Vinophiler
Member #9,181 signed up 10/25/2005
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3 Tasting Notes
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Member since October 2005
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Member #9,181 signed up 10/25/2005
3 Tasting Notes
This member's profile is not public.
1999 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
12/23/2016 - Vinophiler Likes this wine: 95 Points
Upon opening, you could tell the wine needed a little time to open as there was a strong core of fruit just waiting for a little air. When my wife first tasted she looked up at me disappointedly and said "I hope this is going to get better". It did! Drank over the course of two hours. Thick, unctuous wine with a strong core of black fruit with leather notes and a hint of chocolate. It was a great accompaniment to our filet mignon and really needed the food to shine.
Interestingly, I opened a bottle about 7 years ago and was completely disappointed. Had high expectations then but the wine wasn't giving anything up. Seven years later I can see why. This baby needs some time. (In retrospect I should have decanted well in advance.) While certainly enjoyable now this bottle was in early maturity with plenty of life left.
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2002 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
12/18/2016 - Vinophiler Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is about the 5th time I've had this wine and it has yet to disappoint. This is a quality cabernet that contends with the big boys. At this stage the tannins are well integrated with little/no decant necessary. I am surprised at how well it has held up and would be hard pressed to say that this has dropped off much from bottles I've had 5-6 years ago. If this is what the regular bottling tastes like I can't wait to open up the Beckstoffer Vineyard bottle I've got in the cellar. Excellent!
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2012 Beran Zinfandel California
12/17/2016 - Vinophiler Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this at a restaurant where the wine list could be broken into two categories: (1) "Decent" wines WAY over priced or (2) "Swill" that was not inexpensive. Fortunately, I checked the wine list in advance and the Beran was the only wine that seemed reasonable. My expectations were not high so I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted this. To give context, my "go to" zinfandel is one of the single vineyard zins from Carlisle but I also enjoy Turley as well. This style was very distinctive but in a pleasant way. I would characterize as chocolately and slightly sweet, but would definitely not use the terms "sugar" or "cream soda" that others offered. To me, a solid distinctive wine that complemented our dinner and didn't break the bank.
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