12/7/2023 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

This isn't a tasting note, but headsup to Austin Hope Cab fans: Costco is selling 2021 for $49.99 (in Issaquah, WA at least)!

Hope '21 holds up to past vintages, but probably won't open for another year or 2...

7/3/2023 - Paul Giamatti Does not like this wine:

Ugh, I keep making the same mistake by buying wine at Costco, like this one, hoping to find a diamond in the rough. But, this tastes like @ss. Yes, that's a oenophilic term.

1/5/2023 - Paul Giamatti Likes this wine:

Some aggressive aeration and this really opened up quickly with some wonderful aromatics and strong, long finish. Paired great with the grilled Spanish Iberico Pork Presa. Especially happy I bought this at $80 and now it's selling for $146 on Benchmark!

6/28/2022 - Paul Giamatti Does not like this wine:

Thought I'd try again a year after my last attempt, but yikes it got even worse! Have to say that several sub-$20 reds from Safeway would outdo this.

6/7/2022 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

You gotta rev up its engine: double decant over 2 hours + first glass was kinda "meh". Second glass and onwards though was impressive with maple syrup and even toffee notes. At 1.1 pts/$1 (my personal estimate and litmus test, especially for non-Cab Reds), it merits buying more!

6/6/2022 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

I am usually a huge fan of Abeja’s Cabs but this was very underwhelming. None of the stylistic notes or aromatics of other vintages. Might not have been a good year?

5/30/2022 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

Surprised how shallow it was for the first 3 hours, but in hour 4 it finally started to open up. Like other reviewers, I don't sense this will get any better with time at least with this vintage, so drink up!

4/5/2022 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

Cork was for s&%t! Completely disintegrated and having to save the wine from cork detritus was an immediate -10 points off my scoring (come on, Chris Camarada, get some better cork!)...

Paired with steak frites + burrata & heirloom tomato side salad for lunch. Aromatics filled up my house after just an hour decanting, like a diffuser (in a good way). Pain in the ass experience dealing with the cork kinda made the overall rating "meh" though.

6/11/2021 - Paul Giamatti wrote:

Even with a 3 hour decant, still didn't open up fully and felt it was too shallow on the nose and finish. Might need another year before opening. A ton of sediment on the last sip, looked like purple sand.