BIG tannin, classic napa cab character

One of my top wines for the night. Very smooth tannin, refined and elegant. At 10 yrs this is in a good place and will likely continue to drink well for another 5-10 years easy.

93+ Lots of oak, smokey, large tannins, good acid relative to others in this flight. Still quite youthful

Dusty fruit, still very youthful, showed well against some very big cult cabs

93-94 Another surprise bottle that drank well above its price point. I didn't take formal notes on this one but from memory was showing very well and I scored higher than both the other Abreu wines tasted. I believe this was due to the Rothwell being in a good drinking window as the others were pretty tight and closed up.

Subtle nose, some peppers but clearly new world, I believe this was another great cab overshadowed by others in the tasting.

93+ Identified by a few tasters in our group as spottswoode, classic cab character with a crazy long finish. This is another I think will continue to improve with time.

93-94+ Roasted red pepper on the nose, tobacco, easily Identified as Bordeaux and being that there was only 1 Bordeaux it stood out in the line-up. Soft tannins, good acidity, dark fruit, medium body (Which felt almost light next to all the Napa Cabs). I really enjoyed this wine and for me was one of the most approachable now as it really seemed to have good balance. Still fairly primary and I'd guess will continue to improve and evolve for some time to come.

I think this bottle was likely flawed as I have had this wine before and don't remember it tasting like this. Also based on community notes the bottle we had was way off. Consistently on the bottom of everyone's list. For me had an off note that seemed sour/lactic in nature, almost like spoiled milk. Others had mentioned eucalyptus which I personally didn't get. I scored it a 90 (and that was generous) but likely an off bottle. Hope to taste again soon.

91-92 Sweet dark fruits on the nose, near the bottom of the pack for me, albeit still a very nice CS. Not sure that this would have the saying power of some of the others tasted during this tasting.

91-92+ pretty closed up, possibly could have used more air or maybe just in an awkward phase.

94+ Young, huge tannin, noticeably different than many of the other Cali Cabs but didn't scream Spanish to me. Another of the groups top wines for the night. Would love to see this 10 years from now.

93-94 Big ripe fruit with a savory component. At a nice spot and drank well.

93-94 Tied for top 3 for most of the group. This was the underdog and pulled through. Dark fruit, licorice note, drinking beautiful now. Probably one of the least costly wines of the night yet scored as one of the highest overall by our group (All tasted blind). Great value here and very approachable right now. Not sure this will gain much with more time but doubt it will be fading anytime soon.

Tasted blind; one was cork and the other screw cap. Scored cork 92-93 and SC 92. Notes were similar, ripe fruit, spice and a pleasant menthol note/sensation.

Tasted blind, from cork and screw cap. Scored both 93+. Big tannins, savory spice, coffee, dark fruit.

92-93 No formal notes on this one. Being the 2nd to last wine in a flight of 20 CS my palate and nose were starting to fatigue quite a bit. Was lucky to bring this one back and tasted on day #2. Day 2 was still showing elegant dark red fruit profile, perfumed nose, but did seem to lose a bit of its luster.

92+ Of all the wines tasted I thought this had the most potential for future development. This did not get enough air as most bottles opend ~5-6hrs prior and allowed to breath but no decant. Nose of peppered jerky, very tight, palate was rich and structured. Likely needs more time, if you drink soon I would give it a good decant.

Dried apricot, caramelized brown sugar, a nice botrytis spice and pretty good balance. Great desert pairing and end to dinner.

92-93 Subtle mousse, nice bubbles, white fruit, apple/pear, great acidity. Very similar to previous tasters notes. Not showing any signs of age. Still very fresh and crisp. While I typically enjoy more complex and developed champagne this showed very well and was a godsend after the huge Cabs we had been drinking all night.

Starter wine for the night. Holding up very well, still with energetic acidity and bubbles, classic toasty dom nose with notes of smoke and brioche. Palate was full and rich as expected. This wine never disappoints, always very consistent and shows even better in a great vintage like 96.