Delious Cab here drinking perfectly, in my opinion it has got to be at about peak, hard to imagine this representing any better that it did tonight. Other notes on here accurately describe the tasting profile. So no use of me being redundant, I’ll only add that this is truest singing now and if you are lucky enough to have any it’s the perfect time to enjoy them.
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23 years later and singing! Dark saturated purple color - no bricking. Nose like standing in the tasting room of a Napa Winery. Big red fruit plum and leather on the nose wrapped in a eucalyptus garland. Ripe raspberries and chocolate on the palate. Big wine with lots of energy and balance. No nuances here - delicious!
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This was a wine I purchased a couple years after I started collecting. 4th time I have had this wine. 83% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 3% each Cabernet franc and Petite Verdot. Not decanted. Only moderate sediment.smooth with supple tannins.notes of plums, dark chocolate and pencil lead. Still enjoyable to drink but definitely on the downswing. 89 points.
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Wow...bought retail and cellared. Really great after 2 hours of air ...comes together . Olive oil, dark cherry, sea water, plum, spice . Well made and glad I kept it.
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No formal tasting notes, enjoyed over dinner at a restaurant (Hillstone SF). No decant. First taste wine was still very much alive, alcohol on the nose, lots of fruit on the palate, but tannins absent. Woke up nicely over the next hour in the bottle/glass. Med+ body, Med+ acidity, wonderful balance, round and plentiful. Rich dark fruit, dark chocolate on the palate, tannins sharp but well integrated, nice heat from the alcohol (14.2%). Age has done this bottle well, layers + all components prominent and complimenting each other, smooth and easy to drink but still with enough life/punch to enjoy with our meal (ribeye, mashed potatoes, baby back ribs, fries, broccoli). Nice med-long finish. Still has life, but do not wait too much longer on this bottle!
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Fabulous aged wine. Nose of mild amounts of left bank graphite and aged black fruits. The mouthfeel is just so balanced with a tinge of acidity on the finish. What emerges on the palette is a wonderful and layered experience of flavors. Immediately a velvety mouthfeel, which gives way to subtle black cherry, small amounts of sweet sulphur, dried blueberry, then dried cherry and a mouth coating dusty earth.
The finish goes on and on for literally 30 seconds. The wine is so melancholy that it bursts with age and reaffirms my love for older wine.
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Opened and drank over 5 hours. Wine showed nicely and has held up. beautifully integrated fruit and oak. Touches of classic cab fruit, dark cherry, chocolate powder, elderberry.
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Beautiful dark ruby red. Raspberry and cherries on the nose. Tasty cherries with smoked paprika on the nose. Interesting mineral elements. Quite tasty.
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Popped and poured...consumed over a couple yours...light red...faint nose of red fruit and some earthiness...short finish...past its prime, but nice for what it is.
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Drinking beautifully at the moment. Lovely flavors of red fruits, leather, and some spices. Pretty smooth and tightly integrated. This is surprisingly good after 18 years. Not sure it will get better, but it is not in decline either.
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Dark red looks young. Did need two hours to open up. Grilled meat, soy, black cherry and mineral nose and palate. Soft tannins and crisp cherry juice acidity giving plenty of complexity and finish. Surprising amount of persistent fruit for its age. Mature but not old nor tired..
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It's a beautiful dark brick color, big and intense ripe fruit. with plum, blackberry flavors. Ends with a long persistent finish. Most reviews suggested that the wine was past its prime. Not so, good for another few yes.
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Deep red in color. Fully mature with rich fruit, soft tannins, good depth, long finish. Getting near the end of this stash, but this has been drinking well for years. Clearly reinforces that well made Cali Cabs do age well. Amazingly youthful fruit.
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Sad to drink because I don't have another one. Great mature late '90s cab. Exactly what you hope for (in a good way). Definitely held together better than the '97. Not sure I would wait as secondary characteristics are coming out now while still fresh.
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Ruby red at center, lots of bricking at edges. Nose has a musty, oxidized aroma with perhaps some plum overtones. Round mouthfeel, still a bit hot, tannins mostly resolved. Lots of mocha, tar and fading, but still-present black fruits. A very nice example of a well-aged, if receding Calif cab that has entered its final drinking stage. Perhaps another 1-2 years left here, but still enjoyable & much better than I would ever have expected
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Delicious! Drank 2 98's and not so good and pretty good. Opened this 99 and the fruit is great. Reminds me of those years where we open them up early and tasted so full. Bottles may last a while longer but think about them drinking soon if you have them. Whitehall is always great, It's a pleasure to drink them over the years.
Still goodbut drink soon.... not much nose, no dregs to decant..... soft, medium body... sweet fruit cherry, raspberry, cola...... tannins subtle, opened 1 hr......
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The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Fast. It smells like Light toast, Biscuity, Cranberry, Cherry, and Soy Sauce. It tastes like Cranberry, Tobacco, and Cherry. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Leathery texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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The cork had a crack in the wine end and this bottle just didn't taste right. I fear it had gone to the dark side. We re-tasted after a nights rest in the decanter and it tasted a lot better, yet it seemed merely dark, somewhat tannic, and devoid of much fruit.
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I bought this bottle upon release and kept it in perfect conditions. I was not too sure what to expect after 12 years. A dark color and nice nose showed that the wine had aged nicely. It is very fresh and does not show any sign of having reached its peak. Very impressive maturity for this price range. My problem with it is that the level of alcohol is way too high and masks the beauty of the wine. It tastes very nicely but the overall impression is a strong imbalance. After 12 years, fruits and tannins have disappeared so the alcohol hits the palate in a strong way. It could have been a wonderful wine if only it would have been made with less alcohol. A missed opportunity for this fine winery.
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This wine is drinking wonderfully right now. We decanted it for about 30 to 40 minutes. It was the perfect example of why you age wine. The tannins have mellowed yet the wine has kept its complexity and character. Of the 6 wines we opened for dinner last night, this was the star.
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Decanted and enjoyed with a variety of appetizers and grilled salmon. Paired well with everything we ate. Seductive nose. Great balance, layers of complexity, with a silky smooth and long finish...
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Delicious filet - decanted about 90 minutes. Complemented the food well. Nose improved with time, fruit has mellowed. Nice finish. Doubt it will improve with any more age.
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Great example of a mature California Cab that has been well kept. Decanted for 45 minutes. Rich dark red color with a nose of lush dark fruits. The wine was rich and well balanced with blackberry and chocolate flavors with some wood undertones. This is a stylish red that still has some time but I would drink now.
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Staying very burly and rough, but finally starting to settle nicely into middle age - no mid life crisis detected here. Best thing about the wine is the nose - rich and exuberant in its cherry and expresso draw, but also noticable is the alcohol - which is amazing considering the wine is now more than 12 years from harvest. Of all the bottles of this wine I've had I think this one wil lbe my favorite, which bodes well for its future(rich cassis, some mint and lingering black pecoe undertones). Considering that the tannins are still borderline sandpapery, and the acids are going strong, I'm giving this one at least another 12 years before its real drink window closes. Good news for those with bottles still remaining in the cellar.
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This bottle at least seems to be on the downside of peak. Cassis, green olives and leather on a chewy frame with somewhat drying tannins. More green and less vibrant than a few years ago, it still paired well with food.
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Decanted for 30 minutes or so. I believe this was a #4 wine on WS list many years ago (or perhaps that was the Reserve?) and was one of the wines that got me hooked into wine about 10 years ago. Been wanting to open one for a while and have three more left. Wonderful nose. Great balance between fruit, some earthiness and tobacco flavors. Long, smooth finish. Very enjoyable and still has good life to it.
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Decanted for an hour and continued to evolve nicely over the next 90 min of drinking. Dark ruby color. Silky smooth, well integrated tannins. Sure improved nicely over the last bottle I opened a few years back. Seems like its will be good for at least a couple more years. Very enjoyable.
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This tastes exactly as I remember it on release. I was hoping it would come together a bit more and show me something different but I was let down. Seemed a little hot and disjointed but a decent drink nontheless.
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Classy Cabernet Sauvignon with vivid cassis, and blackberry that crash onto the palate followed by dried red and black fruits and pretty sage. Rugged red color with aromatics of crushed red flowers. A leathery, cedar drenched finish with a touch of oak. Probably not going to improve, so drink up. This drank much better in it's younger years. 99 tasting challenge.
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What a great find in the cellar. This baby really held up. Very deep color with cedar, oak and touches of blackberries. I wish I had more than one bottle left. Can not wait for the 97 reserve now.
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Color: Deep red center, velvety garnet edges, vibrant and silky tones! Lighter than in its you but not showing much maturity in the brick color department. Sign of a very well made wine.
