12/16/2023 - fppiceo wrote:

Took to Lisa’s Xmas partty

5/26/2018 - fppiceo wrote:

Opened with family and take out from Leucadia Pizzeria. Dinner was tortellini, Greek salad, vegetarian pizza, and garlic bread. Agree with the tasting notes from March of this year. In the glass aromas of meat, leather and black fruit. Also picked up a hint of mint or eucalyptus. Ruby red and balanced. Gave this one a score of 90 because the wine doesn’t have the typical depth you expect from this producer or region. Probably age.

8/13/2011 - fppiceo wrote:

Very tight. Took several hours to open. A beautiful wine. The essence of Amuse Bouche. Good structure with restrained black fruit. Will try again in a couple of years.

4/4/2011 - fppiceo wrote:

What a disappointment...varietal character not showing well. No fruit to speak of..tannins in hiding? Could be a dumb bottle. It happens.

7/11/2010 - fppiceo wrote:

Unfortunately this botttled was more than done. All wood and alcohol...very sad. I was able to coax a little bouquet with quick swirl, it didn't make it to the taste buds. Just had this wine a few monts earlier and it was wonderful with truffle, dark fruit and an overall earthyness that made a perfect choice for last nights meal. Alas, it was not to be.

12/20/2009 - fppiceo wrote:

This wine was very fruit forward and with "apparent" good structure and acidity on release. As with most big fruit cabs from this era , it has not aged well. While the fruit is intack it is a mere shadow of its former self. Like most fruit forward cabs there was/ is insufficient tannins to carry this wine more than a year or two past release. Thirteen appellations...neat idea but not age worthy. Drink it now

6/19/2009 - fppiceo wrote:

Hard to believe but it's been ten vintages since the inauguaral release of Miner Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon back in 1996. The '06 release is something to celebrate... masses of ripe berry fruit with purity and finesse. A superb expression of Oakville hillside fruit. Barrel aged for 21 months in 60% new French oak, drink this beauty through 2020. From Miner website. Oakville Ranch & Busceli Vineyard

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Release: Winter 2009
1,360 cases made

2/21/2008 - fppiceo wrote:

This wine is well balancd with typical notes found in Cabernet Sauvignon from the To-Kalon Vineyard farmed by Andy Beckstoffer. The wine is almost inky black and is very conentrated. The nose is barely perceptable on opening and remained very tight throughout the evening. Recommend letting this one rest for at least another 3-5 years.

5/5/2007 - fppiceo wrote:

Corked!

4/2/2007 - fppiceo wrote:

Very woody. I believe this wine is fading fast if not done already.

4/2/2007 - fppiceo wrote:

Great bottle. Very alinve and well balance. Coffee, cassis and other black fruits with a hint of chocolate. Tannis still a bit on the front. Will handle a couple more years in the cellar without a problem.

1/1/2007 - fppiceo wrote:

Still quite young. Very dry on the palate without much definition. The wine did not improve with time. It remained tight and inaccessable until it was gone. We decanted for up to 2 hours before consuming. Recommend at least a 4 hour decant and maybe a few more years before attempting again.

1/1/2007 - fppiceo wrote:

Open this last bottle New Year's Eve at Mille Fleur. We did not decant this wine becasue of its' age afraid that it might fade before we could enjoy it. It started out very tight with a bit of brett on the nose. There was a hint a red/black fruit in the begining with a bit of acidity. We allowed the wine to open in our glasses for sever minutes. This example of Ducru began to soften more fully revelaing blackberry, cassis and a hint of chocolate. After an hour it was velvity, balanced and fully revealed We enjoyed this fabulous wine with medallions of venison and king salmon. A perfect compliment ot both dishes.

12/26/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

This wine continues to be tremendous performer. We decanted for about two hours and the wine still tasted a bit young. Although many 1998's are unpredicitable this one is stellar. Drank this following several 1997 Bordeauxs. Mouth feel, flavor profile and balnce made this wine seem like it was part of thw Bordeaus tasting. A bit fruit forward with lots of cherry.

12/26/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Decanted for about an hour which is enough for this wine. Great color. Good balance of fruit, acidiity and tannins. This is a relaible wine for the vintage and price ($50). Dark berry fruit with just a hint of bret. Some floral notes on the nose which quickly dissipated.

12/3/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Flavors well integrated. Slighltly acidic on the front but with a silky finish. Tabacco, cassis, red berry flavors.Do not think this wine will imrove with further bottle age. Drink now.

12/3/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Bottle was corked.

11/16/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

This bottle was opened at Blanca in Solana Beach, CA. This bottle did not show well at all. Didn't seem flawed but shut down completely. Couldn't access anything on the nose or the pallet. Will try again in the next 24 hours.

10/7/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Slow to open.over an hour before the fruit began to show. Strawberry and plum on the nose. Very elegant. This one needs to open for atleast an hour before drinking.

10/7/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Fruit has disipated. Hints of cassis, plum and tobacco. Has gotten a bit woody. Still quite velvety in the mouth. Drink now,

10/6/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

This bottle was balanced with good acidity and red fruit. Not an outstanding wine but enjoyable. This wine will not improve with further bottle age. Will probably continue to age but why?

10/6/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Cork was wet and fell apart. A lot of wood on this wine. Fruit was muted. Overall wine was enjoyable however not a keeper. Drink it now...

9/13/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Red fruit still very present although this wine is thinning out a bit leaving too much acid and declining fruit. Increased acid makes this wine more sutiable for richer dishes containing cream or butter. Drink now.

9/13/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

This wine is drinking very well. Lots of red friut, cassis, red raspbery and some leather. Drink now

9/9/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Decent body may have needed to open more.

9/4/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Drank with friends on labor day weekend. Very elegant, with good structure. Tannins were present and becoming more integrated. Smoke, tobacco, and lots of red fruit. This wine will age several more years. Drink now thru 2015.

8/12/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Still drinking well with decent balance thoughout. Nothing specatacular just pleasant. Drink now!

8/12/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Wine was finished. Unlike the 1997 Estate Reserve which is still drinking well. This one has gone to wood.

8/12/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Outstanding! Everythng in balance with red fruit in the mid palate and smooth silky finish with a lttle tobacco. This wine has great structure and will certainly continue to age well. Drine now through 2016.

6/23/2006 - fppiceo wrote:

Medium-deep red. Lots of red fruit, plum, currant with some spice. Good balance between acidity and tannins. Great mouth feel. This wine could easly last several years. Enjoy it now through at least 2011.