Community Tasting Note

• Yack Man Likes this wine: 96 points

  May 20, 2019 - Popped, poured but this bottle was not ready, it needed some air, it showed a bit restricted, tight and slightly acidic, so I nursed a glass, but it never really opened up to my satisfaction. Day two showed significant improvement. On the nose, soft violets, dark purple blue color. A big Cab with nice ripe blue and blackberry fruit, sweet cassis and dark currants. This 2016 shows nice extraction, beautiful fruit purity with a hint of oak. This is another excellent Las Piedras Cab that l really enjoy. I must say that the last bottle l opened was more enjoyable, sometime it just goes that way l guess. 96+ Points.

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2 Comments

• Mark1npt commented:

  5/21/19, 5:34 AM - Yack, it seems these '16s if gotten at the right time early are devastatingly good. Then they drop off. I'm sure to be back with a vengeance next year or the year after but have noted across a few different wineries and winemakers this occurring with this great vintage. Great in barrel back in '17. Inconsistent across as little as 2-3 months in bottle.

• Yack Man commented:

  5/21/19, 7:09 AM - Mark1npt, as l have experienced, wines crafted by Mike Smith typically show extremely well in their youth and I really enjoy that aspect. I always enjoy his Napa Valley entry level wines, and quite often the higher end, single vineyard appellations show extremely well early on too. Personally, I see no reason to wait on those high end Cabs, especially if they drink so wonderfully, even while young. Although this Quivet Las Piedras is very good now, the prowess, nuance and elegance that really knock me off my feet early on, is not quite as powerful as it was. Without a doubt, this wine has just taken a pause in its maturation process.

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