Upon opening, this wine was entirely dominated by bing cherries and cassis on both the nose and palate. After ninety minutes in the decanter, it has come around a bit to reveal some leather and dark chocolate. The tannins are fully integrated, leaving a strong and relatively short acidic finish. Despite this, a great pairing with the skirt steak I grilled up. This is my first older Robert Craig and my first 98 Affinity, so it is hard to place this in context. Nevertheless, I hoped for a bit more.
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Medium to full bodied, dark garnet color, big forward flavors of black cherry, cherry, raspberry and currant with a tinge of alcohol, layer of anise and graphite on a slightly astringent moderate tannin finish. Amazing life left in this fourteen year old from a modest and unappreciated vintage.
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Not quite a 90 pt wine, but very close. A bit rounder and riper than prior bottlings of this wine, but still very nice cherry, mint, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors. nice finish, drinking well right now.
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Another steak dinner at Hap’s, another bottle of California Cabernet! Decanted just before drinking. Dark reddish purple, big nose (the wine, not me) of blue- and black-berries, sweet buttered toast, and mocha. Much happiness around the table. In the mouth, medium bodied and fairly soft, with some tannins still present. Very nice, slightly sweet blueberry and vanilla flavors, with additional notes of coffee and some licorice. A very pleasant, not particularly complex wine that seemed to disappear fairly quickly.
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7/4/2020 - DKMosier wrote: flawed
Accidentally cooked in storage.
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5/28/2018 - Leejgreen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Was tremendous. Decanted for 45 minutes. Opened nicely. Good fruit, earthiness. Pretty color with some bricking. Very enjoyable.
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10/10/2015 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Very enjoyable, with sweet red fruit, some spice and mineral flavors, smooth and drinking beautifully.
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1/10/2015 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Sweet red fruit, ripe and round, smooth and drinking beautifully.
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11/13/2013 - AlexHop wrote: 88 Points
Nice but a bit thin and a touch of acid.
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4/19/2013 - prof b wrote: 85 Points
Upon opening, this wine was entirely dominated by bing cherries and cassis on both the nose and palate. After ninety minutes in the decanter, it has come around a bit to reveal some leather and dark chocolate. The tannins are fully integrated, leaving a strong and relatively short acidic finish. Despite this, a great pairing with the skirt steak I grilled up. This is my first older Robert Craig and my first 98 Affinity, so it is hard to place this in context. Nevertheless, I hoped for a bit more.
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3/2/2013 - no leashes wrote: 89 Points
Similar notes to prior bottle -- a bit rounder and less elegant than other Affinity's, with black fruit and anise dominating. Very nice. drink now.
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7/31/2012 - rmcnees wrote: 90 Points
Medium to full bodied, dark garnet color, big forward flavors of black cherry, cherry, raspberry and currant with a tinge of alcohol, layer of anise and graphite on a slightly astringent moderate tannin finish. Amazing life left in this fourteen year old from a modest and unappreciated vintage.
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3/18/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 89 Points
Nice but a bit thin and past its prime. Still some nice mellow red fruit, and a good aged claret character. Ends a touch sour.
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4/2/2011 - no leashes wrote: 89 Points
Not quite a 90 pt wine, but very close. A bit rounder and riper than prior bottlings of this wine, but still very nice cherry, mint, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors. nice finish, drinking well right now.
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2/19/2010 - Peech wrote: 90 Points
mint, strawberries, a bit of sweetness in the nose, hint of cotton candy, a bit of alcohol...drinking nicely now
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4/2/2009 - ASG24 wrote:
Another steak dinner at Hap’s, another bottle of California Cabernet! Decanted just before drinking. Dark reddish purple, big nose (the wine, not me) of blue- and black-berries, sweet buttered toast, and mocha. Much happiness around the table. In the mouth, medium bodied and fairly soft, with some tannins still present. Very nice, slightly sweet blueberry and vanilla flavors, with additional notes of coffee and some licorice. A very pleasant, not particularly complex wine that seemed to disappear fairly quickly.
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