Absolutely massive in body, power, and approach, everything turned up to 11. Incredibly dark in color going to garnet at the rim. Nose of spice, vanilla, forrest floor, and dark fruits. A lot of stuff going on in the attack: blackberry, baking spices, hint of cola, obvious acidity that runs down the midpalate to some secondary components like mushroom and earth. Finish goes on forever, could still taste it after dinner and this morning. At 15%, amazed there's absolutely zero heat and the mouthfeel is about as smooth as I've ever tasted. Astonishing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Textbook Napa mountain Cabernet. Cigar box, currant, cherry/raspberry/blackberry and light mocha powder/vanilla on the nose, some pepper and licorice. Same on the palate, attacks the front with brambly red fruits that transition to slightly darker fruits and dark chocolate on the midpalate. Nice finish that is both somewhat creamy yet grabs the love handles a bit. Excellent complement to dinner and equally great on it's own. This easily had a long life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ok, couldn't hold out and let curiosity get the better of me. Not very often I find a "goldilocks" wine. Fantastic bottle, probably one of the best zins I've had in memory. Honestly can't find a bad thing to say about this. Brambly/peppery nose, raspberry/red fruits and chocolate all the way through the midpalate and a nice finish with smooth tannins. Has weight, but handles itself really well honest to the variety without being stereotypical. I had a bottle of this a couple months ago and thought "meh", 88pts. This definitely breaks the 90pt barrier. Finding bottles like this from producers with an interesting history/past is what it's all about for me. I'm going 91/92 on this. At $30 I wouldn't say screams value/QPR, but I think easily earned its keep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2005 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Over & Out
12/31/2009 - nopat wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely massive in body, power, and approach, everything turned up to 11. Incredibly dark in color going to garnet at the rim. Nose of spice, vanilla, forrest floor, and dark fruits. A lot of stuff going on in the attack: blackberry, baking spices, hint of cola, obvious acidity that runs down the midpalate to some secondary components like mushroom and earth. Finish goes on forever, could still taste it after dinner and this morning. At 15%, amazed there's absolutely zero heat and the mouthfeel is about as smooth as I've ever tasted. Astonishing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2005 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
10/25/2009 - nopat wrote: 93 Points
Textbook Napa mountain Cabernet. Cigar box, currant, cherry/raspberry/blackberry and light mocha powder/vanilla on the nose, some pepper and licorice. Same on the palate, attacks the front with brambly red fruits that transition to slightly darker fruits and dark chocolate on the
midpalate. Nice finish that is both somewhat creamy yet grabs the love handles a bit. Excellent complement to dinner and equally great on it's own. This easily had a long life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2007 J. Dusi Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard
10/10/2009 - nopat wrote: 92 Points
Ok, couldn't hold out and let curiosity get the better of me. Not very often I find a "goldilocks" wine. Fantastic bottle, probably one of the best zins I've had in memory. Honestly can't find a bad thing to say about this. Brambly/peppery nose, raspberry/red fruits and chocolate all the way through the midpalate and a nice finish with smooth tannins. Has weight, but handles itself really well honest to the variety without being stereotypical. I had a bottle of this a couple months ago and thought "meh", 88pts. This definitely breaks the 90pt barrier. Finding bottles like this from producers with an interesting history/past is what it's all about for me. I'm going 91/92 on this. At $30 I wouldn't say screams value/QPR, but I think easily earned its keep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment