plenty alive and drinking wonderfully right now; upon open nose of bright red fruit and fresh flowers, palate a bit muted; decanted 1 hour improved dramatically, nice acid, med body, dark ruby red, fruit in balance - not over powering, dusty tannins, slight cocoa finish, thoroughly enjoyed with a cowboy ribeye roast.
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We're on the second-to-last bottle of a case we purchased over 10 years ago, and this wine has certainly had its ups and downs over that period. Our last bottle was flawed and a few have been consumed in closed windows, but on this night 16 years after vintage this bottle was spectacular. Red currant, pipe tobacco, eucalyptus, and cherry chocolate on the nose, the medium palate brought blueberry pie, blackberry compote, chocolate raspberries, cafe mocha, some dried leather, and whiffs of olives into an extended, velvet-glove finish. The acidity is still firm but tannins have really mellowed. Not sure this will improve but in a nice window, so drink up 2024-2026. Technical score: 93. Enjoyment score: 93.
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14.2% abv. Recent auction purchase (1 bottle only). Served this alongside a bottle of 2007 V Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena. In comparison, this was young and tannic and a bit tight. Decided to decant this after the first taste. Lower ripeness was apparent here and there were some earthy notes that I thought worked pretty well. Overall, though, this just didn't show very well, with the tannin dominating and the fruit not coming out enough. It was not bad at all, just not yet in harmony at this point.
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(Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon) Opaque red violet color; appealing, suave, ripe black currant, blackberry, French oak, light menthol nose; tight, tart black currant, tart blackberry, tart black fruit, light menthol palate with good balance; needs 2 years and should age admirably; medium-plus finish 92+ points (14.2% alcohol, sample provided by winery)
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1/1/2024 - dlowrey99 Likes this wine: 94 Points
plenty alive and drinking wonderfully right now; upon open nose of bright red fruit and fresh flowers, palate a bit muted; decanted 1 hour improved dramatically, nice acid, med body, dark ruby red, fruit in balance - not over powering, dusty tannins, slight cocoa finish, thoroughly enjoyed with a cowboy ribeye roast.
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12/31/2023 - B&PBaker Likes this wine: 90 Points
Earthy, like I remember the others. It just didn't have the beautiful mouth filling greatness I was waiting for. Good stuff, just not great.
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12/22/2023 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 93 Points
We're on the second-to-last bottle of a case we purchased over 10 years ago, and this wine has certainly had its ups and downs over that period. Our last bottle was flawed and a few have been consumed in closed windows, but on this night 16 years after vintage this bottle was spectacular. Red currant, pipe tobacco, eucalyptus, and cherry chocolate on the nose, the medium palate brought blueberry pie, blackberry compote, chocolate raspberries, cafe mocha, some dried leather, and whiffs of olives into an extended, velvet-glove finish. The acidity is still firm but tannins have really mellowed. Not sure this will improve but in a nice window, so drink up 2024-2026. Technical score: 93. Enjoyment score: 93.
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9/16/2023 - PIntag wrote: 90 Points
14.2% abv. Recent auction purchase (1 bottle only).
Served this alongside a bottle of 2007 V Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena. In comparison, this was young and tannic and a bit tight. Decided to decant this after the first taste. Lower ripeness was apparent here and there were some earthy notes that I thought worked pretty well. Overall, though, this just didn't show very well, with the tannin dominating and the fruit not coming out enough. It was not bad at all, just not yet in harmony at this point.
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7/5/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Wow (and finally) such harmony and grace, and concertation. Glad I waited. First sip, we shall see where it goes.
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