A few years since my last bottle, this is developing nicely. Likely in or near its prime. A full bodied wine with nice balance. No need to keep holding but these will hold for another decade with ease.
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It’s been about 1 1/2 yrs since last popped, and what a difference that time in bottle revealed.
Was much less bright red fruit dominated, and was actually a nice blend of red, blue and black fruit commingled with some nice mild spice and completely integrated oak.
Thought it a 92+, but gave it the extra nod up as it held consistently during the 5 hours open....My only complaint would have been the finish was a bit shorter than I would have hoped, but splitting hairs.
I think it’s at its peak, don’t see any future maturity, however not a bad place to be and think it’s likely to ‘hang out’ here for a while, so no rush!!
Likely be drinking my last two bottles over the next year or two, so if u gottem Enjoy.. no need for decant, is Open for Business!!
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Popped for a T-Day leftovers party with lots of other wines to sample, so no formal notes.
Do have to say that tried it upon initial uncorking, and seemed to have more concentrated fruit profile than I remembered from the past. Seemed a bit disjointed and not sure if in a phase or just starting its decline.
Was very heavy on the red fruits, and seemed to be a bit singular and not much excitement with secondary layers. Did have a nice entry and mid, but a bit short on the finish.
Not sure how long these will be holding for, so going to try another pretty soon, but really don't believe any further cellaring will benefit.
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Loved this wine when I first tasted, and still think it is a solid bottle.
Mostly Dark Red and a little black fruits, this wine showed very well from the initial Pop at the restaurant.
The bottle definitely opened significantly over the dinner, and showed a little sign of aging in color however no signs elsewhere. Would classify it as a medium body, with a good entry, medium mid, however a shorter than anticipated finish.
Not sure if the bottle is in a bit of a dumb phase, or if it might be starting to peak, just at the end of the dinner, with about 2+ hours in glass, started to notice some signs of bitterness.
Will try another bottle sooner than later, maybe six months, and just not sure what was up, if it was in need of a decant, a bit of soap left in the glass, or if starting to peak... couldn't put a finger on it.
Still a very solid bottle of Napa Cab, and especially at the price point paid, very satisfied!!
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No Formal Notes, PnP - Drank next to a Myriad George III - both wines were fantastic, both paired well with the Steaks at The Range in Santa Margarita. More Dark Red Fruit and a little better integrated, but the GIII was just a baby - basically Cradle Robing!! Both were delicious and a definite treat, this wine is drinking nicely and believe it still has 5+ years
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Drank my second bottle, and this time I decanted it for over 2 hours. Much better than my first bottle, the palate was velvety with tastes of figs, plums, olives, and earth. Still a bit lacking in terms of depth, but enjoyable nonetheless.
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I was rather underwhelmed by this wine. Sure it was enjoyable, but not much complexity and seemed muted. Perhaps I had an off bottle, or perhaps I didn't let it breathe enough? I have one more of these, so I'm hoping with a longer decant, my next bottle will do better.
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Disappointing. Agree with WinoTim on this one. Based on the other TN's mine was clearly off, but not necessarily flawed. No hints of being corked at all, with a perfect seal.
Decanted & consumed over seven hours with little change during that time. The nose was hot like smelling isopropyl alcohol, with flavors and aromas of burnt coffee, cedar, dusty earth & menthol. No fruit to speak of, not even hiding in the background.
All that said, this wasn't bad, and it did possess a rich silky mid-palate, it just wasn't great. Confusing. Perhaps someone more expert than I can shed some light.
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Dark purple color with a lifted nose of blueberries, plum, vanilla, and liqueur. The palate displays a full body with a thick, supple, fruit-forward style featuring ripe dark fruits, kirsch, mocha, earth and forest herbs. Finishes long and delicious with velvety tannin and hints of dark chocolate. Drink now until 2018.
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Medium body nice dark fruit notes on the nose and a smooth finish.
