Drank from an 18liter bottle at a charity event. No formal notes. Maya Pre-Coravined the wine. Som pumped it out into decanters an hour before serving. Rich full bodied with a long finish. Excellent condition for a 26 yo wine. Very solid core of dark fruit and integrated oak.! Tannins totally melded into the wine. Delicious
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disappointment. I think it was an off bottle, the color was quite faded and it almost looked like Nebbiolo. the rest of the gang tried to buy time to coax it out, thats what can happen with high cab franc, et etc. Overall got prune and licorice and it tasted astringent a bit like Nebbiolo as well. we've had this bottle before and my notes attest to a different experience before.
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Color: purple Nose/palate: raspberries, crushed rocks, graphite, earth, tobacco leaf, pepper, and mocha. Definitely a lot going on here! Structure: medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, full body. Alcohol: 13.8%
Maya differentiates itself from the pack of Napa cult cabs by having a higher composition of cab franc. At 24 years, this feels like it's starting it's downward arc but still a great place for those who love mature wines. Next Maya I have will be consumed in the 15-ish range to get more of that fruit...really personal preference but this was great where it's at.
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Had at a spectacular WINEBID.com tasting event. Total of 39 wines tasted with an unbelievable lineup ! Bravo to Sterling Roig.
Wow another possible WOTN for me. Deep dark and still drinking young. Some white pepper finish and a more vegetable lingering flavor than its predecessors tonight. Really rich wine, Decadent !
Had this right after the 97' Ridge & 97' Insignia. Amazing company to follow. On its own just great. Told it was 3 hour decant
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WineBid Tasting Event (Mandarin Oriental): Coming on the heels of the '97 Ridge this was much more what I expect of '97 California which didn't totally hold up. More faded. Chocolate and coffee and laundry detergent. It's not completely over the hill, but it's certainly on a down slope.
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Acker Holiday Auction (A Voce Madison): Opened and coffee filtered decanted. In the beginning wine wasn't really ready for business. It was closed down and mostly just had hints of leather. Fast forward a few hours and I went back and could see it had evolved a bit. Touch more fruit. Touch more pepper. Good wine.
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The return of JonnyG: Violet, chocolate, earth, herb, cigar box and graphite. The palate is wonderfully composed, with a lovely blend of savoury and sweet fruit. Feels like it is at just the right point between youth and aged development for me. Super stuff.
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Showed exceedingly well despite many CT notes warning of bottle variation. Gentle, Old World-styled red, with ample tobacco leaf, pepper, mocha and red fruit. Supple, rich and clean. Very long finish. Admittedly past peak, but it should be a long and graceful decline.
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Big nose of mushrooms and asparagus. Way too mature for a 97 Cali Cab. Meanwhile the tannins had not softened very much at all. Disjointed and unpleasant
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No rating as this wine was ultimately shot. Bought at auction, so far as I know well-stored. Color fine. And initially had some promise. But after 20 minutes in the glass it gave off oxidized, burnt aromas and got worse from there. Pretty disappointing, as I'd recently had older vintages like the 95, which were fine. But reading others' notes here on CellarTracker, I think this one is done. DON'T BUY.
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Purple color with a brown rim. Almost no bouquet or flavor, just acidity. The wine was clearly over the hill, and differed greatly from its younger sister, the 1996, which was very enjoyable. Ditto for a second bottle.
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USA 1997 (By JK @ Bottles): History of the bottle unknown. In the bouquet lovage. Also lovage on the palate. Some chocolate, old age acidity. There is a firm amount of sweetness. This must be an off or mistreated bottle. No score.
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The first bottle was heat damaged tragically. The second bottle more than made up for it with its attention seeking baked cherry, smoke, caramel, thyme, tobacco and herb nose. Silky, full bodied, lush, sweet, ripe and mouth filling, with true intensity of flavor, this could get even better with a few more years of age.
Very oxidative in his style. bottle was not well cellared, some maggie, toffee and milk chocolade notes, the 1990 beside in this blind tasting was much younger and showed the beauty this wine can develop. No rating
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Drank alongside a 97 Shafer HSS which absolutely blew this away. It was not opening up much and lacked any layered complexity. As time went on it got a touch better- it seems waiting 4-5 years to see if it opens up makes sense.
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American Belle 2nd Edition (Switzerland): Tasted blind: Yet another poorly stored 'trophy' bottle purchased at Auction. This 'legent' was likely stored in the display case next to the fireplace. What a shame and it always stuns me how such expensive wines can be tortured...