Nose: Beautiful aromas of fresh berries, sage, mulled currants, some mature aromas of fall leaves, cassis and cedar a little bit of toasty oak.
Palate: Full and silky, tannins give body and structure, but in a supple, inviting way, security with a velvet blanket...the fruit fans out but is in check, framed with some fresh herbs and subtle spice, this is classic Napa Valley Cabernet before the fruit bombs started dropping!
Palate:
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Over 3 days, showed very well. Dark berry fruit, with oak, smoke, and hints of spice, evolving through the days. Better day 2, more layered and complex than day1.
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Solid, tannic and still not showing its real potential. A pop and pour, this is a wine that should be allowed to sit in decanter for at least two or three hours. It broods on and on - dark plum and coffee essences, mean rich oaky flavor on the tongue and tough, teeth staining tannins. I never had enough of the '99s to really know if this roughness is an across the board characteristic, but it just feels like its gonna wear this mask much longer than it needs to. I think of napa '99 like '01 but without the brighter, tangier cassis characterisitcs that make that a winner of a vintage. Hey, at least this one has staying power, but it's kind of like the houseguest that dropped in for the weekend and just doesn't want to leave.
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Drank on the birthday of my twin boys, born in 1999. Impressive fruit and great balance. Feel like this wine will be good for at least 3-4 more years. Enjoyed the fruit and the depth as the wine evolved over the two hours of drinking.
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Smoky, earthy, wood on nose, really nice. Flavors include deep blueberry, oak wood, dark chocolate. Moderate tannins are still there with hints of acidity to keep it lively. This has hit its stride, I would drink now. Quite good.
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Post-Wedding Family Dinner: Last bottle from a case and by far the worst. The nose is dominated by VA. Tastes thin and tired. Glad I drank these up back when they were pretty good.
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decanted for sediment (minimal) and drunk over 2hr; still dark with minor bricking; full dark fruit, earth and oak nose; started out with minor elegant cherry and raspberry notes that were overpowered by the oak, with good cigar, tea, earth and sl heavy tannins; rounded out with some brighter cherry with the oak/tanning backing off; interesting and evolved in the glass but not (yet?) fully integrated or ethereal.
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Delicious dark cherry, smoke, tobacco flavors, smooth texture, drinking beautifully out of magnum. I thought it was the best of the night, which included a tasting of '99 cabs : Lewis, Schweiger and 2480
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World's smallest cork had signs of leekage to the top, so I was very skeptical. The smell was not off though, so we decided to try it. Dark black cherry red in color, smooth, tannins well integrated. At first this was very dusty, smokey, earthy, some olive and very little fruit. Yah, probably past it's prime (83ish). However over time, the dark currant, cherry, and cassis did emerge which put this wine easily back in the 'excellent' category.
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Vinturi'd the bottle. Probably still young. Tannins are pronounced. Red fruit predominates, but not currently as balanced as I would like. It might improve, but hard to tell at this point. Don't get me wrong--this is enjoable. Stay tuned for an update.
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Copious red fruit, primarily raspberry, with unfocused charred meat, campfire, black olive and cedar. Significant alcohol aromas. Tannins are awkward. Decanted 2 hours with very little improvement. Tough to make a drinking window call on this one. I guess if I had more, I would hold 2-3 more years and hope for better integration. Right now, while "okay," it's a bit disjointed.
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A solid bottle. Smoky, earthy currant nose. Flavors are relatively lean, lots of earth, smoke, red currant. Moderate, well integrated tannins with a bit of acid and heat, 45 second finish. Very good to outstanding, but perhaps was better a little earlier in its life. If I have a complaint it is that the earth/dirt in the wine is ashy, almost like a dirty dishrag and a bit distracting.
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Opened for my birthday meal - absolutely delicious. drinking very well past the 10-year mark, will hold for another few years easily. decanted, drank after 4 hours then tried again a few hours later, which made all the difference. The cedar and herbal perfume really intensified. Wish I had another bottle!
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3rd time I have had this wine. My wife and I took it to dinner at Glen Prairie ($10 corkage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois). Very nice restaurant with a frequently changing menu which focuses on locally grown organic foods. The sources are listed on the menu. This wine was a solid dark red color. Not decanted. It was drinking as good as ever. Excellent tannic structure and a solid core of black and red fruits. Some tea and cassis notes. This will hold for another 5 years in my opinion. I have 1 bottle left which I will hold off on until 2014 (age 15 for the wine). 93 points.
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This wine is still substantially tannic, but (unlike my prior bottle several years ago which was overwhelmed with tannins and would not relent despite several hours in the decanter) was enjoyable with a steak. I probably should have consulted the tasting notes here, and if I had done so, the better thing would have been to wait a few more years. There is still ample black fruit, coffee, toasted oak, plenty to continue to offer pleasure as the tannins continue to soften. A very good wine, but it will be better with more patience.
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This was great. Enveloping nose of currant, black cherry, pencil shavings, wet earth, and flowers. Fruit forward on the palate, again with currant and black cherry. Nuances of earth, mushroom, herb, and minerals. In balance, with noticeable tannin and acid. Drinking well now, but likely will continue to evolve for at least another ten years.
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Opened at Otis' Cellar Diminishment Party. This wine made the WS top 10 list a few years ago. Last time I had this was in 2003. This wine is showing even better now. I still have 2 bottles which I will continue to hold. Bright red fruit. Sweet tannins. Rouded texture. 93 points.
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Nicely aromatic nose of pine forest and fresh cut wood. Mature flavors of dark cherry, anise, plenty of tannin. Fully mature, drinking well and will probably suffer from a bit too much tannin for the remaining fruit. I have good storage so if you do not, drink soon, otherwise, 2 year window.
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this was excellant with a long finish. It was reserved in a bordeaux sense with a splash of cab franc. I really enjoyed this. If you have any left this seemed youthful and I would hold.
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Decanted and served immediately. Has thrown a fine sediment. Still dark red and fresh looking. Plummy fruit, oak, black olive, and a hint of menthol in the nose. Bit hot at first, but soon not noticeable. Lots of primary fruit remains, though lacking in focus and definition. A pleasant herbal character added complexity. (When I found out that there is Cab Franc in the mix, that made sense) Tannins are resolved. The relatively low acidity indicates to me that despite the strong current showing, the remaining wine should be consumed in the next few years. If I had a lot, I'd keep one to see what develops.
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This wine even though it is not Whitehall Lane's flagship wine has aged superbly. This wine has a very nice inky purple color to it and is 14.2% alcohol. The nose has nice complexity to it, notes of red berries, cassis, perfumey and a bit floral and leather aromas. It tastes of red berries, cassis, plum, and a bit earthy. There is still more than enough acidity and tannin for further aging and this wine is not to far away from developing some secondary charactoristics. Surprisingly, I think this wines best years are still ahead of it. This one should easily be an excellent wine at 20+ years old and beyond. Nicely done, I will look forward to trying it again when it is 15 years old. Very impressive. I can only imagine how good their reserve is.
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Cherry, leathery notes on the nose; red licorice, smooth mouthfeel, tannins well balanced, aged well. Impressed that this wine has aged well from 1999.
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Opened and glass decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly opaque looking. Nose of kirsch, cedar, berries and tobacco. Flavors of berries, plums and black cherries. Medium acidity, fully resolved tannins, medium body. Blowing a tiny bit of sediment. Drink now. This was my last bottle.
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This bottle was a pop, pour and drink replacement to an awful Spanish wine. On the nose there was very nice plum, raspberry and oak. On the palate there was an array of red and black fruit bursting forward (chassis, cherry and blackberries) with nice oak sourced vanilla/menthol on the finish. The tannins were adding a nice sweet note too on the long finish which rounded off the wine beautifully. Excellent effort that really seems to be hitting its stride now. Glad I have 4 more ;-)
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Wow, still holding its own all these years. Another '99 that retained a lot of its youth and structure. The flavor profile on this was darker fruits and bigger tannins than the other 1999 cabernet we consumed on 2/15.
Color: Dark opaque core, dark red edges. Nose: Blackberry, dark plum, kirsch and rich oak aromas. Palate: More blackberry, black cherry, black currants intertwined with some tobacco and leather. Big ripe tannins are receding. Nice and rich classic Napa finish...brought me back to tasting wine in Napa.
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wow. i can't believe it's been > 4 years since my last tasting of this wine. not decanted. true to form, this is a 99 that at least holds some value in a vintage i don't care too much for (the reserve is very good). nevertheless, it's thick with gritty tannins (still!), and after 9 years, this is as good as it will get, drink up. a little austere, as extrapolated, but not much unintegrated oak, moderately fruited with cassis and blackberry.