This is a wonderful bottle of wine. It was enjoyed with a nice grilled filet seasoned with salt pepper and garlic. This was served with grilled asparagus and shell pasta in a cheese sauce.
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This is fantastic. Opened for about an hour before drinking. On day two it was over, no good, so drink it all on first day. Had w/ steak and loved it! Went back and bought 5 more. I'm a skilled novice who loves cab.
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- Garnet color with slow forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, blackberry, smokey, coffee and chocolate with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish.
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Bought off a recommendation, and was not disappointed. Great dark fruit with some vanilla and a nice oak,finish. Was a little disjointed off the bat, but it was a PnP. It has a great finish, 1min+ and great mid palate, was a big winner at the tasting.
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92-95: fourth time this year I've had this wine, and it simply gets better & better. Gaining more depth, still explosive fruit. Now I truly wonder how good this wine will get in a couple of years. Smashing. Finish approached 1 minute +.
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Pop and poured at a Pizza joint. $7.50 corkage fee. Pretty floral nose with cassis and cherry. Easy drinking smooth and lush texture with layered cassis, cherry, pepper with a spicy longish finish. Found at a local wine store, great recommendation from the guy working there. Will buy more.
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Probably drank this way to young, but very powerful wine. Decanted for 3 hours. Aromas of slightly charred earth, graphite, blackberry, blueberry. Palate followed nose and added more fruit at the mid palate. Texture was firm, but not overly so (no enamel ripping tannins), and a complex ~40 second finish. Was still opening up on the last glass.
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91-94pts: right now the wine is very young; quite enjoyable, shows off the fruit from Coombsville well, but this wine needs time to integrate the oak and let everything settle into place. This wine has stood up to many bottles at a significantly higher price. Think it needs a couple of years, after which it will really shine.
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This wine is simply outstanding. Tasted after a bottle of Chateau Montrose which was also good, but didn't hold a candle to this magnificent layered beast of goodness.
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This was my time tasting this wine and I was impressed. Smoke, plums, licorice, black raspberry and mocha scents get the wine started. Soft and supple, the wine ends with plush, sweet, dark, jammy berries.
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Made by Melka. This is a blend. I got a lot of merlot as the first profile and then looked at the label. It is 86% cab (corrected). Not of the feminine style and a bit over-extracted for my liking. Mid palate is a bit flabby.
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4/29/2022 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 92 Points
A few years since my last bottle, this is developing nicely. Likely in or near its prime. A full bodied wine with nice balance. No need to keep holding but these will hold for another decade with ease.
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4/12/2021 - KAP Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Feels like it’s past its drink by date. Brown and unintegrated. Maybe it will come back.
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5/12/2020 - wss Likes this wine: 93 Points
Incredible - a wine at its peak.
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2/29/2020 - Cabernet4me2 Likes this wine: 93 Points
It’s been about 1 1/2 yrs since last popped, and what a difference that time in bottle revealed.
Was much less bright red fruit dominated, and was actually a nice blend of red, blue and black fruit commingled with some nice mild spice and completely integrated oak.
Thought it a 92+, but gave it the extra nod up as it held consistently during the 5 hours open....My only complaint would have been the finish was a bit shorter than I would have hoped, but splitting hairs.
I think it’s at its peak, don’t see any future maturity, however not a bad place to be and think it’s likely to ‘hang out’ here for a while, so no rush!!
Likely be drinking my last two bottles over the next year or two, so if u gottem Enjoy.. no need for decant, is Open for Business!!
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7/11/2019 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 92 Points
6 years since last tasting- fully mature now and only needed one hour in decanter. Pleasant wine that should hold up for a few more years.
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3/15/2019 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 91 Points
new world, red berries, moderate complexity, short ending, fair-poor qpr
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11/24/2018 - Cabernet4me2 wrote: 91 Points
Popped for a T-Day leftovers party with lots of other wines to sample, so no formal notes.