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Color is still deep purple-ruby with no hints of bricking; nose of blackberry, black fruits, eucalyptus, mint, slight herbal; palate has notable tannins that are still a bit rough and drying, ripe black fruits, slight green herbal notes that add complexity, maybe just a tad hot; finish is medium length, good fruit. I'm a little unclear on where this is going to go... Whether the tannins will moderate more or whether it will become more drying with time. This started a little awkward but improved substantially in the first 30-60 minutes, but continued to show a bit more alcohol on the nose and palate than I'm used to in other vintages of this wine (ie maybe slightly off balance). 93
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Another over-the-hill California Cabernet. The woody notes on the nose were pronounced from the start, and the fruit could not keep up with the tannins. The fruit faded away after 30 minutes and we were left with a lot of green wood. Would have been better 10 years ago.
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The 97 Cult cab/Meritage dinner at RIS in DC: Alcoholic mess with overripe fruit. Coffee, prune, some mint but noticeable heat throughout. My guess Bryant. Nobody guessed it correct.
RP 99, ST 95, CT 94.3 average, CT 94 Median
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Rose nose with allspice at front of tongue. Dark color, showing no age. Primary flavors were mocha and mature cherry. Huge backbone. Tghis is a cool wine at its present stage.
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Now this is why I like certain cult cabs. Brought by Barry to Cucina d'Angelo, we drank this after a couple of Palmers and it was obvious we were in a different world. Massively fruity, but not over-extracted. Juicy, succulent, just plain delicious. This is one fruit bomb that has the requisite balance not to become tiring after just one sip or one glass. Surely at its peak now.
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Oh, the generosity... (Duff's Restaurant, St. Louis, MO): Really dense wine with almost Aussie-like fruit intensity -- black fruit compote with a bit of eucalyptus (only a suggestion). Spicy. Chewy and rich -- reminded me a bit of a Pride wine. Some stiff tannins and great freshness, especially for a 1997. I liked it, but this is one 1997 that, IMO, will need a good bit of time.
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Black fruit, cassis and a nice touch of oak. Huge wine with immense concentration is made even better with a multi layered, plus texture. An excellent wine produced in a great style.
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California 'cult' lunch at Spago with Leve (Los Angeles, CA): Wow, this is a beautifully structured wine. Minty, powerful, beastly and pure, two days later I can still remember the mouthfeel and 'grip' of this one. This is an absolute bruiser of a wine with a LOT of time ahead to come into focus and resolve some tannin, but I was highly impressed by the style.
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nice, subtle cab franc aromatics. rounded and elegant, delicious. i expected this to have more oomph, not that i'm complaining. this may have benefitted from more agressive decanting. seems to have many years ahead of it. unfortunately, my only bottle.
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Very dark in color. Dense and very concentrated. Layers of fruit with a minor lining of oak. Very tannic, but a great body of fleshy fruit. Needs time.
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1/19/2024 - fbautista wrote:
Beef Wellington with Holman
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12/1/2023 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank from an 18liter bottle at a charity event. No formal notes. Maya Pre-Coravined the wine. Som pumped it out into decanters an hour before serving. Rich full bodied with a long finish. Excellent condition for a 26 yo wine. Very solid core of dark fruit and integrated oak.! Tannins totally melded into the wine. Delicious
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7/7/2023 - soyhead wrote:
disappointment. I think it was an off bottle, the color was quite faded and it almost looked like Nebbiolo. the rest of the gang tried to buy time to coax it out, thats what can happen with high cab franc, et etc. Overall got prune and licorice and it tasted astringent a bit like Nebbiolo as well. we've had this bottle before and my notes attest to a different experience before.
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3/4/2023 - jhngo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very fresh with good tart fruit and long finish. Much fresher and more fruit than the 95.
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8/7/2022 - soyhead wrote:
nose - raspberry, cocoa, seductive
mouth - black cherry, smooth lush fruit, sexy fruit
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5/22/2021 - sttorres28 wrote: 98 Points
Color: purple
Nose/palate: raspberries, crushed rocks, graphite, earth, tobacco leaf, pepper, and mocha. Definitely a lot going on here!
Structure: medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, full body.
Alcohol: 13.8%
Maya differentiates itself from the pack of Napa cult cabs by having a higher composition of cab franc. At 24 years, this feels like it's starting it's downward arc but still a great place for those who love mature wines. Next Maya I have will be consumed in the 15-ish range to get more of that fruit...really personal preference but this was great where it's at.
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12/24/2020 - 89grange Does not like this wine:
Old and tired, very disappointed...
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12/22/2019 - daved Does not like this wine:
Flawed. It was toast
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12/21/2019 - robertek wrote: 90 Points
Not a bi fan of this one I have to say. A bit muc of everything and alcohol sticking through.
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11/14/2019 - 89grange Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Very disappointed. Cellared impeccably and right out of the gate old and tired. Fruit gone. I have 5 more... Anyone interested?
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1/18/2018 - tomoem Likes this wine: 95 Points
Had at a spectacular WINEBID.com tasting event. Total of 39 wines tasted with an unbelievable lineup ! Bravo to Sterling Roig.
