Opened tonight with a porcini crusted rib eye. Still drinking well. A little brick on the edges, but still enough dark fruit to be enjoyable. A few legs and still a little tannins left. Good choice for the weeknight steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of pineapple. It's balanced and has flavours of melon, black pepper and hazelnut with a medium/full body. Silky texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing wine. Aromas of dark cherry, some toasty oak, and a little mushroom. Drinking very young right now. Flavors of dark berries, a little cow pasture, herb, and cedar. Wonderful acidity on the mid palate. Long finish with sweet tannins. What a wonderful surprise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just opened today at the Outer Banks with a beautiful filet. what a prize. This wine might not be at its peak. Beautiful dark cherries on the nose. Lots of legs. Very subtle tannins on the end. An unbelievable "Sonoma County" vinted wine. Sorry I had no more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had to decant this one since the bottom of the cork was crumbling. Seemed a little overripe and flat upon opening, but after an hour or so of aeration it seemed to improve quite a bit, gaining structure and a lengthier finish, with a nice balance of tannin and fruit. I was worried it was past its prime, but all in all it still seems like a very nice wine if you give it the chance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have 2 left, just opened one, and it smelled like wet sheep upon opening, but surprisingly a vinturi 1/2 glass didn't have the same taste. It was dark and had flavor left.
After an hour it was much better, and even after 2 days (I gassed it to preserve it) it was drinking great. Not amazing. But not as bad as others made it out. Open now, and if it's a bit weird at first, wait it out.
I enjoyed all but the last sip, which had a bunch of wine solids mixed in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Over the hill. Smelled old, looked old (brownish), tasted old. Drank a glass or two for old time sake (last botle for 2+ cases), but the rest went down the drain.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
G.'s succinct comments - "a bit short on both the nose and palate. Should have had it with steak". My notes - Sweet on the nose, with cassis, a bit of sweet green pepper and leather, and hints of what may have been "tar" earlier in this wine's life. Medium bodied on the palate, with a decent finish holding some medium fine tannins. This wine gets more appealing with a bit of time in the glass, morphing from "slightly austere" to "somewhat elegant" as it fills out. For my tastes, it's got a great flavor profile, but could be a bit more lush on the palate. As it's drinking today, this would be best served with a meal to cut the tannins/sharpness off the finish and accentuate the fruit. At $13, it's all nitpicking....it's a great bottle of wine for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle was actually pleasant with nice age on it - mature but not too old. Very smooth tannins with still a nice amount of restrained cabernet fruit. This is what I am hoping for by keeping cabs of this ilk for 5-ish years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definetly peaking. Very balanced. Sharp nose and lots of fruit and tannins. After reading some previous post I was a little worried, so a very plesent surprise. Wish I had a few more bottles. Opens up after about 90 min.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The last two bottles had me pretty worried about finishing my last six, but this one was pretty nice and actually got better a couple of hours after being open. The fruit and structure are still OK in this bottle. I hope this bodes well for teh rest of my 99s as well as the 2000s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not very good. I'm afraid this vintage has lost its steam in a hurry. The last six bottles will be a struggle. The best I can say is maybe the flavors are reminiscent of black olives, which I do not like.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bitter hints. Flavors definitely off. I'm hoping it's just this one bottle. I still have 7 left, though I have had 20 before this one that were enjoyable (over the last several years), so I think the rest should be OK. Not so bad that I didn't drink it, but it wasn't pleasant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drink Up... A nice, mid-priced CS. Definitely near its best, with beautifully balanced acid, tannins, oak, and typically powerful Sonoma CS fruit (blackberry, vanilla, cherry). It may get a little better, but its very nice now. Noticable coffee nose as well. I originally scored it ~88, but bumped it after an hour of decanting - it got much better!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful wine. Bursting bouquet of ripe berry fruit, subtle vanilla, and was that cinnamon? Impressive and complex flavors of cherry, mocha, vanilla, and just a hint of oak. Tannins still holding everything together, but mellow. Outstanding wine to drink by itself, but may not hold up with strong foods. I think it would last another year or two, but why wait? Makes me excited to work though my case of 2001, but I wish I had more '99!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderfully expressive nose of cassis. Somewhat one dimensional, as the cassis was so strong there was nothing else to smell. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with subdued tannins. The palate has strong flavors of cassis, with notes of plum and earth.. Varietally true. At $11, this is an excellent, easy to access, daily drinking cabernet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dense rich purple. Classic cab nose-- lots of complexity, depth, blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco, leather. On the palate, there's a creamy texture, focused currant, leather, black cherry flavors, fairly oaky but great balance. Has well integrated tannins, persistent oak and blackcurrant finish. VERY nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/20/2015 - kowalchuk503 wrote: 91 Points
Opened tonight with a porcini crusted rib eye. Still drinking well. A little brick on the edges, but still enough dark fruit to be enjoyable. A few legs and still a little tannins left. Good choice for the weeknight steak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2012 - rehlfun wrote:
- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of pineapple. It's balanced and has flavours of melon, black pepper and hazelnut with a medium/full body. Silky texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2011 - ecola Likes this wine: 93 Points
Amazing wine. Aromas of dark cherry, some toasty oak, and a little mushroom. Drinking very young right now. Flavors of dark berries, a little cow pasture, herb, and cedar. Wonderful acidity on the mid palate. Long finish with sweet tannins. What a wonderful surprise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2011 - BeaverBob wrote: 90 Points
Just opened today at the Outer Banks with a beautiful filet. what a prize. This wine might not be at its peak. Beautiful dark cherries on the nose. Lots of legs. Very subtle tannins on the end. An unbelievable "Sonoma County" vinted wine. Sorry I had no more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2011 - lassus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had to decant this one since the bottom of the cork was crumbling. Seemed a little overripe and flat upon opening, but after an hour or so of aeration it seemed to improve quite a bit, gaining structure and a lengthier finish, with a nice balance of tannin and fruit. I was worried it was past its prime, but all in all it still seems like a very nice wine if you give it the chance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2011 - jlouderb wrote: 88 Points
I have 2 left, just opened one, and it smelled like wet sheep upon opening, but surprisingly a vinturi 1/2 glass didn't have the same taste. It was dark and had flavor left.
