It’s been a decade and some since we had this ( Papies 93) and frankly on this occasion although of a similar rating it also felt a bit tired something we do see with many hot vintages of 90s Napa. 1994 is one that has that for the not so classicists in their style too. It was indeed a solid wine but really we wanted more even if we don’t adjust for the price. 93 at best.
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TN: Nose shows some floral notes surrounded by earth and tobacco with hints of spice and leather. Palate starts with silky smooth tannins that glide over palate. Mid-palate shows cherry, red currant, earth and sweet tobacco, with hints of Mocha and spice. This wine shows a great balance between fruit and tertiary goodness, i.e., a perfect spot for my palate. Will likely drink the next bottle sooner than later. Easy 96 for me! Glad I opened this one!
Cracking the whip; 10/16/2023-10/23/2023 (Eagan, MN): N: Dark yet light red floral notes, aromatic cedar notes, damp red-fruited forest floors, a really subtle hint of mushrooms growing nearby, and amazingly pure, dark red cherries with a vivid intensity, almost prickly.
P: The purity of dark red fruits show beautifully on the palate as well, dark and intense yet somehow maintains a class act. Tobacco leaves, some underlying tar and matching cedar from the nose. A faded but beautiful graphite note, like an old note scribbled on parchment years ago, and dried, snapped twigs on the finish, along with some steeped tea.
Amazing how day 2 showed more tertiary notes, but they recede and go back into hiding, as if it never happened in the first place. What type of black magic is this?? Resolve and integration at its finest.
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The cork was perfect along with the fill. Initially the wine was warm fruited and compact, peaking in intensity with a short finish, but a little air seemed to depress some of the midpalate punch and lengthen the finish. At 1 hour, it was at its very best. Singing with cherry and brown sugar, a hint of fig. After the 2nd hour, it seemed to fall apart a bit, and with new tasters there were guesses of amarone and other observations of overripe fruit. In other words, this didn’t hold together all that well, and I would not decant, pour from the bottle, and buy a cooler vintage next time.
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(Araujo "Eisele Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon) Telltale nose of spicy chocolate, mocha, wool, candied cherries. Fat, glyceril, and very concentrated on the palate with the dominant flavors being spicy chocolate with some cherries, currant and raspberry sneaking in there. Definetly the thickest wine of the night needing some age. Still, a very enjoyable drink. This is the quintessential California Cab. Ripe as hell, dense, oak, and Cali terroir shining through.
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1/2/2024 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
It’s been a decade and some since we had this ( Papies 93) and frankly on this occasion although of a similar rating it also felt a bit tired something we do see with many hot vintages of 90s Napa. 1994 is one that has that for the not so classicists in their style too. It was indeed a solid wine but really we wanted more even if we don’t adjust for the price. 93 at best.
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12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:
Sweet fruit with some backbone but not really interesting.
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10/21/2023 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Marvin (WineBurrowingWombat) Visits Minnesota; 10/16/2023-10/23/2023 (Jason's House): This was a wine that lived up to the hype of the vintage! Delicious! This wine is in a perfect place for my palate.
TN: Nose shows some floral notes surrounded by earth and tobacco with hints of spice and leather. Palate starts with silky smooth tannins that glide over palate. Mid-palate shows cherry, red currant, earth and sweet tobacco, with hints of Mocha and spice. This wine shows a great balance between fruit and tertiary goodness, i.e., a perfect spot for my palate. Will likely drink the next bottle sooner than later. Easy 96 for me! Glad I opened this one!
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10/21/2023 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 97 Points
Cracking the whip; 10/16/2023-10/23/2023 (Eagan, MN): N: Dark yet light red floral notes, aromatic cedar notes, damp red-fruited forest floors, a really subtle hint of mushrooms growing nearby, and amazingly pure, dark red cherries with a vivid intensity, almost prickly.
P: The purity of dark red fruits show beautifully on the palate as well, dark and intense yet somehow maintains a class act. Tobacco leaves, some underlying tar and matching cedar from the nose. A faded but beautiful graphite note, like an old note scribbled on parchment years ago, and dried, snapped twigs on the finish, along with some steeped tea.
Amazing how day 2 showed more tertiary notes, but they recede and go back into hiding, as if it never happened in the first place. What type of black magic is this?? Resolve and integration at its finest.
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6/30/2023 - jviz wrote: 93 Points
The cork was perfect along with the fill. Initially the wine was warm fruited and compact, peaking in intensity with a short finish, but a little air seemed to depress some of the midpalate punch and lengthen the finish. At 1 hour, it was at its very best. Singing with cherry and brown sugar, a hint of fig. After the 2nd hour, it seemed to fall apart a bit, and with new tasters there were guesses of amarone and other observations of overripe fruit. In other words, this didn’t hold together all that well, and I would not decant, pour from the bottle, and buy a cooler vintage next time.
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