3/19/2021 - spartap Does not like this wine:

Dark purple/garnet color. Medium minus nose with hints of black pepper and blackberry. Palate with medium minus intensity, low tannin with chalkiness, low acidity, medium minus body, medium alcohol,
Reminds me of a nondescript cabernet blend between $10-15. Disappointing.

1/29/2021 - spartap Likes this wine:

Bright, well integrated with complexity of dark stone fruit and blueberries, subtle vanilla and oak notes, medium + acidity, medium tannin, med + body and finish. The 16% cab is subtle but noticeable and helps hold the structure of this right bank Bordeaux blend. Has the sophistication consistent with cool weather wines. Decanted for 30 minutes. Fantastic!

1/15/2021 - spartap Likes this wine:

Dark fruit, medium + acidity, medium body, vanilla, medium + finish. fine tannins. Well integrated and perfect to drink now. Would not recommend holding longer.

11/8/2020 - spartap Likes this wine:

Dark fruit, balanced acid and tannin. Young but great potential.

9/12/2020 - spartap Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose with dark fruit and cassis. Took 15-20 min to open and was surprising for the vintage. Rustic nature with fine grain tannins, medium + body, medium + acid, earthy tones, dark stewed fruit, and medium + finish. Had great structure and balance. At its peak; drink now.

7/24/2020 - spartap Likes this wine:

Incredibly smooth and well integrated. Oak on the finish. Really nice wine and I would drink it now. We were all very impressed with it.

5/14/2020 - spartap Likes this wine:

Nicely balanced. Medium throughout in body, tannin, acid, flavor intensity, and finish.

5/17/2020 - spartap Likes this wine:

Clean, crisp, apple forward

12/22/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

Shut down and had a funk bitterness that blew off after 1-2 hours really opened up well. Decant recommended. I opened a magnum so there was quite a bit of fruit but also some a little too much oak.

12/11/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

So fresh - unbelievable that it's 50 years old. Red fruit and saltiness with light tannins and great acidity. Can absolutely go longer but it's so good now! Had the original cork.

11/28/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

WOW! What a surprise wonderful bottle. I am very sad I do not have more. This was a very well balanced cab. What a good California cab should be.

11/28/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

Very good and would drink now.

11/28/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

This was a beautiful wine - powerful but balanced. Could age for another 5 years but excellent now.

3/25/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

Garnet color with a little brown on the edges, medium minus nose of clove, medium plus palate and body with medium + finish. Good tannin and acid ratio. Raisin, dark cherry, cassis, ripe pomegranate, dried fig, Paired well with tomato sauce. Drink now as I think it will fade with more time.

3/24/2019 - spartap Likes this wine:

Excellent wine! Well balanced and went very well with duck and pulled pork. Medium minus body, medium tannins, medium minus acid. Some fruit was still present with some white pepper on the finish. I took the advice of others and decanted for an hour. Impressive for the price point. Drink now.

3/24/2019 - spartap Does not like this wine:

Overwhelming of butter and yogurt on the palate, lacked acidity. No structure.

8/11/2018 - spartap Likes this wine:

The cork had crumbled but despite that, the wine was well integrated, fruit had mellowed and was deep and complex. Vanilla oak hints on the finish - not an overpowering California Cab bomb as expected. Very happy with this bottle. Opened up after an hour. Suggest decanting and drinking now.

8/1/2018 - spartap Likes this wine:

Wonderful Tempranillo, deep fruit with brightness. A little heavy on oak on the finish but not over powering. Can hold for at least 3-5 years.

12/16/2017 - spartap Likes this wine:

Integrated fruit and soft tannins. Too much oak on palate however it blew off after a bit. Maybe better decanted to mute the oak. If the oak wasn’t so prominent at the beginning could pass as old world.

2/20/2016 - spartap wrote:

Well balanced, bright fruit, good acid and minerality. Drink now or within a year. More oak on nose than on palate which was nice.

1/10/2015 - spartap wrote:

A bit hot on the palate but gets better after an hour. Not complex enough for long aging.

6/21/2014 - spartap wrote:

Evolving bouquet from leather to dark fruit. Very soft tannins, well integrated. Drink now.

12/8/2013 - spartap Likes this wine:

Good champagne, bigger bubbles, apple notes, a little bit of residual sugar.

11/28/2013 - spartap Likes this wine:

Light in color with bouquet of floral and lycée. Light body with tones of white peaches, lycées, and honey. Great minerality, short but appropriate finish. Not too sweet. Very easy to drink…will do well with age.

5/19/2013 - spartap wrote:

Fabulous bottle of wine.

3/30/2013 - spartap Likes this wine:

Wonderful notes of chocolate, coffee, and dark jam-fruit on the nose. As it opened, complexity deepened with dark fruit, chocolate, and a hint of mint on the finish. Acidity was perfectly balanced with medium tannins that were well integrated with a medium finish. Not a over-oaked cab but rather delicate. Would go well with lamb chops or a fabulous filet mignon. Shockingly brilliant bottle of wine.

3/20/2013 - spartap Likes this wine:

Slight strawberry nose, dry, with floral finish of roses. Medium bubbles.

9/29/2012 - spartap wrote:

Medium nose and palate with dark berry and some cocoa notes. Not much tannins and finish was unexciting. Past it's prime.

10/15/2012 - spartap wrote:

Nose identical to a priorat with some funk that blew off with time. Medium minus nose, palate, and light finish. Dried figs, leather and very light tannins.

9/6/2012 - spartap wrote:

Wonderful tropic fruit notes with starfruit, guava, and gooseberry with a clingy oily mouth feel but clean finish. Crisp and delightful!

9/4/2012 - spartap wrote:

Recommend decanting for an hour. Nice nose with some bready notes, mellow tannins, nice fruit, wish the finish was a bit longer. Overall, good wine but best with food.

6/2/2012 - spartap wrote:

Wonderful aromatic nose with red fruit and floral pattern, cherry and raspberry on palate, and good acid. A bit flat on the finish and slight alcohol burn. Not sure if bottle had minor flaw or just the wine. Drink now.

5/20/2012 - spartap wrote:

Pretty good for the price. A bit tight upon first opening, did well after 30 minutes open in glass. Black pepper and dried fruit undertones, mellow tannins.

5/2/2012 - spartap wrote:

High acid upon first opening but after double decanting and letting it open, very nice. Minimal fruit but nice acid, tannin with terroir balance. Went well with lamb chops.

4/14/2012 - spartap wrote:

Softened red fruit with raspberry and baked cherry. Medium acid, soft tannins, and medium finish. Very nice wine.