, but the combination of their nuanced winemaking, incredible Beckstoffer fruit, and 13 years, made this a stellar bottle. Green olives, dried thyme, roasted meats, leather, and forest floor were the dominant tones with the primary fruits - dark ripe cherries and raspberries - playing a supporting role.
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The color is dark purple but it's starting to show signs of bricking and aging. The nose is very complex some black fruits buts also earthy hints of barnyard and tobacco. On the palate this is a velvety wine with good balance of fruit and tannins. Secondary flavors of chewing tobacco are also on the palate and the finish is smooth and long. Lacks a bit of power for a higher score.
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Deep dark ruby red almost purple in color. The nose is very meaty with hints of tobacco. On the palate this is a well structured wine with still strong tannins and lively black fruit. Good complexity and a long smooth finish.
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After a 2 hour decant the nose had dark currants, earth, dried blackberry, cedar and hint of polish, palate is smooth with the sweet tannins nicely integrated at this point, with generous fruit purity and dark chocolate on the finish
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Rust red color with vanilla and cherry on the nose upon opening. This wine definitely needs decanting, as it has a fair amount of sediment. After 30-40 minutes it has opened up with dark cherries, currants, a bit earthy. Tannins completely integrated. Long smooth finish. This is an excellent wine, and an example of Napa cabernet at its best. Probably near the end of its drinking life this year or next.
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Muted nose maybe a hint of earthiness. Color starting to soften to a rusty red. Good balance on the palate hints of leather and fully integrated tannins. Smooth finish. I think most of the power from this wine left a few years ago. But a nice smooth food friendly drinker.
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While 9 years old, this still requires a solid hour decant. Initially deep ruby color leads to a nose of red fruit, cassis and oak. On opening the flavored are very red and sharp. After an hour decant, the flavors integrated and deepen, adding some dark fruit to complement the red flavors. Finish last 20 seconds.
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Seems to be entering a new phase of evolution, oak is not as active as it once was, dusty cherry, dark chocolate, cassis and some thyme on the nose, similar palate with elegant tannins yielding a smooth mouth feel and a rewarding finish
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Notes of cassis, sweet dark cherry, hints of chocolate, the sweet dark fruit persists on the palate , with a touch of bitter chocolate towards the finish
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Wonderful cab ... not much to add to the previous notes. Visual: Heavy crystallization on underside of cork; long, thick, slow-developing legs; pretty ruby color. Palate: Just a bit of green vegetable-ness, otherwise not a single negative. Great, elegant balance and integration of oak and alcohol. Lots of dark red fruits and espresso.Wonderful aroma on uncorking, continuing through a 90-minute decant and a one-hour dinner. I have no idea whether it will get better with more time -- and I'll probably never know because it was my only bottle!
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A very pleasant surprize as this turned into a very silky. sophisticated cab. The palate was wonderfully smooth yet energized boasting cassis with small notes of blood orange and cranberry. Nose started a bit sweaty which was wierd but settled into a nicer realm later with the fruit and some floral notes, Sorry it was the only one I had.
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Not going to be a long note - enjoyed last night with friends. Decanted about an hour. This has become a really smooth and elegant Napa Cab. While we enjoyed it, I've come to realize that I prefer younger cabs. Really nice bottle, probably still has a little bit of time to go, but I wouldn't wait too much longer on this.
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Best bottle of this wine I've had so far, beautiful nose of cassis, chocolate, coffee bean and some earth, very smooth with tannins and oak nicely integrated medium length finish
(pnp) nice layering of prune, licorice, black cherry on the nose, however , not offered on the palate and a bit disjunct ....smooth on the bottom and overall enjoyable
Probably the bottle I enjoyed most so far, all the elements seem to be nicely integrated showing nice bright red fruit on the nose with hints of dust and pencil, similar palate with the introduction of some cigar box, lovely elegant wine drinking well right now
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Textbook napa cab. Medium dark purple leads to a nose of cassis, dark cherry, and a hint of chocolate. Medium plus body has plush dark fruit, chocolate and a hint of pencil lead. Finish lasts 20 seconds. While not the most complex wine in the world, it is definitely yummy.
Some sediment on cork and in bottle, so this was decanted. Nose and body are mild, and full of dark fruit - cherry and plum. Tannins are not predominant. Pleasingly clean finish. If this were handed to me blind, I would be a little surprised that it is a cabernet.