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Darn good Napa cabernet from back when I could still afford it... Nose of currant, cherry, and a whiff of mature cedar/tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, with good focus of dark flavors and a good finish. Should last another 6-8 years.
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Deep garnet red color. Cherry, toasted oak, vanilla and eucalyptus scent. Full body, well-balanced, velvety smooth, currant, tobacco and mocha palate with ripe tannins and a very nice finish.
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Consumed a 1.5 Magnum. Drank it with a Bone In Rib Eye at The Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills. Really well structured and still great fruit. Soft tobacco and hints of cassis. It was the brother in law's Birthday so he received the most pours out of seven people. Wish I had another bottle.
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I enjoyed this very much, as well as a few guests at my party. Tobacco and leather on the nose. Balanced minerals and subtle cherry on the palate. Long and smooth finish. I wish I had another bottle... Drink soon.
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May have had a bit of heat damage. Good, dark color, nose a bit too much olive and pepper on it. Palate was pretty good -- -dark fruit ( a bit muted), pepper, green olive and a bit of leather on the finish. Good, but had another a month earlier that was better.
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Tasted September 13, 2007. Opened and decanted about 90 minutes before serving. Purple color in the glass, clear throughout with a slightly vibrant hue. Nose of black currants, smoke, Kirsch and white pepper. Later on some notes of dark chocolate. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, plums and black currants. Finish was slightly muddled early on but seemed to resolve with additional air time. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Can be drank now with a minimum of an hour in the decanter or you can continue to hold. Fairly nice California Cabernet Sauvignon for the price point.
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Dark red in color, big cedar nose with lots of mingling notes, such as: cassis, red currant, soda with hints of vanilla, sweet palate with lots of layered fruits, smooth integrated tannins but still some life ahead, long finish, stylistically Bordeaux
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Smoke and alderwood nose hides some black fruits and an edge of tar. Thick legs. Plum and black currant fruit with a big, peppery, spicy character. Finish shows plenty of tannin left, with red clay and residual cherry fruit. Plenty of life in this wine but tasting great now.
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This was lovely with some homemade fettucini and hot Italian sausage. This is drinking perfectly; balanced and nuanced. If I had any criticism (and it's not much) there is a touch too much oak showing through. All in all, a delightful quaffe.
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Served with Bouchons. No notes taken. I was very impressed by this bottle. After going through a closed phase this seems to be opening up. The nose was brooding with dark fruit and a bit of tobacco and earth. Bordeaux-like and excellent. The taste was also good with plenty of concentrated fruit, excellent balance, and a great finish. I think I'll try to keep my hands off the remaining bottles to see how much better this can get.
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Opened a bit tight, but open up after and hour of decanting. Enjoyed over the next 2 hours. vegetal nose with compliments of oak. Black currant, and cassis, round integrated tannins with moderate finish of herbal notes.
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I bought this bottle in 2003, hoping to cellar it for awhile. And I was very good. I didn't touch it until New Year's Eve 2006. It wasn't ready. Not nearly. I should've decanted it and eaten a good steak with it. I think had it reached its full potential, it would've been a 96 pointer or more. I was waiting for a special occasion and what nicer occasion than New Year's Eve? It was very rich but still very tannic and needed more time. What can I say? I'd like to try and find another one!
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Gift from FMIII to Lorena. ... LC and I went to Pinot Provence for lunch today to celebrate on of our many anniversaries. I had duck confit and Lorena had an interesting lobster salad. Both outstanding....and the chocolate bread pudding was amazing. On to the wine....It opened up very tannic with lots of primary fruit. I was a little worried...it seems so big and rough. But, over the couple of hours it was open, it just got more lovely. The color was amazing.. No way I would have guessed a 7 year old wine...and with time, by the end of the meal, the fruit had given away to some awesome acidity that provided great balance. Strong finish. A really nice bottle of wine that has years of life ahead of it. 4.0--
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Bottle decanted for 2 hours, then drank over the course of another 2 hours. An oak dominated nose, tannins have smoothed out, black fruit and cassis flavors, with a lingering finish. An enjoyable bottle of wine.
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I was just not overwhelmed with this bottle. In hindsight I should have decanted at least an hour or two. Wine was rather closed and muted. Even after an hour I didn't notice much difference. I was expecting a lot more. I have one more bottle and will give it a good decant and see if my impression changes.
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With Jen and a dry-aged steak. Initially, a core of good fruit, but very tight. After 2-3 hours of air--and paired with a grilled, dry-aged steak, the wine showed lovely chery and black currant fruit, with some earth and herbs on the finish. The wine was delicious--although it would have been good, w/ 1-3 years of bottle age also, I think
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this wine is ruby red in color with deep, dense color intensity. The Nose is full of blackberry, with notes of mint and chocolate. Plenty of acidity left in this well balanced wine, as the bright, plum flavors linger for a long time. Still has some great years ahead.
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Took a bottle of this to Ruth Chris. Lots of oak coming through, but the fruit was plentiful. Will hold my other two bottles for at least 2-3 more years.
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Very nice, but I think it needs more time, and I'm not sure that I'll ever be thrilled by it. It did improve after being decanted about an hour. The fruit started to come out and really show itself. It is modestly tannic, and I do think it has the fruit to live past that tannin. The off-putting aspect of it is the amount of vanilla to the palate, which I hope will dissipate.
I would say hold until 2008+.
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Drinking extremely well. Lovely fruit with structure. Always loved the reserve but must admit the standard issue bottling is anything but. Still has several years of good drinkability, but can't imagine it developing any better.
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Been drinking this over the years. My favorite vintage of this wine. It is becoming a lot more integrated and balanced now. Was great right out of the bottle, but was really good after a few hours in the decanter. Still cherry, medium tannins, cassis, semi-long finish. Started to get a little of that "old" taste after a while. Head and shoulders above the '00, '01, and '02. Drink within the next 3-5 years.
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Delicious, not decanted and consumed within moments of opening! Patience of waiting years in the cellar rewarded with soft tannins, blackberry, kirsch and vanilla. May have more time ahead, but the matured youthfulless is delightful. I'll drink another, then sit on the rest for another year.
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Served at home with a dinner of Grilled Bone In New York Strip Steaks. Purchased from a local retailer upon release for $45.00 per 750ml. 14.2% alcohol by volume. Opened and served immediately without decanting in Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glasses. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty hue. Nose of briar patch, bell peppers, crushed cherries and dried herbs. Once it opened a while picked up some Kirsch and cassis. Flavors of Bing cherry and mint that filled out with time in the glass with more dark fruit like black currants, black cherries and a dash of mocha. Slightly drying tannins that softened a bit at 30 minutes in glass. Good acidity, balanced overall. Should hold for another 3-5 years but I don't expect any improvement myself. WIML91, PURPLE92.
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After some discussion on the Parker BB about this wine, figured I'd just open one. I will offer some conditional disappointment on this bottle. I do plan to drink the last 6 ozs. tonight during the Ducks/Kings game but from what I tasted last night, I'm not sure this wine is as good as it was first pubbed to be. Lots of vanilla and oak on the nose, along with some herb. The wine has what I would call a thinner palate and some black cherry fruit, along with an astringent finish. I did decant it last night, perhaps not nearly long enough, but for sure the wine will have had plenty of air when I finish tonight. I hope that I can come back and post a more positive note. Since I have one bottle additional of this wine, along with another bottle of the Reserve, I'm hoping........Will post an final TN this evening.
Ok, so it's been another 24 hours and the wine has been sitting in the bottle. I'm tasting it in a quiet setting and with a Bdx stem and so it's just me and the wine. Nose=a little candied but there is a bit of a hot sensation, maybe a little VA. I can't pin it down. It reminds me of heat but the bottle lists the alc @ 14.2%. Maybe resiny smelling is a better descriptor. Palate=Lots of currant and black cherry. More herbal nuance tonight, maybe tobacco, but herby. The astringency is still there but at least the finish is a bit better and there is a more noticeable acidity in the wine. That I can taste.
Overall, this is not my style of wine and I'm not sure what to make of it. I've admitted before that I do not drink a lot of Cab and so maybe my inexperience with this varietal is showing through.
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Enjoyed with New York Strip and green beans. Dark red color. Classic cabernet nose. Great fruit. Very nice. A little bit of overripe fruit on the finish. Still very tannic, with a lingering finish.
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Very supple. Drank along with 1999 Cakebread Cabernet Napa Valley, 1999 E.Guigal Chateau Neuf and 2002 Duckhorn Napa Valley on Christmas day with the relatives. I liked this the best although they were all worthy. My brother-in-law liked the Cakebread best.
