Drank at a restaurant. Opened for about an hour. No decant. Consistent experience with prior Wm. Cole vintages. Very good despite being young-ish. Has all of the typical jammy notes that typically show in these wines. It should improve, but there is no reason to not enjoy a bottle now.
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Popped from a mag by the ever generous host A_M at our outdoor, socially-distanced eve of wine, food and song. Was open when I arrived, not sure how much air it got. On the nose and palate, lots of liveliness with cassis, black currants, cherries and dark berries with forest floor, camphor, Xmas spice and a bit of cigar box. Darkish purple toward black, medium+ bodied, thick legs. Medium+ tannins, medium- acidity, no heat. Good persistence, complexity and intensity. On a night of drinking very different wines, this wine could be defined by what it wasn't: as powerful as the Andremily, as subtle as the Montrose, as savory as the Nardi. But what it was was delicious, balanced, and a great mix of the savory and slightly sweet, equally great with food and without. A really well-made CA cab, straight down the middle between Bordeaux inflected and modern Napa, crowd pleasing without in any way being dumbed down. When A_M and I met, we bonded over this winery, and this bottling in particular, which was the subject of my first CT TN (a 2004). In its drinking window, but super early, so give it some air, but enjoy anytime now-next 10+ years. Recommended. 94+
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Drink this with anything. Can't wait to drink the 2007 in my cellar. And just for you Colin: Immediately expressive as soon as it is poured into the glass. Scents of ripe red and black cherries dominate the nose with touches of fig, caramel and fresh herbs. The wine unfolds in the glass for hours revealing dense bright fruits, smooth toasty oak and dusty tannins. The finish starts boldly and then slowly softens on the back palate. This wine should be enjoyed after 2 hours of decanting.
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3/13/2022 - Bcostabile20 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big cab! Decanted over 2 hours and drank very nicely. Will hold up for many more years
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10/12/2021 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank at a restaurant. Opened for about an hour. No decant. Consistent experience with prior Wm. Cole vintages. Very good despite being young-ish. Has all of the typical jammy notes that typically show in these wines. It should improve, but there is no reason to not enjoy a bottle now.
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9/7/2020 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped from a mag by the ever generous host A_M at our outdoor, socially-distanced eve of wine, food and song. Was open when I arrived, not sure how much air it got. On the nose and palate, lots of liveliness with cassis, black currants, cherries and dark berries with forest floor, camphor, Xmas spice and a bit of cigar box. Darkish purple toward black, medium+ bodied, thick legs. Medium+ tannins, medium- acidity, no heat. Good persistence, complexity and intensity. On a night of drinking very different wines, this wine could be defined by what it wasn't: as powerful as the Andremily, as subtle as the Montrose, as savory as the Nardi. But what it was was delicious, balanced, and a great mix of the savory and slightly sweet, equally great with food and without. A really well-made CA cab, straight down the middle between Bordeaux inflected and modern Napa, crowd pleasing without in any way being dumbed down. When A_M and I met, we bonded over this winery, and this bottling in particular, which was the subject of my first CT TN (a 2004). In its drinking window, but super early, so give it some air, but enjoy anytime now-next 10+ years. Recommended. 94+
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9/7/2020 - AaronMaxwell Likes this wine: 95 Points
I've been a fan of William Cole for a while now, but this is my first '14 Cuvée Claire.
This wine is silky, velvet textured. Strongly perfumed of dark ripe fruits and baking spices. Earthy, and rich.
Drinking just fine today -- but would absolutely hold up to more aging.
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7/31/2019 - Dmyoung Likes this wine: 98 Points
Drink this with anything. Can't wait to drink the 2007 in my cellar. And just for you Colin:
Immediately expressive as soon as it is poured into the glass. Scents of ripe red and black cherries dominate the nose with touches of fig, caramel and fresh herbs. The wine unfolds in the glass for hours revealing dense bright fruits, smooth toasty oak and dusty tannins. The finish starts boldly and then slowly softens on the back palate. This wine should be enjoyed after 2 hours of decanting.
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