1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon

Community Tasting Notes (39) Avg Score: 91.1 points

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  4/19/2024 - kabert Likes this wine: 93 Points

  This bottle was a bit better than the ‘96 from last month. The cork was perfect - tight and came out normally with only the very bottom soaked, as if it was much younger. A wonderful nose of sweet dark cherry and herbs. I didn’t get eucalyptus like the last bottle but this one had some remains of lovely primary fruit. The following day was promising evidence of how it’ll continue to age - slowly and well, as it hadn’t fallen apart at all- still very tasty and a joy to drink.

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  3/24/2024 - kabert Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Not drinking like a superstar as some early 2000s Etudes are, but this 1996 Napa Valley is still drinking very well. Those looking for a fruit-forward wine may be disappointed - it’s a nearly 30-year old wine, after all. Cork partially broke, but retrieved it with an ah-so. Dark ruby in color and well-bodied; flavors of eucalyptus on the palate were mesmerizing, followed by pleasurable mostly tertiary notes of dried cherry, truffles, and a touch of leather.

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  12/24/2022 - bigbass250 wrote:

  bottle 3 Christmas eve must have a California red for my daughter in law

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  3/14/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Subsequent notes of this wine from six years ago. Deep, dark garnet in color with slight clearing at the edges. A note of VA in the nose initially which dissipated with airing & developed into a full, fragrant & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of earthy/dusty, eucalyptus/mint, floral notes, tobacco, herbs, minerals, truffles, spices & a hint of oak/vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a good concentration of well balanced & smooth & supple texture, complex, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blueberries & cranberries with cedar, herbs, minerals, earthy, spices, mint & vanilla in the background. Long lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present & is most likely at or near its peak of development. I doubt there is any further development from additional aging although it should hold at this plateau for a several more years.

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  2/26/2022 - passion4wine Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Amazing showing among a tasting of pre-2000 California cabernets. Showed deep dark red color, with aromas of anise, black cherry, currant and a hint of spice and earth. Robust tannins and good structure deriving a long finish with plenty of dark red fruit. Kudos to Tony Soter who at the time made this wine.

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