After an hour it was much better, and even after 2 days (I gassed it to preserve it) it was drinking great. Not amazing. But not as bad as others made it out. Open now, and if it's a bit weird at first, wait it out.
I enjoyed all but the last sip, which had a bunch of wine solids mixed in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 84 Points
Past prime with earth, spice and light fruit. Short to medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2009 - pickhardt wrote: 78 Points
Over the hill. Smelled old, looked old (brownish), tasted old. Drank a glass or two for old time sake (last botle for 2+ cases), but the rest went down the drain.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2008 - vanpe003 wrote: 88 Points
G.'s succinct comments - "a bit short on both the nose and palate. Should have had it with steak". My notes - Sweet on the nose, with cassis, a bit of sweet green pepper and leather, and hints of what may have been "tar" earlier in this wine's life. Medium bodied on the palate, with a decent finish holding some medium fine tannins. This wine gets more appealing with a bit of time in the glass, morphing from "slightly austere" to "somewhat elegant" as it fills out. For my tastes, it's got a great flavor profile, but could be a bit more lush on the palate. As it's drinking today, this would be best served with a meal to cut the tannins/sharpness off the finish and accentuate the fruit. At $13, it's all nitpicking....it's a great bottle of wine for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2008 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Still going fairly well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2008 - pickhardt wrote: 89 Points
This bottle was actually pleasant with nice age on it - mature but not too old. Very smooth tannins with still a nice amount of restrained cabernet fruit. This is what I am hoping for by keeping cabs of this ilk for 5-ish years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2007 - mogulmike wrote: 92 Points
Definetly peaking. Very balanced. Sharp nose and lots of fruit and tannins. After reading some previous post I was a little worried, so a very plesent surprise. Wish I had a few more bottles. Opens up after about 90 min.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 85 Points
About the same as my last review. OK, but definitely on the decline.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 85 Points
Not bad, but over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
The last two bottles had me pretty worried about finishing my last six, but this one was pretty nice and actually got better a couple of hours after being open. The fruit and structure are still OK in this bottle. I hope this bodes well for teh rest of my 99s as well as the 2000s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 82 Points
Not very good. I'm afraid this vintage has lost its steam in a hurry. The last six bottles will be a struggle. The best I can say is maybe the flavors are reminiscent of black olives, which I do not like.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2007 - pickhardt wrote: flawed
Bitter hints. Flavors definitely off. I'm hoping it's just this one bottle. I still have 7 left, though I have had 20 before this one that were enjoyable (over the last several years), so I think the rest should be OK. Not so bad that I didn't drink it, but it wasn't pleasant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Good, but not great. I should probably make an effort to get through the rest of my bottles from this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 89 Points
Very nice and smooth as usual - shared with many at Christmas Eve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 88 Points
Good as usual
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2006 - shelt wrote: 91 Points
Drink Up... A nice, mid-priced CS. Definitely near its best, with beautifully balanced acid, tannins, oak, and typically powerful Sonoma CS fruit (blackberry, vanilla, cherry). It may get a little better, but its very nice now. Noticable coffee nose as well. I originally scored it ~88, but bumped it after an hour of decanting - it got much better!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 89 Points
Still very nice. One of my bargain bottles at this point, but a consistent winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 88 Points
Good fruit, some backbone, very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 88 Points
Very nice, as usual.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 88 Points
Still drinking nicely. Core of dark fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2006 - pickhardt wrote: 89 Points
Very nice. Smooth, but not without fruit. I think it's at a sweet spot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2005 - Coleman wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful wine. Bursting bouquet of ripe berry fruit, subtle vanilla, and was that cinnamon? Impressive and complex flavors of cherry, mocha, vanilla, and just a hint of oak. Tannins still holding everything together, but mellow. Outstanding wine to drink by itself, but may not hold up with strong foods. I think it would last another year or two, but why wait? Makes me excited to work though my case of 2001, but I wish I had more '99!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2005 - goofy Yno wrote: 87 Points
starting to loose it. still holding on but barely. good qpr.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2004 - Rich Hanna wrote: 89 Points
Wonderfully expressive nose of cassis. Somewhat one dimensional, as the cassis was so strong there was nothing else to smell. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with subdued tannins. The palate has strong flavors of cassis, with notes of plum and earth.. Varietally true. At $11, this is an excellent, easy to access, daily drinking cabernet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2003 - PBaird wrote: 88 Points
Dense rich purple. Classic cab nose-- lots of complexity, depth, blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco, leather. On the palate, there's a creamy texture, focused currant, leather, black cherry flavors, fairly oaky but great balance. Has well integrated tannins, persistent oak and blackcurrant finish. VERY nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment