Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes before tasting. Clear deep garnet-blood red. Subdued bouquet of dusty dark fruit, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, underbrush, fennel, with hints of eucalyptus, tobacco, and balsamic glaze. Similar on the palate, balanced, showing understated elegance. May be fading or may simply be going through a less expressive phase.
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I ran across this in the cellar. Originally, I had thought to save it for awhile, but based on my last note I figured this was going nowhere. Perhaps a case of bottle variation, but this one is superb if drinking a bit young.
Aromatic, with dark fruit, cedar, and a hint of a lit match. On the palate, good fruit concentration with cassis flavors. But the real surprise is the balance, with noticeable acidity and tannins still present which keep this quite bright given its age. Based on my last bottle, I thought this was either substandard or over the hill. Based on this bottle (my last), I wish I had waited another 5-10 years....or longer!
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Not as much depth as I would have thought. Both nose and palate were subdued and lacked the "WOW" factor. Could have been lack of decant/prep. Overall impression was not significantly differentiated from the '98 Paoletti Merlot that was consumed alongside it. While this probably has a bit of time left, I don't see it improving much. A very pleasant bottle of mature Napa Cab, but not life-altering.
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12/18/2014 - Javachip wrote: 90 Points
Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes before tasting. Clear deep garnet-blood red. Subdued bouquet of dusty dark fruit, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, underbrush, fennel, with hints of eucalyptus, tobacco, and balsamic glaze. Similar on the palate, balanced, showing understated elegance. May be fading or may simply be going through a less expressive phase.
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10/20/2013 - Rcapria Likes this wine:
88 passed its prime
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9/3/2010 - vanpe003 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I ran across this in the cellar. Originally, I had thought to save it for awhile, but based on my last note I figured this was going nowhere. Perhaps a case of bottle variation, but this one is superb if drinking a bit young.
Aromatic, with dark fruit, cedar, and a hint of a lit match. On the palate, good fruit concentration with cassis flavors. But the real surprise is the balance, with noticeable acidity and tannins still present which keep this quite bright given its age. Based on my last bottle, I thought this was either substandard or over the hill. Based on this bottle (my last), I wish I had waited another 5-10 years....or longer!
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1/6/2009 - magnew wrote:
RIP
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2/27/2007 - vanpe003 wrote: 89 Points
Not as much depth as I would have thought. Both nose and palate were subdued and lacked the "WOW" factor. Could have been lack of decant/prep. Overall impression was not significantly differentiated from the '98 Paoletti Merlot that was consumed alongside it. While this probably has a bit of time left, I don't see it improving much. A very pleasant bottle of mature Napa Cab, but not life-altering.
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