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Tough one to get a good feel for - when we opened the bottle the cork smelled terrific with layers of sweet fruit and earthy notes - poped and poured and really enjoyed the first taste as layers of sweet fruit, earthy notes, and maybe a hint of pepper revealed themselves - then the bottle just went dumb!! Stayed quite closed for at least three hours - after the third hour the bottle opened a little but thee nose was almost non existent and the wine took on somewhat of a musky earthy funk - I believe we opened this too early and willl give the other bottle a few years and see - bought off Woot so I got a good deal on it but unless the 2nd bottle is much better than the first probably won't buy this one again
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Lots of fruit, both red and dark fruit, almost a little sweet, still a very "fresh" wine. But nice Rutherford "dust" and lingers with slight hint of eucalyptus on the finish
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12/27/2018 - YourSomm Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is my 5th and final bottle and, like the others, was extraordinary! The wines from Laura Zahtila/Laura Michael are consistently great, but the combination of their nuanced winemaking, incredible Beckstoffer fruit, and 13 years, made this a stellar bottle. Green olives, dried thyme, roasted meats, leather, and forest floor were the dominant tones with the primary fruits - dark ripe cherries and raspberries - playing a supporting role.
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1/10/2017 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Above and beyond. Rich and decadent but not too much barrel. Love the fruit expression and balance.
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12/3/2016 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another terrific LZ wine. Not many cabs I think are worth the full price. This one is close.
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8/19/2016 - jnocera Likes this wine: 92 Points
The color is dark purple but it's starting to show signs of bricking and aging. The nose is very complex some black fruits buts also earthy hints of barnyard and tobacco. On the palate this is a velvety wine with good balance of fruit and tannins. Secondary flavors of chewing tobacco are also on the palate and the finish is smooth and long. Lacks a bit of power for a higher score.
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7/7/2016 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Notes consistent. Just too much of a hint of green otherwise superb.
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6/4/2016 - jnocera Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep dark ruby red almost purple in color. The nose is very meaty with hints of tobacco. On the palate this is a well structured wine with still strong tannins and lively black fruit. Good complexity and a long smooth finish.
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2/15/2016 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine:
After a 2 hour decant the nose had dark currants, earth, dried blackberry, cedar and hint of polish, palate is smooth with the sweet tannins nicely integrated at this point, with generous fruit purity and dark chocolate on the finish
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2/6/2016 - ben_white Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rust red color with vanilla and cherry on the nose upon opening. This wine definitely needs decanting, as it has a fair amount of sediment. After 30-40 minutes it has opened up with dark cherries, currants, a bit earthy. Tannins completely integrated. Long smooth finish. This is an excellent wine, and an example of Napa cabernet at its best. Probably near the end of its drinking life this year or next.
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1/17/2016 - jnocera Likes this wine: 92 Points
Muted nose maybe a hint of earthiness. Color starting to soften to a rusty red. Good balance on the palate hints of leather and fully integrated tannins. Smooth finish. I think most of the power from this wine left a few years ago. But a nice smooth food friendly drinker.
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1/7/2016 - Wicked Panda wrote: 88 Points
Very nice cab. But had lots of sediment and it muddied the finish
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5/9/2015 - flashvictor Likes this wine: 91 Points
While 9 years old, this still requires a solid hour decant. Initially deep ruby color leads to a nose of red fruit, cassis and oak. On opening the flavored are very red and sharp. After an hour decant, the flavors integrated and deepen, adding some dark fruit to complement the red flavors. Finish last 20 seconds.
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2/13/2014 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 92 Points
Seems to be entering a new phase of evolution, oak is not as active as it once was, dusty cherry, dark chocolate, cassis and some thyme on the nose, similar palate with elegant tannins yielding a smooth mouth feel and a rewarding finish
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2/4/2014 - maitredgreg2 wrote: 96 Points
Outstanding bottle of wine.
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12/27/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 91 Points
Notes of cassis, sweet dark cherry, hints of chocolate, the sweet dark fruit persists on the palate , with a touch of bitter chocolate towards the finish
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11/16/2013 - Chip Merlot Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful cab ... not much to add to the previous notes. Visual: Heavy crystallization on underside of cork; long, thick, slow-developing legs; pretty ruby color. Palate: Just a bit of green vegetable-ness, otherwise not a single negative. Great, elegant balance and integration of oak and alcohol. Lots of dark red fruits and espresso.Wonderful aroma on uncorking, continuing through a 90-minute decant and a one-hour dinner. I have no idea whether it will get better with more time -- and I'll probably never know because it was my only bottle!
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10/26/2013 - TheBrewersWine wrote: 92 Points
Amazing taste, silky smooth finish. Great flavor!
