Big dark rich with dark fruit, big body, and an odd oily, shoe-polish note. 48% Ciel du Cheval Cab Franc; 48% Tapteil Merlot; 4% Ciel du Cheval Petit Verdot - at this point the blend is still tannic and the fruits have hit a secondary tone. Maybe it's the way the barrel toast and the juice have melded but it took a good 1.5-2 hours for it to feel like this was losing its aggressive edge and started to hit its stride. Plenty to like in the finish which was medium long once the tannins had abated. I'd like to wait another few years to drink my last bottle.
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A little VA when opened, much better after 2 hr decanting. A little tight at first but great presence in the mid-palette and decent finish.
Interesting thing was comparing it to the 06 Bel Canto... Basically the same percentages of CF and Merlot, but the Cara Mia vineyard's fruit was more complex and had a much longer finish despite it's youth.
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4/24/2020 - norsktorsk wrote: 89 Points
past prime
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4/15/2020 - norsktorsk Likes this wine: 92 Points
I really like this. holding up quite well.
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11/20/2015 - PDXinSEA wrote: 89 Points
Big dark rich with dark fruit, big body, and an odd oily, shoe-polish note. 48% Ciel du Cheval Cab Franc; 48% Tapteil Merlot; 4% Ciel du Cheval Petit Verdot - at this point the blend is still tannic and the fruits have hit a secondary tone. Maybe it's the way the barrel toast and the juice have melded but it took a good 1.5-2 hours for it to feel like this was losing its aggressive edge and started to hit its stride. Plenty to like in the finish which was medium long once the tannins had abated. I'd like to wait another few years to drink my last bottle.
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6/6/2010 - skifree wrote: 92 Points
Oh so smooth and lush, lots of blueberry and spice, nice long finish.
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12/31/2009 - futurist wrote: 90 Points
A little VA when opened, much better after 2 hr decanting. A little tight at first but great presence in the mid-palette and decent finish.
Interesting thing was comparing it to the 06 Bel Canto... Basically the same percentages of CF and Merlot, but the Cara Mia vineyard's fruit was more complex and had a much longer finish despite it's youth.
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