Cabernet Tasting 2001 - 2007

Thursday "school-night" wine tasting. 22 bottles tasted single blind. Some decanted 2 hours or more.

• 2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Beautiful wine, drinking well now. This was our WOTN among 20 other top cabs from 2001 - 2007 vintages. Thankfully, we had two bottles.

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• 2003 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A little earth, silky tannins, nice complexity. i think its at its prime now and for a few more years.

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• 2007 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  We also had the 2003 version of this wine. The 2007 was excellent. Balanced and framed. Black fruit, anise. Still improving I suspect.

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• 2005 Dalla Valle Maya 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Terrific. Dark fruit, soft tannins, integrated and totally mouth-filling. The ripe merlot really stands out. Long finish. Decadent.

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• 2001 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Very nice. Dark color, red and black fruit, powerful yet balanced. A gem.

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• 2006 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 95 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  Deep color, powerful, dark fruit. Coffee, chocolate, oak. In sync. Delicious.

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• 2004 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Medium body, nice nose of black fruit. Clean and balanced. Can taste the sangiovese on the finish and mouthfeel. Nice

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• 2004 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ruby red, medium body. Smooth, nice balance, ripe fruit, cedar, tobacco. Lovely.

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• 2005 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Consistent with notes 2 years ago. Dark color, rich fruit, hints of earth. May improve still.

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• 2006 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata 93 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Earthy and decadent, long finish. Perhaps still improving.

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• 2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Oakville 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Medium bodied, integrated, smooth. Not over the top, but a really good wine drinking well right now.

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• 2006 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Really nice. Dark color, fresh nose, earth, nice balance of acid and tannins. Complex. Great food wine.

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• 2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Consistent with notes three years ago, but has improved a bit - clear ruby, medium body, nice fruit and structure, balance, medium finish, Bordeaux profile

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• 2007 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Good solid wine. A little fruitier, jammier than other formans I've tasted. Maybe the vintage. Maybe it could use more time in the cellar.

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• 2004 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ripe fruit, saturated, a bit cloying. Not my style.

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• 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Consistent with my notes from 4+ years ago, but has improved. fruity nose, medium body, balanced with long finish. Lovely wine.

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• 2008 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This went went fast. Smooth and elegant. A beauty.

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• 2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Not over the top, but very nice. Soft tannins, balanced. At its peak now and for few years.

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• 2006 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very good, smooth, full bodied, soft tannins, thick

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• 2006 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nice balance, long nuanced finish, plenty of fruit, good to go now

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• 2001 Blankiet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Paradise Hills Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Overall good. Rich fruit, chocolate, coffee. Hot finish. I think this wine still needs time to fully integrate. We'll see.

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• 2003 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Pretty good. A bit on the acidic side. Medium body, dark fruits, tar. Could be on the decline, but still a nice pour.

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