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Tanins have totally integrated and this wine is at its' peak now. It's not going to get any better so drink up. I have only a bottle left and plan on having it within six months. This is no long-life cab.
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Not Rated. This bottle was much more reserved than previous bottles. I haven't had many California wines go through a closed phase, but I would say this one is. The fruit and oak were much less pronounced than I expected, and the tannins were present throughout (almost gritty). I will wait awhile before trying another one.
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This does need more time. I couldn't believe that on the third day this was actually singing!! All the tanin finally integrated and allowed the fruit to shine through. The first two days the wine was tight and the tannins were too dominant. By day three the dark fruit was up front with hints of cigar box and leather in the backround. I don't plan on touching another for probably two years.
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Opened this last night and only decanted for about 30 minutes. I think it could have benefited from more time. Overall, this was a slightly above average CalCab. Nothing spectacular. I am hopeful that it is entering a dumb phase, becuase right now it is a little muted with dark fruits, cassis and spicy oak dominating the palate. Nose is all cassis and oak. Finish was fair and moderately tannic. There is a hint of complexity in there that keeps it interesting, and gives me hope for the future. Based on that I will give it a 90, but frankly, I do not see the spectator 93 nor the #5 WOTY.
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i haven't had a wine from this producer in so long, i've lost my baseline with them. i picked up a couple of these from costco, whenever. i've had wines from this vintage with bigger reputations that weren't as pleasing.
there is a nice balance of oak, vanilla, and tannin that is distinctly calicab. aversion to the genre need not pop the cork. nevertheless, plenty of fruit to recommend it, and i'm not unhappy to be drinking it.
it took a couple of hours in the glass to really integrate and become attractive. not a wine that will change your life, however, i will look forward to my remaining bottles.
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Sampled at an off-line featuring the Wine Spectator Top Ten wines from 2002. Charcoal, rosemary, and cherry aromas. Ripe berry fruit, with coffee notes. Short-medium length finish. Somewhat disjointed. I have had better cabs in this price range. Rafanelli comes to mind.
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83% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 3% each Cabernet franc and Petite Verdot. WS's #5 wine of 2002. Tried this in June 2003. Dark crimson red. Filled with sweet fruit with notes of cassis and red fruit. Strong oaky flavors which will need some time to integrate. 91-92 points.
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Bright disc. Opaque ruby with red rim. Clean nose, showing intense coffee, currants, cola and cherry. Good acidity, medium alcohol, abundant tannins. The tannins are slightly hot. Medium to full-bodied, with a strong mid-palate showing similar flavors as the nose. The finish is long and slightly hot. Needs time, but has great potential.
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3/14/2024 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 91 Points
oak now fully integrated; slightly sweet, ripe california fruit; a very nice mature cab; still great on day 2.
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3/24/2023 - Joelene wrote: 93 Points
Delious Cab here drinking perfectly, in my opinion it has got to be at about peak, hard to imagine this representing any better that it did tonight. Other notes on here accurately describe the tasting profile. So no use of me being redundant, I’ll only add that this is truest singing now and if you are lucky enough to have any it’s the perfect time to enjoy them.
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10/5/2022 - unionst Likes this wine: 92 Points
23 years later and singing!
Dark saturated purple color - no bricking.
Nose like standing in the tasting room of a Napa Winery. Big red fruit plum and leather on the nose wrapped in a eucalyptus garland.
Ripe raspberries and chocolate on the palate. Big wine with lots of energy and balance. No nuances here - delicious!
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1/23/2022 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
This was a wine I purchased a couple years after I started collecting. 4th time I have had this wine. 83% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 3% each Cabernet franc and Petite Verdot. Not decanted. Only moderate sediment.smooth with supple tannins.notes of plums, dark chocolate and pencil lead. Still enjoyable to drink but definitely on the downswing. 89 points.
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1/4/2022 - LCHammer wrote: 87 Points
Still good after 10+ years but nothing memorable. If you have some, I recommend drinking sooner than later.
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2/26/2021 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow...bought retail and cellared. Really great after 2 hours of air ...comes together . Olive oil, dark cherry, sea water, plum, spice . Well made and glad I kept it.
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12/25/2020 - Lutmel wrote: flawed
Excellent cab. Soft, smooth finish. Chocolate overtones. Decanted. Excellent with prime rib.
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11/26/2020 - Winokdub wrote: 93 Points
Excellent aged napa cab. All elements sing. Chocolate abound. Nose mouth and finish. Saved some for day 2 and equally good.
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2/12/2020 - Laz4wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely older wine, still good structure and similar observations to recent TNs, definitely wouldn't wait too much longer on it.
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11/2/2019 - JKGarden Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank very well from the initial pour
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8/21/2019 - dlowrey99 Likes this wine: 93 Points
No formal tasting notes, enjoyed over dinner at a restaurant (Hillstone SF). No decant. First taste wine was still very much alive, alcohol on the nose, lots of fruit on the palate, but tannins absent. Woke up nicely over the next hour in the bottle/glass. Med+ body, Med+ acidity, wonderful balance, round and plentiful. Rich dark fruit, dark chocolate on the palate, tannins sharp but well integrated, nice heat from the alcohol (14.2%). Age has done this bottle well, layers + all components prominent and complimenting each other, smooth and easy to drink but still with enough life/punch to enjoy with our meal (ribeye, mashed potatoes, baby back ribs, fries, broccoli). Nice med-long finish. Still has life, but do not wait too much longer on this bottle!
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5/7/2019 - tomoem Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fabulous aged wine. Nose of mild amounts of left bank graphite and aged black fruits. The mouthfeel is just so balanced with a tinge of acidity on the finish. What emerges on the palette is a wonderful and layered experience of flavors. Immediately a velvety mouthfeel, which gives way to subtle black cherry, small amounts of sweet sulphur, dried blueberry, then dried cherry and a mouth coating dusty earth.
The finish goes on and on for literally 30 seconds. The wine is so melancholy that it bursts with age and reaffirms my love for older wine.
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3/24/2019 - jroberts86 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened and drank over 5 hours. Wine showed nicely and has held up. beautifully integrated fruit and oak. Touches of classic cab fruit, dark cherry, chocolate powder, elderberry.
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3/12/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great place, muted fruit but very well rounded
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1/12/2019 - chadbuchanan Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Well past its peak, and can't be recommended. Weighty and one-dimensional with lots of earthy/stony notes that overpower anything else.
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11/3/2018 - JKGarden Likes this wine: 94 Points
It drank well after decanting and held until we finished the bottle.
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10/17/2018 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful dark ruby red. Raspberry and cherries on the nose. Tasty cherries with smoked paprika on the nose. Interesting mineral elements. Quite tasty.
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10/13/2018 - hanasowner wrote: 87 Points
Popped and poured...consumed over a couple yours...light red...faint nose of red fruit and some earthiness...short finish...past its prime, but nice for what it is.
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5/19/2018 - Outplaying Likes this wine:
This is aging gracefully. Nicely balanced, with some light eucalyptus and earthy notes. Much better than an 03 Pahlmeyer red we had along with it.
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11/20/2017 - Ron Slye wrote: 90 Points
Drinking beautifully at the moment. Lovely flavors of red fruits, leather, and some spices. Pretty smooth and tightly integrated. This is surprisingly good after 18 years. Not sure it will get better, but it is not in decline either.
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10/21/2017 - Alongfield Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bordeauxy must. Still ripe but tastes more like cab franc Cab Sauvignon.
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10/15/2016 - caldocane Likes this wine: 88 Points
This one is now past its prime. Tasty but fading, drink now.
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6/13/2016 - GalvezGuy wrote: flawed
Removing the capsule showed signs of previous leakage. Although not completely dead, this was a shadow of what it should have been.
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3/26/2016 - GBK Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still has a lot of life after 16 years; minor bricking; subdued nose but a mouthful on finish.
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12/25/2015 - JSolo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still very good. Last bottle in the cellar.
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7/23/2015 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark red looks young. Did need two hours to open up. Grilled meat, soy, black cherry and mineral nose and palate. Soft tannins and crisp cherry juice acidity giving plenty of complexity and finish. Surprising amount of persistent fruit for its age. Mature but not old nor tired..
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7/22/2015 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mature, tart sweet raspberry. Low tannin. Nice nose. Good for the vintage.
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5/9/2015 - dpeak Likes this wine: 93 Points
It's a beautiful dark brick color, big and intense ripe fruit. with plum, blackberry flavors. Ends with a long persistent finish. Most reviews suggested that the wine was past its prime. Not so, good for another few yes.