Wow another possible WOTN for me. Deep dark and still drinking young. Some white pepper finish and a more vegetable lingering flavor than its predecessors tonight. Really rich wine, Decadent !
Had this right after the 97' Ridge & 97' Insignia. Amazing company to follow. On its own just great. Told it was 3 hour decant
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1/18/2018 - MC2 Wines wrote:
WineBid Tasting Event (Mandarin Oriental): Coming on the heels of the '97 Ridge this was much more what I expect of '97 California which didn't totally hold up. More faded. Chocolate and coffee and laundry detergent. It's not completely over the hill, but it's certainly on a down slope.
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1/1/2017 - KenK wrote: flawed
Oxidation bad
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12/14/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Acker Holiday Auction (A Voce Madison): Opened and coffee filtered decanted. In the beginning wine wasn't really ready for business. It was closed down and mostly just had hints of leather. Fast forward a few hours and I went back and could see it had evolved a bit. Touch more fruit. Touch more pepper. Good wine.
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12/8/2016 - Lype Likes this wine: 92 Points
Familiar cab. sav. characteristics, mint, some dill, liquorice, wood, volcanic features, complex and good. And pricey too...
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10/27/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 93 Points
The return of JonnyG: Violet, chocolate, earth, herb, cigar box and graphite. The palate is wonderfully composed, with a lovely blend of savoury and sweet fruit. Feels like it is at just the right point between youth and aged development for me. Super stuff.
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10/27/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 95 Points
Showed exceedingly well despite many CT notes warning of bottle variation. Gentle, Old World-styled red, with ample tobacco leaf, pepper, mocha and red fruit. Supple, rich and clean. Very long finish. Admittedly past peak, but it should be a long and graceful decline.
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7/16/2016 - nywine68 wrote: flawed
Big nose of mushrooms and asparagus. Way too mature for a 97 Cali Cab. Meanwhile the tannins had not softened very much at all. Disjointed and unpleasant
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7/15/2016 - rcg62 Does not like this wine:
No rating as this wine was ultimately shot. Bought at auction, so far as I know well-stored. Color fine. And initially had some promise. But after 20 minutes in the glass it gave off oxidized, burnt aromas and got worse from there. Pretty disappointing, as I'd recently had older vintages like the 95, which were fine. But reading others' notes here on CellarTracker, I think this one is done. DON'T BUY.
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3/13/2016 - S R U D I N wrote: flawed
FLAWED :(
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12/6/2015 - tcosgriff Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Purple color with a brown rim. Almost no bouquet or flavor, just acidity. The wine was clearly over the hill, and differed greatly from its younger sister, the 1996, which was very enjoyable. Ditto for a second bottle.
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10/2/2015 - aquacongas wrote: flawed
Big Blind Tasting of 19 Reds from California 1997
unfortunately flawed again
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9/26/2015 - jkoenen wrote: flawed
97 Napa-retrospective (Restaurant Bottles, Sas van Gent): Completely shot. Vegetable soup, cherry-licquor, dried herbs, astringent, reductive, a disjointed mess. Personally, a huge disappointment... :(
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9/26/2015 - Zweder wrote:
USA 1997 (By JK @ Bottles): History of the bottle unknown. In the bouquet lovage. Also lovage on the palate. Some chocolate, old age acidity. There is a firm amount of sweetness. This must be an off or mistreated bottle. No score.
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9/23/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 100 Points
The first bottle was heat damaged tragically. The second bottle more than made up for it with its attention seeking baked cherry, smoke, caramel, thyme, tobacco and herb nose. Silky, full bodied, lush, sweet, ripe and mouth filling, with true intensity of flavor, this could get even better with a few more years of age.
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4/11/2015 - aquacongas wrote: flawed
Very oxidative in his style. bottle was not well cellared, some maggie, toffee and milk chocolade notes, the 1990 beside in this blind tasting was much younger and showed the beauty this wine can develop. No rating
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12/23/2014 - ccpowers wrote:
Special Occasion
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7/20/2014 - ledwards wrote: 90 Points
Drank alongside a 97 Shafer HSS which absolutely blew this away. It was not opening up much and lacked any layered complexity. As time went on it got a touch better- it seems waiting 4-5 years to see if it opens up makes sense.
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6/1/2014 - sdr wrote: flawed
Corked. "Tar" I said. "Funky" said K. With air in the glass it became more obvious it was spoiled.
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2/15/2014 - robertek wrote: 95 Points
Not the best bottle and in fierce competition in the flight - still a great wine!
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11/12/2013 - Wine_lvr wrote: flawed
American Belle 2nd Edition (Switzerland): Tasted blind: Yet another poorly stored 'trophy' bottle purchased at Auction. This 'legent' was likely stored in the display case next to the fireplace. What a shame and it always stuns me how such expensive wines can be tortured...
