I had this wine a few months ago and that bottle was way down on its decline. That's why I opened this one up soon after. However, this was like a completely different wine. Nose still had dark fruits and over time some secondary notes appeared. The palette was balanced even though some might find it a little too spicy. The tannin was fully integrated making the wine drank very smoothly. I guess the lesson learned is to open these early rather than late.
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Another one I had forgotten. This is past its prime, but was (a bit) better with some air. On an initial pour, this was a quick punch of fruit, followed by a hollow mid-palate and then a bunch of residual oak. With some air it filled out a tiny bit of the middle, but I think this missed its intended purpose by several years. No tertiary notes, hanging on rather that evolving, drink these earlier... don't confuse this with the Martha's.
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1st night: nicely structured but not getting enough fruit to balance the firm tannins. Dry medium chewy mouthfeel, decently long finish with dark fruit lasting a while, but initial flavor upon entry isn't overwhelming me. A good but not a great bottle. 2nd nite: much better fruit/tannin/acid balance. Quite enjoyable, a bit of spice at the end, raised to 90 points.
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Dark ruby color turning crimson at the rim with a reflective edge. The nose shows off red and black fruits, earth, eucalyptus, mint, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied, dry, with a silky texture. Flavors of dark cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, espresso, black licorice, dried meat, and very mild smoked oak. This is a delight - one of the old-styled Napa Cabs that have maintained its classic style. Finishes long and pure with refined tannin and a hint of white pepper spice sprinkled on oak. Drink now until 2019.
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8/1/2020 - eatdrinkrepeat Likes this wine: 89 Points
I had this wine a few months ago and that bottle was way down on its decline. That's why I opened this one up soon after. However, this was like a completely different wine. Nose still had dark fruits and over time some secondary notes appeared. The palette was balanced even though some might find it a little too spicy. The tannin was fully integrated making the wine drank very smoothly. I guess the lesson learned is to open these early rather than late.
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10/13/2017 - Seafoam Manor wrote:
Another one I had forgotten. This is past its prime, but was (a bit) better with some air. On an initial pour, this was a quick punch of fruit, followed by a hollow mid-palate and then a bunch of residual oak. With some air it filled out a tiny bit of the middle, but I think this missed its intended purpose by several years. No tertiary notes, hanging on rather that evolving, drink these earlier... don't confuse this with the Martha's.
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8/20/2016 - gjv115 wrote:
It's OK. Either held it too long or needed a really long decant. Or both.
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1/30/2016 - mkoss Likes this wine: 90 Points
1st night: nicely structured but not getting enough fruit to balance the firm tannins. Dry medium chewy mouthfeel, decently long finish with dark fruit lasting a while, but initial flavor upon entry isn't overwhelming me. A good but not a great bottle.
2nd nite: much better fruit/tannin/acid balance. Quite enjoyable, a bit of spice at the end, raised to 90 points.
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8/15/2015 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 93 Points
Dark ruby color turning crimson at the rim with a reflective edge. The nose shows off red and black fruits, earth, eucalyptus, mint, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied, dry, with a silky texture. Flavors of dark cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, espresso, black licorice, dried meat, and very mild smoked oak. This is a delight - one of the old-styled Napa Cabs that have maintained its classic style. Finishes long and pure with refined tannin and a hint of white pepper spice sprinkled on oak. Drink now until 2019.
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