As I looked back at my note from 3 years ago, I thought more about screwcaps and better wines like this. There was no evolution of this wine. It was still pretty one-dimensional. The fruit was correct but still youthful, but not in the best way. At 10 years--and a legitimate 10 years since the harvest in WA would have been this time of year!--there should be at least some tertiary notes, but there weren't. The wine poured almost purple into the glasses, and that's not necessarily what I want from a high-midrange Bordeaux blend at this stage of its development. Two more bottles in my stash, so I'll give them more time, but I'm beginning to believe that screwcaps shouldn't be used on ageworthy wines. As I've said before, I like a soft pillow when I go to sleep. Why shouldn't a good wine have the same?
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I know understand all the hype with this estate. They truly are producing old world style cabernet with freshness and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
Decanted and drank over two days. Took over an hour to blow the dust off and settle in for what became a well structured mid weight beauty with notes of herbs, red and black fruits. My wife said smelling it put her right in a vineyard which was a complement considering her palette is fairly limited.
Would have rated it higher but thought it lost some of its luster on night two.
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After two duff prior bottles was glad to finally get the real deal: dust and mint adorn black cherry fruit. Some graphite and cigar wrapper are there too, and it's bright. Drinks well immediately though it improves in the glass.
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3/6/2024 - Trickyone wrote:
As I looked back at my note from 3 years ago, I thought more about screwcaps and better wines like this. There was no evolution of this wine. It was still pretty one-dimensional. The fruit was correct but still youthful, but not in the best way. At 10 years--and a legitimate 10 years since the harvest in WA would have been this time of year!--there should be at least some tertiary notes, but there weren't. The wine poured almost purple into the glasses, and that's not necessarily what I want from a high-midrange Bordeaux blend at this stage of its development. Two more bottles in my stash, so I'll give them more time, but I'm beginning to believe that screwcaps shouldn't be used on ageworthy wines. As I've said before, I like a soft pillow when I go to sleep. Why shouldn't a good wine have the same?
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8/25/2023 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful aroma. This is just starting to hit its stride. Not marred by excessive tamarillo character like some Marg River (and Leeuwin).
Excellent classy balance. The best Cabernet from WA seem to be around 13.5% but they tend to be beaten for show medals by wines that are 14-14.5%
That said, it’s still raw, with excessive bright acidity (Aussie problem) and new oak. The oak will temper with time.
13.5%, screwcap
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12/25/2022 - DWaterman Likes this wine: 92 Points
I know understand all the hype with this estate. They truly are producing old world style cabernet with freshness and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
Decanted and drank over two days. Took over an hour to blow the dust off and settle in for what became a well structured mid weight beauty with notes of herbs, red and black fruits. My wife said smelling it put her right in a vineyard which was a complement considering her palette is fairly limited.
Would have rated it higher but thought it lost some of its luster on night two.
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6/6/2022 - Shak Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bold fruit and some interesting earthiness! Very nice.
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10/14/2021 - Neecies Likes this wine:
After two duff prior bottles was glad to finally get the real deal: dust and mint adorn black cherry fruit. Some graphite and cigar wrapper are there too, and it's bright. Drinks well immediately though it improves in the glass.
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