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1/11/2015 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep red in color. Fully mature with rich fruit, soft tannins, good depth, long finish. Getting near the end of this stash, but this has been drinking well for years. Clearly reinforces that well made Cali Cabs do age well. Amazingly youthful fruit.
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10/12/2014 - Baylorwine wrote:
Sad to drink because I don't have another one. Great mature late '90s cab. Exactly what you hope for (in a good way). Definitely held together better than the '97. Not sure I would wait as secondary characteristics are coming out now while still fresh.
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9/16/2014 - cephomer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby red at center, lots of bricking at edges. Nose has a musty, oxidized aroma with perhaps some plum overtones. Round mouthfeel, still a bit hot, tannins mostly resolved. Lots of mocha, tar and fading, but still-present black fruits. A very nice example of a well-aged, if receding Calif cab that has entered its final drinking stage. Perhaps another 1-2 years left here, but still enjoyable & much better than I would ever have expected
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8/1/2014 - Schnoz wrote:
Delicious! Drank 2 98's and not so good and pretty good. Opened this 99 and the fruit is great. Reminds me of those years where we open them up early and tasted so full. Bottles may last a while longer but think about them drinking soon if you have them. Whitehall is always great, It's a pleasure to drink them over the years.
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1/22/2014 - no leashes wrote: 89 Points
Still very tasty, although at or slightly beyond its peak. Dark berry, cherry, earth and glycerin, smooth and delicious.
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11/23/2013 - rfras Likes this wine: 93 Points
similar to last tasting note.
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8/24/2013 - Hbgsurgeon wrote: 91 Points
Drinking great but not going to get better. Drink up!
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7/4/2013 - docstein Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still goodbut drink soon.... not much nose, no dregs to decant..... soft, medium body... sweet fruit cherry, raspberry, cola...... tannins subtle, opened 1 hr......
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6/29/2013 - JSolo wrote: 90 Points
Better than expected. Cork was stained on top; however, no leakage along sides.
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4/17/2013 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Really drinking beautifully, with dark fruit, chocolate, toasty oak and white pepper. Nicely balanced, long finish. very good.
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11/29/2012 - jgkost Likes this wine: 89 Points
The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Fast. It smells like Light toast, Biscuity, Cranberry, Cherry, and Soy Sauce. It tastes like Cranberry, Tobacco, and Cherry. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Leathery texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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6/10/2012 - Margauxguy wrote: 91 Points
Pleasant sweet fruit, dark berries, well integrated
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4/30/2012 - JSolo wrote: 89 Points
Tannins still showing. Need to decant.
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4/13/2012 - JSolo wrote: 89 Points
Still some tannins showing. Did not decant long enough.
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2/20/2012 - toddleone wrote: 93 Points
Decanted wine for 60 minutes and then put back into the bottle.
Several hours later we had the wine at the end of the evening.
The wine tasted great. Good color, excellent nose and tasted excellent.
I have had three of these in the past six months; this was by far the best of the three.
Take away, if cellared well, decant and enjoy.
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2/18/2012 - lvjohn wrote: 85 Points
The cork had a crack in the wine end and this bottle just didn't taste right. I fear it had gone to the dark side. We re-tasted after a nights rest in the decanter and it tasted a lot better, yet it seemed merely dark, somewhat tannic, and devoid of much fruit.
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1/28/2012 - cbucking Likes this wine: 92 Points
92...very good wine...great QPR at $30 ...buy more...drink now...90 minutes in decanter required
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1/1/2012 - E1855 wrote: 90 Points
I bought this bottle upon release and kept it in perfect conditions. I was not too sure what to expect after 12 years. A dark color and nice nose showed that the wine had aged nicely. It is very fresh and does not show any sign of having reached its peak. Very impressive maturity for this price range. My problem with it is that the level of alcohol is way too high and masks the beauty of the wine. It tastes very nicely but the overall impression is a strong imbalance. After 12 years, fruits and tannins have disappeared so the alcohol hits the palate in a strong way. It could have been a wonderful wine if only it would have been made with less alcohol. A missed opportunity for this fine winery.
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12/30/2011 - bsegel Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine is drinking wonderfully right now. We decanted it for about 30 to 40 minutes. It was the perfect example of why you age wine. The tannins have mellowed yet the wine has kept its complexity and character. Of the 6 wines we opened for dinner last night, this was the star.
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12/22/2011 - folsomarndt wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and enjoyed with a variety of appetizers and grilled salmon. Paired well with everything we ate. Seductive nose. Great balance, layers of complexity, with a silky smooth and long finish...
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12/11/2011 - ogres3 wrote:
Delicious filet - decanted about 90 minutes. Complemented the food well. Nose improved with time, fruit has mellowed. Nice finish. Doubt it will improve with any more age.
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11/7/2011 - rfras wrote: 93 Points
Great example of a mature California Cab that has been well kept. Decanted for 45 minutes. Rich dark red color with a nose of lush dark fruits. The wine was rich and well balanced with blackberry and chocolate flavors with some wood undertones. This is a stylish red that still has some time but I would drink now.
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10/29/2011 - MicklethePickle wrote: 89 Points
Very dark. Excellent nose, hint of mint, eucalyptus. Very fine. Palate very nice as well. Good finish. 4-13-15-7: 89/100.
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10/3/2011 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 91 Points
Staying very burly and rough, but finally starting to settle nicely into middle age - no mid life crisis detected here. Best thing about the wine is the nose - rich and exuberant in its cherry and expresso draw, but also noticable is the alcohol - which is amazing considering the wine is now more than 12 years from harvest. Of all the bottles of this wine I've had I think this one wil lbe my favorite, which bodes well for its future(rich cassis, some mint and lingering black pecoe undertones). Considering that the tannins are still borderline sandpapery, and the acids are going strong, I'm giving this one at least another 12 years before its real drink window closes. Good news for those with bottles still remaining in the cellar.
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8/6/2011 - rmodak wrote: 88 Points
This bottle at least seems to be on the downside of peak. Cassis, green olives and leather on a chewy frame with somewhat drying tannins. More green and less vibrant than a few years ago, it still paired well with food.
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8/2/2011 - hanasowner wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes or so. I believe this was a #4 wine on WS list many years ago (or perhaps that was the Reserve?) and was one of the wines that got me hooked into wine about 10 years ago. Been wanting to open one for a while and have three more left. Wonderful nose. Great balance between fruit, some earthiness and tobacco flavors. Long, smooth finish. Very enjoyable and still has good life to it.
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7/15/2011 - folsomarndt wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour and continued to evolve nicely over the next 90 min of drinking. Dark ruby color. Silky smooth, well integrated tannins. Sure improved nicely over the last bottle I opened a few years back. Seems like its will be good for at least a couple more years. Very enjoyable.
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7/6/2011 - welchcellars wrote: 88 Points
This tastes exactly as I remember it on release. I was hoping it would come together a bit more and show me something different but I was let down. Seemed a little hot and disjointed but a decent drink nontheless.
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6/10/2011 - wine maestro wrote: 88 Points
Classy Cabernet Sauvignon with vivid cassis, and blackberry that crash onto
the palate followed by dried red and black fruits and pretty sage. Rugged
red color with aromatics of crushed red flowers. A leathery, cedar drenched
finish with a touch of oak. Probably not going to improve, so drink up. This
drank much better in it's younger years. 99 tasting challenge.
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5/29/2011 - bcmatthias wrote: 90 Points
Still quite tannic, red fruit, some spice and leather.
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5/15/2011 - bellabo wrote: 94 Points
What a great find in the cellar. This baby really held up. Very deep color with cedar, oak and touches of blackberries. I wish I had more than one bottle left. Can not wait for the 97 reserve now.
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4/6/2011 - tkoby11 wrote: 93 Points
Unbelievably still in excellent shape!
Color: Deep red center, velvety garnet edges, vibrant and silky tones! Lighter than in its you but not showing much maturity in the brick color department. Sign of a very well made wine.
Nose: Beautiful aromas of fresh berries, sage, mulled currants, some mature aromas of fall leaves, cassis and cedar a little bit of toasty oak.
Palate: Full and silky, tannins give body and structure, but in a supple, inviting way, security with a velvet blanket...the fruit fans out but is in check, framed with some fresh herbs and subtle spice, this is classic Napa Valley Cabernet before the fruit bombs started dropping!
Palate:
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2/15/2011 - JDRFoster wrote: 92 Points
Over 3 days, showed very well. Dark berry fruit, with oak, smoke, and hints of spice, evolving through the days. Better day 2, more layered and complex than day1.
