On this downside but not down for the count. This is a classic cab and this 2002 bottle is what got me into wine in 2007. Not happy that Hess now adds in Malbec. Just not the same.
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Very good, big, dark mountain cabernet. This could have gone another ten years. Huge round concentrated fruit still there, with some complex age. 10 years ago this had rough edges, now smoother but still very masculine. Didn't rate higher because my preference is for more elegance, not power. But did like it.
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Still fresh on the nose. Loaded with black currant, new oak, mint and a bit of creme de cassis. Medium-bodied, this has good density and the structure of quality mountain fruit. Absolutely perfectly mature, this is a joy to drink and will last several more years. 92
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Brick red color, showing very little age around the edges. Not a big nose, but what is there is classic Cabernet fruit. Smooth and supple on the attack, quite dry, with firm velvety tannins embracing the tongue. Classic Cabernet fruit persists through to the lingering finish, but the wine doesn’t really evolve much. Certainly not dead, yet, but on the downside of its life. Quite nice still, but not the same showing as in the past.
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I will paraphrase Mark Twain by saying that reports of this wine's death have been greatly exaggerated. From a bottle purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, this particular specimen is aging gracefully. Deep red/garnet and teeming with black fruit, it adds notes of tree bark, allspice, cardamom, menthol and tobacco. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol (14.5%), it weaves in some attractive notes of oak and still has enough silky tannins to buttress the structure. The middle palate is impressively dense and the finish is equally impressive with respect to its length. Those holding well-cellared bottles of this wine will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of fruit that this 17-year-old wine retains. Decant it off of its substantial sediment and give it at least two hours of aeration. Drink now-2023.
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2/27/2022 - Goofienewfy wrote: 87 Points
On this downside but not down for the count. This is a classic cab and this 2002 bottle is what got me into wine in 2007. Not happy that Hess now adds in Malbec. Just not the same.
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1/2/2022 - tsdv Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very good, big, dark mountain cabernet. This could have gone another ten years. Huge round concentrated fruit still there, with some complex age. 10 years ago this had rough edges, now smoother but still very masculine. Didn't rate higher because my preference is for more elegance, not power. But did like it.
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3/26/2020 - WineGuyX Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still fresh on the nose. Loaded with black currant, new oak, mint and a bit of creme de cassis. Medium-bodied, this has good density and the structure of quality mountain fruit. Absolutely perfectly mature, this is a joy to drink and will last several more years. 92
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5/18/2019 - ArizonaWineGuy Likes this wine: 88 Points
Brick red color, showing very little age around the edges. Not a big nose, but what is there is classic Cabernet fruit. Smooth and supple on the attack, quite dry, with firm velvety tannins embracing the tongue. Classic Cabernet fruit persists through to the lingering finish, but the wine doesn’t really evolve much. Certainly not dead, yet, but on the downside of its life. Quite nice still, but not the same showing as in the past.
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4/9/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 92 Points
I will paraphrase Mark Twain by saying that reports of this wine's death have been greatly exaggerated. From a bottle purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, this particular specimen is aging gracefully. Deep red/garnet and teeming with black fruit, it adds notes of tree bark, allspice, cardamom, menthol and tobacco. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol (14.5%), it weaves in some attractive notes of oak and still has enough silky tannins to buttress the structure. The middle palate is impressively dense and the finish is equally impressive with respect to its length. Those holding well-cellared bottles of this wine will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of fruit that this 17-year-old wine retains. Decant it off of its substantial sediment and give it at least two hours of aeration. Drink now-2023.
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