Do have to say that tried it upon initial uncorking, and seemed to have more concentrated fruit profile than I remembered from the past. Seemed a bit disjointed and not sure if in a phase or just starting its decline.
Was very heavy on the red fruits, and seemed to be a bit singular and not much excitement with secondary layers. Did have a nice entry and mid, but a bit short on the finish.
Not sure how long these will be holding for, so going to try another pretty soon, but really don't believe any further cellaring will benefit.
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12/22/2017 - Cabernet4me2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Loved this wine when I first tasted, and still think it is a solid bottle.
Mostly Dark Red and a little black fruits, this wine showed very well from the initial Pop at the restaurant.
The bottle definitely opened significantly over the dinner, and showed a little sign of aging in color however no signs elsewhere. Would classify it as a medium body, with a good entry, medium mid, however a shorter than anticipated finish.
Not sure if the bottle is in a bit of a dumb phase, or if it might be starting to peak, just at the end of the dinner, with about 2+ hours in glass, started to notice some signs of bitterness.
Will try another bottle sooner than later, maybe six months, and just not sure what was up, if it was in need of a decant, a bit of soap left in the glass, or if starting to peak... couldn't put a finger on it.
Still a very solid bottle of Napa Cab, and especially at the price point paid, very satisfied!!
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10/3/2015 - Cabernet4me2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
No Formal Notes, PnP - Drank next to a Myriad George III - both wines were fantastic, both paired well with the Steaks at The Range in Santa Margarita. More Dark Red Fruit and a little better integrated, but the GIII was just a baby - basically Cradle Robing!! Both were delicious and a definite treat, this wine is drinking nicely and believe it still has 5+ years
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4/18/2015 - camben Likes this wine:
Good but has not evolved the way I thought it would.
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3/18/2015 - agrulich21 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank my second bottle, and this time I decanted it for over 2 hours. Much better than my first bottle, the palate was velvety with tastes of figs, plums, olives, and earth. Still a bit lacking in terms of depth, but enjoyable nonetheless.
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3/15/2015 - agrulich21 wrote: 89 Points
I was rather underwhelmed by this wine. Sure it was enjoyable, but not much complexity and seemed muted. Perhaps I had an off bottle, or perhaps I didn't let it breathe enough? I have one more of these, so I'm hoping with a longer decant, my next bottle will do better.
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12/6/2014 - R&R Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid cab from a solid vintage.
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11/1/2014 - millerarner wrote: 89 Points
Disappointing. Agree with WinoTim on this one. Based on the other TN's mine was clearly off, but not necessarily flawed. No hints of being corked at all, with a perfect seal.
Decanted & consumed over seven hours with little change during that time. The nose was hot like smelling isopropyl alcohol, with flavors and aromas of burnt coffee, cedar, dusty earth & menthol. No fruit to speak of, not even hiding in the background.
All that said, this wasn't bad, and it did possess a rich silky mid-palate, it just wasn't great. Confusing. Perhaps someone more expert than I can shed some light.
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9/7/2014 - VineLine wrote: 93 Points
Had with a ribeye. Very impressive nose and deep flavors on the palate. Perfect balance and finish.
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7/10/2014 - uncle al Likes this wine: 92 Points
A very smooth cab for a young age. Well balanced with nice red and black fruit. Med-full bodied with nice finish.
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11/6/2013 - camben Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ultra rich and huge. Dark fruits dominate but hints of strawberry emerge
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10/12/2013 - saki846 Likes this wine:
Needs to be opened and well decanted.
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6/19/2013 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark purple color with a lifted nose of blueberries, plum, vanilla, and liqueur. The palate displays a full body with a thick, supple, fruit-forward style featuring ripe dark fruits, kirsch, mocha, earth and forest herbs. Finishes long and delicious with velvety tannin and hints of dark chocolate. Drink now until 2018.