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1/29/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 95 Points
excellent with steak- better with steak than by itself
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1/23/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
still drinking good
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1/16/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
still good
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1/13/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 89 Points
very good- with quail
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12/23/2010 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 89 Points
Solid, tannic and still not showing its real potential. A pop and pour, this is a wine that should be allowed to sit in decanter for at least two or three hours. It broods on and on - dark plum and coffee essences, mean rich oaky flavor on the tongue and tough, teeth staining tannins. I never had enough of the '99s to really know if this roughness is an across the board characteristic, but it just feels like its gonna wear this mask much longer than it needs to. I think of napa '99 like '01 but without the brighter, tangier cassis characterisitcs that make that a winner of a vintage. Hey, at least this one has staying power, but it's kind of like the houseguest that dropped in for the weekend and just doesn't want to leave.
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11/6/2010 - Outplaying wrote:
Getting together with friends (Our House, Avondale, PA): Smells great. Mmm tastes great too. Black fruits, eucylptus notes, spicey. Nice tannins. Tasty.
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10/22/2010 - mkubow wrote: 92 Points
Drank on the birthday of my twin boys, born in 1999. Impressive fruit and great balance. Feel like this wine will be good for at least 3-4 more years. Enjoyed the fruit and the depth as the wine evolved over the two hours of drinking.
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10/10/2010 - ToddR911 wrote: 92 Points
Rich purple with blackberries and chocolate. I could tell from the first smell that I would really like it. This is a great bottle of wine.
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10/9/2010 - BoulderWine wrote: 92 Points
Nice color, very smooth with great balance and flavors. A very nice wine.
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8/29/2010 - guitarguy wrote: 92 Points
Smoky, earthy, wood on nose, really nice. Flavors include deep blueberry, oak wood, dark chocolate. Moderate tannins are still there with hints of acidity to keep it lively. This has hit its stride, I would drink now. Quite good.
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8/4/2010 - Dave Dalluge wrote:
Post-Wedding Family Dinner: Last bottle from a case and by far the worst. The nose is dominated by VA. Tastes thin and tired. Glad I drank these up back when they were pretty good.
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7/27/2010 - wabi47 wrote: 89 Points
decanted for sediment (minimal) and drunk over 2hr; still dark with minor bricking; full dark fruit, earth and oak nose; started out with minor elegant cherry and raspberry notes that were overpowered by the oak, with good cigar, tea, earth and sl heavy tannins; rounded out with some brighter cherry with the oak/tanning backing off; interesting and evolved in the glass but not (yet?) fully integrated or ethereal.
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7/22/2010 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Delicious dark cherry, smoke, tobacco flavors, smooth texture, drinking beautifully out of magnum. I thought it was the best of the night, which included a tasting of '99 cabs : Lewis, Schweiger and 2480
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7/20/2010 - wine4ever wrote: 89 Points
World's smallest cork had signs of leekage to the top, so I was very skeptical. The smell was not off though, so we decided to try it. Dark black cherry red in color, smooth, tannins well integrated. At first this was very dusty, smokey, earthy, some olive and very little fruit. Yah, probably past it's prime (83ish). However over time, the dark currant, cherry, and cassis did emerge which put this wine easily back in the 'excellent' category.
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6/13/2010 - moudy wrote: 88 Points
Past its prime
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6/4/2010 - snowine wrote: 88 Points
Vinturi'd the bottle. Probably still young. Tannins are pronounced. Red fruit predominates, but not currently as balanced as I would like. It might improve, but hard to tell at this point. Don't get me wrong--this is enjoable. Stay tuned for an update.
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5/9/2010 - rwatkin wrote: flawed
Corked!
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4/19/2010 - babnik Likes this wine: 84 Points
Copious red fruit, primarily raspberry, with unfocused charred meat, campfire, black olive and cedar. Significant alcohol aromas. Tannins are awkward. Decanted 2 hours with very little improvement. Tough to make a drinking window call on this one. I guess if I had more, I would hold 2-3 more years and hope for better integration. Right now, while "okay," it's a bit disjointed.
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3/1/2010 - bcmatthias wrote: 90 Points
Well balanced. Red fruit flavors.
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2/28/2010 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
A solid bottle. Smoky, earthy currant nose. Flavors are relatively lean, lots of earth, smoke, red currant. Moderate, well integrated tannins with a bit of acid and heat, 45 second finish. Very good to outstanding, but perhaps was better a little earlier in its life. If I have a complaint it is that the earth/dirt in the wine is ashy, almost like a dirty dishrag and a bit distracting.
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2/14/2010 - gnubik wrote: 93 Points
Opened for my birthday meal - absolutely delicious. drinking very well past the 10-year mark, will hold for another few years easily. decanted, drank after 4 hours then tried again a few hours later, which made all the difference. The cedar and herbal perfume really intensified. Wish I had another bottle!
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1/30/2010 - GBK wrote: 92 Points
This wine is still drinking very well; it's not past its peak. Long finish.
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1/25/2010 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
3rd time I have had this wine. My wife and I took it to dinner at Glen Prairie ($10 corkage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois). Very nice restaurant with a frequently changing menu which focuses on locally grown organic foods. The sources are listed on the menu. This wine was a solid dark red color. Not decanted. It was drinking as good as ever. Excellent tannic structure and a solid core of black and red fruits. Some tea and cassis notes. This will hold for another 5 years in my opinion. I have 1 bottle left which I will hold off on until 2014 (age 15 for the wine). 93 points.
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1/23/2010 - Jadiii wrote: 90 Points
I thought we may have missed the peak on this wine, but very enjoyable. Soft, nice layers of red fruit.
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1/23/2010 - LCHammer wrote: 88 Points
Couldn't agree more with the previous reviewer. Soft, fruity - drink it now.
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12/19/2009 - S. Lorin wrote: 87 Points
cherry, coffee/mocha - tannins resolved, soft personality - drink up
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10/29/2009 - guitarguy wrote: flawed
TCA. No recourse, what a scam.
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10/20/2009 - Counselor Chris wrote: 92 Points
This wine is still substantially tannic, but (unlike my prior bottle several years ago which was overwhelmed with tannins and would not relent despite several hours in the decanter) was enjoyable with a steak. I probably should have consulted the tasting notes here, and if I had done so, the better thing would have been to wait a few more years. There is still ample black fruit, coffee, toasted oak, plenty to continue to offer pleasure as the tannins continue to soften. A very good wine, but it will be better with more patience.
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10/11/2009 - shk5157 wrote: 90 Points
soft, slight green bean, vegetal flavor, but not in a negative way
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9/20/2009 - JOJ wrote: 93 Points
This was great. Enveloping nose of currant, black cherry, pencil shavings, wet earth, and flowers. Fruit forward on the palate, again with currant and black cherry. Nuances of earth, mushroom, herb, and minerals. In balance, with noticeable tannin and acid. Drinking well now, but likely will continue to evolve for at least another ten years.
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9/16/2009 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Opened at Otis' Cellar Diminishment Party. This wine made the WS top 10 list a few years ago. Last time I had this was in 2003. This wine is showing even better now. I still have 2 bottles which I will continue to hold. Bright red fruit. Sweet tannins. Rouded texture. 93 points.
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8/10/2009 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
Nicely aromatic nose of pine forest and fresh cut wood. Mature flavors of dark cherry, anise, plenty of tannin. Fully mature, drinking well and will probably suffer from a bit too much tannin for the remaining fruit. I have good storage so if you do not, drink soon, otherwise, 2 year window.
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6/27/2009 - pinotwinelover wrote: 94 Points
this was excellant with a long finish. It was reserved in a bordeaux sense with a splash of cab franc. I really enjoyed this. If you have any left this seemed youthful and I would hold.
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6/22/2009 - pape du neuf wrote: 92 Points
Decanted and served immediately. Has thrown a fine sediment.
Still dark red and fresh looking. Plummy fruit, oak, black olive, and a hint of menthol in the nose.
Bit hot at first, but soon not noticeable. Lots of primary fruit remains, though lacking in focus and definition.
A pleasant herbal character added complexity. (When I found out that there is Cab Franc in the mix, that made sense)
Tannins are resolved. The relatively low acidity indicates to me that despite the strong current showing, the remaining wine should be consumed in the next few years.
If I had a lot, I'd keep one to see what develops.
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5/31/2009 - Renegade wrote: 92 Points
This wine even though it is not Whitehall Lane's flagship wine has aged superbly. This wine has a very nice inky purple color to it and is 14.2% alcohol. The nose has nice complexity to it, notes of red berries, cassis, perfumey and a bit floral and leather aromas. It tastes of red berries, cassis, plum, and a bit earthy. There is still more than enough acidity and tannin for further aging and this wine is not to far away from developing some secondary charactoristics. Surprisingly, I think this wines best years are still ahead of it. This one should easily be an excellent wine at 20+ years old and beyond. Nicely done, I will look forward to trying it again when it is 15 years old. Very impressive. I can only imagine how good their reserve is.
