11/17/2019 - wineheadGA wrote:

Anniversary dinner, seemed tight/closed up upon opening. With air there was slight improvement but overall just average.

7/14/2017 - wineheadGA wrote:

Really enjoyed this wine. tasted at the winery and my thoughts were it had great acidity and balance IIRC

2/6/2017 - wineheadGA wrote:

Stunning wine at a young age. Dark fruit on the palate, juicy and delightful flavors. Mike is not a secret anymore, I'd put his zins at or near the top IMO. Would like to see how this will change over time, however, it is beautiful now without doubt. A++

2/14/2017 - wineheadGA wrote:

Showed very well, classic style Cabernet with a new age twist from TRB. Not as impressive as other TRB from this vintage that I've had but very good for 2010. Still has plenty of life in her.

2/15/2017 - wineheadGA wrote:

Much like other notes, seems to need a lot more time. Opened for 1 hour, decanted for another 45. Minutes and showed a slight glimpse of beauty but the next glass seemed more closed. On day 2, it was shut down completely, very muted on the palate. I still have hope it will show improvement in a few years (3-5 at least). NR

12/28/2016 - wineheadGA wrote:

Slow Ox'd for 2 hours, served at 68-70 degrees. Great balance of fruit and tannins. Pleasant structure with coated mouthfeel, chewy with good grip. Dark fruit dominates taste followed by 40+ second finish. Definitely better than 2010 but not quite there with 2009.

6/11/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

No notes taken, but was showing pretty well. Fruit seems to be diminishing as I would drink up if you have any. Generous mouthfeel. If rating, 91-92.

5/10/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Excellent QPR wine. Nose is stemmy, nice minerality and acidity. Downed it in 40 minutes, definitely worthy of the price.

5/11/2016 - wineheadGA wrote:

Solid wine for the money I suppose but better options at this price point for sure. Lacking some character in my opinion but not a bad bottle. Would like to visit in the future to see the evolution (if any).

5/9/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Voluptous wine after an 2 hours of air. Firm tannins, Somewhat fruit forward after the first glass. Very approachable now, I definitely am quite pleased with this one, actually 2008 cabernets as a whole. Drinking well, 93+

5/7/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

hints of cherry, dark berries, vanilla, a decent nose but expect it will improve with age. Slow-ox for 2 hours, improved after a total of 3 hours of air. Decent acidity, was hoping for more but overall was pleased with a pretty solid showing. I would enjoy now with lots of air or hold for a few years.

2/5/2016 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Dark, inky style bordeaux blend. Definitely interesting and approachable young but could use some serious time to develop into something else. Not sure it is worth the price, but seems to be on par with most cabs in the price range.

12/15/2014 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Delicious from what I recall. Solid Rhone blend, showed well against some older california cabs.

12/25/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Beautiful infant here. Slow ox'd for 2-1/2 hours and drank over the course of 3 hours. Nice, deep fruit on the palate, with a dash of vanilla at times. Very elegant and will definitely continue to improve in due time. Glad I have others to revisit. (93-95 potential)

12/19/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Beautiful and elegant young one here. Deep, dark fruit with a nice nose. slow ox'd for about 1-1/2 hours, no heat present on the palate. Simply outstanding at this point. Enjoy now or hold for another few years, it has the stuff to go a good 10 years. Never disappointed with wine by these 2!

11/13/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Simply outstanding. Do not have my notes from the night as there were many wines but this was phenomenal!

12/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Flawed

12/6/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine & nose. Definitely very youthful. Drank over 4 days. Day 1: very tight and needed lots of air to open up. Day 4: Starting to strut its stuff. Dark chocolate, plum on the palate with a generous mouthfeel. I would wait at least 5 years to enjoy all of its wonders.

11/28/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Had after thanksgiving dinner, slow-ox for 1 hour...simply beautiful as all Mike Smith cabs I have had. Bordeaux style (Spring Mountain) with a smooth palate and phenomenal finish. Drank by itself but would pair well with dark meat. Just amazingly elegant at a somewhat youthful age. Definitely can cellar longer.