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10/20/2013 - alfagirl Likes this wine: 89 Points
Silky smooth. Long finish. Chocolate and blueberry on the palate. Well integrated oak. Lovely.
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6/30/2013 - iamandyc wrote: 92 Points
A very pleasant surprize as this turned into a very silky. sophisticated cab. The palate was wonderfully smooth yet energized boasting cassis with small notes of blood orange and cranberry. Nose started a bit sweaty which was wierd but settled into a nicer realm later with the fruit and some floral notes, Sorry it was the only one I had.
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5/26/2013 - ShaneO wrote: 90 Points
Not going to be a long note - enjoyed last night with friends. Decanted about an hour. This has become a really smooth and elegant Napa Cab. While we enjoyed it, I've come to realize that I prefer younger cabs. Really nice bottle, probably still has a little bit of time to go, but I wouldn't wait too much longer on this.
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5/23/2013 - erichbrandt wrote:
Lake
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5/11/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 92 Points
Best bottle of this wine I've had so far, beautiful nose of cassis, chocolate, coffee bean and some earth, very smooth with tannins and oak nicely integrated medium length finish
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4/19/2013 - drummer Likes this wine: 90 Points
(pnp) nice layering of prune, licorice, black cherry on the nose, however , not offered on the palate and a bit disjunct ....smooth on the bottom and overall enjoyable
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4/6/2013 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep dark fruit, cassis, hints of chocolate,pepper and smokey oak. B+/A-
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1/18/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 91 Points
Probably the bottle I enjoyed most so far, all the elements seem to be nicely integrated showing nice bright red fruit on the nose with hints of dust and pencil, similar palate with the introduction of some cigar box, lovely elegant wine drinking well right now
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11/17/2012 - eoinhharkins wrote: 91 Points
Showed a bit better than previous bottles, notes of dark cherry, some graphite, with vanilla chocolate medium body and finish
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11/4/2012 - flashvictor wrote: 91 Points
Textbook napa cab. Medium dark purple leads to a nose of cassis, dark cherry, and a hint of chocolate. Medium plus body has plush dark fruit, chocolate and a hint of pencil lead. Finish lasts 20 seconds. While not the most complex wine in the world, it is definitely yummy.
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11/2/2012 - eoinhharkins wrote: 90 Points
solid well made cab note of beets, dark cherry, pencil and vanilla on the nose - similar palate, medium finish
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8/8/2012 - team-blackburn wrote: 88 Points
Nice not great, a little one dimentional- I also expected more from Beckstoffer grapes.
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6/23/2012 - BBennett wrote: 87 Points
Very good cab. All of the basics are there - I did expect a bit more. I
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5/1/2012 - Gonzorg wrote: 90 Points
Surprising flavors and depth. Very smooth finish, relatively decent depth. Nice fruits. Hitting it's stride so start drinking them up.
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8/6/2011 - erichbrandt wrote: 88 Points
Nice fruit and easy to drink. Lacks the complexity to push the score any higher.
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7/26/2011 - SkibumCA wrote: 89 Points
Nice violet nose with soft tannins, this is driking well now.
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4/6/2011 - AEROSMITH wrote: 94 Points
fantastoc grappy wine .beautiful from beckstoffer
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2/6/2011 - HeartbreakRidge wrote: 89 Points
Some sediment on cork and in bottle, so this was decanted. Nose and body are mild, and full of dark fruit - cherry and plum. Tannins are not predominant. Pleasingly clean finish. If this were handed to me blind, I would be a little surprised that it is a cabernet.
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2/3/2011 - memksm1995@gmail.com wrote: 86 Points
Tough one to get a good feel for - when we opened the bottle the cork smelled terrific with layers of sweet fruit and earthy notes - poped and poured and really enjoyed the first taste as layers of sweet fruit, earthy notes, and maybe a hint of pepper revealed themselves - then the bottle just went dumb!! Stayed quite closed for at least three hours - after the third hour the bottle opened a little but thee nose was almost non existent and the wine took on somewhat of a musky earthy funk - I believe we opened this too early and willl give the other bottle a few years and see - bought off Woot so I got a good deal on it but unless the 2nd bottle is much better than the first probably won't buy this one again
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1/30/2011 - Xtriguy wrote: 90 Points
Lots of fruit, both red and dark fruit, almost a little sweet, still a very "fresh" wine. But nice Rutherford "dust" and lingers with slight hint of eucalyptus on the finish
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1/6/2011 - AEROSMITH wrote: 94 Points
cant dispute the beckstoffer charm.superb and delicious
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