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5/22/2009 - luv2sip wrote: 90 Points
Cherry, leathery notes on the nose; red licorice, smooth mouthfeel, tannins well balanced, aged well. Impressed that this wine has aged well from 1999.
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5/21/2009 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted May 21, 2009.
Opened and glass decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly opaque looking. Nose of kirsch, cedar, berries and tobacco. Flavors of berries, plums and black cherries. Medium acidity, fully resolved tannins, medium body. Blowing a tiny bit of sediment. Drink now. This was my last bottle.
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5/3/2009 - Scruff wrote:
This bottle was a pop, pour and drink replacement to an awful Spanish wine. On the nose there was very nice plum, raspberry and oak. On the palate there was an array of red and black fruit bursting forward (chassis, cherry and blackberries) with nice oak sourced vanilla/menthol on the finish. The tannins were adding a nice sweet note too on the long finish which rounded off the wine beautifully. Excellent effort that really seems to be hitting its stride now. Glad I have 4 more ;-)
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5/3/2009 - maxmanx wrote: 93 Points
Jackie: lots of depth, warm, complex. Still VERY good. Wish I had more.
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2/15/2009 - tkoby11 wrote: 92 Points
Wow, still holding its own all these years. Another '99 that retained a lot of its youth and structure. The flavor profile on this was darker fruits and bigger tannins than the other 1999 cabernet we consumed on 2/15.
Color: Dark opaque core, dark red edges.
Nose: Blackberry, dark plum, kirsch and rich oak aromas.
Palate: More blackberry, black cherry, black currants intertwined with some tobacco and leather. Big ripe tannins are receding. Nice and rich classic Napa finish...brought me back to tasting wine in Napa.
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11/23/2008 - ogres3 wrote:
still could use some time to breathe - a hint of raspberry. pretty good.
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10/5/2008 - DesMarteau wrote: flawed
Corked...wet cardboard and moldy edges. Shame.
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9/26/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 88 Points
wow. i can't believe it's been > 4 years since my last tasting of this wine. not decanted. true to form, this is a 99 that at least holds some value in a vintage i don't care too much for (the reserve is very good). nevertheless, it's thick with gritty tannins (still!), and after 9 years, this is as good as it will get, drink up. a little austere, as extrapolated, but not much unintegrated oak, moderately fruited with cassis and blackberry.
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7/26/2008 - nectar14 wrote: 91 Points
Darn good Napa cabernet from back when I could still afford it... Nose of currant, cherry, and a whiff of mature cedar/tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, with good focus of dark flavors and a good finish. Should last another 6-8 years.
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6/7/2008 - bin905 wrote: 92 Points
Deep garnet red color. Cherry, toasted oak, vanilla and eucalyptus scent. Full body, well-balanced, velvety smooth, currant, tobacco and mocha palate with ripe tannins and a very nice finish.
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5/28/2008 - Bachus Maling wrote: 93 Points
Consumed a 1.5 Magnum. Drank it with a Bone In Rib Eye at The Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills. Really well structured and still great fruit. Soft tobacco and hints of cassis. It was the brother in law's Birthday so he received the most pours out of seven people. Wish I had another bottle.
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5/17/2008 - ScubaSommelier wrote: 93 Points
I enjoyed this very much, as well as a few guests at my party. Tobacco and leather on the nose. Balanced minerals and subtle cherry on the palate. Long and smooth finish. I wish I had another bottle... Drink soon.
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5/3/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Solid 90 pointer, but the fruit wasn't as bright as it was a year or two ago.
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4/21/2008 - DesMarteau wrote: 91 Points
Aged cherry, leather, smoothing tannins. a bit hollow/watery in the midpalate....which is making me wonder the ageability of this puppy.
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2/24/2008 - cadamson wrote: 86 Points
May have had a bit of heat damage. Good, dark color, nose a bit too much olive and pepper on it. Palate was pretty good -- -dark fruit ( a bit muted), pepper, green olive and a bit of leather on the finish. Good, but had another a month earlier that was better.
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2/16/2008 - Tom_B wrote: flawed
Corked...
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12/9/2007 - budman wrote: 91 Points
A fine wine for the price. It's holding up very well!
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9/13/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90,PURPLE89,NOWA,WS93
Tasted September 13, 2007. Opened and decanted about 90 minutes before serving. Purple color in the glass, clear throughout with a slightly vibrant hue. Nose of black currants, smoke, Kirsch and white pepper. Later on some notes of dark chocolate. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, plums and black currants. Finish was slightly muddled early on but seemed to resolve with additional air time. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Can be drank now with a minimum of an hour in the decanter or you can continue to hold. Fairly nice California Cabernet Sauvignon for the price point.
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9/7/2007 - duchamp wrote: 93 Points
Dark red in color, big cedar nose with lots of mingling notes, such as: cassis, red currant, soda with hints of vanilla, sweet palate with lots of layered fruits, smooth integrated tannins but still some life ahead, long finish, stylistically Bordeaux
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8/1/2007 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smoke and alderwood nose hides some black fruits and an edge of tar. Thick legs. Plum and black currant fruit with a big, peppery, spicy character. Finish shows plenty of tannin left, with red clay and residual cherry fruit. Plenty of life in this wine but tasting great now.
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7/23/2007 - dfontana wrote: 90 Points
This was lovely with some homemade fettucini and hot Italian sausage. This is drinking perfectly; balanced and nuanced. If I had any criticism (and it's not much) there is a touch too much oak showing through. All in all, a delightful quaffe.
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7/13/2007 - Dave Dalluge wrote:
Served with Bouchons. No notes taken. I was very impressed by this bottle. After going through a closed phase this seems to be opening up. The nose was brooding with dark fruit and a bit of tobacco and earth. Bordeaux-like and excellent. The taste was also good with plenty of concentrated fruit, excellent balance, and a great finish. I think I'll try to keep my hands off the remaining bottles to see how much better this can get.
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3/23/2007 - mercy wrote: 91 Points
Opened a bit tight, but open up after and hour of decanting. Enjoyed over the next 2 hours. vegetal nose with compliments of oak. Black currant, and cassis, round integrated tannins with moderate finish of herbal notes.
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1/26/2007 - Grace 77 wrote: 92 Points
I bought this bottle in 2003, hoping to cellar it for awhile. And I was very good. I didn't touch it until New Year's Eve 2006. It wasn't ready. Not nearly. I should've decanted it and eaten a good steak with it. I think had it reached its full potential, it would've been a 96 pointer or more. I was waiting for a special occasion and what nicer occasion than New Year's Eve? It was very rich but still very tannic and needed more time. What can I say? I'd like to try and find another one!
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1/8/2007 - Colima74 wrote: 93 Points
Gift from FMIII to Lorena. ... LC and I went to Pinot Provence for lunch today to celebrate on of our many anniversaries. I had duck confit and Lorena had an interesting lobster salad. Both outstanding....and the chocolate bread pudding was amazing. On to the wine....It opened up very tannic with lots of primary fruit. I was a little worried...it seems so big and rough. But, over the couple of hours it was open, it just got more lovely. The color was amazing.. No way I would have guessed a 7 year old wine...and with time, by the end of the meal, the fruit had given away to some awesome acidity that provided great balance. Strong finish. A really nice bottle of wine that has years of life ahead of it. 4.0--
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1/8/2007 - mark40 wrote: 91 Points
Bottle decanted for 2 hours, then drank over the course of another 2 hours. An oak dominated nose, tannins have smoothed out, black fruit and cassis flavors, with a lingering finish. An enjoyable bottle of wine.
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11/1/2006 - VinoRosso wrote: 90 Points
I was just not overwhelmed with this bottle. In hindsight I should have decanted at least an hour or two. Wine was rather closed and muted. Even after an hour I didn't notice much difference. I was expecting a lot more. I have one more bottle and will give it a good decant and see if my impression changes.
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9/25/2006 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Not nearly the 93 pointer the WS gave it. The fruit has become muted. It's a very nice wine, but not a wow!!!
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9/4/2006 - TashNYC wrote: 91 Points
With Jen and a dry-aged steak. Initially, a core of good fruit, but very tight. After 2-3 hours of air--and paired with a grilled, dry-aged steak, the wine showed lovely chery and black currant fruit, with some earth and herbs on the finish. The wine was delicious--although it would have been good, w/ 1-3 years of bottle age also, I think
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7/30/2006 - Dave Dalluge wrote:
Another great bottle. Consistent with the bottle consumed on 1/7/05.
