Community Tasting Note

• Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 92 points

  November 7, 2013 - First bottle of a case I hope ail age for 25 years. he cork had gem-like crystals of garnet and purple and in size could have been .25-.50 carats. Biggest wine crytas I have seen, and stuck to the cork too, t=rather than floating around or in the silt. Tartaric acid to be sure. I opened the bottle and put the entire quantity in the decanter. Sure enough I was pounded by a bad headache an hour later, so back in the bootle, recorded and opened the next day, but in the bottle, equivalent to a 24 hour slow-ox.
  
  The wine was absolutely stunning. Pure mountain fruit of black currant (cassis) plain and simple, though strong notes of blueberry and marionberry showed through the nose and palate. some dark chocolate and coffee in the nose as well as hints of violets, and deep mineral. On the mouth the dark fruits were primary with mocha, cedar and hints of white chocolate. True mountain fruit with plenty of tannin even after the long aeration. This was a chewy thick tannin, though not unpleasant at all given the vibrant acidity and mineral core that showed through. Medium to long finish. I have to say I gambled on this case, because the SC crowd had an amazing pair of '73 Cab from Sterling. This is true Napan Diamond Mountain in every way. I enjoyer the Harlan, Bond, Scarecrow, shaver HSS and Schrader along with Hundred acres. I have had average Napa and old Napa, and strangely enough this pulled through somewhere towards the higher echelon. I don't think this is done on the upside at all, and still showing loads of primary dark fruit, tannin and mineral. I see this just getting better over the next 10-15 years. It may not last the full 25-30, but its built in the old style Napa fashion that required patience. This will only reward those who exercise some caution while drinking future bottles. I can say I think this was a bargain purchase and am looking forward to the next 11 bottles.

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1 Comment

• TheDarkPrince commented:

  4/22/14, 8:17 PM - Champers, nice note. On the strength of your feedback, I will buy half a case. Be well.

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