Cabernet Finale

Wine Exchange. Orange, CA
Tasted Saturday, October 3, 2009 by djdaqm with 705 views

Introduction

18 wines US wines (3 from Washington and 15 from California)

Flight 1 - Washington State (3 Notes)

Flight 2 - The Value Bunch (5 Notes)

  • 2006 Hill Family Estate "The Barrel Blend" 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Flat nose with a bit of black pepper. Creamy on the palate with vanilla and warm spices. Seemed to have a soft mouth feel. Medium tannins and length of about 20 seconds. Not complex or nuanced.

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  • 2005 Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 86 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Lots of fruit (black berry) on the nose. High in tannins--very astringent. Didn't get much in terms of complexity, length (about 15 secs), or nuance.

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  • 2006 Ramian Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Very rich heavy smell--almost burnt fruit. Good concentration up front, but fades quickly (length around 15 secs). Vegetal. Medium-high tannins. Would like to see more complexity, length, and overall oomph.

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  • 2005 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon Artists' Series 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Chalk and tangy fruit on the nose. Similar on the palate. Length around 15 seconds. Lingering astringency. Not particularly complex or nuanced.

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  • 2004 Ahnfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Very dark, with deep rich smell of plums and dark fruit. Coffee on the front palate. Nice flavor profile up front with a tangy spike on the mid-palate that fades quickly. Touch of truffle or cheese on the back end.

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Flight 3 - Cabs Galore (8 Notes)

  • 2005 Kiamie Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Light smell. Tastes of dark cherry and tar. Medium tannins. Not sweet, but brings sweetness to mind. Length of about 20 seconds.

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  • 2005 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Blackberry on the nose. Concentrated flavors with a hint of chalk. Well balanced. Length around 25 seconds. Good extraction and some complexity in flavors.

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  • 2005 Palmaz Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cedar Knoll Vineyard Co. 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Warm smells of dark berries. Rich, soft and warm. Very easy drinking. Smooth. One of the better wines of the tasting, and a good wine to drink now.

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  • 2007 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Interesting nose of bubble gum, warm spice, cherry and even roses. At first I didn't like it, but warmed up to it. Good concentration. Medium tannins, and length of about 20 seconds. Fairly layered, and a decent wine if you can get past the initial smell of Bubbaliscious gum.

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  • 2005 Meyer Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Dark familiar smell that I couldn't make out at first. Reminds me of a hospital--camphor/rubbing alcohol. Good concentration of raspberry and other berries. Easy drinking--not particularly complex and layered, but enjoyable.

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  • 2006 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Bordeaux-like smells of pencil and cedar. Medium tannins, but smooth and approachable. Not highly concentrated, although well balanced. One of the better wines of the tasting.

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  • 2005 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon C. C. Ranch 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Pencil and raspberry on the nose. Lots of acidity with medium tannins. Needs some time to integrate, but should be a good one in a couple of years.

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  • 2007 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Mild smells of watermellon, spice, and perfume. Rich in concentration, with a touch of coffee, hazelnut or chocolate with almonds. Length of about 25 seconds. I've become a fan of Lewis, and this fits the profile--lush, rich wines that are easy to drink and always enjoyable. Could use a little more structure for aging. This was one of the best of the tasting.

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Flight 4 - The Drama (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Coffee on the nose. Lots of tannins and good acidity. It's a little hard to appreciate now, but should age well. Could use a little more fruit extraction. For the money, I'd prefer something more readily approachable like a Lewis or Caymus, but the Phelps should hold up for many years. I'd give it at least a few years before drinking though.

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  • 2006 Opus One 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Drank as part of a Cab Sauv tasting and it had been decanted for several hours. Not much on the nose despite the long decant. Got some watery spice. Very structured but too tight. Needs time to open up. I didn't get much fruit concentration, or really much of anything at all. There seem to be so many other wines out there for this price that are far superior.

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