Exceptional fragrant nose of slate, black olive, blue fruits and oak. Tastes of slate, mineral, forest leaves and bramble but dark red berry fruits underneath and light tannins still. Unusually smooth and long finish, very elegant, even with the tannins. Last 2 glasses showed a bit more tannin yet stays very smooth and the slate and pencil lead persist with expanded black fruits and underripe black olive. Nicely integrated oak. Id bring it to a blind tasting of $100 Napa cabs and impress people with this Alexander Valley beauty. Wine has definitely improved since my last bottle 2 years ago. I recommend still holding for and See what 1-2 years more will do since there is nothing old or herbal at all.
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Wonderful, fully integrated, smooth cab. Love the sweet smell and taste that I associate with Simi cabs. Nice cedar and tobacco and dark fruit on the nose. Similar tastes, licorice on the back palate with aeration; a little oak still there but muted. Looking forward to the next one of these from the cellar.
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Wonderful oak, mineral, and tobacco flavors and just a hint of dry tannins that hang out in the background but don't detract much. Still has integrated dark fruit but is near its useful life.
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12/26/2020 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 96 Points
Exceptional fragrant nose of slate, black olive, blue fruits and oak. Tastes of slate, mineral, forest leaves and bramble but dark red berry fruits underneath and light tannins still. Unusually smooth and long finish, very elegant, even with the tannins. Last 2 glasses showed a bit more tannin yet stays very smooth and the slate and pencil lead persist with expanded black fruits and underripe black olive. Nicely integrated oak. Id bring it to a blind tasting of $100 Napa cabs and impress people with this Alexander Valley beauty. Wine has definitely improved since my last bottle 2 years ago. I recommend still holding for and See what 1-2 years more will do since there is nothing old or herbal at all.
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2/27/2019 - Vinofitz wrote: 88 Points
On the backside; still some complex but subtle flavors but tart finish, very little detail left.
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9/22/2018 - Louisiana George wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful, fully integrated, smooth cab. Love the sweet smell and taste that I associate with Simi cabs. Nice cedar and tobacco and dark fruit on the nose. Similar tastes, licorice on the back palate with aeration; a little oak still there but muted. Looking forward to the next one of these from the cellar.
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8/2/2018 - Vinofitz wrote: 90 Points
Probably starting to come down the back side of its aging. Nose is leather and tobacco - fruit is diminished - more light spice flavors.
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2/28/2018 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderful oak, mineral, and tobacco flavors and just a hint of dry tannins that hang out in the background but don't detract much. Still has integrated dark fruit but is near its useful life.
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