12/26/2021 - mukden wrote:

YESSSSS. So, with trepidation I opened this...would it be gone? Would it be too young? But, it was sort of goldilocks just right...a good deal of secondary aromas ( real pencil box, cedar, low tones); sort of classy bdx, relatively old school, except for 13.5 a/c. Developed but still fresh and youngish ... so I would say this large-format 3-ltrs has many years in it. Will open next one in 5 years (2026)

4/15/2018 - J.S Likes this wine:

Coravin pour with aerator, let sit for 30 mins.

Medium level nose of smooth red and black fruit.
The wine opens with a delicate and soft cascade of cherry fruit with subtle hints of blackberry. The wine comes across as round but small, there is not much weight or substance to this wine. Dare I say watered down? There are subtle hints of Mt. Veeder staples such as lead pencil and gravel, however they are barely noticeable, if they were more prominent this wine would definitely be elevated. This wine is completely unlike any other mountain wine I have ever had, which makes me question is authenticity and wine making techniques?

This wine is smooth on the palate, and the finish is a low tannin and acidic combination lasting for 20-30 seconds.
All in all this wine is soft, delicate, nothing stands out as offensive, and if it had more strength, and wasn’t as “watered down” this could be a very good wine. However, it’s to “manufactured” and you know the price point was the driving factor over quality. Easy drinking Napa cab.

2/28/2018 - michigan dogs Likes this wine:

Always consistent and enjoyable, no mistaking this for a napa cab.

3/26/2018 - seijaro Does not like this wine:

Bought this at Costco because the tag said it was rated 94 by somebody... what the $%#@& were they thinking? Unpleasant, barely identifiable as a Cab, we struggled with half then poured out the rest. Save your money.

7/9/2018 - jonflo Likes this wine:

A Saint Estèphe with lots of Merlot. Was wondering therefore opened a bottle: Still too Young or would Need a 3h decant. Very deep, Little spicy, Wood and definitly a good wine in my glass. A bit closed still as too Young. Enjoyed to Lamb what was good but Beef or aged soft cheese would be better. On second day even better, opend up on whole Palette and this Looks to be a favorite wine for me. Now I know why I paid 40$.

11/8/2018 - jmcmchi Likes this wine:

Ripe rich aromatics spread wide

Black acidity, brooding dark flavours, very attractive medium+ body. Long finish redolent of sage and bramble

11/28/2018 - t.c.green wrote:

donated

11/25/2018 - Thad Does not like this wine:

Way too alcoholic and unpleasant ripe fruit
Could not drink it

1/19/2019 - redhead6971 wrote:

Decanted for 3.5 hours with a color of dark ruby in the middle and brown on the sides. Initial nose of leather, dried beef jerky, dried mulberries, pomegranates lots of subtle spices and some earthiness. The palate had dried red and black fruits reminiscent of mulberries, huckleberries, boysenberries rich dark tree bark and some truffles. The finish is smooth somewhat reticent on the palate and seems surrounded with aged leather, black cherries, bilberries and choke berries (Aronia) and silky smooth taninns. Pretty straightforward so far. Seems to be lacking any noticeable secondary characteristics, hence my 87+ score. Could be bottle variance. It was however a great match with a peppered pork tenderloin. Lucky I have a few more bottles to try.

2/22/2019 - erekose Does not like this wine:

Really disappointed. Four wines - this was the only one people left behind. Frankly, its hard to find much good about this wine.

People complained about this being a fruit bomb - but I didn't find that. I found a wine that was a bit of a mess - too hot, to tight, too tannic. I can't say anything was well done with this wine.

Bottom line - not delicious.

I have three more bottles. Perhaps this one was an aberration.

2/9/2019 - Wine Buergler Likes this wine:

Very good

6/9/2019 - Philipwine wrote:

The wine is getting old... drink now! Open it and let it breathe before drinking

10/22/2019 - guitarguy Likes this wine:

I paid $110 for this a number of years ago and have 1 bottle left. It’s hard to drink a bottle with an upper $300 auction value even with prime filet mignon. I’m a believer that no wine is worth more than about $100, I guess unless you are a 1 percenter and although this was quite good, it makes the point. Nose included sous bois, ketone-like notes (maybe more like nail polish of days gone by) and crushed blackberry. Caressing blueberry, black pepper and smooth tannins frame the wine with a feminine feel. Some length to the finish. $110, maybe, $300....????

7/28/2018 - Anders91 wrote:

U

10/25/2019 - Nutty08 Likes this wine:

Moderately “bretted” bottle. A little funky for sure, but only a little iron and iodine notes from the Brett. Moving towards mature fruit, darker and softer, but fine tannins underneath. Some sandalwood on the finish. Without the Brett I think this would be brighter and fresher and more to my liking—but to each his own.

7/4/2020 - Brolawa wrote:

This is another typical Washington Cabernet. Jammy with some oak and chocolate on nose but nothing complex on the palate or finish. A well-balanced wine and enjoyable quaff; but if you love Bordeaux this wine and 95% of its WA Cab brethren will simply pale in comparison.

5/18/2020 - kjjamison Does not like this wine:

Formadehyde in the nose. Acrid finish. Not good.

12/17/2020 - Bobc7had Likes this wine:

Starting to fade. I always enjoy these at around 3-4 years old.
I waited a little too long on this one. At least for my palette

12/23/2020 - mukden wrote:

YES (but nervous). Not sure about this, seems quite closed to me (with a deal of a/c 13%). Got better as the evening went on but hell this is meant to finish by 2025 ! Nervous as, apart from a case, I also have a case in a bottle (9ltr bottle), Which I obviously need to time ...

11/19/2020 - mukden wrote:

YES-now. This is now a-point and will not get better: bookended by the 2005 and 2008 it does not seem half as good. Mundane .

5/30/2020 - mukden wrote:

Candidate. But too hot but deep dark red; good bit of St Estephe tannins ; in time this could be quite good. Bit steep at 40 euro.

6/10/2014 - mukden wrote:

YES (provisional score). So, this is not a simple wine. Visually, its colour is lovely, almost clear white at the tapered bottom of the flute but increasingly pink as you rise to the wider lip of the glass. The bubbles are fine, no tiredness there. You expect it to be sweet, but it is not. It is very tart, the taste is complex, there are sweet tones, but it is really quite dry. In my opinion, it has not resolved into what it may become. It is nice, in its current form but confusing.

6/21/2013 - mukden Likes this wine:

YES. Drinking well but still young, tannins still to smoothen out. But, very nice fruit, with tarry nose. Real mouthful, classic bordeaux. could leave it for 5 years before trying again.

6/23/2013 - mukden wrote:

NO. Bit disappointing. Some blackberry and bdx character but just did not seem to be a good wine. Too young or too jaded?