2003 Caldwell Flame Jumper

Community Tasting Notes (11) Avg Score: 92 points

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  1/14/2019 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Last tasted four years ago, when I rated it 88 and thought it was starting to fade. Not so with this bottle, which was fantastic. Very pronounced aroma right out of the bottle, of cassis, black cherries, and some raspberry, really reminded me of Grange. Still garnet, with slight browning edges, mostly opaque. On the palate, very smooth and round, full-bodied but very balanced and elegant, complex. Red and black fruit mix. Still has slight tannin, a bit hot on the long aftertaste. One of our best wines recently, but last bottle. Fortunately, we still have some '04s!
  Ric

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  2/8/2016 - The Drunken Cyclist wrote: 93 Points

  Retail $75? I got this wine several years ago, and the story goes something like this: John Caldwell stored most of his high-end wines at a warehouse in Vallejo, CA, a few miles south of Napa in Solano County. On October 12th, 2005, there was a terrible fire (which turned out to be set by the owner of the facility) that destroyed practically all the wine stored there by 23 different wineries. Miraculously, I guess, this Cab/Syrah blend survived the fire, but it was rebranded as the “Flame Jumper” and was sold at half the price. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to pop this bottle and see if I had been duped. Chocolate, raspberry, and spice upfront. Very rich on the palate even a dozen years out. Considerable depth behind the fruit, and the tannins are integrated completely. This is gangbusters. Not duped. Outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com

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  11/30/2014 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Excellent when first opened, complex cassis-herbal-syrah blend of aromas and flavors. Color is still garnet, mostly opaque, but with slight browning edges. However, the fruit started to fade after an hour, even more the next evening, leaving tannin and alcohol. I think this wine is a bit past its peak and should be consumed. We have really enjoyed John Caldwell's wines, but this vintage is getting a bit old.
  Ric

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  4/21/2013 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Bought from John Caldwell at the winery half dozen years ago, this is the same cab-shiraz blend used in his premier blend, but it had been in the warehouse fire but not affected. He could not sell it under the usual name because of that, so he renamed in Flame Jumper and sold it for half price. Every bottle from the case has been excellent. Still purple and opaque, full rich cassis, black fruits, some tar and earth, from both of the grapes. Full bodied flavors, still moderate tannin, slightly hot on the palate and aftertaste. Excellent, but will easily go more years. Should decant a couple of hours before serving to let tannins soften and aroma and flavors emerge.

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  12/21/2008 - bigdogflow wrote: 91 Points

  Very dark color. Nose and taste of bright red fruit. After an hour, an hint of dark chocolate toward the finish. Nice, long finsih. Very enjoyable wine.

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