P&P. great bottle that needed to sit for 10 mins in the glass to sing. Bordeaux structure with California fruit. showed some tertiary notes and good freshness. great now but still a lot of life
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I’m sensitive to the cork so this smelled corked to me (curious if other’s experienced this) after decanting for a few mins but not upon opening the bottle, had scent of cola and blueberry. Taste reminds me a bit of burgundy, light but dry. Fruit notes but subtle. Very muted compared to modern cabs. If I had to blind taste would have gotten it wrong! Would not suggest aging any longer.
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Drinking pretty well after a short 30 min decant. Very classic Napa sunshine fruit flavors. Thankfully the wine is not too full flavor or over the top which I feel is a problem some Napa wines from 1997 have. Should have no problem holding for at least 5 more years but I think it is at a good place to drink. For people who are used to drinking young bold Napa Cabs it might feel light but it is quite balanced in a way a old world lover would enjoy while staying unmistakably napa
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- Brick color and aromas of black currant and tobacco and has flavours of black currant and tobacco with a medium/full body. Satin-Like texture with a long finish.
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No taste bomb this, understated in almost European style, as so many have said, but still very Cab. Plenty of tannnins holding this together, this bottle (at least) would have been good for a few more years at least. Very good. Wish I had more.
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A feminine cab. Light and elegant, with jasmine tea and red currant flavors. Tannins are soft on the edges, but still pinch on the finish. Probably slightly past peak. Drink now.
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Very good and bordeux like. Cedar and a hint of tobacco. not overly frit driven. Very balanced and elegant, but not overly complex probably would have been better 1-2 years ago. 89-90.
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Decanted 2 hours. Paired with pan-fried filet along with a 1994 Vine Cliff and 1996 Clos Du Val. This was the lightest, simplest, and most unimpressive of the 3 wines. Similar aromas of bright cherry as the 1996, and a very smooth wine, but seems like it has begun to fade away.
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Deep, opaque dusty red, Nose of damp earth and black fruit. Decanted 3 hours. Served with Steak. Very balanced with nice fruit, cassis, fine tannins, and acidity. Lithe mouth feel which contradicted the appearance. I agree with others below that this reminded me of a nice Bordeaux. No more in cellar - too bad.
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I have always thought that Clos Du Val is California's answer to Bordeaux, and this bottle only bolstered my theory. Elegant. Not jammy. Very fine oak. Lovely all 'round.
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Dark purplish ruby, aromas of black currant, cherry, cedar, somewhat subdued, red currant, chocolaty wood, B3, A4, T3+, firm & tart, fairly tannic finish, a bit thin, some bright red fruit, day 2, very nice nose, medicinal on the palate, austere, thin, tart, not great, now 3-
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10/26/2023 - NickNYC Likes this wine: 92 Points
P&P. great bottle that needed to sit for 10 mins in the glass to sing. Bordeaux structure with California fruit. showed some tertiary notes and good freshness. great now but still a lot of life
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4/9/2023 - Jlh596 Likes this wine: 85 Points
I’m sensitive to the cork so this smelled corked to me (curious if other’s experienced this) after decanting for a few mins but not upon opening the bottle, had scent of cola and blueberry. Taste reminds me a bit of burgundy, light but dry. Fruit notes but subtle. Very muted compared to modern cabs. If I had to blind taste would have gotten it wrong! Would not suggest aging any longer.
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8/3/2020 - sung251 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking pretty well after a short 30 min decant. Very classic Napa sunshine fruit flavors. Thankfully the wine is not too full flavor or over the top which I feel is a problem some Napa wines from 1997 have. Should have no problem holding for at least 5 more years but I think it is at a good place to drink. For people who are used to drinking young bold Napa Cabs it might feel light but it is quite balanced in a way a old world lover would enjoy while staying unmistakably napa
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8/22/2019 - Nerdy Earth Boy Likes this wine: 93 Points
A simple but solid beautiful aged Napa CAB! Nice floral minimal sediment. Lucious ruby red from a great pedigree.
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11/22/2018 - sublime wrote: 90 Points
Still holding on.
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5/22/2016 - ecporter54 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I was worried about the age of this wine, but it was in the sweet spot for drinking. Very robust.
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5/18/2014 - nick.dean wrote: 90 Points
- Brick color and aromas of black currant and tobacco and has flavours of black currant and tobacco with a medium/full body. Satin-Like texture with a long finish.
