Tapped with my Coravin and drank about a third of the bottle. Surprisingly light and claret in color but not really browning at the edge. Nice muted nose of fairly primary Cabernet fruit with a hint of charcoal so not particularly complex. Stylistically very elegant with soft red current fruit, medium body, resolved tannis, and good balancing acidity. Pretty typical of the cooler 1996 vintage and mid 1990s JPV style winemaking style. Lovely but almost more like a Cab from Sonoma Mountain (eg Laurel Glen) rather than Napa Valley. Perfect accompanying a roasted prime rib but might be a little soft for a more robust seared marbled steak.
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Somewhat disappointing. Color was still vibrant after 22 years, and had a nice earthy tobacco nose. Decanted for about an hour and consumed with a NY steak. Medium bodied with muted earth notes and light berry. Just could not quite fill up the mouth with flavor. I expected more from this pedigreed wine.
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this was very nice but missed being exceptional... big nose of beautiful fruit and florals, beautiful palate with really nice acidity and med / dark fruit with depth... just a beautiful / laid back Cali cab, not overdone (thank goodness) but good depth, smooth and 'easy rider' drinking
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clear, somewhat pale garnet with medium rim browning baked black cherry pie, vanilla tar, chocolate low acids, low tannins . cassis medium to long balanced finish . winery event .
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1/9/2022 - Chateaunewf wrote: 92 Points
Tapped with my Coravin and drank about a third of the bottle. Surprisingly light and claret in color but not really browning at the edge. Nice muted nose of fairly primary Cabernet fruit with a hint of charcoal so not particularly complex.
Stylistically very elegant with soft red current fruit, medium body, resolved tannis, and good balancing acidity. Pretty typical of the cooler 1996 vintage and mid 1990s JPV style winemaking style. Lovely but almost more like a Cab from Sonoma Mountain (eg Laurel Glen) rather than Napa Valley. Perfect accompanying a roasted prime rib but might be a little soft for a more robust seared marbled steak.
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11/6/2020 - gwpski wrote:
Very smooth not as heavy as expected - still has great nose. Finish lasts for quite a while.
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2/11/2019 - dfcrutcher wrote: 90 Points
Somewhat disappointing. Color was still vibrant after 22 years, and had a nice earthy tobacco nose. Decanted for about an hour and consumed with a NY steak. Medium bodied with muted earth notes and light berry. Just could not quite fill up the mouth with flavor. I expected more from this pedigreed wine.
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6/1/2018 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 92 Points
this was very nice but missed being exceptional... big nose of beautiful fruit and florals, beautiful palate with really nice acidity and med / dark fruit with depth... just a beautiful / laid back Cali cab, not overdone (thank goodness) but good depth, smooth and 'easy rider' drinking
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10/23/2016 - CJM wrote: 93 Points
clear, somewhat pale garnet with medium rim browning baked black cherry pie, vanilla tar, chocolate low acids, low tannins . cassis medium to long balanced finish . winery event .
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