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4/15/2013 - camben Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fantastic colour, nose of violets and rasberry puree, strawberry, currant, mocha shavings and cool blueberry. This is a keeper
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3/28/2013 - wineotim wrote: 89 Points
Can't see the hype here, acidity and alcohol would not yield to the fruit, even a decant and ribeye steak could not smooth this one out. Disappointed.
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2/8/2013 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 93 Points
2 hour decant (a must) bold full bodied, great finish. Zero heat. Moderately complex. Decent value.
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12/24/2012 - Double D's Cellar wrote: 93 Points
This was/is a fantastic wine. decanted for an hour, truly amazing, glad we have more bottles, this will only get better with cellaring
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12/7/2012 - CabIsKing wrote: 93 Points
Really nice plum, licorice, cassis and hints of floral on the nose. Very nice and plush on the palate with a long berry finish. Super wine.
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10/27/2012 - sojoknuckle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium body nice dark fruit notes on the nose and a smooth finish.
This is a wonderful bottle of wine. It was enjoyed with a nice grilled filet seasoned with salt pepper and garlic. This was served with grilled asparagus and shell pasta in a cheese sauce.
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9/9/2012 - timdrex wrote: 91 Points
Not as fruit- forward as I expected, Tannins a bit heavy. On day 2, it fell apart. Good QPR.
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6/18/2012 - Nebuchadnezzar1974 wrote: 96 Points
This is fantastic. Opened for about an hour before drinking. On day two it was over, no good, so drink it all on first day. Had w/ steak and loved it! Went back and bought 5 more. I'm a skilled novice who loves cab.
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6/18/2012 - Cabernet4me2 wrote:
- Garnet color with slow forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, blackberry, smokey, coffee and chocolate with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish.
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4/13/2012 - Cabernet4me2 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bought off a recommendation, and was not disappointed. Great dark fruit with some vanilla and a nice oak,finish. Was a little disjointed off the bat, but it was a PnP. It has a great finish, 1min+ and great mid palate, was a big winner at the tasting.
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3/30/2012 - BBinSC wrote: 93 Points
92-95: fourth time this year I've had this wine, and it simply gets better & better. Gaining more depth, still explosive fruit. Now I truly wonder how good this wine will get in a couple of years. Smashing. Finish approached 1 minute +.
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3/27/2012 - AGee wrote: 93 Points
Pop and poured at a Pizza joint. $7.50 corkage fee. Pretty floral nose with cassis and cherry. Easy drinking smooth and lush texture with layered cassis, cherry, pepper with a spicy longish finish. Found at a local wine store, great recommendation from the guy working there. Will buy more.
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3/11/2012 - R&R Likes this wine: 94 Points
Probably drank this way to young, but very powerful wine. Decanted for 3 hours. Aromas of slightly charred earth, graphite, blackberry, blueberry. Palate followed nose and added more fruit at the mid palate. Texture was firm, but not overly so (no enamel ripping tannins), and a complex ~40 second finish. Was still opening up on the last glass.
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3/4/2012 - BBinSC wrote: 92 Points
91-94pts: right now the wine is very young; quite enjoyable, shows off the fruit from Coombsville well, but this wine needs time to integrate the oak and let everything settle into place. This wine has stood up to many bottles at a significantly higher price. Think it needs a couple of years, after which it will really shine.
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12/6/2011 - winoj wrote: 94 Points
This wine is simply outstanding. Tasted after a bottle of Chateau Montrose which was also good, but didn't hold a candle to this magnificent layered beast of goodness.
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12/6/2011 - winoj wrote:
Tasting good juice!
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11/26/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
This was my time tasting this wine and I was impressed. Smoke, plums, licorice, black raspberry and mocha scents get the wine started. Soft and supple, the wine ends with plush, sweet, dark, jammy berries.
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7/10/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 88 Points
Made by Melka. This is a blend. I got a lot of merlot as the first profile and then looked at the label. It is 86% cab (corrected). Not of the feminine style and a bit over-extracted for my liking. Mid palate is a bit flabby.
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