5/13/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Opens with sweetness, but then the acidity at the back end keeps it interesting and enjoyable with food. Difficult to keep to a glass or two!

4/23/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

More left bank Bordeaux than Napa. Nice change of pace.

4/17/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Nice with food, otherwise quite featureless.

4/14/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Drinking well right now. Took about an hour to properly open up in the decanter. Berry notes dominate even after 15+ years. Medium to full bodied, with temperate tannins.

4/6/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Not the most complex wine out there, but it is such a joy to drink!

4/3/2024 - MK9786 wrote:

With food it was fine, almost like a young Sangiovese. But the Syrah character is no longer there.

4/3/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Needs at least a couple of hours of decanting to open up the wine. Medium-bodied with nice depth. The berry flavors are quite prominent right now.

3/17/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Quite oaky, but was good for the style. Showed no signs of the 10+ years.

3/1/2024 - MK9786 wrote:

Can't imagine what Chuck Wagner drinks on a regular basis as this stuff is too cloying on the palate. The sweetness (from the oak/overly extracted?) is overwhelming, though there is a hint of something interesting in the background, albeit well disguised.

2/18/2024 - MK9786 wrote:

It is nice with food. Bit lightweight for a Zinfandel blend.

2/10/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Outstanding! Still tastes fresh with the vigor of a wine that is 7-8 years old instead of 16.

2/4/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

While not the most complex of Cabs, it certainly is nice to drink after a long decant. The initial acidity recedes into the background and the fruit becomes more prominent. Works well with weeknight dinners.

1/27/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

The nose promises, and the taste delivers. Lovely balance of fruit and acidity. Tannins are nicely integrated now. There is a hint of vanilla on the nose as well as on the tongue (the oak peeking through perhaps).

1/25/2024 - MK9786 wrote:

Better after a day in the decanter.

1/23/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Better the second day.

1/17/2024 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Wonderful fruit mated to mountain structure.

12/26/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Superb with oven-roasted salmon.

12/2/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Outstanding! Had it as an aperitif and it works with every canapé or dessert we could throw at it. Obviously, would be a shame to try it with a steak; but would work with spicy tuna.

12/2/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Doesn't have the legs to last more than a day or two, but works for a weeknight meal.

11/8/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Lively wine, and still going strong.

11/5/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Needs some time to open up.

10/29/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Delicious! Lipsmacking! Nice dollop of tannin that has persisted over a decade to balance the juicy fruit.

9/9/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Nicely integrated. While one would call it a typical Napa Cab, nothing is out of place. Perhaps better as a sipper than something that improves with food.

8/16/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Outstanding with food at this young stage.

7/15/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Showing its age now, with the mouthfeel being a bit thin.

4/22/24: Last bottle, and this is drinking well with food. In fact, positively singing. I now regret consuming the other 4 without the proper food (in this case, somewhat heavy meat ragu with pasta).

7/8/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Good, but not great. Drank well with food.

6/30/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

1/6/24: This is growing on me. Six months back (6/30/23) I had it at 91. It is decidedly better on the 2nd day out of the bottle. Nice blend of acidity, tannins, and fruit.

6/28/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Was excellent after 24 to 48 hours in the decanter.

5/25/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

From a magnum. Fruit and tannins in great harmony right now. Medium to full bodied with good structure.

5/13/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Fruity and refreshing acidity to go with it. Good with light food or on its own.

5/12/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Tasted just fine with pizza. Good balance in the acidity.

5/6/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Needs food to go with it. The fruit has dissipated, and now the acidity dominates.

4/15/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

In a great drinking window. Little bit juicier than it's neighbor, Louis Martini Monte Rosso Cab, which I had a couple of days back.

4/12/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Can’t really score it as the wine is clearly over the hill. The fruit has almost entirely faded leaving a somewhat thin base. A bit unpleasant to drink on its own, perhaps, but with food it tasted fine.
Decanting for a day brought out the “sour” cherry notes. Still great with food.

4/8/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Nothing spectacular, but then you realize you've polished off the bottle. Obviously enjoyable.

4/1/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Great with pasta.

3/17/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Previous notes had me worried. Tasted just fine. The hint of sweetness went well with a spiced-up brisket. Some Burgundian earthiness in the nose.

3/11/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Wow! Can't believe even after being just shy of 20 years that this wine has about the perfect balance of fruit and acidity. Lip smacking. Comparable to the 2006, which I've had recently as well.

2/6/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Score would be higher if only the wine had a “middle” to it. It dies rather quickly after the initial release.

1/29/2023 - MK9786 wrote:

Cork in terrible shape in both bottles: dry and crumbly. Recent order with Wine Access.

Update: Good customer service, replacements are being sent.

1/20/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Outstanding hillside cabernet. The structure in the wine is tremendous, and the acidity is refreshing compared to the standard CA cabernet.

1/11/2023 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Wasn’t that great on it’s own, but excellent with a thick seafood stew.

1/1/2023 - MK9786 wrote:

Needs food to drink.

12/7/2022 - MK9786 wrote:

A bit syrupy for my taste. It took an awfully long time (over a day) in the decanter before the savory notes started to come to the front. Probably best to wait on the 2013 and ‘14.

11/21/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Great depth.

11/7/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

The Monte Rosso dirt certainly asserts itself in the finish. Very enjoyable and a change of pace from jammy Cabs.

10/19/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Absolutely fabulous with mushroom pasta. By itself, somewhat less so as the fruitiness is gone.
Library wine sourced directly from the winery through K&L Wines.
Absolutely singing on the 2nd day on its own.

9/29/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Not as complex as the cabs from Treva’s vineyard, but still a delight to drink. The juice is still distinct.

9/21/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Fantastic wine, with a richness that did not feel heavy, particularly with filet mignon. I know these Turley wines are meant to last, but it still feels incredible for a 26-year old bottle to taste this lively.

9/13/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine:

Still tastes fresh, with a lot of fruit notes. Easy sipper.