2001 The Napa Valley Reserve

Community Tasting Notes (31) Avg Score: 94.6 points

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  6/6/2020 - Whisky&Wine wrote: flawed

  Sadly, this was over the hill. Not enjoyable. Bummed. I have one more left. I will open it soon. I had a bottle a few months back that was in good shape, so I'm thinking this was an issue with the cork. Haven't had any other issues with bottles from this shipment and they've all been in my cellar for a long while.

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  8/2/2019 - Som-Geo Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Acquired some NVR 2001 as a "back-door"/lower price entree into 2001 Bond and Harlan. While remenisent to some extent (some of the gorgeous aromas and flavors, powerful long-lived wines) I found the Napa Reserve 2001 closer in style to Maiden and Matriarch -- which are delightful, but come at a lower price-point.

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  6/14/2019 - Whisky&Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Before I opened it, I was worried I'd have a sad experience. Happy to say this wine is definitely not over the hill. It is mature and well integrated. Very enjoyable bordering on excellent.
  
  Having had both this and the 2001 Harlan, this is not the same as the 2001 Harlan. Not quite as good but still excellent. Less oak, more spice. Not sure where cellar tracker thinks this is available for $51 a bottle - if you find some please let me know!
  
  Nose is powerful and slightly sweet smelling. Some cinnamon, which I found interesting, and some sun warmed fresh from the garden tomato aroma too. Quite pleasant.
  
  Rich mouthfeel with some similarities to Harlan with the round and sweet fruits / feel of the early mid-palate. Long finish and this wine still has good acidity. Clearly napa in origin but has some saint estephe flavor similarities, especially on the finish. I think it is the spice flavors they have in common. This wine is balanced and the tannins are well integrated at this point. I think it will easily last another few years in a similar state.
  
  Paired with squid ink pasta with olive oil breadcrumbs, herb and bellavitano cheese crumble.
  
  Served at 60 degrees after a 2.5 hour decant.

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  5/1/2017 - Old Joe Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Good finish, as others have already stated needs a fair amount of air time. Smooth to the palet

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  11/25/2016 - BradE wrote:

  Drank well, but still no hurry on these.

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