12/14/2017 - Decadent wrote:

Intense dark fruit balanced with aged tannins and great acidity. The nose was a good preview of the taste, full and intense. Decanted and filtered... opened up in about a half hour. Easily can hold up for several more years.

4/27/2016 - Decadent wrote:

One hour after decant, it opened up. Smooth and silky, with just the right amount of fruit. My last 2008... Have to move on to the next vintages.

12/29/2015 - Decadent wrote:

Big dark-chocolate nose. Well balance at this point and a delight to have as a sipping wine. This is at the right stage to drink... Some years left but certainly no reason to wait. Aerated into a decanter for about an hour then "recanted" (my favorite thing to do!) back into the bottle and served to guests after dinner.

4/7/2015 - Decadent wrote:

ugh! - what a fruit bomb...

8/24/2014 - Decadent wrote:

Very intense... decanted for 1 hour and it did not disappoint... lots of fruit but structured as it evolved. I love it when merlots break through the usual mellow with some chocolate - had with some really thick grilled pork chops - this wine was a winner... merlot with an attitude... but you have to let it breath out over a couple of hours, some of which can be in the glass. Lots of life left in this wine, 5-10 years.

5/15/2014 - Decadent wrote:

Balanced and smooth. Not a long finish, but pleasant. Hints of tobacco. VERY drinkable now but has several years left. Tannins, but mellowed tannins. It is living up to its brand! Very enjoyable...

3/6/2014 - Decadent wrote:

Young. Showing promise now but will continue to improve over time. Did triple decant and waited 30 minutes before tasting.

10/14/2013 - Decadent wrote:

One of the best Abacela wines that we have had. Intense, deep fruit, well balanced, perfect to drink now. It should easily last at this level for another year or two, and won't go downhill fast, but at this point, why wait? Decanted through an aerator and 30 minutes later recanted back into the bottle. I'm writing this tasting note on the last of it two hours after opening.

9/30/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Better on day two, although still not up to it's price-point. Had with a ground veal patty.

9/29/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Decanted for 2 hours. Well structured, balanced, with notes of vanilla & chocolate. A delightful cab.

9/29/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Decanted for 1 hour. Elegant, smooth, and balanced. Cherry and subtle smoke. Drinkable now but still has lots of time left.

9/29/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Decanted for 2 hours... still tight and tannic. Disjointed - expect more for this price point. Not up to the past vintages. Will keep overnight and try the other half.

9/5/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Decanted with venture then back and forth between two decanters for aeration. Let sit for 30 minutes and shared the first half of the bottle over the next hours. Slight barnyard nose with game mixed in the fruit. The fruit was exposed more in the latter part of the hour. Saved the other half for tomorrow night to observe the evolution. Classic Cayuse

9/5/2013 - Decadent wrote:

Very smooth and balanced with a velvet long lasting finish. Intense fruit - cassis overtones. Decanted with venturi and then back and forth between two decanters for aeration. Sat for 30 minutes before tasting. This is very drinkable now but has lots of life left for future openings.

6/4/2013 - Decadent wrote:

One of the best Zins (and wine in general) that I have had. Good structure, great discipline. That California zin-fruit was kept in control. Did a decant (and recant) back into the bootle an hour before drinking. By the end of the dinner it was smoking!

5/22/2012 - Decadent wrote:

Oh, glad I waited... intense berry flavors followed by chocolate, but balanced overall, not too fruit forward. Decanted for two hours and it really shines. This is right where this wine wants to be. Only one bottle left... plan to consume it within the next 6 months.

5/8/2012 - Decadent wrote:

This is at the top of its game (her game actually!). If I had a half case or more, I would drink it on the bell-shape-curve. If i had only one bottle - I would drink it now.

5/3/2012 - Decadent wrote:

What a chocolate monster on day one! This did not hold up on the second day however... acetone on the nose. Out of a case of this, stored from day one in perfect conditions, 5 bottles have been consumed, and bottle #2 was corked/oxidized at opening. I absolutely love the Spring Valley wines, but I am putting this batch of K on watch. Anyone else with similar experience on the 07 K?

5/1/2012 - Decadent wrote:

Ran through the venturi and decanted for about an hour. Nicely balanced, with dark fruit and supportive tannins. Long finish. Paired well with a rib-eye steak. Improved even more through the evening.

12/21/2010 - Decadent wrote:

Great floral nose, full bodied, decanted for 2 hours. Intense fruit but not overwhelming. Dark fruit lingering finish. Very drinkable on its own without food. Nice trip with each sip. For a 2008 very drinkable now with decanting. Drank this on the Winter Solstice... have 9 more bottles left - thinking about having this each Winter & Summer Solstice until it is gone.