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9/13/2012 - ChicagoBas wrote:
Very light in flavor. Little fruit left. Some blackberry. Holding its color. Probably 5+ years past its prime. Still fun for the price.
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12/24/2011 - johnnyrichardson wrote: 89 Points
No taste bomb this, understated in almost European style, as so many have said, but still very Cab. Plenty of tannnins holding this together, this bottle (at least) would have been good for a few more years at least. Very good. Wish I had more.
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8/6/2011 - otisabdul wrote: 89 Points
A feminine cab. Light and elegant, with jasmine tea and red currant flavors. Tannins are soft on the edges, but still pinch on the finish. Probably slightly past peak. Drink now.
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7/7/2011 - Old Course 72 wrote: 89 Points
Still lovely
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6/27/2010 - Old Course 72 wrote: 90 Points
Maybe a bit better bottle than March, flavors integrated and mature but seemed fuller.
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3/7/2010 - Old Course 72 wrote: 89 Points
Rich but light Bordeaux style, dark fruit subtle nose, dry finish that lingers a bit.
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9/27/2009 - winegr wrote: 89 Points
Very good and bordeux like. Cedar and a hint of tobacco. not overly frit driven. Very balanced and elegant, but not overly complex probably would have been better 1-2 years ago. 89-90.
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9/26/2009 - snowstrm wrote: 88 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Paired with pan-fried filet along with a 1994 Vine Cliff and 1996 Clos Du Val. This was the lightest, simplest, and most unimpressive of the 3 wines. Similar aromas of bright cherry as the 1996, and a very smooth wine, but seems like it has begun to fade away.
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3/22/2009 - Bob Krueger wrote: 92 Points
Great wine, had with Lamb chops
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11/11/2008 - Iam Redwood wrote: 87 Points
Not a lot of fruit left in this one. Some blackberry and tar. Very dry and leathery in the mouth. Not as velvety as it maybe once was.
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10/27/2008 - windinthewillows1 wrote:
smoky, full mouth of flavor. time to drink but nice cab flavor you would expect from it being down for 10 years.
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4/12/2008 - kcsteve wrote: 91 Points
Deep, opaque dusty red, Nose of damp earth and black fruit. Decanted 3 hours. Served with Steak. Very balanced with nice fruit, cassis, fine tannins, and acidity. Lithe mouth feel which contradicted the appearance. I agree with others below that this reminded me of a nice Bordeaux. No more in cellar - too bad.
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12/1/2007 - Easter Everywhere wrote: flawed
corked
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9/8/2007 - ksmith wrote: 90 Points
Still lots of fruit with cassis, cherries and forest floor. Tasted blind, most thought it was a Bordeaux. Plenty of life left, but drinking well now.
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4/7/2007 - Claret wrote: 90 Points
I have always thought that Clos Du Val is California's answer to Bordeaux, and this bottle only bolstered my theory. Elegant. Not jammy. Very fine oak. Lovely all 'round.
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3/11/2007 - windinthewillows1 wrote:
enjoyed with steak; smooth and very drinkable. Lots of flavor but ready to drink now.
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1/19/2007 - raadams wrote: 90 Points
Still relatively youthfull with notes of cherries, cassis, chocolate, and oak.
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1/15/2007 - wood wrote:
Not as good as before. Didn't follow the Merlot well.
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1/15/2007 - wood wrote:
Great wine - great value
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2/24/2006 - SimonG wrote:
Rich, elegant. Lovely fruit and good acidity. Comes into its own with food. Good wine. Single Varietals Offline, RJs London.
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1/13/2006 - wood wrote:
Very good, Tom, Dean and Scott loved it. I thought it lacked some fruit.
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3/15/2005 - cbbrown3 wrote: 92 Points
Deep,dark,opaque maroon. Tons of dark fruit aroma. Very fruity with soft persistant tannins
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2/14/2005 - cbbrown3 wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/2/2002 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 82 Points
Dark purplish ruby, aromas of black currant, cherry, cedar, somewhat subdued, red currant, chocolaty wood, B3, A4, T3+, firm & tart, fairly tannic finish, a bit thin, some bright red fruit, day 2, very nice nose, medicinal on the palate, austere, thin, tart, not great, now 3-
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