WCC 2004 California Cab Blind Tasting (Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY): Wasn't a fan of this. There's a core of very rich, primary black fruit tinged with vanilla and a higher-toned green herbal note on the nose that I like, which adds freshness. But the palate feels foursquare; burly and extracted with a lot of tannin and a hot, alcoholic finish.
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The wine exhibits brilliance, although the initial sip reveals a slight prominence of its 15% alcohol by volume. Setting aside this observation, it boasts remarkable depth, volume, and ripeness, epitomizing a luxuriously rich and full-bodied palate. The fruit presents itself as dark and brooding, yet notably balanced after an ample decanting period. There is no urgency to consume this wine; in fact, I would estimate it to be approximately 2-3 years away from reaching its peak drinking window.
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1 hour in decanter. Spectacular. Spiciness, eucalyptus, black fruit, plumps, some earthy notes. Enormous power, well integrated though prominent tannins, superb freshness. Mind blowing. 96/97. This wine, in its youth, confirms, as Bordeaux lover, my long existing interest in high level Californian wines. I will start drinking the older vintages of this great wine.
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Wow! This wine is having a moment. Opened just for the hell of it on a Saturday night with Filet Mignon. Decanted for an hour. Absolutely stunning - especially with an extra 30 min in the glass. Pronounced aromas of fresh black cherry, black plum, blackberry and hints of mint and eucalyptus. Notes of chocolate and toast from oak. Tertiary aromas galore - dried fruit, tobacco and cigar box and earth/forest floor. The wine feel like it’s at its ideal moment on the palate - medium garnet color, solid acidity, perfectly integrated and velvety tannins, and full body. And the flavors are very pronounced following the nose - with tons of primary and tertiary fruit, well integrated oak and those great age-driven flavors. Finish is very long. So glad I opened this tonight!
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3/7/2024 - salil wrote: 84 Points
WCC 2004 California Cab Blind Tasting (Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY): Wasn't a fan of this. There's a core of very rich, primary black fruit tinged with vanilla and a higher-toned green herbal note on the nose that I like, which adds freshness. But the palate feels foursquare; burly and extracted with a lot of tannin and a hot, alcoholic finish.
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3/7/2024 - kenv Likes this wine: 94 Points
WCC 2004 California Cab Blind Tasting (Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY): [Double decanted all at 1:00 PM, recorked at 5:00 PM.] Huge black fruit nose. Rich, complex. Still young, but no harm in drinking it now.
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2/16/2024 - Eric_Lavoie Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine exhibits brilliance, although the initial sip reveals a slight prominence of its 15% alcohol by volume. Setting aside this observation, it boasts remarkable depth, volume, and ripeness, epitomizing a luxuriously rich and full-bodied palate. The fruit presents itself as dark and brooding, yet notably balanced after an ample decanting period. There is no urgency to consume this wine; in fact, I would estimate it to be approximately 2-3 years away from reaching its peak drinking window.
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11/12/2023 - maaike2 wrote: 96 Points
1 hour in decanter. Spectacular. Spiciness, eucalyptus, black fruit, plumps, some earthy notes. Enormous power, well integrated though prominent tannins, superb freshness. Mind blowing. 96/97. This wine, in its youth, confirms, as Bordeaux lover, my long existing interest in high level Californian wines. I will start drinking the older vintages of this great wine.
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10/22/2022 - bayareadodgerfan Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow! This wine is having a moment. Opened just for the hell of it on a Saturday night with Filet Mignon. Decanted for an hour. Absolutely stunning - especially with an extra 30 min in the glass. Pronounced aromas of fresh black cherry, black plum, blackberry and hints of mint and eucalyptus. Notes of chocolate and toast from oak. Tertiary aromas galore - dried fruit, tobacco and cigar box and earth/forest floor. The wine feel like it’s at its ideal moment on the palate - medium garnet color, solid acidity, perfectly integrated and velvety tannins, and full body. And the flavors are very pronounced following the nose - with tons of primary and tertiary fruit, well integrated oak and those great age-driven flavors. Finish is very long. So glad I opened this tonight!
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