August 7, 2022 - Classic blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and full-bodied profile. Very nice color; also good fruit notes. 2012 is certainly at its peak. Decanted for 1 hour and the profile really comes out.
June 5, 2021 - One dimensional and light/weak. Lacks fruit and character. Easy drinking but needs depth and umph.
March 14, 2021 - This wine is definitely in decline. So, I don’t recommend holding it any longer. The nose is very simple and showing plums and astringency. On the palate it’s more stewed plums and red cherry. Acid is still there, and tannins are softened. Overall it’s become a simple and unbalanced wine now. Hope yours drink better than mine. Shouldn’t be too surprised that a $20 bottle didn’t make it 9 years.
March 3, 2017 - Initial impressions: Dark and still very young looking. On the nose, lots of vanilla, and on the palate, lots of cassis and blackcurrant. Clearly very new world. But smooth, very well-balanced, with well-integrated oak and tannins. At first, the finish was a bit clipped, with notes of wood and dried fruit, but no bitterness. But as the evening wore on, this became more complex and the finish longer; 2nd night was even better. If I had more bottles, I would enjoy following these for another 5-8 years.
October 18, 2016 - Decanted 1 hr. Black center to mahogany edge. Nose reserved but deep fruit, cherry. Good fruit, smooth, oaky with a bit of must. Cherry finish that lingers. Same flavor profile as first, slightly musty wood. First bottle was musty, corked? This one has a touch of the same, but not so clearly flawed. Part of house style? If so, not for me.
April 29, 2016 - Slightly corked so notes should be taken with grain of salt. Purple center to medium edge. Nose of sour cherry and grilled meat. Tastes of sour cherry, grilled meat and wood. Good acid balance, light tannin. Just OK. Did not taste note of mildew until very end when wife pointed out. Not Rated. Will try again. Pretty confident that this will show better from a clean bottle.
April 12, 2016 - mid-dark; wood, ripe berry, vanilla nose; mid-body; semi-chewy; good structure; should evolve over the next few years; long finish.
November 13, 2015 - Price is about right for the quality of cab. Drinks well after 45 minutes of being opened. Good one for an 80/20 burger and cheese.
August 19, 2015 - I am just not into fruity jammy cabs anymore. This is a pretty simple vino.
July 2, 2015 - Much better California Cabs than this one even if it was less than $20. Very weak nose, little in the way of tannins, and wimpy finish. I've got three more bottles if anyone wants to try.