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5/4/2006 - Tom_B wrote: 91 Points
this wine is ruby red in color with deep, dense color intensity. The Nose is full of blackberry, with notes of mint and chocolate. Plenty of acidity left in this well balanced wine, as the bright, plum flavors linger for a long time. Still has some great years ahead.
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5/4/2006 - otisabdul wrote: 89 Points
Took a bottle of this to Ruth Chris. Lots of oak coming through, but the fruit was plentiful. Will hold my other two bottles for at least 2-3 more years.
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4/30/2006 - ml wrote: 91 Points
Very nice, but I think it needs more time, and I'm not sure that I'll ever be thrilled by it. It did improve after being decanted about an hour. The fruit started to come out and really show itself. It is modestly tannic, and I do think it has the fruit to live past that tannin. The off-putting aspect of it is the amount of vanilla to the palate, which I hope will dissipate.
I would say hold until 2008+.
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4/30/2006 - etirer wrote: 93 Points
Drinking extremely well. Lovely fruit with structure. Always loved the reserve but must admit the standard issue bottling is anything but. Still has several years of good drinkability, but can't imagine it developing any better.
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4/29/2006 - jarvisdrinker wrote: 94 Points
Been drinking this over the years. My favorite vintage of this wine. It is becoming a lot more integrated and balanced now. Was great right out of the bottle, but was really good after a few hours in the decanter.
Still cherry, medium tannins, cassis, semi-long finish. Started to get a little of that "old" taste after a while.
Head and shoulders above the '00, '01, and '02. Drink within the next 3-5 years.
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3/27/2006 - ajjar wrote: 92 Points
Delicious, not decanted and consumed within moments of opening! Patience of waiting years in the cellar rewarded with soft tannins, blackberry, kirsch and vanilla. May have more time ahead, but the matured youthfulless is delightful. I'll drink another, then sit on the rest for another year.
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1/23/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
Served at home with a dinner of Grilled Bone In New York Strip Steaks. Purchased from a local retailer upon release for $45.00 per 750ml. 14.2% alcohol by volume. Opened and served immediately without decanting in Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glasses. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty hue. Nose of briar patch, bell peppers, crushed cherries and dried herbs. Once it opened a while picked up some Kirsch and cassis. Flavors of Bing cherry and mint that filled out with time in the glass with more dark fruit like black currants, black cherries and a dash of mocha. Slightly drying tannins that softened a bit at 30 minutes in glass. Good acidity, balanced overall. Should hold for another 3-5 years but I don't expect any improvement myself. WIML91, PURPLE92.
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1/9/2006 - Frank Murray III wrote:
After some discussion on the Parker BB about this wine, figured I'd just open one. I will offer some conditional disappointment on this bottle. I do plan to drink the last 6 ozs. tonight during the Ducks/Kings game but from what I tasted last night, I'm not sure this wine is as good as it was first pubbed to be. Lots of vanilla and oak on the nose, along with some herb. The wine has what I would call a thinner palate and some black cherry fruit, along with an astringent finish. I did decant it last night, perhaps not nearly long enough, but for sure the wine will have had plenty of air when I finish tonight. I hope that I can come back and post a more positive note. Since I have one bottle additional of this wine, along with another bottle of the Reserve, I'm hoping........Will post an final TN this evening.
Ok, so it's been another 24 hours and the wine has been sitting in the bottle. I'm tasting it in a quiet setting and with a Bdx stem and so it's just me and the wine. Nose=a little candied but there is a bit of a hot sensation, maybe a little VA. I can't pin it down. It reminds me of heat but the bottle lists the alc @ 14.2%. Maybe resiny smelling is a better descriptor. Palate=Lots of currant and black cherry. More herbal nuance tonight, maybe tobacco, but herby. The astringency is still there but at least the finish is a bit better and there is a more noticeable acidity in the wine. That I can taste.
Overall, this is not my style of wine and I'm not sure what to make of it. I've admitted before that I do not drink a lot of Cab and so maybe my inexperience with this varietal is showing through.
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1/7/2006 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed with New York Strip and green beans. Dark red color. Classic cabernet nose. Great fruit. Very nice. A little bit of overripe fruit on the finish. Still very tannic, with a lingering finish.
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12/25/2005 - JB&KB wrote: 93 Points
Very supple. Drank along with 1999 Cakebread Cabernet Napa Valley, 1999 E.Guigal Chateau Neuf and 2002 Duckhorn Napa Valley on Christmas day with the relatives. I liked this the best although they were all worthy. My brother-in-law liked the Cakebread best.
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12/17/2005 - g-man wrote: 89 Points
Tanins have totally integrated and this wine is at its' peak now. It's not going to get any better so drink up. I have only a bottle left and plan on having it within six months. This is no long-life cab.
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11/21/2005 - rkenneth wrote: 91 Points
Ooooh, baby. Wish I had another.
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9/3/2005 - Dave Dalluge wrote:
Not Rated. This bottle was much more reserved than previous bottles. I haven't had many California wines go through a closed phase, but I would say this one is. The fruit and oak were much less pronounced than I expected, and the tannins were present throughout (almost gritty). I will wait awhile before trying another one.
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9/3/2005 - Mike V wrote: 91 Points
By far the best showing for this wine. Resolved tannins sweeter fruit and loads of chocolate & expresso.
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7/14/2005 - Paul from the Oblong Table wrote: 90 Points
Great bottle and there was only one--I must remember who made the suggestion at Canal’s. (90)
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5/27/2005 - g-man wrote: 92 Points
This does need more time. I couldn't believe that on the third day this was actually singing!! All the tanin finally integrated and allowed the fruit to shine through. The first two days the wine was tight and the tannins were too dominant. By day three the dark fruit was up front with hints of cigar box and leather in the backround. I don't plan on touching another for probably two years.
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4/9/2005 - winestem wrote: 88 Points
Nothing spectacular. Should've decanted, but was impatient. Deep, dark berry notes, good oak, and chewy tannins. I think it needs some time.
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2/21/2005 - Mike V wrote: 88 Points
Continues to drink well. Expensive for a quaffer nothing to distinguish it.
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9/16/2004 - TripDaddy wrote: 90 Points
Opened this last night and only decanted for about 30 minutes. I think it could have benefited from more time. Overall, this was a slightly above average CalCab. Nothing spectacular. I am hopeful that it is entering a dumb phase, becuase right now it is a little muted with dark fruits, cassis and spicy oak dominating the palate. Nose is all cassis and oak. Finish was fair and moderately tannic. There is a hint of complexity in there that keeps it interesting, and gives me hope for the future. Based on that I will give it a 90, but frankly, I do not see the spectator 93 nor the #5 WOTY.
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7/28/2004 - jeff nowak wrote: 89 Points
i haven't had a wine from this producer in so long, i've lost my baseline with them. i picked up a couple of these from costco, whenever. i've had wines from this vintage with bigger reputations that weren't as pleasing.
there is a nice balance of oak, vanilla, and tannin that is distinctly calicab. aversion to the genre need not pop the cork. nevertheless, plenty of fruit to recommend it, and i'm not unhappy to be drinking it.
it took a couple of hours in the glass to really integrate and become attractive. not a wine that will change your life, however, i will look forward to my remaining bottles.
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4/23/2004 - babnik wrote: 92 Points
Agree with the Wine Spectator TN, but would score it 92 with potential.
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6/16/2003 - otisabdul wrote: 88 Points
Sampled at an off-line featuring the Wine Spectator Top Ten wines from 2002. Charcoal, rosemary, and cherry aromas. Ripe berry fruit, with coffee notes. Short-medium length finish. Somewhat disjointed. I have had better cabs in this price range. Rafanelli comes to mind.
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6/3/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
83% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 3% each Cabernet franc and Petite Verdot. WS's #5 wine of 2002. Tried this in June 2003. Dark crimson red. Filled with sweet fruit with notes of cassis and red fruit. Strong oaky flavors which will need some time to integrate. 91-92 points.
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12/7/2002 - jwolf99 wrote:
rich chocolate, mocha, cherry, herbs; complex finish; mild bouquet; turns very smooth
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10/12/2002 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Jammy red/black fruit, firm tannins, nice finish.
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8/9/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 90 Points
Bright disc. Opaque ruby with red rim. Clean nose, showing intense coffee, currants, cola and cherry. Good acidity, medium alcohol, abundant tannins. The tannins are slightly hot. Medium to full-bodied, with a strong mid-palate showing similar flavors as the nose. The finish is long and slightly hot. Needs time, but has great potential.
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