Community Tasting Notes 12

• Glenn228 wrote: 92 points

  October 8, 2023 - 1 hr open bottle then 30 min decant. Deep ruby. Cedar, olive, candy aromas. Sour cherry, boysenberry. Tannins still prominent and grainy. Not as integrated as I thought this ten year old wine would be. I’d hold longer if I had another bottle. Like other wines from this winery, falling just a bit short of the expectation relative to price point.

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• Red Sox Fan wrote: 92 points

  October 6, 2023 - At the moment the 2013 Bella Oaks seems to have a little less fruit, and a little more bitterness and tannin compared to the Staglin Estate bottling. Tonight it was served as an emergency bottle to replace a corked wine and may have benefited from a decant. Could be better with more age and/or a substantial decant.

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• superrog68 Likes this wine: 92 points

  December 16, 2022 - Quite alcoholic initial nose but not offensive mineral and earth quickly replace Decanted 1 hour before drinking First taste was acidic plums and damson but again as taste developed was replaced by vanilla and licorice notes Full fruit and great mouth feel but still has plenty to develop Will be better in a few years for sure but a lovely taste for my birthday

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• Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 96 points

  September 17, 2022 - Popped and into the decanter, initial nose of incense and Chinese five spice
  
  Based on prior notes, looked like 2 hrs was ideal. Gave it an hour of air for an initial sip—oh my! Incense smoke, more Chinese five spice, spiced plum, perfume, simply outstanding. As good as it is now, the nose is ahead of the palate. That being said, I exercised exactly zero patience and enjoyed this as it decanted more without wait!
  
  At 2 hrs, much of the same, but black fruits emerge, black cherry, dried black currants, some dried herbs, dark sweet chocolate, cherry cola, green tobacco, hint of green peppercorn (in a good way). Agree with prior note on the increase in complexity at 2 hrs +. Held on well through 3 hrs after open.
  
  Was excited to try this to provide a baseline for the new Bella Oaks rendition with Nigel Kinsman at the wheel. Based on my score, I liked this better than prior tasters or perhaps the extra time sideways paid off—who knows!

  Comment

• jimyeni Likes this wine: 95 points

  August 26, 2022 - Lovely wine and showing well with the touch of age coming through and nice acidity through the middle. Fun to check this wine out given how heralded Bella oaks winery is despite being so new to market. The Staglins helped the booths learn about the business through these bottlings.

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2013
• Type Red
• Producer Staglin Family
• Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard Booth Bella Oaks
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Napa Valley
• Appellation Rutherford
• UPC Code 452139967509

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 1 (0%)
• In Cellars 491 (66%)
• Consumed 247 (33%)

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