Last of my original stash, first bottling available to the mailing list. Recent notes basically spot on. Bright blackberry and black current, with a little licorice and tobacco and spice on the finish. Soft, as you might expect at this age, but still with substantial lift and energy: the tannins have all but receded, and the structure is mostly acid. Shows most of the TRB markers. An easy wine to drink, very tasty, missing the concentration to really elevate the wine.
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This bottle was sublime. TRB at the top of his craft. Everything in balance and beautifully aged. I could not ask for more out of a Napa Cab. I only wish I had bought more on release. This was decanted for about an hour before drinking. I don't see any benefit to more aging.
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Really eager to try this bottle, purchased upon release. Well made, with nice structure. Still showing inky purple out of the bottle, virtually no bricking. Nose interesting combination of primary and secondary with black currant, dark cherry followed by sweet tobacco and a bit of espresso. Easy to place as California. Not a lot of tannin on the palate, shaved down by judicious use of oak and, of course, 18 years of bottle age. But still showed well, all elements nicely integrated. Definitely still has some legs to age here, though soft tannin suggests another 5 or so years of peak window. We drank among a series of other top shelf wines so perhaps got lost in the shuffle a bit (and we were several in at this point), wouldn’t argue with a slightly higher score for fans of the genre. But not sure it’s worth todays prices.
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I last tried this wine five years and change ago, and it has really developed. From a juice bomb (think buxom college girl) to a gorgeous MILF. This wine is just superbly balanced and so much better than it was in its youth. Delicious! Fruit is still plentiful but well balanced with a heterogenous tannic structure and secondary flavors with tertiary starting to develop on the back palate and finish, akin to the way black truffle lingers. Wonderful spot here. Enjoy!!
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(Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium) Dark cherry red color; tight cherry nose; good, tight, cherry and cassis palate with sweet firm tannins; medium-plus finish
4/11/2024 - ChrisR Likes this wine:
Last of my original stash, first bottling available to the mailing list. Recent notes basically spot on. Bright blackberry and black current, with a little licorice and tobacco and spice on the finish. Soft, as you might expect at this age, but still with substantial lift and energy: the tannins have all but receded, and the structure is mostly acid. Shows most of the TRB markers. An easy wine to drink, very tasty, missing the concentration to really elevate the wine.
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4/9/2024 - Deryl Likes this wine: 96 Points
This bottle was sublime. TRB at the top of his craft. Everything in balance and beautifully aged. I could not ask for more out of a Napa Cab. I only wish I had bought more on release.
This was decanted for about an hour before drinking.
I don't see any benefit to more aging.
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6/5/2022 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really eager to try this bottle, purchased upon release. Well made, with nice structure. Still showing inky purple out of the bottle, virtually no bricking. Nose interesting combination of primary and secondary with black currant, dark cherry followed by sweet tobacco and a bit of espresso. Easy to place as California. Not a lot of tannin on the palate, shaved down by judicious use of oak and, of course, 18 years of bottle age. But still showed well, all elements nicely integrated. Definitely still has some legs to age here, though soft tannin suggests another 5 or so years of peak window. We drank among a series of other top shelf wines so perhaps got lost in the shuffle a bit (and we were several in at this point), wouldn’t argue with a slightly higher score for fans of the genre. But not sure it’s worth todays prices.
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3/4/2022 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 96 Points
So approachable ….15 mins of air in a decanter and it’s rocking . Plum , blueberry , stones , hint of vanilla and cinnamon …leather …long finish
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12/25/2020 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
I last tried this wine five years and change ago, and it has really developed. From a juice bomb (think buxom college girl) to a gorgeous MILF. This wine is just superbly balanced and so much better than it was in its youth. Delicious! Fruit is still plentiful but well balanced with a heterogenous tannic structure and secondary flavors with tertiary starting to develop on the back palate and finish, akin to the way black truffle lingers. Wonderful spot here. Enjoy!!
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