2011 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Hill

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 92.0 points

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  3/24/2023 - Tym4wine Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Lovely floral aromas. Dark burgundy in the glass. Dark fruit flavors. Tightly knit tannins. Refreshing acidity. Rounded and beautifully structured. Give this some time. Long finish. Lovely.

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  5/9/2021 - Maryannw2 Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Happy Mother’s Day! Opened this bottle after dinner and wanted the full expression of this Mountain Fruit! I believe that Napa Valley AVA of Spring Mountain and St Helena is the best region in not only California but rivals Bordeaux in every way. I opened this 2011 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon and aeration and with a Dispensor directly into a glass. I let it stand for several minutes and swirled to open up. The noise was still fruit forward but had many hints of burnt cedar planks, Ripe Cherry, and a little “funk” of some musty wet stone and gravel notes. On the first taste, the smooth lushness and brilliant tannins are like drinking silk. The lingering notes of blueberries and wet stone predominate and what can only be described as a truly great example of Cabernet Sauvignon! Enjoy for those that have....seek for those that don’t!

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  1/1/2018 - tomoem Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Had at Bob Dalby's New Years Day event.
  
  Concentrated modern Napa Cabernet from a not so great year which I think IS partially reflected in this wine. Restrained aromas which are most certainly not reflected on the palette as much more fruit comes through. Large scale black fruit and spicey finish with firm tannins and charchol like mouthfeel. Could probably use a few hours of decant.
  
  I suppose it is ok now but will likely improve. Hold for a few more years.

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  12/25/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 91 Points

  Served at my parents on Christmas eve. Purple fruit - blackberry, currants, and dark cherry. Smooth mid-palate but the fruit came across a little light, flavors somewhat muted, and some subtle green notes. I would say more of a Bordeaux profile which is different from what I've experienced from the Rattlesnake vineyard in the past. Decent finish but not overly long nor deep. Decanted for two hours and drank over another two. Not much improvement with time but appears to be at a nice drinking point. It was my understanding that Spring Mountain avoided the difficulties that were presented with the 2011 vintage on the Napa floor. However, that doesn't appear to be the case here in my opinion. More or less in line with Parker's 90 rating. Drank next to a 2015 Carter Beckstoffer OG cab and the Carter blew it away - bigger/fuller fruit, more flavorful, deeper/longer finish, etc..

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  11/26/2017 - scottkeyc Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Smooth, complex...not your typical beat you over the head Napa cab!

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