Fantastic cab. A little closed on opening but within a couple hours was really singing. Lush mouthfeel, very well balanced, with no one note coming to the fore for more than an instant. Dark fruits, vanilla & oak, cedar, chocolate - all were there in turn. Nice long finish. Strangely, didn't really shine as we ate it with the grilled ribeyes, but was at its best when drunk by itself. Second night: this is not nearly as good as the first night.
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Black color. Big black currant aroma with a tomato leaf element. Full entry of ripe red currant that is focused on the palate & then turns chalky & slightly bitter on the finish. Needs air, age or food to shine.
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Deep red purple fading slightly at the rim. Surprisingly reticent aromas at first that build slightly with air to offer subtle notes of currant and minerals. Pleasant ripe fruit flavors including red berries, currant, spices, and oak. The fruit is sweet and supple with some mineral nuances but the oak does stick out a bit on the finish. Well balanced with approachable tannins and unexpected restraint. Overall I find this wine to be boring, it could be in a weird spot but I have a feeling it is just not that profound. 89?
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{ST} No decant, but the bottle had been open about 9 hours. Very deep garnet color with some black hues, opaque, full+ body swirls thickly in the glass. The bouquet is not as expressive as it could be if it were decanted, but it lets you know you're in for something big, with layers that include blackberry, black currant, crushed blue rock component (reminiscent of a Priorat), cinnamon, and black tea. Uncommonly dense on the palate, with focused deep rich smooth black seed fruits, spices, graphite, some minerals, tobacco. Medium acidity, dense structure of tannins but they are so fine and elegant that this is approachable now. Very long finish (50+s) of blackberry, black tea and pepper. Serious wine that is showing quite well now despite its size and primary nature, and promises a higher score in a few years. Unlike so many Cali cabs that are hyped, bloated and blown by an inflated tag, this one seems worth the coin at 70 bones. Very small production from a uniquely situated vineyard.
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6/11/2016 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Still has a lot of life. Blueberry pie filling, chalky black fruit, vanilla, and cassis liqueur. Classic Napa.
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11/21/2015 - Laguna Red wrote: 88 Points
It's too late for this one. Cellared it well but seemed past its prime. If you have it, drink it
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2/4/2013 - Trolson wrote: 85 Points
Let breathe for three hours. Good, though lacked nose.
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4/19/2011 - Quarked wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic cab. A little closed on opening but within a couple hours was really singing. Lush mouthfeel, very well balanced, with no one note coming to the fore for more than an instant. Dark fruits, vanilla & oak, cedar, chocolate - all were there in turn. Nice long finish. Strangely, didn't really shine as we ate it with the grilled ribeyes, but was at its best when drunk by itself. Second night: this is not nearly as good as the first night.
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10/22/2010 - ed-d wrote: 91 Points
Black color. Big black currant aroma with a tomato leaf element. Full entry of ripe red currant that is focused on the palate & then turns chalky & slightly bitter on the finish. Needs air, age or food to shine.
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6/18/2010 - ed-d wrote: 87 Points
Slightly volitile on the nose with some solid red currant. Chalky, dusty, clean red currant & rhubarb flavors with a tart finish. For the money?
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12/31/2009 - Badfish wrote: 89 Points
Deep red purple fading slightly at the rim. Surprisingly reticent aromas at first that build slightly with air to offer subtle notes of currant and minerals. Pleasant ripe fruit flavors including red berries, currant, spices, and oak. The fruit is sweet and supple with some mineral nuances but the oak does stick out a bit on the finish. Well balanced with approachable tannins and unexpected restraint. Overall I find this wine to be boring, it could be in a weird spot but I have a feeling it is just not that profound. 89?
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10/14/2009 - Vinacull wrote: 93 Points
{ST} No decant, but the bottle had been open about 9 hours. Very deep garnet color with some black hues, opaque, full+ body swirls thickly in the glass. The bouquet is not as expressive as it could be if it were decanted, but it lets you know you're in for something big, with layers that include blackberry, black currant, crushed blue rock component (reminiscent of a Priorat), cinnamon, and black tea. Uncommonly dense on the palate, with focused deep rich smooth black seed fruits, spices, graphite, some minerals, tobacco. Medium acidity, dense structure of tannins but they are so fine and elegant that this is approachable now. Very long finish (50+s) of blackberry, black tea and pepper. Serious wine that is showing quite well now despite its size and primary nature, and promises a higher score in a few years. Unlike so many Cali cabs that are hyped, bloated and blown by an inflated tag, this one seems worth the coin at 70 bones. Very small production from a uniquely situated vineyard.
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