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4/4/2013 - kenv wrote: flawed
WCC 1997 California Cabernet Blind Tasting (Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY): Mature, smoky nose. Slightly oxidized. Probably not a well-stored bottle. 88?
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3/3/2013 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
Euro-Themed Lunch - In Pursuit of Balance with US Domestic Wines (Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, CA): Great nose. Gorgeous intense palate with multiple layers of flavors. Black fruits, coffee. Definitely new world style. Tasted blind.
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12/25/2012 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Color is still deep purple-ruby with no hints of bricking; nose of blackberry, black fruits, eucalyptus, mint, slight herbal; palate has notable tannins that are still a bit rough and drying, ripe black fruits, slight green herbal notes that add complexity, maybe just a tad hot; finish is medium length, good fruit. I'm a little unclear on where this is going to go... Whether the tannins will moderate more or whether it will become more drying with time. This started a little awkward but improved substantially in the first 30-60 minutes, but continued to show a bit more alcohol on the nose and palate than I'm used to in other vintages of this wine (ie maybe slightly off balance). 93
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12/21/2012 - BenSlivka Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Another over-the-hill California Cabernet. The woody notes on the nose were pronounced from the start, and the fruit could not keep up with the tannins. The fruit faded away after 30 minutes and we were left with a lot of green wood. Would have been better 10 years ago.
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12/5/2012 - Lord Rayas wrote: 92 Points
Dinner with Uncle Tom, Uncle Ray, James, and JJ (The Principal): aromatic and balanced. a refreshing break from the usual over-ripe fruit bombs. maybe my palate has changed, but certainly not as impressive as a decade ago.
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10/21/2012 - SteveHoch wrote:
completely corked bottle...an amazing disappointment given that it has been perfectly stored since release.
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12/21/2011 - dcwino wrote: 85 Points
The 97 Cult cab/Meritage dinner at RIS in DC: Alcoholic mess with overripe fruit. Coffee, prune, some mint but noticeable heat throughout. My guess Bryant. Nobody guessed it correct.
RP 99, ST 95, CT 94.3 average, CT 94 Median
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6/15/2011 - salil wrote:
Leo's Blind Tasting Group - June '11 edition (Restaurant Saul, Brooklyn): Don't think this is a representative/pristine bottle. Quite advanced for its age with developed red fruited flavours and a strange balsamic note.
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8/13/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 94 Points
Rose nose with allspice at front of tongue. Dark color, showing no age. Primary flavors were mocha and mature cherry. Huge backbone. Tghis is a cool wine at its present stage.
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4/21/2007 - MarkC wrote: flawed
I was in the minority, but I believe this wine was flawed.
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4/21/2007 - Steve Williams wrote: 92 Points
You could really taste the Cab Franc in this. Good, but with an herbaceous note that made it only ok.
Not flawed, but not my style.
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11/17/2005 - sdr wrote: 94 Points
Now this is why I like certain cult cabs. Brought by Barry to Cucina d'Angelo, we drank this after a couple of Palmers and it was obvious we were in a different world. Massively fruity, but not over-extracted. Juicy, succulent, just plain delicious. This is one fruit bomb that has the requisite balance not to become tiring after just one sip or one glass. Surely at its peak now.
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6/23/2005 - BordeauxNut wrote:
Oh, the generosity... (Duff's Restaurant, St. Louis, MO): Really dense wine with almost Aussie-like fruit intensity -- black fruit compote with a bit of eucalyptus (only a suggestion). Spicy. Chewy and rich -- reminded me a bit of a Pride wine. Some stiff tannins and great freshness, especially for a 1997. I liked it, but this is one 1997 that, IMO, will need a good bit of time.
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2/22/2005 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Black fruit, cassis and a nice touch of oak. Huge wine with immense concentration is made even better with a multi layered, plus texture. An excellent wine produced in a great style.
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2/16/2005 - Eric wrote: 97 Points
California 'cult' lunch at Spago with Leve (Los Angeles, CA): Wow, this is a beautifully structured wine. Minty, powerful, beastly and pure, two days later I can still remember the mouthfeel and 'grip' of this one. This is an absolute bruiser of a wine with a LOT of time ahead to come into focus and resolve some tannin, but I was highly impressed by the style.
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10/2/2004 - jeff nowak wrote:
nice, subtle cab franc aromatics. rounded and elegant, delicious. i expected this to have more oomph, not that i'm complaining. this may have benefitted from more agressive decanting. seems to have many years ahead of it. unfortunately, my only bottle.
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6/17/2001 - mdefreitas wrote: 96 Points
Very dark in color. Dense and very concentrated. Layers of fruit with a minor lining of oak. Very tannic, but a great body of fleshy fruit. Needs time.
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