Weak nose until it opened up a bit, then I got some whiffs of cherry and licorice. Pleasantly fruity but not deep or especially complex. Paired nicely with blue cheese and Guardians of the Galaxy. ;) The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle.
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I have been wanting to do this for a long time but had never done it until now. No, not some crazy sex act but drinking an ES Mendocino and a Napa side by side. I have had them separately several times but not where I could tell the real differences. Both were very good but the Napa got the nod by two solid points. This was a bit less fruit forward and more earth and mineral. But it lacked in complexity, body and finish. Finish was short to medium on this and didn't have the expected body either. Well done by the winemaker but the origin of the grapes make the difference. But given the equality of the price, buy the Napa hands down over this. If the price were $10 less for this then we have some parity. I don't expect the Mendocino to lay down near as long as the Napa but I am probably just stating the obvious here.
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Napa Valley Wine and Food Excursion 2013; 9/30/2013-10/5/2013 (Napa Valley, California): This opaque crimson wine shows nice aromas of kirsch, fig, anise and tar. It lags, however on the palate. Fresh and full-bodied, it has subdued black fruit flavors wrapped by medium-weight, rustic tannins. The alcohol is noticeable and the middle palate is slightly thin. With a short-to-medium finish which concludes with a whiff of heat, this is a wine that is simply not memorable. Drink now-2020.
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Tasted at winery. Expressive nose of cassis. Ripe, full flavors of baking spice and cinnamon. Good concentration. Prominent tannins but a great extended finish. 10 years isn't too long to wait on this one.
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OK but nothing special. Black cherry, some cassis flavors in a muted fashion. Oak was present. Never seemed to truly open up over two days - weak nose, short finish. Decent acidity. Complemeted food and chocolate. Not a great QPR
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2/14/2020 - ebert wrote: 86 Points
Strong oak as dominant flavor, very lean, right and a bit strong acid.
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11/27/2016 - Rose wine cellar Likes this wine: 88 Points
Weak nose until it opened up a bit, then I got some whiffs of cherry and licorice. Pleasantly fruity but not deep or especially complex. Paired nicely with blue cheese and Guardians of the Galaxy. ;)
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle.
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11/18/2016 - Sheldog Likes this wine: 88 Points
I have been wanting to do this for a long time but had never done it until now. No, not some crazy sex act but drinking an ES Mendocino and a Napa side by side. I have had them separately several times but not where I could tell the real differences. Both were very good but the Napa got the nod by two solid points. This was a bit less fruit forward and more earth and mineral. But it lacked in complexity, body and finish. Finish was short to medium on this and didn't have the expected body either. Well done by the winemaker but the origin of the grapes make the difference. But given the equality of the price, buy the Napa hands down over this. If the price were $10 less for this then we have some parity. I don't expect the Mendocino to lay down near as long as the Napa but I am probably just stating the obvious here.
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2/28/2015 - nasanchez Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drank with Deep & Anoshua
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10/2/2013 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 83 Points
Napa Valley Wine and Food Excursion 2013; 9/30/2013-10/5/2013 (Napa Valley, California): This opaque crimson wine shows nice aromas of kirsch, fig, anise and tar. It lags, however on the palate. Fresh and full-bodied, it has subdued black fruit flavors wrapped by medium-weight, rustic tannins. The alcohol is noticeable and the middle palate is slightly thin. With a short-to-medium finish which concludes with a whiff of heat, this is a wine that is simply not memorable. Drink now-2020.
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9/3/2013 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasted at winery. Expressive nose of cassis. Ripe, full flavors of baking spice and cinnamon. Good concentration. Prominent tannins but a great extended finish. 10 years isn't too long to wait on this one.
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1/27/2013 - iamandyc wrote: 86 Points
Same notes as last bottle. Better on first day.
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12/7/2012 - iamandyc wrote: 86 Points
OK but nothing special. Black cherry, some cassis flavors in a muted fashion. Oak was present. Never seemed to truly open up over two days - weak nose, short finish. Decent acidity. Complemeted food and chocolate. Not a great QPR
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