This is a magnum which I expected to sit much longer but I noticed the cork starting to pucker so figured I better at least hit it with the Coravin to see what's going on. Indeed it's starting to turn, and while it remains drinkable it's not retained much fruit or tannic structure. Oh well.
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I'd say this one is a touch past prime. Enjoyed one glass via Coravin and the rest on another night. The nose is mushroom au jus with blackberries. Fart box (not a typo). In its younger days, this one was was a blackberry rich infusion. It still has blackberry notes today but apricot, figs, dates and prunes are here as well along with some worn saddle leather. Finishes with resolving, rounded tannins and muted black pepper. This is enjoyable but you really have to like Napa Cabernet that has started to slide down the hill a bit. If you are a fan of the dense, youthful black and slightly unilateral "Napacab", this one is not in your wheelhouse. If you like the more mature and raucous qualities, this one seems to have the structure to give you that profile for at least the next 5-7 years. Little surprised that this Oakville wine didn't hold a little bit longer on the youthful side, as usually these wines stay a very nice aged red fruit profile for quite a while.
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As expected, this is a big unabashed modern CA cab, not gloopy but also not that exciting. Great with full bodied food like braised shortribs but in the end, not a wine I would buy again.
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This wine is one of my favorites. I just decanted the wine, and hope I can edit this note after finishing the bottle after it opens. Right away there is a light, fruit taste that I hope will mellow after decanting.
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I'm giving this wine 94 points because both my wife and I were blown away with this bottle. Classic Napa cab with just a tinge of age to it. My guess is this wine could go another 7-10 years easily. Wish I had more of the '09 vintage. Unfortunately this was my last bottle. I hope later vintages are as good as this one.
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5/22/2023 - t0pshelf Likes this wine:
This is a magnum which I expected to sit much longer but I noticed the cork starting to pucker so figured I better at least hit it with the Coravin to see what's going on. Indeed it's starting to turn, and while it remains drinkable it's not retained much fruit or tannic structure. Oh well.
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1/19/2022 - mflesh wrote:
I'd say this one is a touch past prime. Enjoyed one glass via Coravin and the rest on another night. The nose is mushroom au jus with blackberries. Fart box (not a typo). In its younger days, this one was was a blackberry rich infusion. It still has blackberry notes today but apricot, figs, dates and prunes are here as well along with some worn saddle leather. Finishes with resolving, rounded tannins and muted black pepper. This is enjoyable but you really have to like Napa Cabernet that has started to slide down the hill a bit. If you are a fan of the dense, youthful black and slightly unilateral "Napacab", this one is not in your wheelhouse. If you like the more mature and raucous qualities, this one seems to have the structure to give you that profile for at least the next 5-7 years. Little surprised that this Oakville wine didn't hold a little bit longer on the youthful side, as usually these wines stay a very nice aged red fruit profile for quite a while.
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8/7/2021 - angryphoton wrote: 89 Points
As expected, this is a big unabashed modern CA cab, not gloopy but also not that exciting. Great with full bodied food like braised shortribs but in the end, not a wine I would buy again.
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9/26/2020 - KlinkandKlank Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine is one of my favorites.
I just decanted the wine, and hope I can edit this note after finishing the bottle after it opens. Right away there is a light, fruit taste that I hope will mellow after decanting.
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4/10/2020 - wythes Likes this wine: 94 Points
I'm giving this wine 94 points because both my wife and I were blown away with this bottle. Classic Napa cab with just a tinge of age to it. My guess is this wine could go another 7-10 years easily. Wish I had more of the '09 vintage. Unfortunately this was my last bottle. I hope later vintages are as good as this one.
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