11/9/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Needed about 2 hours of air. Initially shutdown with a bit of a sour finish but after some oxygen, simply beautiful. Nice Bordeaux blend with a 40 second finish, dark nose with a soily scent, black cassis and cigar flavoring on the palate. Solid Bordeaux blend which will last a few more years despite the community dates

11/9/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Great wine! delicious, but it needs massive air. Decanted on day 1 for 2+ hours and it was still throwing some heat but delicious nonetheless. Dark fruit & definitely one for the cellar. Typical Mountain fruit, more bordeaux-esque of a cab. Reminds somewhat of a Philip Togni style wine after it received air. Tried the last glass of the bottle on Day 4 and it was singing!93-95 as this is still very infant.

11/4/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Absolutely stunning right now. Velvet finish that last about 30 seconds, this bottle is perfect with a Rib-eye or Filet, while very enjoyable solo. My last of 3 bottles and very consistent with previous note, although it seems a bit more structured now. Will continue to improve for 5+, IMO.

5/25/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Fantastic. Same as last bottle

5/17/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Good showing, solid wine but (imho) I gravitate towards the 08-10 bottles. still very solid and will continue to last a while

5/10/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Another superb showing for Mike. Ditto what "TASTESGOODTOME" said below.

4/22/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Very promising bottle, have high hopes for this. Similar to Hobel in my opinion, with a fuller feel. 93-95

3/9/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Excellent structure, long finish and nice nose even though its just a toddler. Decanted for 1-1/2 hours and it opened up very well, but expect it to evolve more when I try it again tonight. It is definitely a beauty and exciting to see its possiblities in the future. If you have multiple bottles, try it out otherwise I would hold.

3/8/2013 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Giving it a 90, but it is very young. Definitely potential, & with the price it is superb & on point. (90-92 Potential)

3/2/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Solid wine, somewhat sweet for a cab. IMO if it was priced @ $40-$45, I would buy again, but not above that.

2/27/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Tropical fruit, beautiful bouquet. Drinks very smooth (93+)

2/13/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Solid for the price. Haven't tried any of the other Blankiet's yet but definitely look forward. Big, elegant wine after you give it a few hours

2/6/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Consistent, good cab. Was hoping for a bit more but it might be because its young. It's a Bordeaux style, typical for the spring Mtn. Cabs I've tasted. Looking forward to revisiting in a couple years

2/6/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Just what BBinSC said, outstanding. Good QPR by my standards

2/6/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Juicy, nice nose but could use more time in the cellar. 89

1/20/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Elegant, smooth, silky. Outstanding cab from an off year. Had next to a Paul Hobbs Napa cab, which was corked, so I couldn't compare but the Jones is showing brilliantly!

1/29/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

Flawed. Was curious to see how it's tasting

1/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's somewhat balanced with a medium body. Fleshy texture with a medium finish.

1/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's balanced with a light/medium body. Juicy texture with a medium finish.

1/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of tobacco, licorice anise and black currant. It's balanced and has flavours of tobacco, raisin, licorice anise and menthol with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - Nice cab. Still has a lot left. 92+

1/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

- Garnet color and aromas of rose, oak and blackberry. It's unbalanced and has flavours of hay/straw, strawberry jam and blackberry with a light body. Satin-Like texture with a short finish - Not bad just not what I expect in a Claret. Just my own opinion

1/11/2013 - wineheadGA wrote:

- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of raspberry and black pepper. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of violet, smokey and mushroom with a light body. Narrow texture with a short finish.

11/29/2012 - wineheadGA Likes this wine:

Solid wine, drinking well right now. opened for 30 minutes prior, good depth, nice balance of fruit with smooth finish. Could last another few years

11/11/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Very floral nose, superb finish. Excellent pinot in my opinion, one of the best, a gem. Paired nice with light Italian, got better as the night passed on. Had with a W Selyem and D serene, this one outshined by far. Solid 95+

10/28/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Big nose. Big, big fruit, continued to develop nicely over 3-4 hours, consistently gets better, drinks well now but will last another 4-5+

10/3/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Popped an poured, oaky, peppery taste on the palate with a tart cherry finish. Decent wine could use time to open up maybe

9/29/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Earthy, blackberry, hints of oak. Solid wine, better after uncorking and vac seal for a few days. Solid cab, '06 seems to have those across the board

9/24/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Fruity, semi-sweet with an oak finish. Good Pinot but there are better. Chicken or fish pairing

9/21/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Very good, smooth not too acidic. Solid for the money

9/16/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Sweet, fruity, nice aroma. Solid choice wine. Similar to others in price class

9/13/2012 - wineheadGA wrote:

Cedar-rich nose, Dark cherry flavor, complex, very fruitful. Nice aroma and seems to be tasting well