Dinner at D Cuisine (Chicago, IL): Clocking in at a whole 12.5% alcohol, this really feels too light for such impressive terroir. Plenty of green cabernet notes, lots of acidity, and fruit that only starts to emerge with a few hours of air, this is nonetheless a high-acid and very light Napa cabernet. The plot is clearly capable of better wines -- can't help but think this was a bit of a whiff at Phelps (though this is still far better than what the winery pumps out these days). But for a low-alcohol, old-school Napa wine, this certainly fits the bill.
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Still surprisingly young, no hints of secondary or tertiary flavors or nose. Lacks complexity and vibrancy, though. Just not much of interest in this bottle.
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I'm a total Joseph Phelps fan, but in this case I totally agree with the previous review. I would have thought it was just my bottle, but no character, no fruit, no pleasure. My only disagreements with markelln would be (a) I thought the nose was quite pleasant, and (b) a wine that tastes like that doesn't warrant a number that has "Good" associated with it!
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A great dissappointment. Weak bouquet, little fruit, barely drinkable. Left remainder overnight in closed decanter to see if magic might happen. IT DIDN"T!
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9/24/2023 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
Dinner at D Cuisine (Chicago, IL): Clocking in at a whole 12.5% alcohol, this really feels too light for such impressive terroir. Plenty of green cabernet notes, lots of acidity, and fruit that only starts to emerge with a few hours of air, this is nonetheless a high-acid and very light Napa cabernet. The plot is clearly capable of better wines -- can't help but think this was a bit of a whiff at Phelps (though this is still far better than what the winery pumps out these days). But for a low-alcohol, old-school Napa wine, this certainly fits the bill.
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5/12/2017 - nywine68 wrote: 88 Points
Still surprisingly young, no hints of secondary or tertiary flavors or nose. Lacks complexity and vibrancy, though. Just not much of interest in this bottle.
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6/11/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Araujo Dinner, Mostly Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Milwalky Trace - Libertyville IL): Popped and poured, served alongside the Araujo Eisele 91/92/93 flight. Started with great spice and mature black fruit and tobacco notes. This faded precipitously and was far less pleasurable after 30 minutes in glass.
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8/9/2008 - SteveH wrote: 79 Points
I'm a total Joseph Phelps fan, but in this case I totally agree with the previous review. I would have thought it was just my bottle, but no character, no fruit, no pleasure. My only disagreements with markelln would be (a) I thought the nose was quite pleasant, and (b) a wine that tastes like that doesn't warrant a number that has "Good" associated with it!
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9/25/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 80 Points
A great dissappointment. Weak bouquet, little fruit, barely drinkable. Left remainder overnight in closed decanter to see if magic might happen. IT DIDN"T!
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